5 Air Conditioning Myths That Are Busting Your Bank Account

Freeze Out These 5 Myths About AC Service

​When the weather warms up in Santa Rosa, you shouldn't have to choose between that family vacation or keeping your home cool. If you’d like to save some cash at your next AC service appointment, it's time to dismiss these five air conditioning myths.

1. That old air filter is fine.

​The air filter's job is to trap dust, mold spores, and other irritants that can reduce the air quality in your home. It can only trap so much before it fills up, making it very difficult for any air whatsoever to get through. When that happens, it's bad news for your AC unit:
 

• The fan has to work extra-hard to push air through, which can lead to accelerated wear and tear — and higher energy bills.
• Irritants such as pollen and pet dander that would usually be filtered out have nowhere to go, so they linger in your air ducts and on your home's surfaces instead.
• The filter buildup can harbor moisture that spurs bacteria growth.
• When the cool air can't leave your AC unit, it can cause the system to freeze.

 
Old filters are the primary cause of system failure. Change yours every 1-2 months, or as often as recommended by your AC maintenance team.

2. Regularly scheduled AC service isn't necessary.

​Periodic maintenance is one of the best ways to extend the life of your unit and protect your bank account. Small issues now not only have the potential to cause big problems later, but they can also decrease your unit's efficiency. That, in turn, can boost your monthly energy bill.

3. Size doesn't matter.

​You wouldn't clean your kitchen with a toothbrush. You shouldn't rely on a tiny AC unit to cool your Marin County home. A unit that's too small for the space you're trying to keep cool forces that unit to work overtime, and that's a recipe for disaster — or at least frequent repair calls.
 
If you have a unit that's too large for your home, that can create issues as well. It's likely to turn on and off very frequently as it maintains your home's temperature, and that can cause undue stress.

4. Turning the temperature down super-low will cool your home faster.

​It doesn't matter if you tell your AC to drop the temperature 2 degrees or 20 degrees; the unit is going to work just as hard either way. The only difference is the time it takes to reach the desired temperature.

5. You should stick with your air conditioner until it dies.

​You may think that you're saving money by putting off a new AC installation, but continuing to run a dilapidated AC unit can raise your energy costs month after month (after month). A system that's plagued with problems big or small is an inefficient system, and at a minimum, that means it's going to need more juice just to perform.
 
Your air conditioner isn’t built to last forever, but with sensible use and periodic maintenance, you can get the most out of your unit. To schedule your next AC service, contact Next Level HVAC to request an estimate. In addition to our A+ accreditation from the Better Business Bureau, we're licensed, bonded, insured, and Diamond Quality Certified. Like us on Facebook, find us on LinkedIn, and subscribe to our blog to see the difference that integrity makes.