Four Common Home Cooling Myths: Debunked
Posted on: 18 August 2015
Summer is in full swing, which means many homes throughout the United States are utilizing an air conditioner. If your home is one of them, you may want to read on to learn about the four most common home cooling myths, and the truths behind them.
Myth #1: Keeping a Fan Running in an Empty Room Will Keep the Room Cool
Fact. Fans don't generate cool air like an air conditioner, but instead they circulate the air that's already present in the room. Fans cool humans down because the breeze they generate encourages sweat to evaporate, leaving you with a cooling sensation. Fans, however, don't have the same cooling effect on empty rooms. When you keep a fan running, the only thing you're doing is raising your electricity bill.
Myth #2: Energy-Efficient Air Conditioners Can be Kept on 24/7 Without Significant Cost
Fact. Air conditioners require a lot of electricity to work, even if they're labeled as energy efficient. It's never suggested that an AC be kept on 24/7, even those that are energy efficient. Instead, utilize the thermostat on your AC to run it only until the room has reached the ideal temperature as well as to turn back on when the temperature in the room has risen too high. This will keep your cooling costs low and your comfort levels high.
Myth #3: The Lower You Set the Thermostat, the Sooner the Home Will Reach an Ideal Temperature
Fact. If the ideal temperature in your home is 68*, it doesn't matter if you set the AC's thermostat for 68* or 65* or even 60*. The time it takes for your home to cool down to the desired temperature (68* in this case) will be the same no matter how low you set it. Setting the thermostat lower than you'd like can be energy wasting as well, since you're unlikely to keep track of the temperature but instead, let the AC continue to run until the set temperature is reached, even if it's lower than your home's necessary ideal.
Myth #4: The Bigger the Air Conditioner, the Better
Fact. While it might seem logical that a larger air conditioner will cool your home quicker than a smaller one, there's one little thing you may be forgetting, and that's humidity. Air conditioners do more than lower the temperature in your home – they also reduce humidity levels. An AC that's too large for the designated area will continually turn off too soon, leaving you with a muggy, uncomfortable home.
Now that you know the truth behind four of the most common cooling myths, it's time to implement what you've learned in your home. To learn more about how you can save energy, as well as how to decide what size AC you need and more, contact an HVAC contractor like Thermotech Inc.
Share