Common AC Myths to Avoid During Cooling Season, Part 2

In part one of this two-part blog series, we went over the proper information on several myths that have arisen over the years regarding air conditioners in homes. A variety of misconceptions are out there surrounding ACs, some based on outdated information and others based on silly myths that came from a few different places.

At My Buddy Heating and Air, our air conditioning installation, repair and maintenance professionals are always on-hand to provide accurate information regarding any of our HVAC services, including myths you may have heard regarding some part of your air conditioning system. Here are a few more of these unfortunate misconceptions to correct so you have the proper working information moving forward.

Thermostat Placement is Irrelevant

When installing new HVAC systems or even just purchasing a new thermostat for the home, some homeowners or even certain inexperienced HVAC professionals will assume that it isn’t really important where they place the thermostat. It isn’t creating the conditioned air, the thinking goes, so why does it matter?

It matters because the thermostat is the device responsible for reading indoor temperature and passing this information on to the rest of your HVAC system. If the thermostat is located right next to a cooling duct, then, it will commonly perceive the temperature as being far lower than the actual average in the house, since cold air is spraying directly at it for chunks of the day. On the flip side, a thermostat placed directly into heavy sunlight may think it’s warmer than reality and cool far too much.

For these reasons, the thermostat must be placed in a neutral, central location that isn’t prone to major temperature swings that don’t reflect the rest of the space.

Bigger Means Better

When purchasing new AC units, some homeowners mistakenly assume that the bigger they go, the better things will be. This isn’t the case, however – an oversized AC will not cool faster or more efficiently, but rather will cycle on and off far too often and actually waste chunks of your home’s energy. There are also likely to be annoying sounds and related issues, plus your unit will wear down much faster than it would have otherwise. Speak to our pros about sourcing the proper size for your new AC.

Efficiency is the Only Factor

Another related myth is the theme that a new AC with a high efficiency rating from its manufacturer will be efficient no matter what. While high efficiency is a great start, there are also several other very important factors: Weatherization, insulation, duct sealing, and professional services like installation and standard upkeep.

For more on debunking the common myths regarding air conditioners this summer, or to learn about any of our HVAC technician services, speak to the staff at My Buddy Heating and Air today.