Author: Larry & Sons

You’re more than likely familiar with the phrase, “Well, if it’s on the internet, it must be true.” This is often a sarcastic remark in response to outrageous claims, and unfortunately, when it comes to saving money, we’ll believe just about anything we read.

Some of the tips and tricks you hear and read online can actually have negative effects, especially when it comes to expensive equipment like heating and air conditioning.

We’ve debunked some of the most common air conditioning myths that claim to cut costs or provide more efficient comfort. 

Turning the thermostat way down will cool your home faster.

False: Regardless of your temperature setting, your air conditioner always cools at the same rate. A cool, refreshing home sounds ideal after a long day at work, but setting the temperature way back won’t do any good, no matter the degree. If you want your home to be cool by the time you come home, we recommend setting your programmable thermostat to turn on 30 minutes before arriving home. The closer your thermostat setting is to the temperature outside, the more money you will save.

Most air conditioners operate on a set speed; however, some units offer low, high, and medium settings. If you aren’t satisfied with your current heating or cooling system, consider installing a programmable thermostat! You can set the desired temperature before you leave work so that it’s cool and comfortable when you arrive home.

Annual tune-ups will extend the life of your air conditioner.

True: Would you ever drive your car 50,000 miles without changing the oil or making sure it runs all right? Of course not! So why do that to your air conditioner? Much like a car, your AC system needs some good ole’ TLC once and a while. We recommend performing annual tune-ups on your AC so you can be cool and comfortable all summer long. 

As an added benefit, you can forget all those frequent, costly air conditioner repairs! Our technicians can spot any problem before it becomes a messy and expensive affair. Annual tune-ups aren’t a service we implemented to get more money out of you; they’re designed to save you, the customer, from having to spend money on issues that could have been avoided in the first place.

An air conditioner with a higher efficiency rating will, by default, save you energy.

False: We hope you didn’t feel too tricked by this statement, as it is partially true! The key to this is a perfectly executed installation. An installation that is rushed or not completed properly can cause the new unit to consume between 30% and 40% more fuel than it would if it had been completed with care and precision.

Changing your air filters once a year should suffice

False: While changing your air filters is crucial, changing them only once a year is simply not good enough. Show your AC some love by changing the filters at least once every three months. An air filter traps dirt and dust, so a dirty filter slows down airflow and makes way for poor indoor air quality. Changing the air filter often can reduce wasted energy by up to 10%.

Tip: Write the date on your air filter so when you go to look at it again, you know when to change it!

Bigger is better: Upgrading to a bigger air conditioner improves performance.

 False: By choosing an air conditioning unit that is more powerful than the space you are trying to cool, you will use more energy and spend more money. Oversized AC units may trick thermostats into shutting off the system before the whole house reaches the optimal temperature by creating bursts of cold air. This “cycling” can cause excess wear and tear on the unit. Pay attention to capacity and pick the correct size unit for the space. A properly sized unit is the best choice for long-term comfort, durability, and efficiency.

Now that we’ve cleared the air, we hope you no longer believe these AC myths! Leave it to the experts at Larry & Sons for all your home cooling needs. Got any questions? Well, we’ve got the answer!