HVAC Myth Busting: Common HVAC Beliefs That Are Actually Costing You Money
Welcome back to our ongoing series dedicated to separating fact from fiction in the world of home comfort. Your home’s heating and air conditioning system is a complex and vital piece of machinery, and with that complexity comes a great deal of well-intentioned but often incorrect advice. From neighborly tips to outdated “rules of thumb,” many common beliefs about how your HVAC system works can lead to wasted energy, unnecessary wear and tear on your equipment, and a less comfortable home.
At 5 Starr Heating and Air, we believe that an educated homeowner is an empowered homeowner. Our commitment goes beyond simply repairing and installing equipment; it extends to providing clear, factual information that helps our customers in Daphne and across the Gulf Coast make smart decisions. In that spirit, it is time to tackle another round of pervasive HVAC myths, providing the truth you need to protect your comfort, your wallet, and your valuable HVAC investment.
Myth #1: It’s More Efficient to Leave the AC at One Temperature Than to Adjust It
This is one of the most persistent and widely debated HVAC myths, and the logic seems plausible on the surface. The common belief is that the amount of energy required to cool down a hot house after it has been left off all day must be greater than the small amount of energy needed to simply maintain a cool temperature while you are away. Therefore, many homeowners conclude it is better to just set the thermostat to one comfortable temperature and leave it there 24/7.
The reality, however, is that this belief is fundamentally at odds with the laws of thermodynamics. The primary job of your air conditioner is to remove heat from your home. The rate at which your home gains heat is directly related to the temperature difference between the inside and the outside. On a sweltering 95-degree day in Daphne, a home maintained at 72 degrees is fighting a much larger thermal difference than a home that is allowed to warm up to 82 degrees while the family is out. This means the constantly cooled home is absorbing heat from the outside world at a much faster rate, forcing the air conditioner to run more frequently just to maintain its setpoint.
The single biggest energy consumer in your home during the summer is your air conditioner’s compressor. The less time it runs, the more money you save. By setting your thermostat several degrees higher when you are away from home, you are drastically reducing the total number of hours your compressor needs to operate over the course of the day. The amount of energy you save during those eight or nine hours at work will always be far greater than the energy consumed during the “recovery” period when the system works to bring the temperature back down before you get home. The most effective way to manage this process is with a programmable or smart thermostat, which automates these energy-saving setbacks so you never have to sacrifice comfort.
Myth #2: Duct Tape is the Right Tool for Sealing Air Ducts
This is one of the most understandable, yet completely incorrect, myths in home maintenance. The name itself is the source of the confusion. If you discover a leak in your air “duct,” it seems perfectly logical to reach for a roll of “duct tape.” It has the right name, so it must be the right tool for the job.
The surprising reality is that common, cloth-backed, rubber-adhesive duct tape is one of the worst things you can possibly use to seal your HVAC ductwork. This type of tape was originally designed for other applications during World War II and was never intended to handle the conditions inside a duct system. The extreme temperature swings, high humidity, and surface dust found in a typical Daphne attic or crawlspace cause the tape’s adhesive to break down and fail very quickly. A “repair” made with standard duct tape will often become brittle, peel away, and fail completely within a matter of months, leaving the leak just as bad, if not worse, than it was before.
Professional HVAC technicians never use this type of tape for sealing ducts. The proper materials for the job are specialized tools of the trade. The most effective sealant is mastic, a gummy, paint-on substance that creates a thick, durable, flexible, and permanent seal over joints and seams. For certain applications, professionals use specialized foil tape which has a UL 181 rating, certifying that its high-quality, long-lasting adhesive is specifically designed to withstand the pressures and temperatures of an HVAC system. Sealing leaky ducts is a critical step for improving efficiency and indoor air quality, but it must be done with the right, professional-grade materials to be effective.
Myth #3: The Location of the Outdoor Unit Doesn’t Really Matter
It is a common sight in many neighborhoods: an outdoor air conditioning unit nearly swallowed by overgrown bushes, packed tightly in a corner against the house, or covered in a season’s worth of grass clippings. The prevailing myth is that as long as the unit has power, its specific location and surroundings do not have a major impact on its performance.
In truth, the location and condition of your outdoor unit are absolutely critical to its efficiency and longevity. The condenser unit’s primary and essential job is to release all the heat that was collected from inside your home into the outside air. To do this effectively, it needs to be able to “breathe” by pulling in a massive volume of ambient air through the fins on its sides. When airflow is blocked, the unit cannot properly dissipate heat.
When shrubs, fences, weeds, or other debris are packed too closely against the unit, it begins to recirculate its own hot exhaust air. This trapped heat forces the refrigerant to stay warmer than it should, putting immense strain on the compressor. The compressor must then work much harder and longer to cool your home, leading to a significant increase in your energy bills and dramatically accelerating the wear and tear on the most expensive component of your system. An unlevel concrete pad can also cause lubrication issues within the compressor, leading to a shortened lifespan. For optimal performance, your outdoor unit should have at least two feet of clear, unobstructed space on all sides and should be kept clear of any leaves, grass, or debris.
Your home’s HVAC system is a significant investment, and ensuring it runs efficiently and reliably for years to come requires making informed decisions based on factual information. By understanding the truth behind common myths, you can adopt practices that save you money, enhance your family’s comfort, and protect your equipment from unnecessary damage. Using your thermostat strategically, maintaining clear space around your outdoor unit, and using the proper materials for any repairs are all simple but powerful steps in the right direction.
At 5 Starr Heating and Air, we are committed to being your trusted source for not just expert service, but also for honest and accurate information. If you have any questions about your system or are ready to schedule a professional tune-up or repair, we encourage you to contact our team. We are proud to serve the homeowners of Daphne and the surrounding Gulf Coast with the expertise needed to keep your home comfortable and efficient all year long.