Myth 1: Get your AC technician through Craigslist.
The World Wide Web has gifted us with a variety of options to go to find an air conditioning service technician, but beware because not all are qualified. While the Better Business Bureau shows you information on whether a contractor is accredited based on their business history and practices, other websites are open to anyone who requests to post an ad. For instance, Craigslist lets anyone post an ad for their services, not requiring them to verify whether or not they’re truly qualified, licensed and bonded, or have the correct training and knowledge.
If you hire a contractor or individual without getting to confirm their qualifications and competence, it might end up costing you more in the long run. If the serviceman or woman doesn’t know how to properly fix your actual air conditioning system, you may end up needing a second, more experienced contractor to fix their mistakes and it could end up costing you multiple Trip Charges.
Myth 2: Working with a small business is better.
Working with small businesses can be great for some minor home services – it’s wonderful for the local business, great for the economy, and likely even good for your pocket book. But be careful: small businesses or one-person businesses could leave you in a lurch. If something fails, they may conveniently disappear and not be around to fix it, or they might not have the resources to get to you quickly, which is bad news if your air conditioning system malfunctions in the extreme temperatures of summer.
Spending a little bit more for a larger, more established and reliable company can come with benefits that help give you more peace of mind, including a one-year satisfaction guarantee, expert workmanship, a large certified work force that gives you service 24/7/365, and the assurance that they’ll be there in the future if you ever need them again.
Myth 3: It’s fine to use any type of refrigerant in your AC.
With the government discontinuing the production of R-22, many people are observing the cost of refilling their air conditioning system’s refrigerant going up. It may seem like a simple fix to just use a different and lower cost refrigerant, but if an air conditioning service technician advises you to do that, you likely want to find a second opinion.
Manufacturers specify the exact refrigerant the air conditioner is produced for, and before 2010, it was commonly R-22. Although there is extreme decline of the production of R-22, those AC systems are still designed for it, and replacing R-22 with a different refrigerant may not only cause damage to your AC system, it could invalidate your warranty. An invalidated warranty may cost you way more in future parts due to possible damage.
Myth 4: You don’t need yearly A/C system maintenance.
A lot of people who aren’t having trouble with their air conditioner may think they don’t truly need annual maintenance. It’s operating fine, so why use the money on a tune-up, right? Don’t forget the fact that a yearly AC tune- up runs you around $79 while repairs will cost you around $500. Not to mention, most manufacturers instruct you to receive yearly maintenance to keep your warranty valid, so disregarding your routine tune-up could cost you your warranty, which means a large payout if your air conditioning system decides to go out on the hottest day of the summer.
Myth 5: Researching the contractor isn’t valuable.
It’s important to ensure you do your homework before choosing an air conditioning service business, especially if you feel a single company is pushing you. As we said in Myth #1, some websites don’t require a person to be qualified to advertise their services. You absolutely need to know what you’re getting into so you don’t have to worry about paying for the same service twice.
Social media reviews, testimonials from friends, and an a good accreditation grade with the Better Business Bureau will all confirm the type of business you will be offering your business to and help you decide if they are ideal for you. Google+, Angie’s List, and the BBB are all great places to start your homework. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for past customer referrals. You may have to pay a pretty penny to your air conditioner company, so invest the time and research to ensure they are the best company for your home.
Myth 6: It will cost more to turn your thermostat to a higher temperature while you’re not at home.
Over time, it will increase your bills to leave the thermostat at a colder temperature all through the day than to increase it 10 degrees while you are gone. It typically will not need an outrageous amount of more energy to get your home comfortable once you return, depending on the home.
A programmable thermostat permits the temperature to be adjusted from a phone or tablet so you can actually adjust the temperature back down before coming home, so your home is cool and comfortable when you get home. This reduces your energy throughout the day, as well as reducing your cooling bills.
Myth 7: Constantly running ceiling fans will help lower the temperature in your home.
Fans help keep you cool, they don’t really reduce the temperature of the home alone. In fact, fans (comparable to refrigerators) actually heat up homes. The motor that is causing your fan to function creates heat, which can push heat into the air in your home. A well-working ceiling fan can help level the temperature of the room and may contribute to cooling air by circulating, but if there isn’t a person beneath the fan to feel the cool air, all the fan is doing is squandering energy and money, especially if the AC is already on. So leave ceiling fans off when no one is in the room and extra air circulation is unneeded.
Myth 8: Where the thermostat is installed doesn’t matter.
Thermostats use the temperature surrounding it to choose whether it needs to turn on the AC to cool the home. Installing a thermostat in your bedroom will only make sure that bedroom cools to the temperature that the thermostat is adjusted to. Once your bedroom is cooled, the system will go off and the rest of the floor or home might be much warmer. If the thermostat is placed near a sunny window or an appliance, it could constantly think the temperature is much higher than the home really is and keep running your AC, raising your energy bills.
Myth 9: Excessively lowering your thermostat will help it cool more quickly.
Turning your air down lower may only make your AC run longer, it won’t get colder any faster. If your thermostat is says 77, but you really would be more comfortable at 75, then set it on 75 and it will work until it cools to that temperature. Putting the thermostat on 73 won’t make it lower to 75 any faster, and it will make your system run longer, squandering money and energy.
Myth 10: It’s acceptable to change your air filter once every twelve months.
Depending on the health issues for the residents of the home, and the style of air filter you use for your air conditioner, your air filter may need to be replaced as often as every four weeks. Not changing the air filter often enough not only means for your air conditioner to work harder and decrease efficiency, it could also exacerbate respiratory illnesses like common allergy symptoms.
Call Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning today to inquire about your AC or to set-up your complimentary in-home consultation.