Myth 1: Hire your air conditioning technician on Craigslist.
The internet has provided us with a variety of choices to go to get an A/C system service technician, but proceed with caution because not all are comparable. While the Better Business Bureau displays information on whether a business is accredited based on their company history and practices, other websites are accessible to anyone who wants to post an ad. For example, Craigslist allows anyone to post an ad for their services, not requiring them to verify whether or not they’re really qualified, licensed and bonded, or have the correct training and experience.
If you decide on a company or individual without having the ability to confirm their qualifications and skill set, it could end up costing you more over time. If the serviceman or woman doesn’t know how to properly fix your specific air conditioner, you might end up needing a second, more experienced company to correct their mistakes and end up paying multiple Trip Charges.
Myth 2: Choosing a small business is better.
Hiring small businesses can be good for some small fixes – it’s wonderful for the local business, great for the economy, and probably even wonderful for your wallet. But beware: small businesses or one-person businesses could leave you in a lurch. If something bad happens, they may conveniently disappear and not be around to fix it, or they may not have the resources to get you taken care of quickly, which is bad news if your AC malfunctions in the dog days of summer.
Budgeting a little bit more for a larger, more established 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 work force that gives you service 24/7/365, and the peace of mind that they’ll be there if you ever require their services.
Myth 3: It’s fine to use any type of refrigerant in your air conditioning system.
With the government ending the making of R-22, many people are observing the fee of refilling their air conditioner’s refrigerant rising. It may seem like a simple fix to just use a different and less expensive refrigerant, but if an air conditioning service technician gives you that advice, you probably want to call for a second opinion.
Manufacturers specify the exact refrigerant the system is produced for, and prior to 2010, it was usually R-22. Regardless of the extreme decline of the production of R-22, those air conditioning systems are still designed for it, and using a different refrigerant may not only cause destruction to your air conditioning equipment, it could void your warranty. An invalidated warranty could cost you a lot more in future parts due to likely damage.
Myth 4: You don’t need yearly air conditioning maintenance.
Most people who don’t currently have trouble with their AC may believe they don’t actually need routine maintenance. It works just fine, so why spend the money on a tune-up, right? Don’t forget the fact that an annual AC tune- up runs you around $79 while repairs will set you back around $500. Additionally, most manufacturers demand routine maintenance to maintain your warranty, so disregarding your annual tune-up could cause you to lose your warranty, resulting in a huge payout if your air conditioning system decides to die on the hottest day of the season.
Myth 5: Learning about the business isn’t valuable.
It’s critical to make sure you do your due diligence before choosing an air conditioner service company, especially if you feel a specific company is putting pressure on you. As we said in Myth #1, some websites don’t demand a company to be qualified to place an ad for their services. You need to know their qualifications and history so you don’t have to pay for the same service multiple times.
Social media reviews, references from family, and an a good accreditation grade with the Better Business Bureau will all help you to understand the type of business you will be trusting your business to and help you figure out if they are ideal for you. Yelp, Angie’s List, and Google+ are all wonderful review sites to start your homework. Also, don’t be shy to ask for previous customer testimonials. You could have to invest your money with your air conditioner company, so invest the time and research to make sure they are the ideal company for you.
Myth 6: It costs more to turn your thermostat up while you’re not at home.
Over time, it will actually cost you more to leave the thermostat at a colder temperature all through the day than to bump it up 10 degrees while you are gone. It usually will not require an outrageous amount of additional energy to cool your home once you enter, depending on the home.
A programmable thermostat lets the temperature to be increased or decreased from a tablet or phone so you can easily adjust the temperature back down before coming home, so your home is cool and comfortable when you arrive. This reduces your energy over the course of the day, as well as saving you money on your cooling bills.
Myth 7: Constantly running ceiling fans will help lower the temperature in your home.
Fans help keep people cool, they don’t really lower the temperature of the home by themselves. In fact, fans (like refrigerators) actually increase the temperature in your home. The motor that is causing your fan to operate produces heat, which can put heat in the air in your home. A well-working ceiling fan could help level the temperature of the room and may contribute to cooling air by circulating, but if nobody is beneath the fan to feel the cool air, all you’re doing is blowing through energy and money, especially if the AC is already on. So turn off ceiling fans when there is no one in the room and extra air circulation is not needed.
Myth 8: Don’t worry about where the thermostat is installed.
Thermostats measure the temperature around it to determine whether it needs to start up the air conditioner to cool down your home. Placing a thermostat in your bedroom will only help ensure that bedroom lowers to the temperature that the thermostat is set on. Once the bedroom is cooled, the AC will go off and the remainder of the floor or home may be much warmer. If the thermostat is put near a sunny window or an appliance, it might constantly think the temperature is much higher than the living area truly is and continuously run your system, raising your utility bills.
Myth 9: Lowering your thermostat way low will help it cool faster.
Decreasing your air by too much may only make your air conditioner operate longer, it won’t get to a colder temperature any faster. If your thermostat is set to 77, but you really want it to be 75, then set it on 75 and it will kick on until it gets to that temperature. Putting the thermostat on 73 won’t make it get to 75 any faster, and it will result in your system running longer, costing you money and energy.
Myth 10: It’s fine to replace your air filter once every twelve months.
Depending on respiratory or allergy issues for the home’s occupants, and the style of air filter you use for your air conditioning system, your air filter may need to be changed as often as every 30 days. Failure to change the air filter often enough not only makes your air conditioner to work harder and decrease efficiency, it could also exacerbate respiratory ailments like common allergy symptoms.
Call Rob's Albertan Service Experts today if you have any questions about your air conditioner or to set-up your no-charge in-home consultation.