Air conditioning myth #2 – “Air conditioning controls temperature”
So now we know you can use your air conditioning unit for cooling and heating, so it must control temperature, right? Well yes, but that’s not all it can do.
As well as controlling room temperature, air conditioners can be utilised to control humidity, pull moisture from the air, and help to protect building fabrics and extend the overall lifecycle of a building. This is a hugely useful way to make a room feel more comfortable by making it feel less muggy on a hot day.
Air conditioning myth #3 – “The bigger the unit, the better”
Size doesn’t always matter, you know! If you choose an air conditioning unit that is bigger and more powerful than the space it is operating in, you’ll use more energy than necessary. This principle applies to all types of air conditioners in any type of environment. The system of choice should be in proportion to the size of the room it is being installed in.
Check out our guide on how to choose an air conditioning system for your business.
Air conditioning myth #4 – “Air con units are big and noisy”
Contrary to belief, most modern air conditioning units are very sleek looking and operate quietly, especially smaller-scale units for home installs. Even bigger air con units are designed to operate at a noise level that will not be overly intrusive.
In fact, many people find the faint sound of flowing air and the gentle breeze from the vents to be soothing, especially on a muggy summer’s day.
If you are finding that your system is overly noisy, it might be working too hard. If this is the case, we recommend getting the system booked in for maintenance as soon as possible.
Air conditioning myth #5 – “The location of the indoor unit doesn’t matter”
The location of an indoor air conditioning unit is very important. You need to avoid installing the air conditioning unit:
- Where it will be exposed to direct sunlight
- At the wrong height on the wall
- Where the flow of air will be obstructed by furniture or room architecture
Doing any of these will result in the system working overtime and potentially running the system into a premature failure.
The same goes for an outdoor condenser unit. If the unit is installed where there is poor airflow or if you don’t keep the system free of debris or leaves, it will radically reduce its airflow and efficiency. As a result, the working of the condenser coil will decrease, and the coolant will struggle to become cold. In no time, you will see a drastic drop in the effectiveness of the airflow and cooling of your indoor unit.
We often get enquiries for “smelly aircon”, “poor airflow”, “blowing warm air” and most of these are a result of a lack of cleanliness to the outdoor unit. Hence, we suggest that you never forget to clean your units or take advantage of our planned maintenance service.
Air conditioning myth #6 – “A fan works just as well”
Perhaps you have been considering using a fan to cool the air instead of an air conditioning unit? The problem with this is that you’ll only be moving air around.
You’ll struggle to reduce the temperature if you’re using a fan rather than a proper air conditioning system. You may need some sort of natural ventilation to help with this. But on a hot day, there’s no substitute for a quality air conditioning unit.
Air conditioning myth #7 – “Using an air conditioning system increases the possibility of catching a cold”
Next in the list of myths about air conditioning is the dreaded cold. Customers often ask if their air conditioning will cause a cold or illness. The air conditioning system generates a strong blow of cool air which gives us a sensation that can cause sickness. However, the reality cannot be further from the truth.
In fact, air conditioning can actually improve air quality and reduce the chances of becoming ill. These systems are fitted with filters that capture different, potentially dangerous air particles. Air conditioning also helps maintain healthier humidity levels, which, if left unchecked, can promote unhealthy indoor living conditions.
Air conditioning myth #8 – “Setting the temperature low will cool the space quicker”
A lower thermostat setting doesn’t mean that your environment will be cooled any faster. Unfortunately, this isn’t how air conditioning works. The system will work equally as hard, whether you’re trying to cool your environment by one degree or ten. The best course of action is to set your thermostat exactly where you need it for the most efficient results. We recommend a temperature setting of between 18 and 22 degrees Celsius.
The same rule of thumb applies to heating an environment. Setting the system to a higher temperature will not warm up your room any quicker than the recommended settings. You’ll only waste energy and send your energy bill through the roof.
Air conditioning myth #9 – “Sleeping with the air conditioning on is bad for my health”
There is some truth in this if you set the temperature too low. At night, our body temperature drops. So, it’s best practice to increase the temperature of your unit by a degree or two.
A lot of modern air conditioning systems have night-time settings built into them to allow for ease of use during warm or muggy nights. Please contact us if you have any questions relating to this.
Air conditioning myth #10 – “I only need my air conditioning serviced if it isn’t working”
It’s very common for people to postpone servicing their air conditioning unit because they don’t feel that it needs to be done or it’s another cost to think about. However, servicing is a vital process that prolongs the lifecycle of your air conditioning unit. It can help you identify faults before they spiral out of control and leave you with costly and sizable repair jobs. It’s very wise to stick with a maintenance schedule if you want the system to last for many years.
