1. MYTH: When I have a technician, there is no need for me to know about my HVAC equipment

Being aware about your HVAC equipment, their functions, and some common problems you might face while using them as well as their solutions is actually important. Of course, you don’t need to know all the details, that is what the professionals are for. There are some technicians who are very patient, and who have enough time to thoroughly inspect your system regularly. However, this is usually not the case when you need help, as most technicians do not have so much time. It is much better to educate yourself so that you can help the technician. You will also be doing yourself a favor when it is time to make a decision to repair or replace your equipment, or make a major HVAC investment for your home.

2. MYTH: Thermostat placement doesn’t make a big difference

Thermostat placement is actually a very important thing to think about. The temperature can be extremely high or low in certain areas of your home, even when the rest of the house has a different average temperature. This will affect the final temperature of your home, and it may not be the temperature you desired.

The ideal conditions are:

· It is placed on an interior wall

· It is never in direct sunlight

· It isn’t near kitchen appliances (like the refrigerator)

· It is not placed adjacent to any windows.

3. MYTH: Fans keep rooms cooler

Fans usually help you feel cooler, because they move the air in a room. However, they do not affect the temperature of the room. When you switch on the fan, the wind from it hits your skin, creating a wind-chill effect and making you feel cooler. If you want to lower the temperature of the room, you will need to turn down your thermostat and use your air conditioning system. You can use either your air conditioner or the fan, or even both at the same time, depending on what how you want to cool down and what your desired temperature is.

4. MYTH: I can easily estimate the HVAC needs of my home if I have the square footage

There are many elements that need to be taken into consideration if you want to accurately estimate the heating and cooling needs of a home – square footage is only one of them. Other elements such as the number of windows, if they are double-pane or single pane, the directions they face, the height of the ceilings, and insulation are important as well. If a contractor does not think about these things when calculating the needs of your home, it just means that they are not doing their job properly. Estimating the HVAC needs of a home are far more complex than just the square footage.

5. A new HVAC system will increase the value of my home as I’m getting ready to sell

This can be true, but it is not always the case. If the person who is inspecting your home isn’t a HVAC technician, they will only look for a recognizable brand and the conditions of the equipment age-wise. They won’t look for the overall sophistication and functioning of your HVAC system. Therefore, as long as your HVAC equipment is from a popular enough brand and is not old, whether it is new or not does not really matter. A new furnace or air conditioner is unlikely to affect the price of your home.