We love the Internet! It’s the best way for us to reach customers and let them know the services we can provide for them. We bet you love the Internet as well, since it puts information and services at your fingertips in a way never possible before.
But there are also those times when we all sort of hate the Internet. If you’re an HVAC contractor, one of your pet peeves about the web is how easily it spreads bad information about air conditioning and heating systems through DIY blogs and amateur websites without credentials. This has kept a number of old air conditioning myths alive that should’ve been buried a long time ago.
We’re here to try to put to rest 3 of the biggest myths we still hear and read about. Knowing the truth will help you better care for your AC, as well as let you know when it’s time to contact us for air conditioning service in Bossier City, LA and throughout the Shreveport area.
1st Myth: “You don’t need maintenance every year for your AC.”
This is probably the most destructive of the myths around air conditioners (as well as heaters). Any air conditioner, no matter the part of the country it’s in, requires an annual inspection and tune-up from skilled professionals. In a place like Shreveport, with heavy summer heat and humidity, it’s even more essential for an air conditioner to have regular spring care. It’s not just us saying this; it’s the recommendation of the U.S. Department of Energy. Lack of maintenance can have consequences such as a 30% plunge in efficiency, an increased number of repairs, and an abbreviated system life.
It isn’t tough to keep up with annual maintenance for an AC. Sign up for our Proactive Service Agreement and we’ll take care of everything.
2nd Myth: “The air filter only needs to be changed once a year.”
Clogged air filters are one of the principle reasons for an air conditioner to start losing its energy efficiency and cost more to run. When the filter becomes extremely clogged, it will begin allowing dust and other debris into the cabinet, where it can cause damage and perhaps even make the AC short-cycle. It takes a much shorter time than a year for this level of clogging to happen! We’ve written a detailed blog about this, but the short version is you need to change the filter every 4 to 6 weeks. Make regular checks so you’ll know when it’s time to put in a fresh filter.
3rd myth: “You can reduce energy use by shutting room vents.”
The grills over room vents can often be closed with louvers—but you shouldn’t do it! If a room is empty, closing the vent in it to prevent cool air from reaching it not only won’t save energy, it can end up wasting it! The problem is that the blower in the air conditioner isn’t working any less hard because one or more of the room vents is shut. The air pressure inside the ventilation system will spike, and that will cause the blower to run for longer, eating up energy. This pressure rise can also lead to damaged ductwork due to leaks.
Call the doctor of home comfort today: Hall’s Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration.
