Myth #2: The AC Air Filter Is Just There to Protect My Indoor Air Quality
Not only is this a myth, but the purpose of the AC air filter that came standard with your unit isn’t to protect the indoor air quality at all. Its actual purpose is to protect the interior components of the air conditioner from dust, dirt, and other debris.
What happens is that this air filter gets clogged up, and restricts airflow. So while your indoor air quality might seem fine–and probably is if you have other IAQ products in place–your air conditioner might be struggling without you knowing. When airflow is restricted, your air conditioner has to run longer to try to achieve the desired temperature on your thermostat, and therefore works inefficiently. This means wear and tear is exacerbated, and the lifespan of the system may even be shortened.
Homeowners should change or clean their HVAC air filters every 1-3 months depending on what type of filter it is and the level of contaminants in their home (a note here: “contaminants” can be anything from cleaning fumes to pet hair!)
Myth #3: I Can Do Maintenance and Repairs Myself
If you’re a trained HVAC professional with proper education, experience, and licensing sure! But attempting repairs on your own otherwise can do more harm than good for the system. Plus, doing repairs and maintenance on your own can void the manufacturer’s warranty. This means that if you have a problem due to a manufacturer defect a couple of years in, but you tampered with the air conditioner before then, that you might be financially liable for that repair, when it would have been covered by the warranty.