Homeownership carries many responsibilities with it, from keeping the house tidy and presentable to maintaining its inner workings. When was the last time you thought about your home’s HVAC system? Consider this list of common
misconceptions regarding heating, ventilation, and air conditioning—accurate knowledge can help you maintain your home’s system and prolong its life.
“Duct Tape Can Fix a Duct”
The only reliable way to fix a broken or leaky duct is by calling a professional. Duct tape’s name is a bit of a misnomer; it was originally called “duck tape” after the cotton duck cloth it was made of. This tape will not hold a damaged duct together for any meaningful length of time.
“Who Cares About Air Filters?”
Your ventilation system does! Air filters contribute directly to your home’s air quality by keeping animal dander, pollen, mold, dust, and more out of your home—and your lungs. Clogged filters can cause damage to other components of your system, so you should change them out at least every 90 days.
“Bigger Is Better—Always”
If you want your home to be warmer in the winter, you may be tempted to install an oversized HVAC system to get the job done quickly. However, you’ll get the most efficiency and longest lifespan out of a system that is properly fitted to your home’s dimensions.
“Closing Vents Saves Money”
If there’s a room in your home you don’t use much, you may think you’re saving money and energy by closing up the vents in there. Unfortunately, that’s one of the biggest home heating myths in circulation today. You don’t save money or conserve energy by closing vents, so you might as well heat your entire home and keep your HVAC use balanced.
“I Can Fix This Myself”
While some basic HVAC maintenance, like wiping dust off the filters, can be done by the homeowner, it’s best to leave actual repairs to the professionals. Just like you go to the doctor for annual medical checkups, you should have annual HVAC checkups performed by licensed technicians.
Learning the most common misconceptions about home HVAC systems can help you maintain your own unit more effectively. Extend the life of your current system by scheduling regular maintenance appointments, and avoid falling into any of these misinformation traps.
