Myth 1: Find your AC technician through Craigslist.
The interweb has given us a variety of options to go to look for an A/C system service technician, but be careful because not all are qualified. While the Better Business Bureau shows you information on whether a business is accredited based on their company history and practices, other sites are open to anyone who wants to post an ad. Case in point, Craigslist lets anyone post an ad providing their services, despite whether or not they’re really qualified, licensed and bonded, or have the correct training and knowledge.
If you decide on a business or individual without being able to identify their qualifications and capability, it may end up costing you more ultimately. If the tech doesn’t know how to properly fix your specific air conditioning system, you could end up needing another, more experienced contractor to fix their mistakes and it could end up costing you multiple Trip Charges.
Myth 2: Working with a small business is better.
Hiring small businesses can be wonderful for some odd jobs – it’s wonderful for the local business, good for the economy, and maybe even great for your pocket book. But be careful: small businesses or one-person companies could let you down. If something goes wrong, they may conveniently disappear and not be there to fix it, or they may not have the resources to get to you quickly, which is a problem if your air conditioning system dies in the heat of the summer.
Paying a little bit more for a bigger, more trusted and reliable company can come with benefits that help offer you more confidence, including a one-year satisfaction guarantee, excellent workmanship, a large certified team of servicemen and women who provide you service 24/7/365, and the confidence that they’ll be there if you ever require their services.
Myth 3: You can use any type of refrigerant in your AC.
With the government ending the production of R-22, many homeowners are noticing the price of refilling their AC system’s refrigerant rising. It may seem like a simple fix to just substitute a different and lower cost refrigerant, but if an AC service technician recommends this, you probably want to get a second opinion.
Manufacturers identify the exact refrigerant the equipment is produced for, and before 2010, it was usually R-22. Despite the extreme reduction of the production of R-22, those air conditioning systems are still designed for it, and substituting a different refrigerant may not only cause destruction to your air conditioning equipment, it could void your warranty. A nullified warranty might cost you hundreds or thousands more in future parts due to likely damage.
Myth 4: You don’t need routine A/C system maintenance.
A lot of people who aren’t having trouble with their AC may assume they don’t actually need yearly maintenance. It’s running fine, so why use the money on a tune-up, right? Well there’s the fact that an annual AC tune- up is priced around $79 while repairs will run you around $500. Not to mention, most manufacturers require routine maintenance to keep your warranty valid, so skipping your annual tune-up could cost you your warranty, resulting in a big payout if your air conditioner decides to die on the hottest day of the season.
Myth 5: Learning about the company isn’t necessary.
It’s critical to check that you do your homework before deciding on an air conditioning service company, especially if you feel a specific company is pushing you. As we said in Myth #1, some domains don’t need a contractor to be qualified to advertise their services. You absolutely need to know what you’re getting into so you don’t have to worry about paying for the same service multiple times.
Online reviews, testimonials from family, and an a high accreditation grade with the Better Business Bureau will all assure you of the type of company you will be trusting your business to and help you decide if they are best for you. Angie’s List, Google+, and Yelp are all good websites to start your search. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for previous customer references. You may have to pay a pretty penny to your AC company, so invest the time and research to make sure they are the best company for you.
Myth 6: It will cost more to turn your thermostat to a higher temperature while you’re away from home.
Long-term, it will increase your costs to leave the thermostat at a lower temperature all through the day than to bump it up 10 degrees while you’re away. It typically will not need an excessive amount of additional energy to get your home cooled down once you arrive, depending on variables of the home.
A programmable thermostat allows for the temperature to be adjusted from a mobile device so you can easily adjust the temperature cooler before arriving home, so your home is nice and comfy when you get home. This decreases your energy throughout the day, as well as saving you money on your cooling bills.
Myth 7: Always running ceiling fans will help lower the temperature in your home.
Fans help cool people, they don’t truly decrease the temperature of the home solo. In fact, fans (like refrigerators) actually heat up homes. The motor that is making your fan function produces heat, which can put heat in the air in your family’s home. An efficient ceiling fan could help level the temperature of your room and may help to cool air by circulating, but if nobody is beneath the fan to feel cool, all you’re doing is wasting energy and money, especially if the air conditioning system is already working. So keep ceiling fans off when there is nobody in the room and additional air circulation is unneeded.
Myth 8: Don’t worry about where the thermostat is installed.
Thermostats measure the temperature near it to decide whether it needs to start up the AC to cool your home. Putting a thermostat in the bedroom will only ensure that bedroom reaches the temperature that the thermostat is adjusted to. Once the bedroom is cooled, the air conditioner will shut off and the remaining floor or home might be much warmer. If the thermostat is put near a warm window or an appliance, it may constantly read the temperature as being much higher than the home truly is and continuously run your system, raising your energy bills.
Myth 9: Excessively lowering your thermostat will help it cool more quickly.
Turning your air down lower may only make your AC operate longer, it won’t get cooler any faster. If your thermostat is says 77, but you really want it to be 75, then set it on 75 and it will work until it gets to that temperature. Putting the thermostat on 73 won’t make it get to 75 any faster, and it will make your system run longer, costing you money and energy.
Myth 10: It’s ok to swap out your air filter annually.
Depending on respiratory or allergy issues for the residents of the home, and the type of air filter you have for your AC, your air filter could need to be replaced as often as every month. Not changing the air filter often enough not only makes your air conditioner to work harder and decrease efficiency, it could also irritate respiratory illnesses like common allergy symptoms.
Call Eveready Service Experts today for more information about your AC or to set-up your no-charge in-home consultation.