Don’t Fall for These Common HVAC Myths in Oakland Park, FL

It’s easy to take your HVAC system for granted. For many people, it’s only when things go wrong or a massive energy bill lands in the mailbox that they actually start thinking about the equipment and how they use it. 

This is also when many of our customers start falling for common HVAC myths, many of which are a one-way ticket to trouble. Trust our years of experience providing HVAC services in Oakland Park, FL, and avoid these misconceptions to avoid doing more harm than good when keeping your home comfortable. 

I Don’t Have to Worry About Maintaining My Oakland Park HVAC 

All too often, homeowners look at recommendations for HVAC maintenance and think it’s just a way for companies to make more money. Nothing could be further from the truth, though. 

HVAC maintenance ensures that your equipment is in top condition now and helps keep it that way for as long as possible. If you think maintenance isn’t necessary, consider that technicians:

• Catch small problems before they turn into major malfunctions.
• Help maintain good air quality. 
• Keep your warranty in effect; most manufacturers require professional maintenance as a condition of coverage. 
• Ensure energy efficiency by tuning up critical components so they work flawlessly. 

Of all the HVAC myths that can have a negative effect on your Oakland Park system, skipping maintenance is perhaps the most detrimental. From changing the air filter every few months to an annual professional tuneup, there’s simply no better way to keep your system working reliably.

I Can Save Energy By Closing Vents 

When you want to save on energy costs, it makes sense to not heat or cool rooms that aren’t in use. Many homeowners believe that closing vents saves energy, but the truth is that this habit not only does not have an effect on your bills, but it can actually increase them by damaging your system. 

This is because when you close the vents in one room, it causes pressure to increase in the ductwork. The extra air that would normally blow into that space has nowhere to go, so the pressure builds and can eventually lead to leaks and other damage. Also, when air doesn’t flow freely, the air conditioner or furnace compensates by working harder.

Ultimately, this tops the list of HVAC myths, costing Oakland Park homeowners much more than they expect. 

I Can Use the Thermostat To Make Rooms More Comfortable Quickly

There’s no question that Florida summers can be brutal. However, when your home isn’t as cool as you want it to be, turning the air conditioner down to arctic-like temperatures isn’t going to make things more tolerable any faster. The same goes for heat; cranking up the thermostat won’t give you a faster warmup. 

Regardless of what temperature you set the thermostat, your HVAC system will work at the same rate and will only run longer to reach your extreme setting. This only increases energy consumption and puts more strain on the system. 

Instead of putting your HVAC equipment at risk, try these quick cool-down tricks instead:

• Use ceiling fans to increase air circulation and maintain a more comfortable temperature. 
• Use a smart thermostat that automatically adjusts the temperature as needed. 
• Close window coverings on warm days to block some of the heat and keep your home cool; do the opposite on cool days. 

If I Buy a Bigger HVAC System for My Oakland Park Home, It Will Work Better 

Do you believe the HVAC myth that bigger is better when it comes to buying new equipment? After all, a system that produces more heat or cooling power will automatically make your home more comfortable without resorting to thermostat setting hacks, right?

Wrong. Installing HVAC equipment that’s too large for your home will actually have the opposite effect. Oversized equipment will short-cycle, repeatedly turning off before reaching the desired temperature, which drives up your expenses and puts more wear on the equipment. 

A properly sized HVAC system will work efficiently and give you a constantly comfortable home.