Summer in Myrtle Beach is hot, and air conditioning at home and at work is a necessity. The last thing you want is for your AC to go out in July or August in South Carolina. Despite the wealth of information on the web, there are still some common myths about AC that folks believe. Here are our top air conditioning myths and why you should ignore them.
Myth 1: Wait Until the AC Dies Before Replacing It
There’s some logic behind this idea. It makes sense to use something fully before replacing it, which means that sometimes the cost of repairs makes more sense than the expense of a total replacement. But sometimes the “run it ’til the wheels fall off” mentality neglects the cost of inefficiency.
Old units with occasional repairs may be costing you more than just the parts and labor. Old ACs work harder and cool less. You’ll see the added expense on monthly utility bills, on top of the frustration and discomfort from an inefficient AC.
For more information, check out our post on when it’s better to replace and when it’s better to repair your HVAC.
Myth 2: Turning Your Thermostat Down Lower Will Cool the Room Faster
Sorry, folks. It doesn’t matter if you set your thermostat at 68 or 60 degrees. Setting your thermostat lower than the ideal temperature won’t get you there any faster. Your AC unit has a limited capacity, and setting the temperature at a colder setting doesn’t speed up the pace. The greater the gap between the actual temperature and the set temperature, the longer it will take to get there. Patience is a virtue.
Myth 3: It Doesn’t Matter Where You Put the Thermostat
We’re sure this isn’t as commonly believed as the others, but we want to highlight the fact that thermostat placement is important to how effective your AC is in cooling your home or office.
Your thermostat is the device monitoring indoor temperature and deciding whether or not your AC needs to come on. If your thermostat is in direct sunlight or near a window, or if it is directly below a vent blowing cool air, it is not getting an accurate representation of the indoor temperature. Poor placement skews readings, which means you may be adjusting your thermostat to a setting lower than you normally would in order to feel cool in the rest of the space.
A central location on an interior wall away from vents is always the best place for a thermostat.
Myth 4: The Larger AC Unit, the Better
Despite popular opinion, bigger isn’t always better, and it’s definitely true with AC units. If your air conditioning unit is too big, the compressor will turn on and off in quick intervals, which isn’t good for wear and tear. It may also not effectively remove moisture from the air.
If the unit is too small, it will be working too hard to cool your home and constantly running. This can wear out the mechanical components and lead to high utility bills.
All of the above is the reason why units are always rated for a specific square-footage range. Choose the unit that fits your home or office.
Myth 5: Regular Maintenance Isn’t Worth It
We understand that cleaning and maintenance contracts can seem like a lot of money, especially if your unit has been fine on its own for a while. However, just like oil changes for your car, regular maintenance and cleaning is going to extend the life and hopefully save you money in the long-run when you avoid costly repairs. Visit our blog to learn more about HVAC service contracts, and what to look for and what to avoid.