5 POPULAR HVAC MYTHS (AND WHY THEY EXIST IN THE FIRST PLACE)

Your home relies on its air conditioner, heat pump, and furnace for year-round comfort. Yet, if you’re like most U.S. homeowners, you probably only have a basic understanding of how these systems work. This can lead to many common misunderstandings about HVAC systems that spread both online and through word-of-mouth, becoming pervasive and popular HVAC myths over time.

In this article and the accompanying infographic, we’ll not only review some of the biggest misconceptions about air conditioners and furnaces, but also explore how these myths came to be and what sources of information you should trust as a homeowner.

Want to cut through the noise and learn the truth behind five common HVAC myths? Click the link to see our full infographic.

Our industry is filled with misinformation. This is most likely due to the fact that HVAC systems are both complex and essential: almost every American home has an air conditioner, heat pump, or furnace, but few homeowners actually understand how the systems work beyond the surface level of adjusting the thermostat. After all, the same thing is true for cars, and there’s an equally large amount of superstitions, half-truths, and myths out there about how to best care for a vehicle.

One common thread linking all of these myths together is that they all make some sense at face value. For example, turning off your air conditioner during the day to save energy seems right. With nearly everything else in your home, you can conserve energy by turning it off and not using it. This myth is pervasive because homeowners extend that logic to their HVAC systems, thinking that shutting down the system entirely is the right way to go.

Finally, at least some of these myths probably have their origins with an unscrupulous or untrustworthy HVAC company trying to make a quick buck. Unqualified technicians can also—often out of ignorance—spread misinformation. This is just one of the reasons you should always work with a locally trusted cooling and heating company with NATE-certified technicians, like Dufrene’s Heating & Cooling.

Beyond the myths we dispel in the infographic below, where else can you turn for accurate HVAC information?

• Talk to our team: At Dufrene’s Heating & Cooling, our NATE-certified technicians are true HVAC experts, having been trained and tested by the premier certification organization in our industry. As such, they’re ready to answer your questions and help you get to know your cooling and heating systems better. Call us if there’s anything you want to know about your air conditioner, heat pump, ductless system, or furnace. We’re happy to help!
• Look at trusted sources: In addition to talking to our team, we also recommend looking at information from unbiased, trustworthy sources, such as the U.S. Department of Energy and ENERGY STAR. Similarly, one of the best places for information about Trane and Carrier systems are the respective websites of those two manufacturers.

Beyond the five reviewed in the infographic below, there are several other persistent myths that just won’t go away:

While the physical size of your home is an important factor in what size of system you might need, it’s not the only factor. Everything from insulation to the number of windows can come into play. Never trust an HVAC technician who says they can quote you on a new air conditioner, heat pump, or furnace system without coming to your home to take measurements. At Dufrenes Heating & Cooling, we offer free in-home estimates on new systems for this exact reason.

A ceiling or floor fan can help cool you down, but it’s important to recognize that the fan is only cooling the temperature of your skin, not the temperature of the air inside your home. As soon as you leave the radius of the fan, it’ll hit you just how hot it is. We recommend using fans to supplement, not replace, cooling in the summer.

Here in South Louisiana, Dufrene’s Heating & Cooling has made a name for itself by providing helpful, effective HVAC services to local homeowners. Our team of NATE-certified experts is here to help you with all your cooling and heating service needs, and we back all of our work with our Ironclad Guarantees.

For the very best in local HVAC service and information, contact us today.

In our new infographic, we debunk 5 of the most-common HVAC myths out there: