Myth 1: “Turning off your HVAC system whenever you’re not home will save you energy and money.”

The logic behind this first myth is simple. It’s common practice in modern culture to conserve energy by turning off lights and unplugging electronics in unoccupied spaces, so it’s easy to see why one might assume that the same principle would apply to HVAC systems. To leave something running and continue consuming energy when we aren’t present to benefit from it is, afterall, inherently wasteful in most cases, but not all.

This same logic actually doesn’t apply to your home’s HVAC system, at least not for the most part. Your system needs a ton of power to both restart and adjust your home’s temperature to new settings as opposed to maintaining it, and the greater the temperature deficit is whenever it reboots, the harder it has to work. So while you may think your giving your system a break and saving tons by turning it off when you go to work every day, you’re actually forcing it to work harder and wasting substantially more energy and money, not to mention putting unnecessary strain on your equipment and thus shortening its lifespan. 

*Helpful Hint* – Instead of turning your system all the way off, simply adjust the temperature settings to give it a rest while your home is unoccupied. 

Myth 2: “Setting thermostats extremely low/high will help you reach your desired temperature faster.” 

It’s not uncommon to set your thermostat to more extreme temperatures than you normally would when you discover your home is uncomfortably hot or cold, and many seem to believe that the more extreme the temperature setting is, the faster your system will remedy this dysfunction. This is wrong, not only because it won’t make system work any faster, but because it will make the system work harder, in turn wasting energy and straining your equipment. 

As mentioned above, your HVAC system is working its hardest whenever it’s adjusting to new settings, as it is designed to do what it has to until your home reaches the temperature you set it at. This is why you should never crank your thermostat all the way up or down and then re-adjust after as needed. Your system will have to work twice as hard to reach the initial temperature and then waste more energy to get back to where it’s just right. 

*Helpful Hint* – Instead of jumping to extremes, set your thermostat to a temperature you know you will be comfortable with, be patient and have faith that your system will make it happen. 

Myth 3: “If you don’t notice any problems with your system, there’s no need to call a professional.” 

Just because there are no obvious problems with your HVAC system doesn’t necessarily mean there’s nothing wrong with it, or at the very least some things that could be improved. While chances are you’re well acquainted with your home’s particular system and the way it normally functions, and there is a lot that you can do to maintain it, there are tons of issues that only a trained HVAC tech would be able to identify. More importantly, professionals can spot tiny, more nuanced issues early on before they compound into bigger problems. 

This is why it’s important to schedule regular check ups for your HVAC system with a trusted professional to make sure everything is functioning as well and efficiently as it can and should be. This will save you tons of headaches and repair costs over time and keep your system in tip-top shape for as long as possible. 

Myth 4: “Any and all HVAC maintenance must be performed by a professional.” 

While this myth may seem to contradict Myth 3, the two actually go hand in hand and are merely different ends of the same spectrum. While some folks avoid professional help as long as they can when it comes to their HVAC systems, others are too quick to hire out for simple maintenance that they could easily be doing themselves. Whether they’re intimidated by the machinery, under the impression that they just shouldn’t mess with it, or just unaware of what they could be doing, many just avoid their systems altogether except for when they adjust the thermostat. 

However, homeowners can do plenty on their own when it comes to the general upkeep and maintenance of their system, from changing filters and cleaning vents, to removing debris and keeping an eye on its various functions. Click here for some helpful tips on DIY HVAC maintenance. 

Myth 5: “The bigger the unit, the better it will work.” 

While larger HVAC systems are often more powerful than smaller systems, a bigger system may not be the best option for your home. And while you may think that putting a large unit in a small house would make for easier, more efficient heating and air conditioning, this actually isn’t true. 

Oversized HVAC systems will cycle on and off too quickly because of the small space they have to cover, which will use more energy and wear on your machinery. This will also affect your home’s humidity, as the system will likely cycle off before it is able to thoroughly rid the air of humidity. The size of your system will depend on the size of your home, and it’s best to consult a professional to find out what size system will work best for your particular space.