What common myths about AC maintenance should homeowners stop believing?
- Myth: You only need to change air filters once a year.
Truth: Change filters every 1–3 months, more often if you have pets, dust, or allergies, to maintain airflow, efficiency, and indoor air quality. - Myth: Annual maintenance isn’t necessary.
Truth: Skipping regular tune‑ups can lead to inefficiency, costly breakdowns, shorter system life, and voided warranties. Annual/pre‑season service catches problems early. - Myth: Closing vents in unused rooms saves energy.
Truth: Blocking airflow disrupts system balance, increases duct pressure, and can cause leaks or coil issues. - Myth: Cranking the thermostat heats or cools faster.
Truth: HVAC systems run at a fixed rate, setting extreme temps only wastes energy and strains the equipment. - Myth: Duct tape is fine for sealing HVAC ducts.
Truth: Use mastic or foil-backed HVAC tape instead. Duct tape degrades over time and allows leaks.
HVAC maintenance is one of the most controversial topics out there in the HVAC industry. Why? Mostly because those who own HVAC systems understand the idea of striving for efficiency: paying the least amount of money for the most amount of output from your system. Likewise, these same people might see maintenance as an unnecessary expense.
Of course, we have to disagree. If your goal is efficiency, maintenance is exactly the kind of thing that you need! We’ll explain why that is by breaking some of the common myths around maintenance.