As a homeowner in Paradise, TX, you likely rely on your HVAC system to keep your home comfortable throughout the year. Whether it’s cooling your home during the sweltering Texas summers or keeping it cozy during cooler months, your HVAC system is essential.
Unfortunately, a lot of misinformation circulates the web, leading homeowners to make decisions that can cost them comfort and energy efficiency.
At Empire Heating & Air, we believe in empowering homeowners with the correct information to maximize their HVAC systems’ efficiency, longevity, and performance. In this article, we’ll debunk 10 common HVAC myths, providing you with the knowledge to keep your home comfortable while saving money on energy bills.
Myth 1: Bigger Is Always Better
The Myth: Many homeowners think a larger HVAC system will heat or cool their homes faster and more efficiently. After all, if bigger cars are more powerful, bigger HVAC units must be, too—right?
The Truth: Bigger isn’t better when it comes to HVAC systems. In fact, an oversized system can do more harm than good.
HVAC units are designed to work in cycles. When the system is too large for the space, it cools or heats the area too quickly, causing the system to turn off prematurely—a process known as short cycling. Not only does this lead to uneven temperatures, but it also puts unnecessary wear and tear on the system’s components, leading to more frequent repairs and a shorter lifespan.
An oversized system also fails to properly remove humidity from the air, leaving your home feeling damp, particularly in humid climates like ours in Paradise, TX. The key to comfort and efficiency is choosing an appropriately sized system.
Essential Tip: Call Empire Heating & Air for a load calculation to determine the correct size based on your home’s square footage, insulation, and climate. We will help direct you to the best system tailored to your unique situation.
Myth 2: Closing Vents in Unused Rooms Saves Energy
The Myth: If you’re not using certain rooms in your home, closing the vents in those spaces seems like a great way to save energy. Why heat or cool rooms that are empty?
The Truth: Modern HVAC systems are designed to distribute air evenly throughout your home. Closing vents in certain rooms disrupts this balance and can cause pressure imbalances in the system. This increased pressure forces the system to work harder, leading to inefficiencies and potentially even duct leaks.
Over time, this extra strain can cause your HVAC equipment to break down more frequently, negating any potential energy savings you might have imagined.
Essential Tip: Instead of closing vents, consider a zoning system that allows you to independently control the temperature in different areas of your home. This way, you can reduce energy use without damaging your system.
Myth 3: You Only Need to Change Your Air Filter Once a Year
The Myth: It’s easy to overlook air filters, especially when they’re tucked out of sight. Some homeowners think that changing them once a year is enough to keep their HVAC system running smoothly.
The Truth: Air filters play a crucial role in maintaining your HVAC system’s efficiency. They capture dust, pollen, pet dander, and other airborne particles that would otherwise circulate through your home.
Over time, these filters become clogged, reducing airflow and making your system work harder to maintain the desired temperature. This not only increases your energy bills but also shortens the life of your HVAC system.
For optimal performance, air filters should be changed every 1-3 months, depending on usage, the presence of pets, and local air quality. If you have pets or family members with allergies, it’s even more important to change filters regularly to maintain good indoor air quality.
Essential Tip: Set a reminder on your phone or mark your calendar to check your filters regularly. Clean filters help your system run more efficiently, lower your energy bills, and improve air quality in your home.
Myth 4: Setting the Thermostat Lower Will Cool Your Home Faster
The Myth: On a hot summer day, it can be tempting to crank your thermostat down to a really low temperature in hopes that it will cool your house faster.
The Truth: HVAC systems don’t work that way. Whether you set your thermostat to 72º or 60º, your system will cool at the same pace. When you set it lower than needed, your system runs longer than necessary, using more energy and costing you more money.
Instead, set the thermostat at your desired temperature and let the system do its job. You’ll get the same cooling effect without the extra energy consumption.
Essential Tip: Stick to a reasonable temperature, typically between 74-78°F in summer, for comfort and efficiency. Using fans to assist your HVAC system can help keep energy costs down.
Myth 5: Turning Off Your HVAC System When You Leave Saves Energy
The Myth: It seems logical that turning off your HVAC system when you’re not home would save energy. After all, why heat or cool an empty house?
The Truth: While this might save some energy in theory, it forces your system to work harder to restore the temperature when you return. The better option is to use a programmable thermostat to adjust the temperature while you’re away.
For example, you can set the thermostat a few degrees higher in summer or lower in winter when you’re out and program it to return to your preferred temperature before you get home. Doing this allows your home to remain at a moderate temperature, which requires less energy to adjust once you return. Your HVAC system runs more efficiently, and you still save on energy costs.
Essential Tip: Invest in a programmable or smart thermostat that can adjust the temperature according to your schedule. This provides both convenience and energy savings.
Myth 6: HVAC Maintenance Is Necessary Only When There’s A Problem
The Myth: Some homeowners believe their HVAC system doesn’t need regular maintenance as long as it’s running fine. Why fix something that isn’t broken?
The Truth: Skipping HVAC maintenance can lead to long-term problems. Regular inspections help catch minor issues before they become big, expensive repairs. Dirty coils, clogged filters, and unchecked wear and tear can reduce system efficiency and lead to premature breakdowns.
Annual maintenance, cleaning, and inspection of system components can significantly extend the life of your HVAC system, improve efficiency, and save you money on energy bills. Plus, regular maintenance can help you avoid inconvenient breakdowns, especially during peak seasons when you need your system the most.
Essential Tip: Schedule HVAC maintenance at least once a year, ideally in the spring and fall. Regular checkups ensure your system is ready to handle the demands of extreme weather.
Myth 7: Use Duct Tape to Seal Duct Leaks
The Myth: Duct tape sounds like the perfect solution for sealing leaks in your ductwork—after all, that’s what it’s named for, right?
The Truth: Unfortunately, duct tape is not suitable for sealing ducts. It may work temporarily, but the adhesive breaks down over time, especially when exposed to the heat and moisture typically found in ducts. This can lead to air leaks, reducing your system’s efficiency and costing you more money in energy bills. Professional-grade foil tape or mastic sealant is far more effective at sealing ducts and ensuring that your system operates efficiently.
Essential Tip: If you suspect leaks in your ductwork, your best option is to call Empire Heating & Air and let one of our HVAC technicians assess and seal the ducts using the proper materials. We can help improve your system’s performance, thus saving you on energy costs.
Myth 8: Thermostat Placement Doesn’t Matter
The Myth: The location of your thermostat is irrelevant to your system’s performance—just put it wherever it’s convenient.
The Truth: Thermostat placement is critical for accurate temperature readings and efficient HVAC operation. If your thermostat is located near heat sources like windows, radiators, or in direct sunlight, it can register false temperatures, causing your system to overwork. Similarly, placing it near vents or in drafty areas can make it think your home is cooler or warmer than it actually is, leading to inefficient heating or cooling.
The best place for your thermostat is on an interior wall in a central location, away from direct sunlight, drafts, and heat-producing appliances. Your system will be able to sense the temperature more accurately and, thus, operate more efficiently.
Essential Tip: Check that your thermostat is placed correctly for optimal performance. If you’re unsure, call us and we’ll stop by to help determine the best location in your home.
Myth 9: Ceiling Fans Are Only Useful in Summer
The Myth: Ceiling fans only keep rooms cool during the hot summer months.
The Truth: Ceiling fans are useful year-round. In the summer, running the fan counterclockwise helps create a breeze, which makes the room feel cooler. But in the winter, switching the direction of the fan blades clockwise helps circulate warm air that naturally rises to the ceiling, pushing it back down into the room.
This simple change can make your heating system more efficient and keep your home warmer without adjusting the thermostat.
Essential Tip: Use ceiling fans to your advantage year-round by reversing their direction with the seasons. It’s a low-cost way to improve air circulation and enhance the efficiency of your HVAC system.
Myth 10: A High-Efficiency HVAC System Will Automatically Lower Your Energy Bills
The Myth: Installing a high-efficiency HVAC system will automatically lower energy bills.
The Truth: While high-efficiency systems use less energy, the savings depend largely on how you use them and the condition of your home. If your home isn’t well-insulated or has drafty windows and doors, even the most efficient system will struggle to maintain the desired temperature, leading to higher energy use.
To maximize the benefits of a high-efficiency system, you need to have a well-insulated home. A home that is adequately sealed and protected with sufficient insulation will decrease the workload of the HVAC system.
Essential Tip: Improve your home’s insulation and seal any drafts to benefit from a high-efficiency HVAC system fully. This way, you can keep your energy bills in check while maintaining a comfortable indoor environment.
Final Thoughts
By debunking these common HVAC myths, we hope to help homeowners in Paradise, TX, make smarter decisions about their heating and cooling systems. Understanding the truth behind these myths can save you money, improve your home’s comfort, and extend the life of your HVAC system.
If you have any concerns about your HVAC system or are due for maintenance, Empire Heating & Air is here to help. Our experienced technicians are standing by to help keep your home comfortable all year.
Call us today at (682) 233-3367 to schedule your next service or consultation. Let’s work together to keep your HVAC system running efficiently and effectively.