Myth 1: Hire your AC technician on Craigslist.
The internet has provided us with a variety of options to go to look for an A/C system service technician, but beware because not all are created equal. While the Better Business Bureau shows you information on whether a contractor is accredited depending on their company history and practices, other sites are available to anyone who requests to post an ad. For instance, Craigslist allows anyone to post an ad providing their services, despite whether or not they’re really qualified, licensed and bonded, or have the actual training and knowledge.
If you decide on a company or individual without having the ability to confirm their qualifications and capability, it could end up costing you more in the long run. If the technician doesn’t know how to properly repair your actual air conditioning system, you may end up needing a different, more experienced technician to correct their mistakes and end up paying multiple Trip Charges.
Myth 2: Working with a small business is better.
Contracting with small businesses can be wonderful for some odd jobs – it’s good for the local business, wonderful for the economy, and likely even great for your wallet. But be careful: small operations or one-person businesses could leave you in a lurch. If something goes wrong, they may simply disappear and not be around to fix it, or they might not have the manpower to get you taken care of quickly, which is a problem if your air conditioning system goes out in the extreme temperatures of summer.
Budgeting a little bit more for a sizable, more trusted and reliable company can come with benefits that help provide you with more assurance, including a one-year satisfaction guarantee, excellent workmanship, a large certified work force that gives you service 24/7/365, and the confidence that they’ll be a call away in the future if you ever need them again.
Myth 3: It’s okay to use any type of refrigerant in your air conditioning system.
With the government putting an end to the production of R-22, many homeowners are observing the cost of refilling their air conditioning system’s refrigerant increasing. It may seem like a simple fix to just substitute a different and lower cost refrigerant, but if an air conditioner service technician advises you to do that, you likely want to get a second opinion.
Manufacturers detail the exact refrigerant the system is developed for, and before 2010, it was typically R-22. Regardless of the extreme decline of the production of R-22, those AC systems are still designed for it, and replacing R-22 with a different refrigerant may not only cause destruction to your AC system, it could void your warranty. A voided warranty may cost you way more in future parts due to possible damage.
Myth 4: You don’t need yearly AC maintenance.
Many people who aren’t having trouble with their air conditioner may believe they don’t really need yearly maintenance. It’s working fine, so why waste the money on a tune-up, right? Well there’s the fact that a yearly AC tune- up costs around $79 while repairs will set you back around $500. Also, most manufacturers require routine maintenance to continue your warranty, so skipping your annual tune-up could cost you your warranty, resulting in a big payout if your air conditioner decides to breakdown on the hottest day of the summer.
Myth 5: Researching the contractor isn’t necessary.
It’s crucial to make sure you do your homework before choosing an air conditioning service company, especially if you feel a specific company is intimidating you. As we mentioned in Myth #1, some domains don’t require a contractor to be qualified to advertise their services. You absolutely need to know who you’re working with so you don’t have to worry about paying for the same service twice.
Social media reviews, testimonials from neighbors, and an a good accreditation grade with the Better Business Bureau will all assure you of the type of business you will be trusting your business to and help you choose if they are ideal for you. Yelp, Angie’s List, and Google+ are all great review sites to start your search. Remember, don’t be scared to ask for prior customer testimonials. You could have to invest your money with your AC company, so invest a little time and research to ensure they are the ideal company for your AC.
Myth 6: It costs you more to turn your thermostat higher while you’re not at home.
Over time, it will increase your bills to leave the thermostat at a colder temperature all through the day than to increase it 10 degrees while you’re away. It normally will not take an excessive amount of more energy to get your home cooled down once you enter, depending on variables of the home.
A programmable thermostat allows for the temperature to be changed from a tablet or phone so you can actually adjust the temperature cooler before arriving home, so your home is cool and comfy when you get home. This saves you energy during the day, as well as reducing your cooling bills.
Myth 7: Constantly running ceiling fans will help cool your home.
Fans help keep people cool, they don’t truly decrease the temperature of the home by themselves. In fact, fans (comparable to refrigerators) actually increase the temperature in your home. The motor that is forcing your fan to function creates heat, which can add heat to the air in your family’s home. An efficient ceiling fan can help level the temperature of your room and may assist in cooling air by circulating, but if nobody is beneath the fan to feel the breeze, all the fan is doing is squandering energy and money, especially if the air conditioner is already running. So keep ceiling fans off when there is nobody in the room and more air circulation is unnecessary.
Myth 8: Where the thermostat is installed doesn’t matter.
Thermostats use the temperature surrounding it to decide whether it needs to start up the air conditioner to cool down your home. Placing a thermostat in the bedroom will only help ensure that bedroom cools to the temperature that the thermostat is set on. Once the bedroom is cooled, the air conditioner will go off and the rest of the floor or home could be a lot warmer. If the thermostat is installed near a well-lit window or an appliance, it could continuously read the temperature as being much higher than the home actually is and keep running your air conditioner, raising your utility bills.
Myth 9: Excessively lowering your thermostat will help it cool faster.
Turning your air down lower may only make your air conditioner work longer, it won’t get colder any faster. If your thermostat is says 77, but you really would be more comfortable at 75, then set it to 75 and it will run until it reaches that temperature. Lowering the thermostat to 73 won’t make it lower to 75 any faster, and it will result in your system running longer, wasting money and energy.
Myth 10: It’s ok to swap out your air filter once every twelve months.
Depending on respiratory or allergy issues for the residents of the home, and the type of air filter you utilize for your AC, your air filter may need to be changed as often as every month. Not changing the air filter often enough not only makes your air conditioner to work harder and lower efficiency, it could also irritate respiratory conditions like common allergy symptoms.
Call Peitz Service Experts today to inquire about your AC or to set-up your free in-home consultation.