Debunking Common Maintenance Myths
Everyone want their units to perform efficiently and have nice, long lives without the need for too many cooling and heating repairs. The problem is that many people are misguided on what they should and shouldn’t do to their HVAC units. A neighbor tells you to do one thing and the internet tells you to do another. Well, our Fredericksburg HVAC technicians want to debunk some of the myths about cooling and heating maintenance because we know that “doing the right thing” for your HVAC system will help you to avoid costly repairs in the future.
MYTH #1: Freon (refrigerant) should be added to your AC unit every year to ensure peak performance.
FACT #1: Freon should never have to be added. If you need to keep adding Freon to your AC unit then you have a leak and should contact an air conditioning contractor for an AC repair!
MYTH #2: You should close off the registers in rooms that you’re not using to save money on your utility bills.
FACT #2: Shutting off the air flow to these rooms can actually cause your HVAC compressor to fail over time. You could end up needing an expensive repair or a whole new HVAC unit.
MYTH #3: Changing the air filter in your HVAC unit each month is too often and unnecessary.
FACT #3: Once a month is not too often. An HVAC system performs its best with a new, clean air filter. A dirty filter can account for a 10% increase on a heating or air conditioning bill.
MYTH #4: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Routine HVAC maintenance isn’t necessary.
FACT #4: This myth really burns our britches! Small issues that you may not even notice with your HVAC unit can turn into big, expensive problems. Up to 80% of all air conditioning and heat pump compressor failures can be avoided if problems are diagnosed early on.
Our Fredericksburg technicians hope that this information helps you better understand your HVAC system. At Robert B. Payne we can help your heating and cooling system perform at its best and last longer with regular HVAC tune-ups and maintenance. If you live in Fredericksburg, King George, or Stafford, VA, we encourage you to call Robert B. Payne for all your HVAC service needs!
