There are a lot of misconstrued perceptions out there about HVAC systems. What’s the best way to maintain them? How often should you service them? What’s the ideal thermostat temperature? There is a wide array of different answers to these questions and more across the Internet. We’re here to set some of these HVAC myths straight and provide you with the facts.
1. You Need to Change Your Air Filter Once a Year
Many people think changing their air filter once per year is enough. However, this is not even close to frequent enough. Air filters should be changed every other month. If you have pets in your home, then you should change your air filter every month. Regularly changing your air filter will allow your HVAC system to run more efficiently, and the air quality of your home will be much better.
2. Bigger HVAC Units Are Always Better
Bigger is not always better, especially when it comes to your HVAC system. Some people assume that a larger HVAC unit will heat and cool their home faster and more easily, but this is far from the truth. If your HVAC unit is too big for your home, it will run much less efficiently and will struggle to remove the humidity like it is supposed to. When your HVAC unit is too large, it will constantly cycle on and off because of how quickly it changes the temperature of your home. Turning on and off like this uses up more energy, which will cause your energy costs to skyrocket. When you need to install or replace an HVAC system, trust an HVAC specialist to measure your space to determine the size you need.
3. HVAC Maintenance is Only Necessary for Broken HVAC Systems
There are a lot of people who do not think routine HVAC maintenance is necessary. They only have an HVAC technician come look at their heating and cooling systems if they break down. However, HVAC systems are complex with a lot of moving parts. These parts need to be regularly checked, lubed, and oiled. Just like your car needs an annual tune-up, so does your HVAC system. You should schedule routine HVAC maintenance for your heating and cooling systems so that a professional can make sure they are running as efficiently as possible. This can save you a lot of money in repairs and replacement costs in the future.
4. Closing Vents in Empty Rooms Will Increase HVAC System Efficiency
When there is an unused room in their home, some people will close the vents in that room because they think this will increase the efficiency of their HVAC system and allow for easier heating and cooling of the rest of the house. However, increasing the air flow and pressure in your air ducts by closing off vents can actually create air leaks at the vent seams. If you want to control which areas of your home receive heating and cooling, you should have an HVAC company install a zoning system in your home.
5. Turning the Thermostat All the Way Up or Down Will Heat or Cool Your Home Faster
The purpose of a thermostat is to tell your HVAC system the temperature you want to maintain in your home. Based on the current temperature, the HVAC system will either turn on or off to bring the air in your home up or down to your desired temperature. The temperature you set your thermostat to does not change how hard or quickly your HVAC system works, only how long it will run to reach that temperature. For this reason, turning your thermostat all the way up or down will not heat or cool your home any faster than if you just set it to the temperature you actually want your home to be.
6. HVAC Problems Are Usually Caused by Low Refrigerant
There are a lot of people who always assume that low refrigerant is the reason why their cooling system is not blowing cool air. However, low refrigerant is only the cause of a small percentage of HVAC problems. In addition to your air conditioner blowing hot air, there are two other main signs to look for to know if your HVAC unit is low on refrigerant. Does your refrigerant line have ice on it, and do you hear a bubbling or hissing noise? If you have all three of these symptoms, chances are you have a refrigerant leak that has caused your HVAC system to have low refrigerant levels. If you do not notice all three of these signs, then your HVAC system is likely experiencing another problem. There are many reasons why your air conditioner might not be blowing cool air, including a blockage, a faulty compressor, etc. An HVAC technician can figure out what the problem is and will be able to repair it for you.
7. Air Leaks in an HVAC System Are Easy to Spot
While it seems like it should be easy to find any air leaks in your home, they can actually be pretty difficult to spot. Even the largest air leaks can go unnoticed by homeowners. HVAC technicians are trained to spot leaks and then properly seal them so that your HVAC system can run efficiently and stop wasting energy. During your regular annual HVAC maintenance, you can have the HVAC technician check your system for leaks to ease your worries.
Hire a Trusted Knoxville HVAC Company for HVAC Maintenance and Repairs
We know that one of your biggest fears is that your heating and cooling system will break down right in the middle of a period of extreme temperatures. To avoid running into this problem, you should schedule routine HVAC maintenance annually so that any issues can be found and fixed before they cause a system failure. Here at City Heating and Air Conditioning, our goal is to make sure your HVAC system is running as efficiently as possible so that you can always be comfortable. Our experienced HVAC technicians can meet all your HVAC needs, from installation to repair to regular HVAC maintenance. Our expert team has been trusted by residents of East Tennessee for over fifty years, so if you want to hire a trusted HVAC company to take care of your heating and cooling system, reach out to City Heating and Air Conditioning today at 865-938-1005 or online.