It was one of the promising topics that create hosts of debates among various families in Raleigh regarding the most prevalent myths about air conditioning. With humid and hot summers, air conditioner often winds up saving lives but is often misused by various homeowners because of a lack of understanding of its energy consumption and DIY fixes. Most myths concerning air conditioning prove to be failure in enhancing efficiency, reduce a home's electrical bill, and in the worst cases, damage the entire air conditioning system. The post outlines various myths that serve as greatest tormentors and haunting experiences for many Raleigh homeowners with fact- based true insights that will keep the cooling system in charge at an optimum performance level.
The Myth: Most homeowners think that the AC will cool the house faster by lowering the temperature further at the thermostat.
The Truth: An air conditioner's cool production is predetermined by its capacities and the temperature outside to inside. When the thermostat setting is decreased, the unit just works longer to achieve that new, lower set point, without improving the efficacy of the cool-down speed. The extra runtime, therefore, increases energy consumption without speeding up cooling down.
Pro Tip: Set your thermostat to the highest comfortable temperature, around 78°F, and then add to that home comfort level by running ceiling fans so you will feel cooler without lowering the temperature even further. For added savings, combine this with a programmable or smart thermostat to automatically adjust when you are gone. This is a nice balance of comfort and efficiency.
The Myth: Thus, if a room goes unoccupied, shutting off its vents would then concentrate the cool air into the other rooms of the house and minimize the amount of energy consumed.
The Truth: Modern HVAC units are installed and approved to supply adequate airflow through the complete duct pathway. The effect of closing vents will cause high pressure in the ducts and lead to duct leakage, reduced energy efficiency, and wear and tear on the blower motor. This means that you are actually increasing wear on the system with no gain in overall performance.
Pro Tip: Leave all vents open and unobstructed. If zone control is needed, invest in a professionally used zoning system that will direct airflow where it's needed using dampers and multiple thermostats without harming the system.
The Myth: Buying over-sized air conditioners would always guarantee that one gets better cooling and quicker temperature drops.
The Truth: An oversized AC unit cycles on and off more frequently, leading to short cycling, which ends up giving undesirable dehumidification, sees an uneven temperature distribution, and early wear of components. Yes, properly sized units have long cycles, remove humidity effectively, and have steady comfort.
Pro Tip: Always have a professional perform a Manual J load calculation before replacing or installing an AC system. JW Ultra Air Heating & Cooling, LLC uses these industry-standard calculations to recommend the right-sized equipment for your Raleigh home.
The Myth: There is no need for routine maintenance if the air conditioning has proper cooling.
The Truth: Most issues start out as problems that can go unnoticed for quite some time until they become major problems. Regular maintenance such as coil cleaning, refrigerant checks, and electrical checks will prevent breakdown, ensure efficiency, and increase system lifespan. The skipping of maintenance often results in having to pay for expensive emergency repairs along with heftier energy bills.
Pro Tip: Schedule biannual HVAC tune-ups, preferably in spring (before heavily cooling summer) and fall (right before the heating season). Our maintenance plans at JW Ultra Air Heating & Cooling, LLC will keep your system in top shape all year round.
The Myth: You can buy refrigerant recharge kits at the local hardware and DIY top off the system to get cooling going again.
The Truth: Refrigerants are supposed to be handled by EPA certified technicians. Overcharging or undercharging a compressor may affect its efficiency and also bring environmental hazards. DIY kits usually suppress underlying leakages rather than actually fix them, resulting in repeated problems and lawsuit potential.
Pro Tip: If you suspect refrigerant is low, contact an accredited HVAC technician. We will locate and repair any leaks, properly evacuate and recharge the system and keep everything compliant with environment regulations.
The Myth: The hot air cannot reach the house, and so the work of the AC is made easier by closing the garage door.
The Truth: While it keeps the garage cooler and closes with the garage access door, most houses are not cooled at all with the air in the garage. Transfer of heat is through walls and ceilings, but conditioning systems are isolated from conditioned spaces. Insulating them properly and sealing them around the garage walls and the doors connecting it to the house makes a bigger difference than just closing the garage door.
Pro Tip: Insulate garage walls and seal gaps around doors leading into the house. This will prevent heat transfer and also minimize the overall cooling load on your AC system.
The Myth: Ceiling and portable fans are simply cooling sensations; they do not affect your HVAC system's efficiency.
The Truth: In fact, they heat them, and every fan helps. So someday you would have to switch it off, and it saves energy when you have not done that.
Pro Tip: Save energy by using fans in conjunction with your AC as often as possible. And turn on the fans when occupying the room, then turn them off afterward. For maximum savings possible, integrate these actions with programmable fan capabilities and smart home technologies.
Air conditioning systems remove heat from inside at a constant rate. Lowering the thermostat allows longer runtimes, but not increased speed by which the home cools. Thus an increase in time time for using fans and shading devices will help.
Yes. Closing vents disrupts the designed airflow and elevates duct pressure, which can potentially damage the system. A zoning system should be considered for that instead of closing vents in a room, even unused.
At least two times a year-spring through fall. The small issues get caught early, the efficiency maintained, and the life of the system extended by treating it to regular tune-ups.
No. Only EPA-certified technicians should touch refrigerants. Mishandling could damage the system and damage the environment, as well.
Yes, Fans create a wind-chill effect that allows you to set the thermostat 3-4 degrees Fahrenheit higher, so up to 20 percent can be saved on cooling costs. Always turn off fans when unoccupied in a room.
Don't let the myths bring discomfort into your life or cost you your cash. You're in the right place since at JW Ultra Air Heating & Cooling, LLC, we have industry professionals giving you valuable advice on how best to keep your house in Raleigh cool, efficient, and trouble-free.
Call us at (919) 348-9399 now to book your appointment for AC maintenance or repairs. Check out our website for more information on our wide range of services and maintenance plans!
Myth 1: Make Your Home Cool Faster by Setting the Thermostat Lower
The Myth: Most homeowners think that the AC will cool the house faster by lowering the temperature further at the thermostat.
The Truth: An air conditioner's cool production is predetermined by its capacities and the temperature outside to inside. When the thermostat setting is decreased, the unit just works longer to achieve that new, lower set point, without improving the efficacy of the cool-down speed. The extra runtime, therefore, increases energy consumption without speeding up cooling down.
Pro Tip: Set your thermostat to the highest comfortable temperature, around 78°F, and then add to that home comfort level by running ceiling fans so you will feel cooler without lowering the temperature even further. For added savings, combine this with a programmable or smart thermostat to automatically adjust when you are gone. This is a nice balance of comfort and efficiency.
Myth 2: Closing Vents in Unused Rooms Saves Energy
The Myth: Thus, if a room goes unoccupied, shutting off its vents would then concentrate the cool air into the other rooms of the house and minimize the amount of energy consumed.
The Truth: Modern HVAC units are installed and approved to supply adequate airflow through the complete duct pathway. The effect of closing vents will cause high pressure in the ducts and lead to duct leakage, reduced energy efficiency, and wear and tear on the blower motor. This means that you are actually increasing wear on the system with no gain in overall performance.
Pro Tip: Leave all vents open and unobstructed. If zone control is needed, invest in a professionally used zoning system that will direct airflow where it's needed using dampers and multiple thermostats without harming the system.
Myth 3: Bigger is Always Better When It Comes to AC Units
The Myth: Buying over-sized air conditioners would always guarantee that one gets better cooling and quicker temperature drops.
The Truth: An oversized AC unit cycles on and off more frequently, leading to short cycling, which ends up giving undesirable dehumidification, sees an uneven temperature distribution, and early wear of components. Yes, properly sized units have long cycles, remove humidity effectively, and have steady comfort.
Pro Tip: Always have a professional perform a Manual J load calculation before replacing or installing an AC system. JW Ultra Air Heating & Cooling, LLC uses these industry-standard calculations to recommend the right-sized equipment for your Raleigh home.
Myth 4: Maintenance Isn't Necessary If the AC Operates Just Fine
The Myth: There is no need for routine maintenance if the air conditioning has proper cooling.
The Truth: Most issues start out as problems that can go unnoticed for quite some time until they become major problems. Regular maintenance such as coil cleaning, refrigerant checks, and electrical checks will prevent breakdown, ensure efficiency, and increase system lifespan. The skipping of maintenance often results in having to pay for expensive emergency repairs along with heftier energy bills.
Pro Tip: Schedule biannual HVAC tune-ups, preferably in spring (before heavily cooling summer) and fall (right before the heating season). Our maintenance plans at JW Ultra Air Heating & Cooling, LLC will keep your system in top shape all year round.
Myth 5: Top Up On Refrigerant by Yourself—It is Safe and Effective
The Myth: You can buy refrigerant recharge kits at the local hardware and DIY top off the system to get cooling going again.
The Truth: Refrigerants are supposed to be handled by EPA certified technicians. Overcharging or undercharging a compressor may affect its efficiency and also bring environmental hazards. DIY kits usually suppress underlying leakages rather than actually fix them, resulting in repeated problems and lawsuit potential.
Pro Tip: If you suspect refrigerant is low, contact an accredited HVAC technician. We will locate and repair any leaks, properly evacuate and recharge the system and keep everything compliant with environment regulations.
Myth 6: Close the Garage Door for AC to Work Less
The Myth: The hot air cannot reach the house, and so the work of the AC is made easier by closing the garage door.
The Truth: While it keeps the garage cooler and closes with the garage access door, most houses are not cooled at all with the air in the garage. Transfer of heat is through walls and ceilings, but conditioning systems are isolated from conditioned spaces. Insulating them properly and sealing them around the garage walls and the doors connecting it to the house makes a bigger difference than just closing the garage door.
Pro Tip: Insulate garage walls and seal gaps around doors leading into the house. This will prevent heat transfer and also minimize the overall cooling load on your AC system.
Myth 7: Fans Have no Effect on the Efficiency of AC
The Myth: Ceiling and portable fans are simply cooling sensations; they do not affect your HVAC system's efficiency.
The Truth: In fact, they heat them, and every fan helps. So someday you would have to switch it off, and it saves energy when you have not done that.
Pro Tip: Save energy by using fans in conjunction with your AC as often as possible. And turn on the fans when occupying the room, then turn them off afterward. For maximum savings possible, integrate these actions with programmable fan capabilities and smart home technologies.
FAQs: Debunking AC Myths in Raleigh Homes
1. My thermostat is low. Why doesn't my house get cool faster?
Air conditioning systems remove heat from inside at a constant rate. Lowering the thermostat allows longer runtimes, but not increased speed by which the home cools. Thus an increase in time time for using fans and shading devices will help.
2. Is it really bad to close vents in a room that I do not use?
Yes. Closing vents disrupts the designed airflow and elevates duct pressure, which can potentially damage the system. A zoning system should be considered for that instead of closing vents in a room, even unused.
3. How often should I schedule maintenance on my AC with a professional?
At least two times a year-spring through fall. The small issues get caught early, the efficiency maintained, and the life of the system extended by treating it to regular tune-ups.
4. Can I recharge the AC refrigerant by myself?
No. Only EPA-certified technicians should touch refrigerants. Mishandling could damage the system and damage the environment, as well.
5. Wah-wah-wah; will ceiling fans save me money on my energy bills?
Yes, Fans create a wind-chill effect that allows you to set the thermostat 3-4 degrees Fahrenheit higher, so up to 20 percent can be saved on cooling costs. Always turn off fans when unoccupied in a room.
Keeping Myths Away- Expert AC Care at JW Ultra Air Heating & Cooling, LLC
Don't let the myths bring discomfort into your life or cost you your cash. You're in the right place since at JW Ultra Air Heating & Cooling, LLC, we have industry professionals giving you valuable advice on how best to keep your house in Raleigh cool, efficient, and trouble-free.
Call us at (919) 348-9399 now to book your appointment for AC maintenance or repairs. Check out our website for more information on our wide range of services and maintenance plans!