Your HVAC system makes you and your family comfortable by regulating the flow of your home’s air, heat, and ventilation. It keeps you warm during the freezing months and lets you enjoy the cold to beat the scorching hot temperatures. Because of this, you have to maintain your HVAC’s tip-top condition at all times. One effective way to do this is to learn more about proper maintenance and avoiding false information. Here are some debunked myths and the truth behind them:
You can save energy by closing vents in unused rooms
Closing vents in unused rooms can cause a drastic increase in air pressure, affecting your HVAC system. It allows air to leak through duct joints and seams, sending currents into the walls and floors of your home rather than through the intended points. Also, the rooms with closed registers will have a different temperature than the rest of your house and have an open return air supply grill.
As a result, the air in those rooms will mix with the air from the rest of your property, leading you to consume more energy to heat or cool your house and increase your energy bills.
You have to change your filter only once every year
Airflow problems cause many HVAC system issues. Therefore, instead of believing that you have to change your filter only once yearly, make sure to replace it every two months.
Remember, your air conditioning and heating systems have a specific amount of airflow required for a smooth and optimal operation. A dirty air filter significantly reduces the amount of air traveling through your HVAC system. In contrast, a plugged one can reduce your airflow by as much as 90 percent due to blower motor failure, AC freeze-ups, and compressor failure.
This mishap also applies to the heating cycle, preventing your furnace from overheating and shutting down on high-temperature safeties. As such, it’s best to seek assistance from your HVAC service provider and change the filter regularly.
You need to set your thermostat to a high hot or cold setting for effective temperature control
Contrary to popular belief, your HVAC system can provide only a specific amount of cooling or heating within an hour. Therefore, setting your thermostat to an extremely warm or cold temperature does not make your system work faster. In fact, doing this affects your unit’s allowable usage span, resulting in costly repairs and replacements.
To prolong your system’s lifespan and avoid system freeze-ups, follow the three-degree max rule. It means avoiding thermostat settings more than three degrees away from the current indoor temperature. Meanwhile, you can always reach out to a professional HVAC repair specialist if you failed to follow the tips above and want to have your system fixed properly.
Your thermostat’s location does not matter
Your thermostat’s location is important because placing it directly under the sun or too close to a supply air register may give off false readings. When it reads that your house is warmer than it actually is, you can waste energy and even cause a system failure.
Conclusion
Keeping your HVAC system up and running can be stressful, especially when you are surrounded by myths that can cause more harm than good. Protect your worthwhile investment by avoiding all the formerly mentioned misconceptions listed above. This way, you know how to take care of your system and avoid making costly mistakes that can damage it.
If you need top-notch 24-hour HVAC services, reach out to us. We strive to offer permanent and affordable solutions for all HVAC needs in New Jersey. Get a free quote today!