Air Conditioning Myths and Facts
As a professional air conditioning supplier, installer and servicer for more than ten years, I have heard so many myths and stories about air conditioners and fan units. There’s not a week that goes by that a client or friend asks “Is it true that air conditioners…..”. So I thought I would share my knowledge with you and put the top 5 myths to rest.
Air Conditioning Myths and Facts Explored:
1.MYTH: If you turn your air conditioner thermostat down it will cool faster.
FACT: With the exception of inverter Air conditioners, turning your air conditioner down, does not make it cool the room faster. Air conditioners will cool the room down at the same rate no matter what the temperature has been set to. To achieve the best results, set your air conditioner to around 24 degrees, this will keep you comfortable and optimise your units output.
2. MYTH: Routine maintenance is unnecessary.
FACT: The secret to an air conditioner working well is professional maintenance. “Regularly maintaining your air conditioner will improve its energy efficiency and extend its life.” Read more about maintaining you air conditioner at Energy Australia’s website.
It is estimated that up to 5% of the total efficiency is lost by the air conditioner for every year it is not serviced. Think of professional servicing as a “health check” for your appliance!
3. MYTH: Air Conditioners work the same no matter where they are located.
FACT: The location of your air conditioner significantly affects its performance. To maximise performance, your air conditioner should be professionally installed away from direct sunlight and away from heat emitting appliances such as TV’s. Units should also be positioned high upon the wall to ensure air is blown throughout the room and placed away from air vents, as it will circulate dust particles if nearby. Also receive professional advice about the size of the area it will cool and the most suitable unit size.
4. MYTH: Keeping air conditioners on all day, is better than turning it on when you arrive home.
FACT: The most effective and cost efficient way to use your air conditioner is to set the programmable thermostat to turning on half an hour before you arrive at work/home. This will still cool down the room and save money and the unit’s output and efficiency.
5. MYTH: Air Conditioners don’t work as well when the fan is on.
FACT: Fans don’t cool air, they move around the air that is in the room. Therefore ceiling fans only make you feel cooler due to the movement of air “wind chill” against your skin. Air conditioners and fans work well together effectively by circulating the cool air in the room.
I hope these Air Conditioning Myths and Facts help you manage your air conditioner in the future, you may even save a small fortune in operating costs if you believed in Myth number four.