Most homeowners have a heating and/or cooling system to maintain their home’s internal temperature. Unfortunately, many misconceptions persist about HVAC systems that can actually harm the system. For this reason, we dive into some of the most common myths and tell you the truth.
1. Air Filters Should Be Changed Annually
One of the most common myths that catch homeowners is that an HVAC system’s filter only needs to be changed once a year. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Most homeowners should change the HVAC filter every two to three months. For the best results, check the state of your filter each month and replace it as soon as it looks dirty. A dirty filter can significantly decrease the efficiency of your furnace or air conditioner and eventually lead to excessive wear of your HVAC system’s internal components.
2. The Bigger the Better
Another big misconception is that a bigger heating or cooling system is better. The best heating or cooling system to get is the one that’s appropriately sized for your unique space. An HVAC system that’s too big will short cycle and waste energy. Furthermore, an oversized cooling system will fail to run long enough to remove excess humidity from inside your home. It will also likely leave hot and cold spots throughout the home.
3. Drastically Changing Thermostat Setting Will Lead to Quicker Changes
When the temperature inside your home isn’t comfortable, you’ll need to adjust your thermostat. It’s a common misconception that if you adjust the temperature to be 10 degrees different, your HVAC system will reach that temperature quicker than if you set your thermostat to be five degrees warmer or cooler. The truth is that it doesn’t matter how much you increase or decrease the temperature; your HVAC system can only change the temperature at a set rate per hour. Plus, you will probably over heat or cool the house, wasting energy and leaving you uncomfortable.
4. Closing Vents in Unused Rooms Saves Money
It might seem logical on the surface that closing up vents in unused rooms can help reduce your energy bills. However, a deeper dive into learning how ductwork and your HVAC system operate will reveal that’s not the case. Closing vents will affect the pressure inside your ducting. This will negatively affect the performance of your HVAC system and can even lead to poor indoor air quality as debris gets sucked in through leaks in your ducting.
It’s best to leave all your air vents fully open throughout the year. If you have rooms that are consistently too hot or cold, you can look into having us install a zoned system to keep your whole home comfortable
5. Duct Tape Works for Ducting Leaks
There might be exposed sections of ducting in your basement or utility closet. Over time, air duct connections can shift and loosen, leading to air gaps. You might consider using duct tape to seal up your ducting. However, duct tape, in spite of its name, isn’t designed to work with ductwork. Rather, you’ll need foil tape that can withstand the heat that travels through the ducting and not melt. Even better, call us for ductwork repair.
6. Denser Air Filters Are Always Better
Another HVAC myth you don’t want to fall victim to is that having a denser air filter is always better. All HVAC filters are given a MERV rating ranging from 1 all the way up to 20, with a higher rating translating to more filtering capability. While you may instantly want a MERV 20 filter to enhance indoor air quality, that’s not the best option. Residential HVAC systems are only powerful enough to handle filters with a MERV rating of up to 13. Filters above 13 are typically designed for more powerful industrial HVAC systems. If you’re concerned about the quality of your indoor air, ask us about whole-home air purifiers.
7. Thermostat Placement Doesn’t Matter
This myth couldn’t be further from the truth. Keep in mind that your HVAC system’s thermostat is responsible for reading the ambient temperature in your home. If the thermostat is near a door, in sunlight, or near a vent or heat-producing appliances, it could cause the thermostat to misread the temperature. This can cause your thermostat to turn off your heating system before your home meets your desired temperature.
Reliable HVAC Service
SoBellas Home Services offers reliable HVAC service for the El Paso, TX area. Our technicians can assist with all your cooling and heating needs, including ductless systems, heat pumps, and swamp coolers. Be sure to call our office staff today to get on the schedule and experience a more comfortable home.
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