1st Choice Heating and Air Conditioning
Six Costly Misconceptions About Heating & Air Conditioning Contracting
Misconception #1: As long as it’s running, it’s okay.
Not necessarily. Heating and air conditioning equipment often appears to be running fine, but may be on the brink of failure. Furnaces can have cracked heat exchangers and appear to run properly. However, they are leaking carbon monoxide and creating a very dangerous situation.
Air conditioners will run low on refrigerant, but have to run harder and longer. This can eventually lead to equipment failure. Just because it runs when you want it to, doesn’t mean there’s not a serious problem.
Misconception #2: Changing filters is all the maintenance you need.
That’s a good start, but more should be done. Changing and keeping heating and air conditioning filters clean is critical to maintaining the proper airflow through your equipment. However, there are several other things that should be done regularly. The blower should be inspected and lubed. Refrigerant levels and thermocouples need to be checked. Burners should be adjusted and cleaned.
Misconception #3: It’s normal for some rooms to be hotter or cooler than others.
No. Each room should maintain proper temperature. With a properly designed air distribution system, all rooms should be comfortable. A properly designed heating and cooling system will have different size ducts and registers serving each room. The ducts and registers should only be identical if the rooms are identical, and that is unusual. The ducts should also have adjustable dampers for adjusting airflow to each area.
Misconception #4: Indoor air quality is not a problem at my house.
Not true. All houses have indoor air quality problems; they just differ in severity. All houses have some problems with dust. In the springtime, pollen can be a big problem. And if you have pets, there’s pet hair and dander in your air. There are also fumes from paint, hairspray, cooking, new carpets, etc. Plastics in your home can off-gas potential toxins. If you have allergies or asthma, poor indoor air quality can amplify your sneezing, cough or runny nose. All houses have indoor air pollution; some are just worse than others.
Misconception #5: Service contracts are a waste of money.
No. Regular HVAC service is critical to making your equipment last a long time and run efficiently. Regular servicing also can detect small problems before they become more serious and costly. No one wants their air conditioning system to fail on the hottest or coldest day of the year. Regular servicing helps to keep your system in tiptop shape, and pays for itself in the long run.
Misconception #6: The heating and air conditioning company that offers the lowest price is the company you should hire.
Maybe, but not always. Here are a few points to consider.
Point #1: The price that is offered may not be for the services you want performed. Before you select an HVAC company, decide what you want to accomplish. Price is usually an indication of quality. High-efficiency equipment costs more. Highly trained service people cost more. Reliable service and products cost more. You don’t buy the cheapest car, clothes, or foods. Don’t let price be the deciding factor when choosing a contractor.
Point #2: The price you see advertised may not be the price you pay. Many homeowners have learned that the low price they see advertised is not the actual amount they are charged. You may have already been the victim of false or misleading advertising. You probably learned the hard way that some companies offer a cheap price and then pressure you into paying a lot more once they get inside your home.
Then you’ll find professionals like us: those who work hard to earn your trust and respect. As a way of improving our profession, we’ve dedicated our business to educating the public. The only way you can make a wise decision is to have all the facts.