As the summer rolls in, people want to be sure that they can save money and keep themselves and their homes at a comfortable temperature. Although these goals are achievable, there are common myths and misconceptions about summer cooling that you should be aware of. Keeping yourself informed about this information will help lead you to make better decisions for your home. Here are the six most common myths about summer cooling.
1. Turning Your AC Off Saves Energy and Money
It makes sense that people assume turning their air conditioners off while they’re away can help them save money or reserve energy for their homes. However, that only forces your air conditioner to work harder because turning it off and on can be hard on the internal parts. Instead of powering it off and on throughout the day, you could use a programmable thermostat to raise or to lower the temperature when it’s not in use.
2. A Bigger AC System Is More Efficient for Cooling Your Home
A larger cooling system isn’t always going to be the most efficient option for your home. Oversized AC systems can lead you to overspend because larger systems are more likely to have issues with hot and cold spots in certain areas of the home. Always opt for a properly sized AC system for your home. You can rely on a professional like the experts at Breckinridge Heating and Cooling. We offer AC repair, AC installation, and AC maintenance services in Louisville and the surrounding communities.
3. Fans Keep Rooms Cool
Most people aren’t aware that fans are meant to cool people rather than rooms. They’re great for lowering body temperature, but they shouldn’t be relied on to cool entire rooms in the way AC systems can. Fans can, however, draw cool outdoor air into a room if it’s placed inside of a window. If you’re trying to use a fan to cool off a certain part of a room, go for a ceiling fan.
4. Closing Air Vents Makes AC Use More Efficient
Lots of people close the vents in certain rooms of their homes in an effort to lower AC costs. However, professionals consider airflow in the home with open vents in mind. Closing the vents can disrupt that system and put pressure on the ductwork. This, in turn, forces your air conditioner to work in longer cycles and to use more energy to keep up with the home. Once the airflow gets knocked out of whack in the home, it can make certain rooms too warm and others too cool.
5. Air Duct Leaks Should Be Sealed With Duct Tape
Duct tape is not an ideal product for sealing air duct leaks. Over time, it can start to peel and lose its stickiness, like most types of tape. If you believe that you need to seal your air ducts, most professionals recommend talking to an expert. Sealing the air ducts by yourself with items like aluminum foil tape, mastic sealant, or other similar products may not be as effective in the long run. Mastic sealant can work in some cases, but you should still leave this important process in the hands of a professional. Doing so will leave little room for mistakes.
6. Portable Electric Heaters and Coolers Trump Traditional Heating and Cooling Methods
Most people opt for portable versions of traditional heaters and coolers in an effort to save themselves money and energy. While this could be a smart idea in some cases, it all depends on the circumstance that the person is in. For example, if a person is in one spot and already has a space heater or a portable cooler nearby, then turning the central heating or cooling system may help save money and energy.
However, most of the time, people are using their portable heaters or coolers in addition to their central systems. This type of situation can only result in higher bills and higher energy consumption. In most cases, gas options are more efficient than electric ones anyway. If you’re trying to save energy and money on your energy through using portable heaters or coolers, remember to turn your central system off while doing so. Also, turn your portable cooler off when you leave the area to save energy.
Breckinridge Heating and Cooling has provided elite HVAC services since 1954. Contact us today for any of our cooling and heating services, such as heating repair, heating installation, and more.
