If you’ve ever owned a home in the Tennessee Valley, you’ve probably had a neighbor, coworker, or well-meaning friend offer their two cents about how to “save money” on heating and cooling. Maybe it came from someone in Savannah who said turning the thermostat way down cools the house faster. Or someone in Corinth swore you need refrigerant every single year. Or maybe a relative in Iuka insisted that closing vents will save energy.
The truth?
A lot of common HVAC advice is flat-out wrong — and following it can cost you hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
At Harbin Heating & Air Conditioning, we spend a lot of time undoing the damage caused by bad information. And because we serve homeowners across Counce, Savannah, Corinth, Iuka, Florence, and northwest Alabama, we’ve pretty much heard all the myths you can imagine.
So today, we’re setting the record straight on six of the most expensive HVAC misconceptions circulating around neighborhoods, breakrooms, and front porches in our area.
If you want real comfort, real efficiency, and real savings this winter, start by dropping these myths once and for all.
❌ Myth #1: “Set the thermostat way lower or higher to heat or cool faster.”
✔ Reality: Your HVAC isn’t a gas pedal — it heats and cools at the same speed.
This one is almost universal. You’ve probably heard someone in Corinth or Savannah say, “Just crank the heat up to 80 — it’ll warm up faster!”
Unfortunately, that’s not how HVAC systems work.
Your system has one speed of heating and one speed of cooling, unless it’s an inverter system — and even then, raising the temp doesn’t make it work faster. Setting the thermostat extremely high or low only forces the system to run longer, overshoot the temperature, and waste energy.
A better approach:
Set the thermostat exactly where you want it and let the system do its job. If you want better precision and comfort, consider upgrading to a smart thermostat such as the Daikin One Touch.
❌ Myth #2: “You need a refrigerant (Freon) refill every year.”
✔ Reality: If you’re losing refrigerant, something’s wrong.
We hear this myth constantly in homes across Iuka, MS and Savannah, TN. Refrigerant doesn’t get “used up” — your system is a closed loop. The only time you need more refrigerant is when there’s a leak.
Adding refrigerant every year is not a solution — it’s a red flag.
If your system needs refrigerant repeatedly:
You’re wasting money
You’re risking compressor damage
You may be causing environmental harm
A professional evaluation can locate and repair leaks instead of topping them off year after year.
❌ Myth #3: “Closing vents will save money.”
✔ Reality: Closing vents can damage your system and increase bills.
This myth spreads fast, especially in older homes in Corinth and Savannah.
Many people think that closing vents in unused rooms forces more air into the rooms they use, saving energy. In reality, it increases resistance in your ductwork and causes:
Higher system pressure
Reduced airflow
Coil freezing
Overheating
Premature system failure
Modern HVAC systems are designed to condition the entire home. Closing too many vents throws off the balance.
If your home has hot or cold spots, the solution might be:
A ductless mini split
Airflow adjustments
Duct sealing
Zoning
Not closing vents.
❌ Myth #4: “Bigger HVAC systems mean better comfort.”
✔ Reality: Oversized units cause major comfort and efficiency problems.
This is one of the most expensive misconceptions homeowners believe.
A neighbor might say, “Go bigger — it’ll heat and cool better!”
But in reality, an oversized system:
Cycles on and off too quickly
Causes temperature swings
Can’t control humidity
Shortens the life of the compressor
Uses way more energy
Proper system sizing requires professional load calculations — not guesswork.
For homes in Counce, Savannah, Corinth, Iuka, and surrounding areas, Harbin HVAC performs detailed measurements to ensure the system fits your home’s unique needs.
❌ Myth #5: “If the system is running, it doesn’t need maintenance.”
✔ Reality: Skipping tune-ups shortens your system’s life and increases bills.
This myth is especially common among homeowners with older equipment.
Your HVAC system is one of the hardest-working appliances in your home. It runs year-round, shifting from heating to cooling as the seasons change in the Tennessee Valley. Even if it “seems fine,” dirt, wear, and shifting components can cut efficiency by up to 15%–20%.
Routine tune-ups:
Prevent breakdowns
Lower energy usage
Improve comfort
Extend equipment life
Keep warranties valid
A system that goes years without maintenance is quietly costing you money — far more than the price of a tune-up.
❌ Myth #6: “All HVAC companies are basically the same.”
✔ Reality: Experience, training, and craftsmanship matter — a lot.
Bad installs are one of the most common problems we correct in Corinth, Savannah, and the Florence area.
Even the highest-quality HVAC system can’t perform well if it’s installed incorrectly. Poor installation leads to:
High bills
System noise
Uneven temperatures
Frequent repairs
Premature equipment failure
Choosing a Daikin Comfort Pro like Harbin means choosing a team trained in precise installation standards. That’s the difference between frustration and long-term comfort.
Not all contractors are equal — and the results speak for themselves.
The Takeaway: Good HVAC Advice Saves Money — Bad Advice Costs It
Most homeowners don’t intentionally follow bad advice. It usually comes from a neighbor who means well, or an online tip that sounds convincing. But in reality, these myths can cost homeowners across Savannah, Corinth, Iuka, Counce, and the Tennessee Valley hundreds of dollars every year.
The good news is that real solutions — inverter heat pumps, smart thermostats, proper system sizing, ductless options, and routine maintenance — are more effective, more efficient, and more reliable.
If you’re ready to stop guessing and start saving, Harbin Heating & Air Conditioning is here to help.
Why Harbin Heating & Air Conditioning?
Harbin HVAC has been serving families across Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama for decades. We’re proud to be the trusted HVAC company for homeowners in Savannah, TN; Corinth, MS; Iuka, MS; Counce, TN; Florence, AL, and the entire Tennessee Valley.
We provide:
Honest recommendations
Professional diagnostics
Precision installations
Full Daikin product expertise
Reliable service from trained technicians
Real comfort starts with real knowledge. And you deserve both.
Full Contact Information
📞 Harbin Heating & Air Conditioning
📍 5910 Hwy 57, Counce, Tennessee 38326
📱 (731) 689-3651
Proudly serving Savannah, TN • Corinth, MS • Iuka, MS • Counce, TN • Florence, AL • and surrounding areas.
