Common Misconceptions of A/Cs. There’s a lot of bad advice out there, and that’s especially true when it comes to equipment like your air conditioner. Most people have an air conditioner, but few people are actually experts when it comes to how they work and what you can do to help them work longer. As your local air conditioning experts in Apache Junction, we want to help set the record straight.
1 – There’s No Way to Make Your A/C Last Longer
Most people don’t take a very proactive approach to A/C maintenance. They assume it will last for several years, need some repairs, then eventually give out altogether. While there is some kernel of truth in that, and all air conditioners will eventually need to be replaced, you can dramatically prolong the life of your unit. Change the filters regularly and get regular AC tune-ups. Doing so will save you money in the long run by making your unit last longer.
2 – Get the Biggest Air Conditioner Possible
Arizona can get unbelievably hot during the summer. Some people think they can beat the heat with a larger air conditioner, but this simply isn’t true. Bigger units use a lot more energy, which increases your bills, but your ductwork can only handle so much air. Furthermore, your air conditioner regulates the humidity in your home, so it isn’t necessarily a good idea to minimize cycle times. It’s important to find an A/C unit that’s big enough to keep your home cool without being too big. An HVAC contractor will be able to help you choose the right size.
3 – Closing Vents in Empty Rooms Improves Efficiency
Unfortunately, this isn’t an appropriate way to mimic the effects of zoned heating and cooling. Unless your system has different zones, it’s intended to treat the entire house. Closing some vents will just trap cold air in the ductwork, and your system will still be working just as hard to create more cold air for the rooms that do have their vents opened. With some vents closed, your home will start to have inconsistent temperatures. If you close too many vents and your ductwork gets too cold, you could even cause problems like a frozen condenser in your air conditioner.
4 – Turn the Thermostat Way Down to Cool the Home Faster
Some people have the idea to turn their thermostats down to a setting even lower than their target temperature. “If I set the thermostat to 50°, it will get down to 70° faster, right?” This is not the case. Your air conditioner will already work as hard as it can to get your home to the desired temperature as quickly as possible. There’s no benefit to turning it to a lower temperature, and all you’re doing is giving yourself a chance to forget to put the setting back. If your unit isn’t getting the home cool enough, you likely need A/C maintenance.
5 – Turn the A/C off When You Leave Home
There are a lot of myths surrounding this idea. Some say not to turn the A/C off because it will have to “work harder” after you turn it back on. We don’t recommend turning your air conditioner all the way off during summer in Arizona, but that’s not the reason. The real problem is that your home could become over 100° on the inside if you leave for long enough, which is bad for your food, pets, plants, and possessions. Instead, we recommend raising the thermostat to a setting higher than normal without turning it all the way off (around 80°).
6 – It Doesn’t Matter Where Your Outdoor Unit Goes
Any good HVAC professional should be able to give you guidance about the best place to put your outdoor unit. We normally recommend putting it somewhere that gives it a little some shade, since direct sunlight can make it hotter and slow down the cooling process. For that reason, it’s best to put the unit on the north side of the home whenever possible. Putting it under a tree can provide some shade, too, but make sure you keep the unit free from debris.
7 – Changing the Filter Isn’t a Big Deal
Some homeowners try to save a bit of money by cleaning the filter instead of changing it out for a new one. Unfortunately, the filter will collect some debris that simply can’t be cleaned. This permanent debris in the filter will disrupt the flow of air through your unit, which causes all kinds of problems. Your air conditioner will become less efficient, and that could lead to expensive repairs.
8 – Air Conditioners Only Cool the Home
Humidity isn’t normally a big concern throughout Arizona compared to in many other parts of the country. That said, it can be harder for your air conditioner to cool your home if the humidity is either too low or too high. The air conditioner in your home will affect the humidity of your rooms as well as the temperature.
9 – It Doesn’t Matter Where the Thermostat Goes
Some people think it only matters to put the thermostat in a place where it looks good or is convenient to adjust. There’s another reason that the location of your thermostat matters, though. There’s a thermometer in the thermostat that measures the temperature of the air and sends signals to the rest of your HVAC system. In other words, your home may get too cool if you put the thermostat somewhere where it can sense excess heat from direct sunlight or kitchen appliances. If you put your thermostat directly over a vent, it may cool faster than the rest of the home and cause your air conditioner to shut off too soon.
10 – A/C Maintenance Is a Waste of Money
Some people think of regular air conditioner tune-ups as nothing more than a way for HVAC contractors to make some extra money. The truth is, though, that the cost of routine air conditioning maintenance is incredibly low compared to the things that can go wrong if you neglect the system. A skilled HVAC contractor will be able to prevent the system from losing efficiency as quickly, which helps save money on utility bills. Perhaps even more importantly, regular tune-ups will help address issues proactively instead of allowing them to become big, expensive problems.
A/C Repair Services Available in Apache Junction with Superstition Cooling!
Here at Superstition Cooling, we’re proud to be family owned and operated. Our reputation means everything to us, so you can always count on us to give you the truth about your HVAC system. From regular A/C maintenance to ductwork repair, our team of experts will do everything they can to keep your home comfortable. Contact us today for air conditioning service in Apache Junction or any of the surrounding areas.
You can call Superstition Cooling at 480-712-1597. Call us today so that we can help you with your heating or A/C needs!
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