When it comes to the home's HVAC unit, there are many misconceptions. While some fallacies are completely harmless, some can cost quite the pretty penny. In fact, here are three misconceptions regarding your home's HVAC unit that are particularly costly:

Misconception #1 – Your Air Conditioner Is Using Freon.

Many homeowners assume that because their home is not cooling efficiently, that their air conditioning system is using Freon. While it can mean that your unit is low on Freon, it does not mean that it is "using" it up. Air conditioners do not use Freon the way a vehicle uses gas. This is because the refrigerant is in a sealed system that doesn't provide the opportunity for escape. If refrigerant is needed, it actually means that there is a leak.

The reason this is so expensive for homeowners is because you are unnecessarily adding more refrigerant to your unit. You are spending money that isn't necessary on Freon, which is particularly expensive if your unit uses R-22. Ever since the new eco-friendly refrigerant R-410a was introduced, the price of R-22 refrigerant has soared. Plus, overcharging your unit can actually cause permanent damage to the compressor, which is expensive to replace.

Misconception #2 – You Should Get a Bigger A/C for Better Cooling.

Some homeowners tend to believe that the bigger air conditioner that they have in the home, the better and faster it will cool the home. However, this is not necessarily true. You need to get an air conditioner that fits just right – sort of like shoes. An A/C unit that is too large will actually cause the home to cool too fast, which causes the unit to cycle on and cycle off too often. This short cycling keeps it from adequately dehumidifying your home the longer it runs.

Due to the fact that the larger A/C unit comes on and off too often, it causes your energy bill to skyrocket. It could also prematurely damage the air conditioner compressor.

Misconception #3 – You Should Turn the Thermostat Down As Low As Possible to Cool the Home Faster.

Many homeowners also think that if they need to cool the home quickly that they can turn down the thermostat temperature super low. However, the thermostat is nothing like your vehicle's gas pedal. In fact, the thermostat is more similar to a switch that turns something on and off. A thermostat will send a signal to the air conditioner that keeps it on until a certain temperature is reached. No matter how low or how high you place the thermostat, it will not determine the speed at which it cools the home.

This can be particularly costly, since you'll likely forget that you put the thermostat on a super low temperature. This, of course, leads to your air conditioner running much longer than necessary and causing your energy bill to soar.

By knowing about these three misconceptions, you should be able to keep your A/C in decent shape, while also eliminating unnecessary costs. However, if your HVAC unit is ever acting strangely or you suspect something is wrong, it is recommended to consult with a professional as soon as possible. Otherwise, you may find that you are still paying unnecessary out-of-pocket expenses. Visit a website like http://www.capefearair.com to learn more about AC repair.