Air Conditioner Myths Debunked

We’re sure you’ve heard (and believe) some of these air conditioning myths, but don’t feel ashamed – we’re here to debunk these popular myths. You’ll shortly see air conditioners aren’t all that simple after all…

Location Doesn’t Matter

Where your unit lives matters. Putting it in the wrong place could cost you airflow from the unit, increase energy consumption, and cost you more. It’s best to install your unit out of direct sunlight and at a high place on your wall where it won’t be blocked by building infrastructure or furniture.

This goes for your thermostat too. If you put this in direct sunlight, the temperature won’t correlate to what you want it to be, and will make your unit work harder than it needs to. Additionally, it should be a few metres away from your unit to read the average temperature level in your home, which improves efficiency and reduces overall cost.

Fans Cool Rooms

Fans don’t keep rooms cool. Fans only make the room windy by constantly moving the heat, but doesn’t affect the room’s temperature. Only air conditioners cool a room by removing the heat, but fans can cool down people by increasing the evaporation from your skin.

It Doesn’t Need Cleaning

Your unit needs to be cleaned and serviced. We recommend having your unit serviced yearly to check everything is in good working order. Even if it’s a newer, energy-efficient model that looks, smells and sounds great, it could have some underlying issues.

You should also be replacing your filters monthly. You could be causing unnecessary air pollution in your home by letting dust and bacteria cling to your old filters. This could also cause poor air airflow, making your AC work harder, and in turn, increasing your energy bills.

You Could Get Sick

Air conditioning is unlikely to make you sick. In fact, air conditioners actually reduce illness and allergies as they improve air quality with filters and dust sheets. If they’re changed regularly, bacteria is constantly caught and trapped, and can even be killed with high-tech units.

If you’re catching a cold, you may have caught symptoms from the people around you instead, such as a virus from a friend.

Letting it Run its Course

Just because it’s running doesn’t mean you should keep it. Your AC can last anywhere from 10 to 15 years, but this depends on the model, how often it’s used, and its location. It may be worth seeing when you last had it serviced and cleaned because your maintenance fees could cost the amount a new unit would.

If your AC is dispersing dust, making a strange noise or just not working how it used to, think about upgrading to a newer, more efficient, economical and sustainable option that works for your circumstances. After all, a lot can change in 10 years, and you could save tons of money!

Bigger Units Equal Better Performance

Bigger does not equal greater. Your unit should match your circumstances. For example, a small apartment won’t need a big indoor AC, but a large family home might require one. We’re not saying size doesn’t matter – it does – but the unit installed should only cover the amount of space in need of cooling.

Likewise, your unit needs to be installed in a place with plenty of space so it doesn’t work too hard to cool the air. If it doesn’t have enough space, it could break sooner than expected. It will also do the same if it’s a smaller AC in a big space, so measuring the space and choosing the right AC should be your number one priority.

Turning Off the AC When Not at Home Saves Energy

Turning off your AC while not at home won’t save you energy or money. While you’re out and about with your AC turned off, your home will be cold. When you go back home, you’ll realise how cold it’s gotten throughout the day and turn on your AC. But you’ll put it on a moderate temperature that needs to be left on for the entire evening, maybe even night.

Does that sound familiar? Don’t worry, we’ve all fallen into that trap. Surprisingly, it’s actually cheaper turning your AC on higher than you would normally – even if you’re out of the house.

For example, your AC was turned off for 10 hours, but on for the remaining 14. Turning up the temperature multiple degrees actually saves energy, and when you arrive home, you can turn it off and enjoy a cosy arrival.

You may be thinking ‘Should I leave the air conditioner on while on vacation?’ If it’s a long vacation, leave it off because you won’t be using it. Similarly, leaving the AC on all day is also not the best idea if you use it everyday. Try to be strategic, think about the weather and if you’re opening windows before turning on your AC.

Closing Vents in Unused Rooms Saves Energy

Closed vents don’t save energy or money. Whether every room is used or not, your AC was bought to cool the entirety of your home. If the vents are shut, open them, because your AC will otherwise continue to try to cool that space and overwork itself.

Purchasing an energy-efficient model is the only way to save energy. If this is too expensive, there may be less powerful or smaller units compatible for your home, but these will be less economical and efficient in general as they have more wear and tear.

We hope these air conditioning myths are cleared and you take the next step to keep your air conditioner happy and healthy, and your home cool and cosy.
We provide reliable, cost-effective and efficient services in the retail, IT, educational, and medical sectors. With our wealth of certifications from dignified organisations, you can trust us to fix any air conditioning problem you’re facing. Contact us today to discuss our services or book an appointment with our qualified and experienced team.