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Six Common HVAC Misconceptions

1. The unit with the highest SEER is the best.

When home or business owners look into installing a new HVAC system, they often search for the system with the highest Seasonal Energy Efficiency ratio, or , to determine which system will yield the most energy savings. Unfortunately, SEER is often portrayed of the operating efficiency, although it is actually the operating efficiency under perfect conditions. Think miles per gallon: although you may know your car’s rated average MPG, you know that won’t always be the exact average MPG when you’re driving. Therefore, don’t be surprised if your 22 SEER unit is actually operating like a 18 SEER unit when the weather is above or below our seasonal range (23 degrees in the winter, 91 degrees in the summer).

2. The bigger the unit, the better.

While nobody wants an HVAC system that is too small to manage a room’s temperature, a unit too big is also not ideal. An oversized unit can actually cool a room too quickly, which can reduce its ability to wring out moisture in the air. Additionally, by turning on and off too frequently, the system requires more energy to operate and increases wear and tear on its internal components.

3. A fan works like an air conditioner.

Although you may feel cooler when a fan is blowing on you, the air actually isn’t being cooled at all. Circulating air in the room does not affect the temperature or humidity.

4. Regular maintenance isn’t important.

We all know the saying “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Unfortunately, that doesn’t hold true for your HVAC system. By delaying or outright ignoring routine maintenance, small problems can exacerbate and become big problems down the road.

5. A thermostat’s location doesn’t matter.

Thermostats use a sensor to determine the inside temperature, which is then relayed back to the air conditioner. When the room’s temperature isn’t “satisfied,” the thermostat tells the air conditioner to operate until the room is satisfied. For that reason, always place your thermostat on an interior, central wall away from air vents, kitchens and sunlight.

6. Service agreements aren’t worth the cost.

While most people and businesses are constrained by costs, it is easy to overlook the value derived from these costs. We know businesses invest a lot of money on their people and equipment, which is why it is important to keep them running smoothly. Why risk the time and energy doing damage control when preventive maintenance can be performed with peace of mind at a fraction of the cost?

HAVC

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