Debunking 5 Myths about Your HVAC System
When it comes to your HVAC system, there are all kinds of theories out there about the best ways to cool and heat your home. Chances are, you’ve heard all of these … and probably have tried a few too. Let’s debunk these five myths…
- Myth #1: Closing vents and doors
You have probably heard that you can lower your energy bill by closing air vents and closing doors to the rooms of your house you don’t use frequently. Seems like it makes sense, right? You aren’t using that room, so why have your system cool or heat it? The problem when you do this is you actually make your HVAC system work harder to circulate air throughout your house. An HVAC system that is working hard only strains your equipment and raises your energy bills.
- Myth #2: Setting your thermostat to very low/high temperatures to cool down/heat up quicker
Your HVAC system cools and heats your home evenly, meaning the air or heat it produces comes out in the same amount, no matter what temperature you set the thermostat to. That means lowering the thermostat to a really low or high temperature will not cause your house to cool down or heat up any quicker than normal. Better yet, think about installing a programmable thermostat to lower your bills by automatically adjusting the temperature while you are out of the house. - Myth #3: Not using ceiling fans
Ceiling fans help support your HVAC system in cooling down or heating up a house because they keep air circulating through your house and makes your system not work so hard. Just make sure the fans are running in the right direction. You can have the ceiling fan blades run clockwise in the winter, so the warm air that has risen will be pushed down. Then, in the summertime, the blades should run counterclockwise for more airflow. - Myth #4: It doesn’t matter where the thermostat is
Where the thermostat is installed in your home is very important. Put it in the wrong place, and you will see a difference in your energy bill … and not a good difference. An example of a bad location for a thermostat is near a window, which means the thermostat will likely read the room temperature much warmer on hot days than it really is and much cooler on cold days than it really is. Then your HVAC system will run even more than needed because of this inaccurate reading.
Another bad location would be on any of your exterior walls because, again, it can be influenced by temperatures outside. Make sure you don’t have any appliances near the thermostat that can skew the readings (think TVs, lamps, fans, etc.). You should avoid placing the thermostat near air vents, windows, doors and the kitchen.
It is best to place the thermostat on an interior wall in a room that is used most frequently (think the center of your house). For even more on thermostats, check out this article from the U.S. Department of Energy. - Myth #5: There is no need to schedule regular maintenance appointments for your HVAC system
Quite the contrary! It is important to have your HVAC system checked by a professional twice a year (in the spring before using the air conditioner for the first time and in the fall before using the furnace for the first time). This kind of preventive maintenance is important for the life of your HVAC system, addressing any issues before they turn into expensive repairs or replacements.
Now that we have debunked these myths, call Stiles Heating, Cooling, & Plumbing today to schedule your next maintenance appointment and ensure your HVAC system is running smoothly.
