5 Air Conditioning Myths That Are Costing You Money

We hear the same handful of claims on nearly every job. Most of them sound sensible, which is exactly why they stick. Here are five worth clearing up.

Myth 1: Setting it colder cools the room faster

It doesn't. An air conditioner produces cold air at one rate. Setting the thermostat to 16 instead of 24 doesn't make that air any colder or arrive any faster – it just means the system keeps running past the point you were comfortable, and you pay for the extra. Set it where you want it and let it get there.

Myth 2: Leaving it on all day is cheaper than turning it off

This one has a grain of truth for a house that's occupied all day, because an inverter ticking over at low speed uses very little. But leaving it running in an empty house from eight in the morning is never cheaper than starting it half an hour before you get home. Use the timer. That's what it's there for.

Myth 3: A bigger unit is always better

An oversized system cools the air quickly, hits the set temperature and shuts down before it has had time to pull the humidity out. You end up with a cold, clammy room and a compressor that short-cycles itself to an early grave. Correct sizing – based on room size, ceiling height, insulation, window area and which way they face – beats big every time.

Myth 4: A portable unit does the same job

Portables are handy for a one-off, but they're the least efficient way to cool a room. Single-hose models pull air from inside the house, dump it out the window, and draw hot outside air in through every gap to replace it. They're noisy, they take up floor space and they cost more per hour of cooling than a properly installed split system.

Myth 5: Air conditioning gives you a cold

Colds come from viruses, not cold air. What air conditioning can do is dry the air out, which leaves throats and sinuses feeling scratchy, and a neglected system with a dirty filter or a mouldy coil will circulate dust and spores that irritate allergies. That's a maintenance problem, not a reason to avoid cooling. Wash the filters, get the coil cleaned when it needs it, and the problem goes away.

The theme here

Nearly every one of these comes back to the same two things: the right size system, and a bit of regular maintenance. Get those right and the system does its job quietly in the background for years.

Need a hand?

We're a local Bendigo team and we're happy to take a look. Give us a call on (03) 5444 4677 for honest advice and a free quote.