Myth 1: Get your air conditioner technician from Craigslist.
The World Wide Web has gifted us with a variety of places to go to look for an air conditioning service technician, but be careful because not all are comparable. While the Better Business Bureau displays information on whether a contractor is accredited determined by their organization’s history and practices, other sites are open to anyone wanting to post an ad. For example, Craigslist lets anyone post an ad promoting their services, not requiring them to verify whether or not they’re truly qualified, licensed and bonded, or have the proper training and experience.
If you hire a business or individual without getting to confirm their qualifications and skill set, it may end up costing you more over time. If the technician doesn’t have the knowledge to properly repair your actual air conditioning system, you could end up needing a different, more experienced technician to correct their mistakes and it could end up costing you multiple Trip Charges.
Myth 2: Hiring a small business is better.
Hiring small businesses can be great for some odd jobs – it’s good for the local business, wonderful for the economy, and probably even good for your wallet. But be careful: small companies or one-person businesses could let you down. If something fails, they may merely disappear and not be there to repair it, or they may not have the workforce to get to you quickly, which is a problem if your air conditioner goes out in the dog days of summer.
Spending a little bit more for a sizable, more reputable and reliable company can come with perks that help offer you more peace of mind, including a one-year satisfaction guarantee, expert workmanship, a large certified team of technicians who give you service 24/7/365, and the assurance that they’ll be there if you need them again.
Myth 3: You can use any type of refrigerant in your air conditioner.
With the government stopping the production of R-22, many families are seeing the price of refilling their air conditioning system’s refrigerant rising. It may sound like an easy fix to just substitute a different and lower cost refrigerant, but if an air conditioner service technician recommends this, you probably want to find a second opinion.
Manufacturers identify the exact refrigerant the system is produced for, and prior to 2010, it was usually R-22. Despite the extreme decline of the production of R-22, those air conditioning systems are still designed for it, and replacing R-22 with a different refrigerant may not only cause destruction to your AC system, it could nullify your warranty. A voided warranty may cost you hundreds or thousands more in future parts due to possible damage.
Myth 4: You don’t need yearly AC maintenance.
Many people who aren’t having trouble with their air conditioning system may assume they don’t truly need yearly maintenance. It’s operating fine, so why spend the money on a tune-up, right? Except for the fact that a routine AC tune- up runs you around $79 while repairs will set you back around $500. Additionally, most manufacturers require annual maintenance to continue your warranty, so skipping your yearly tune-up could cause you to lose your warranty, resulting in a large payout if your air conditioner decides to go out on the hottest day of the season.
Myth 5: Researching the company isn’t necessary.
It’s important to make sure you do your homework before picking an AC service company, especially if you feel a particular company is pushing you. As we mentioned in Myth #1, some sites don’t demand a person to be qualified to market their services. It’s important to know their qualifications and history so you don’t have to worry about paying for the same service again.
Social media reviews, testimonials from neighbors, and an a great accreditation grade with the Better Business Bureau will all confirm the type of contractor you will be trusting your business to and help you decide if they are right for you. Google+, Angie’s List, and the BBB are all good review sites to start your search. Also, don’t be scared to ask for past customer references. You might have to invest your money with your air conditioner company, so invest a little time and research to make sure they are the best company for your AC.
Myth 6: It costs you more to turn your thermostat higher while you’re out of your home.
Over time, it will actually cost you more to leave the thermostat at a colder temperature all through the day than to increase it 10 degrees while you’re away. It typically will not take an excessive amount of additional energy to get your home comfortable once you enter, depending on variables of the home.
A programmable thermostat lets the temperature to be increased or decreased from a mobile device so you can actually adjust the temperature cooler before coming home, so your home is cool and comfortable when you enter. This decreases your energy during the day, as well as decreasing your cooling bills.
Myth 7: Constantly running ceiling fans will help keep your home cool.
Fans help keep you cool, they don’t actually lower the temperature of the home alone. In fact, fans (like refrigerators) actually increase the temperature in your home. The motor that is making your fan function generates heat, which can push heat into the air in your home. An efficient ceiling fan can help level the temperature of your room and may contribute to cooling air by circulating, but if there isn’t anyone under the fan to feel the cool air, all you’re doing is squandering energy and money, especially if the AC is already running. So leave ceiling fans off when there is nobody in the room and additional air circulation is unneeded.
Myth 8: It doesn’t matter where the thermostat is installed.
Thermostats use the temperature around it to choose whether it needs to turn on the air conditioning system to cool your home. Installing a thermostat in a bedroom will only ensure that bedroom cools to the temperature that the thermostat is adjusted to. Once your bedroom is cooled, the system will turn off and the remaining floor or home might be much warmer. If the thermostat is put near a well-lit window or an appliance, it could always think the temperature is much higher than the rest of the home truly is and continuously run your air conditioner, increasing your cooling bills.
Myth 9: Turning your thermostat down much lower will help it cool more quickly.
Turning your air down lower may only make your AC run longer, it won’t get cooler any faster. If your thermostat is set on 77, but you really feel better at 75, then set it on 75 and it will work until it gets to that temperature. Lowering the thermostat to 73 won’t make it get to 75 any faster, and it will cause your system to run long, squandering money and energy.
Myth 10: It’s acceptable to swap out your air filter once a year.
Depending on respiratory or allergy issues for the home’s occupants, and the type of air filter you use for your air conditioning system, your air filter might need to be replaced as often as every four weeks. Failure to change the air filter often enough not only causes your air conditioner to work harder and lower efficiency, it could also irritate respiratory conditions like common allergy symptoms.
Call Climate Control Service Experts today if you have any questions about your AC or to set-up your no-charge in-home consultation.