6 myths about air conditioning that you may believe

Air conditioning is a device used to condition air, which generates thermal comfort especially during days when temperatures are extreme. Although it is widely used in the country, the device is surrounded by myths and misconceptions, which have gained strength and reach over the years.

Most people have heard at least once that air conditioning is a direct cause of respiratory illness, that leaving it on ventilated mode does not waste energy, or even that setting the thermostat to run at lower temperatures will make a room freeze faster. With that in mind, the TechTudo Breaking down six myths about air conditioning that you may believe.

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Lowering the temperature freezes faster

myth. Reducing the air conditioner temperature significantly does not necessarily cool the room faster. In fact, the device will operate at the same rate until the desired temperature is reached. This can waste energy and ultimately cause discomfort when the environment becomes too cold.

Ideally, set your thermostat to a comfortable level and keep that setting constant. This allows the air conditioner to regulate the temperature gradually, without overloading the system or increasing energy consumption unnecessarily. It is worth noting that the room must be properly closed in order for the device to work efficiently.

“The more BTUs, the better”?

myth. In air conditioning systems, BTU is used to indicate the cooling or heating capacity of the device. Since it is a measure of power, it must be properly related to the size of the room in which the device will be placed. For example, 12,000 BTU systems have the power to cool environments up to 20 square metres.

However, it is worth noting that devices with higher BTU capacity are generally more expensive to purchase and operate. In other words, air conditioning can consume more energy, thus increasing electricity costs in the long run.

Additionally, these devices tend to cool small rooms very quickly and will likely have to be turned off before all the moisture is removed from the room. For this reason, before purchasing an air conditioner, it is recommended that the user review a table relating the number of BTUs to the square footage of a room.

Does the set temperature indicate how hot the room is?

A common myth about air conditioners is that the temperature set on the thermostat directly represents the temperature the room will reach. But in fact, the indicated number means the goal that the device is programmed to reach.

In practice, when this set temperature is reached, the thermostat sends a signal to the air conditioning system to stop the cooling cycle and enter standby mode. But the detail is that this value may never be reached, causing the air conditioning compressor to work without interruption, thus increasing energy consumption.

Many factors can generate this problem. Some examples are too few BTUs for the size of the room, too much outside temperature, or even inadequate room sealing. It is important to be careful not to run your air conditioner too much.

Does the ventilation mode not waste energy?

Another common myth is the idea that the “vent” mode on an air conditioner does not consume energy. Whatever…that's not the truth. In fact, when you put the device in this mode, the compressor turns off, which means there is no active cooling or heating of the air.

However, the internal fan still runs to circulate air within the room. This fan needs power to operate, even when the compressor is turned off. Therefore, although the ventilation mode is lower power, it still requires significant power consumption.

Can I always leave the inverter at max?

myth. Inverter air conditioners are designed to operate more efficiently than conventional models, as the compressor speed adjusts in real time to maintain the desired temperature more consistently. However, these systems are always at the limit and can lead to some negative consequences.

Although inverters are more efficient compared to conventional models, always leaving them at maximum can result in more power consumption than necessary. This is because the compressor will overwork at maximum capacity, even when there is less demand for cooling or heating the space. In this way, an air conditioner with the technology can cost almost the same as a conventional one.

Does air conditioning make you sick?

The myth that air conditioning directly makes people sick is also widespread, even if it is not true. The truth is that the system does not tend to cause diseases directly, but by creating a less humid environment, it can trigger the development of respiratory allergies in some people.

The device cannot directly affect the spread of viruses and bacteria unless it is outside its ideal conditions of use, i.e. due to lack of maintenance. If the internal parts of your air conditioner, such as coils and condensate drains, are not cleaned regularly, these can become places for mold, fungi, and bacteria to grow.

With information from Family handyman, Daling that it Bloombeam work

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