Air Conditioning Myths that Actually Drive Up Energy Bills

With temperatures at a high for the summer, homeowners are looking for solutions to help lower their cooling costs. Unfortunately, there is a little too much information floating around. Many people are making their situation worse by following some common myths about cooling and air conditioning repairs in San Jose, CA. We want to put a stop to that. These are the myths to avoid:

Myth 1 – Shutting Supply Vents in Unused Rooms Saves Money

This is one of the most common myths we find about HVAC systems. You would think that closing off vents to unused rooms would save you energy and money. But your HVAC system isn’t meant to work that way. In fact, closing off certain vents can raise energy bills and damage your air conditioning. It is better to keep all the vents open.

Your air conditioning system sucks in warm air and blows out cool air, a lot like how we breathe air. It is designed to work most efficiently with all the vents open. When you close off the vents you are shutting off pathways your HVAC system uses to “exhale”. This increases pressure on the ductwork and strain on the blower. The system needs to work harder which drives up energy costs, and parts wear out faster which increases the cost of repairs.

Myth 2 – Setting the Thermostat Even Lower Will Cool the Home Faster

This is half true, as long as you have a variable speed air conditioner. In this case, setting a lower temperature might help cool the home faster. However, if you forget to readjust it and keep it at a lower temperature, this will increase energy bills.

But most homes have single-speed air conditioners. They continue to blow the same amount of cool air regardless of how low the setting is. And the air conditioning will simply keep running at the same speed until it reaches the indicated temperature. This is why it can take over two hours to cool the home just a couple of degrees. A better solution is to invest in a programmable or smart thermostat that will automatically start cooling the home before you arrive home.

Myth 3 – I’ll Save Money if I Skip Annual HVAC Maintenance

Sure, you can save anywhere from $50 to $100 per year by skipping an annual maintenance check. That is money you get to keep in your pocket. But you could be risking emergency breakdowns and higher repair bills down the road.

Annual maintenance is the best way to keep the system clean, efficient, and working for years down the road. It will also give technicians the chance to spot and repair small problems before they become larger, more expensive issues. So if you are really looking to save money you will schedule a yearly service check.

For more advice about energy savings and air conditioning repair in San Jose, CA call (408) 978-7060. We offer quality service at fair prices. And with over 25 years of experience, you can count of the technicians of Pelle Heating & Air Conditioning to get the job done right. Visit us at 1045 N 10th St., San Jose, CA 95112 today.