Common Air Conditioning Myths, Debunked

With over two-thirds of the homes in the United States currently using air conditioners, there’s a lot of information swirling around out there concerning HVAC systems. But how do you know if anything you read is true or not?

Act on the wrong information, and you could end up breaking your air conditioner right in the peak of summer, then have to wait days until local air conditioning repair contractors can come save the day. To keep you informed and cool this summer, here are some common myths about your air conditioner, debunked, courtesy of our very own local air conditioning repair experts!

Myth: Using an air conditioner will keep you cold, which will lead to illness.

Fact: This is not true! While air conditioners will keep you cool from the heat, viruses and bacteria are what cause illnesses. And you can catch those whether you’re at a comfortable 76 degrees or sweltering in the summer heat.

Myth: It is cheaper and more effective to leave your thermostat on one temperature all day.

Fact: Untrue! Why bother spending high energy costs to cool down your home when you are not there? You can set your air conditioner with a programmable thermostat to warm your home while you are out, and then start cooling your home down right before you return. You will never know the difference, until the bill comes.

Myth: You don’t need an air conditioner if you have a ceiling fan.

Fact: Ceiling fans do not cool the air, they simply move air around in the room to create a breeze.

Myth: Cranking the temperature down on your unit will make it cool the home faster.

Fact: Air conditioners run at the same rate no matter how far down you turn the thermostat. So if you do need to feel cooler, do turn the temperature down, but cranking it down to 55 won’t make it work any faster. In fact, you might just blow out your system in the process.

Myth: The location for your air conditioning installation does not matter.

Fact: You should always have a professional air conditioning company install your HVAC system, as it should not be near any other household appliances that give off heat. For example, if it is installed near your television it can pick up on the heat produced and run for longer than necessary.

Myth: It is not important to invest in regular air conditioning repair.

Fact: It is incredibly important to invest in AC repair and maintenance to ensure your unit works efficiently. Can you imagine if you let your car go years without an oil change?

Your cooling and heating system will become less efficient over time, and can even be dangerous if not maintained properly. In fact, in 2010 there were 7,400 reported home structure fires related to air conditioning units, fans, or related equipment that could have been prevented with regular service.

It is important to find a quality local air conditioning repair service that you can rely on. Total Air Air Conditioning and Heating is proud to offer the local air conditioning repair service St. Petersburg residents rely on, so call today.