Happy April Fools’ Day! Today is the day you must stay on your toes and not fall prey to simple jokes and pranks that may reflect your gullibility. While the exact origin of this day is unknown, it is a day many partake in to induce harmless fun – all for laughs and giggles. But as your local heating and cooling experts, Loveland Heating & Air is NOT exactly in the business of fooling anyone. Instead, let’s take a moment to learn about some common HVAC myths and bust them for their false information. After all, there’s truly a lot of information on the World Wide Web. It can be challenging to know what is right and what is wrong. Hopefully, we have earned your trust by now, and we aim to keep it. So, let’s get into it!
HVAC Myth 1 – Thermostat Placement
One common HVAC myth we’ve seen is the placement of the thermostat – to be more specific – it is often misconstrued that the placement of the thermostat does not matter. However, this couldn’t be farther from the truth. This is because your thermostat is meant to act as the reader of the temperature within your home and also the main component that communicates with your HVAC system to let it know when it needs to kick on, as well as distribute and regulate the air. So, if your thermostat is placed near a heat source or drafty area, then it could very likely get an incorrect temperature reading, leading to irregular output of air from your HVAC system.
If your thermostat is placed near a heat source, like direct sunlight, fireplace, heater, or drafty areas – like windows or exit doors, it can confuse your system, causing unnecessary issues. Thermostats should be installed on the interior walls of your home, away from heat sources and drafts. Spaces like a hallway are usually ideal.
HVAC Myth 2 – Temperature Setting
There’s this common misconception going around that the higher or lower you raise your temperature setting, the faster your home will warm up or cool down. We hate to break it to you, but this just simply is not true! This is because most HVAC systems automatically distribute air at their own set pace. So, it doesn’t matter how low or high you set the temperature. It will still take the same amount of time to get there. By following this particular HVAC myth, you are actually just wasting energy by letting your home reach a temperature you do not need. The best course of action is to set the thermostat on your preferred temperature setting and let your HVAC system do its work.
One thing you can do if this is an issue for you often, is invest in a smart thermostat. With a smart thermostat, you get the added convenience of being able to change the temperature setting from an app on your smartphone when you’re away from home. So, you’ll have that perfect temperature waiting for you once you arrive. No waiting necessary!
HVAC Myth 3 – Air Filters
If you’ve heard it once, you’ve probably heard it a thousand times. Changing your air filters matters! However, some people tend to think that this is the case and that your HVAC system’s air filters do not need to be changed that often. We assure you that this is not true! Frequent air filter changes are necessary and beneficial!
Let’s think about it. What do air filters do exactly? Air filters are integrated into your HVAC system to help filter out dust and other airborne particles from the air in your home. This keeps the contaminants from infiltrating your HVAC system and your home, too. These micro-sized particles can really mess with your home’s Indoor Air Quality if left unchecked. To correctly combat this, it’s recommended to change your air filters every 1-2 months. So, stay safe and keep regularly changing out your air filters!
HVAC Myth 4 – Preventative Maintenance
Ahh. We’ve saved the best for last—preventative maintenance. For clarification, we are referring to your yearly seasonal checkups for your air conditioner and furnace. When was the last time you had your units serviced? Do you stay on top of your preventative maintenance checks, or do you only make an appointment when something goes awry with your system? We get it – it may seem like just a regular ole’ business move to encourage you to schedule your seasonal checkups. But it’s not. Your air conditioner and furnace are complex forms of machinery that work ‘round the clock to keep your home cozy and livable. We aren’t supposed to skip yearly checkups for our own bodies. And we are supposed to change the oil for our cars regularly and have them tuned up. The same goes for your HVAC system! You spent thousands and thousands of dollars on getting a home with an HVAC system, or perhaps you recently upgraded to a new HVAC system. Why wouldn’t you want to do the same for your heating and cooling units; it’s the best form of preventative maintenance you can practice.
There are many components that should be checked in an HVAC unit before its use at the beginning of a season. As a homeowner, you want to make sure it is set up for success and set up to withstand the oncoming season. You can do this by scheduling your seasonal maintenance check for your furnace at the beginning of the fall season and once for your air conditioning unit at the end of spring or the beginning of summer. As a plus, when you stay up to date with your seasonal maintenance checks, your warranty through the manufacturer stays valid!
Hopefully, this HVAC blog has been enlightening and given you a better idea of what direction to take regarding your home and HVAC system. Separating fact from fiction regarding your HVAC system can be difficult. But we are always here for you, and we take pride in operating with honesty and transparency. Want to learn more about taking care of your HVAC system? Check the rest of our blogs out!
For all your HVAC needs, you can count on Loveland Heating & Air! You can call us anytime at (513) 216-5913, or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!
