Category: HVAC

A lot of people have differing ideas on HVAC services and repairs. So how do you know what is a myth and what is the truth? Here are the five biggest myths regarding HVAC repair services.

Myth #1: You should only replace your filter once a year
Truth: This is one of the biggest HVAC myths out there. And not only is this a big myth, but it is also a big mistake! You should be changing your filter once a month, not every year. Too many people either forget to replace it, or they believe that you only need to do it once a year. This is even worse for households that have pets.

Myth #2: The bigger the HVAC, the better
Truth: When it comes to HVAC systems, bigger doesn’t always mean better. Especially if it’s for a residential setting. Large HVAC systems are designed for large buildings, not houses. It can be less efficient for a home. Incorrectly sized HVAC systems will have a difficult time eradicating humidity in your home. This is why it is crucial to have a professional HVAC service company to evaluate the best size for your home.

Myth #3: Don’t repair your HVAC unless it’s broken
Truth: When you own a car, you bring it in for routine maintenance. The last thing you’ll want is for it to break down while you’re driving it. Like a car, your HVAC system should have regular checkups done. Inspections ensure that everything is working, which can prevent any unexpected and outrageous costs from happening.

Myth #4: You can easily find air leaks around your home.
Truth: You would think it’s simple to find an air leak in your home, but it can be impossible for an ordinary homeowner to find them all. Even the biggest leaks can be difficult to spot. An experienced HVAC technician will be able to find and fix any leak. They’re well versed in all the ins-and-outs, so you can trust their guided expertise.

Myth #5: The only way to effectively heat the home is by cranking the thermostat
Fact: While it’s clear that your thermostat controls the overall temperature of your home, in reality, it won’t ever achieve the level of comfort with a faulty HVAC system. There are many factors for why your home won’t heat up, which could come down to its overall insulation. Scheduling regular maintenance will ensure that your home will always reflect the desired temperature.

Everyone from the professional contractor to the average homeowner experiences frustration with color-coded equipment. HVAC professionals deal with an entire color wheel of refrigerant cylinder colors. There are so many, in fact, that the issue has prompted the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute to take action. New revisions in AHRI Guideline N, “Assignment of Refrigerant Container Colors” state that all refrigerant containers should be a universal gray-green color by 2020. The guideline is a means of equipment identification. However, increasing numbers of approved colors and equipment has lead to concern about confusion among colors that look too similar. Find out how HVAC refrigerant cylinders expected in uniform color by 2020 will affect the market and the industry.

HVAC Refrigerant Cylinders Expected in Uniform Color by 2020

Concerns Behind the Change

Colors are added to equipment in many industries as a safety precaution. For example, refrigerants have different operating pressures and some contain flammable properties that pose serious safety hazards. In addition, using refrigerants in the wrong application can lead to equipment damage, which means expensive repairs. With so many new refrigerants on the market, the new guideline will ensure safe and proper use for contractors.

Support for the Change

AHRI conducted a survey of contractors, suppliers, technicians, and more to determine if the many colors used for refrigerant identification was confusing. More than half of the participants said that they were. As a result, the new change stipulates that all containers will be a universal color, but their individual packages may maintain the original unique assigned color. The goal is to have contractors and other handlers rely more on the labels to identify individual refrigerants.

Concerns for the Change

Ultimately, the cartons or packaging for refrigerant cylinders is not changing. Only the cylinders themselves are getting a new look. Therefore, assigned colors being used today will still appear on cylinder cartons in 2020. In the end, the change to the cylinders will not necessarily make anything easier for contractors. Rather it means that contractors will have to pay more attention to the labels instead of relying on the colors for identification.