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Summer in Texas is officially here, and with it comes what we Texans like to call “inside season.”

It’s too hot to do anything comfortably outside when early-morning temperatures already touch 90 degrees and the afternoons pass 100. So we stay inside — as long as the air conditioner is working, that is.

We spoke with an air conditioner expert to get the lowdown on keeping cool during the hottest months of the year. Tiffany Mann is the Dallas account manager for Trane, a leading residential HVAC brand, and she fact-checked common myths about air conditioning and shared tips for keeping your HVAC system running smoothly.

Myth: Turning your thermostat way down makes your house cool down faster.

For most home air conditioners, setting the thermostat much lower does not cool the home faster. The system usually cools at the same rate and simply runs longer to reach the lower temperature.

“Your air conditioning unit works just as hard whether you lower the thermostat temperature by 3 degrees or 15 degrees,” Mann says. “Getting to the temperature you want is just a matter of time.”

To help manage comfort and energy use, set the thermostat to the temperature you actually want and use a fan if needed.

It can also leave a dent in your wallet if you turn the thermostat down significantly and forget to return it to your desired temperature. Mann recommends using a programmable or smart thermostat to help ensure that your house maintains the temperature you want it to.

Myth: You can save energy (and money) by turning your air conditioner off when you are not home.

This is another way to overwork your air conditioner, jack up your energy costs and create other unnecessary problems in your home, according to Mann.

If you turn your air conditioner off, especially on warm or hot days, the temperature in your home will be left to rise unchecked. When it is eventually time to turn the air conditioner back on, the HVAC unit will be forced to work longer and harder to bring the temperature back down to a comfortable level.

“It can also allow the humidity level to climb above 60%, potentially leading to unbalanced indoor air quality and possible mold growth,” Mann says. “Your air conditioner, or heat pump in cooling mode, removes moisture from the air as it cools. If it’s not running, it’s not lowering the humidity.”

Trane has dedicated local Comfort Specialists to help you navigate, maintain and repair your air conditioning system.

Courtesy of Trane

Instead of turning your air conditioner off altogether, Mann recommends using a smart thermostat to raise the temperature slightly while you are away from home. With the Trane Home App, you can do this from the palm of your hand.

“Geofencing capabilities can even bring the temperature down to your preferred level if the thermostat senses you’re coming home early, or raise it if it senses no one is home,” she says.

Myth: You should close vents in unused rooms.

This is actually harmful for your HVAC system.

“In reality, it could raise your energy bills and result in unexpected HVAC repair bills,” Mann says. “Blocking or closing supply or return air vents can disrupt the delicate balance in your HVAC system, making it work harder.”

In short, keep all vents open.

How to maintain your HVAC system

Schedule routine maintenance in the spring and fall. Summer and winter months are the busiest periods for HVAC specialists, and they tend to be the least convenient months for repair or replacement if something is wrong with your unit. Do you really want to be without air conditioning in the heat of summer? Or without heat in the dead of winter?

“Older AC units often fail during peak summer heat or extreme weather seasons, when repairs are harder to schedule and replacement options may be limited,” Mann says. “If your AC is 10-plus years old and repairs are becoming more frequent and expensive, start exploring replacement and financing options now. Upgrading before a breakdown can save money, improve efficiency, and help you avoid an emergency replacement.”

You should also change your air filters every 30-90 days. “Dirty filters restrict airflow, making your HVAC system less efficient,” Mann says. Regularly cleaning or changing your air filters will increase the life of your HVAC system.

Call your local Trane Comfort Specialist to schedule a seasonal HVAC maintenance check and discuss HVAC upgrades and other options to optimize comfort.