Over time, myths about using HVAC systems have developed. While some are harmless, others can drive up energy costs and cause system problems. Here are five myths you shouldn't fall for this summer.

1. Closing off a room saves energy. Cooling and heating systems need a precise amount of airflow returning from and going to the rooms through the ducts to operate at top efficiency. Changing this airflow alters the pressure inside the system and may cost you more in repairs than any energy savings achieved. Left unchecked, the additional pressure in the ducts can loosen the joints that connect the ducts together, leaving you with higher energy costs until they're fixed. 
2. Turning off the A/C when you leave saves energy. Acting on this myth on hot days can cost you more in energy and system wear. It will take more energy to cool your home down if it's retained a lot of heat. The best way to manage temperatures is with a programmable thermostat. Changing the temperature so the HVAC system won't run as much during your absence does save energy, as long as the setting isn't extreme.
3. Dropping the thermostat's setting will cool your home faster. Unless you have a variable-speed system or thermal expansion valve for the air conditioner, this practice won't cool your home any faster. If you forget to turn the temperature up once you're comfortable, it can cost you more in energy use and wear. 
4. Letting the ceiling fan run in unoccupied rooms keeps them cool. Ceiling fans help cool you, not the surrounding air. The air movement hastens the evaporation of moisture on your skin, cooling you faster.
5. Relying on the A/C is the only way to stay cool. Although it's the go-to choice during warm weather, you might be able to stay comfortable using chilled washcloths on your neck and wrists. The basement is another place to seek refuge on a hot day. 

Besides not falling for these cooling myths, keeping your HVAC system efficient involves annual servicing. Contact Tri-County Heating & Cooling to learn more. We've provided HVAC services for Cincinnati area homeowners for more than 40 years. 

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