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20 Myths

  1. The exact same equipment installed by a different contractor will work the exact same way.
  2. It's cheaper to keep the house cool all the time rather than cycle the unit off during unoccupied periods.
  3. The highest S.E.E.R. rated equipment will provide the best comfort for the least amount of operating cost.
  4. High efficiency equipment costs more than the energy that can be saved compared to standard equipment.
  5. Most air conditioning sales persons understand what they are selling.
  6. Air conditioning systems do not have a long life cycle in the Houston area because of 2400 operating hours per year.
  7. It is better to leave the pilot on to keep the furnace dried out in the summer.
  8. Cooling coils and condensers need cleaning every year.
  9. If you have a horizontal air conditioning system in the attic, sooner or later you can expect ceiling damage from a stopped up drain.
  10. The thermostat must be lower than 75° in the summer to be comfortable because of Houston's humidity.
  11. A quality setback thermostat is not worth the extra money.
  12. All ductwork works about the same.
  13. New homes have high efficiency, top quality systems installed by the homebuilder.
  14. Freon or refrigerant needs to be topped off every so often, because leaks are normal.
  15. Condensers outside are always noisy because of the compressor.
  16. Shading the compressor unit will reduce operating costs noticeably.
  17. Mold growth in an air conditioning system cannot be avoided.
  18. You will get the best value if you are willing to pay more than the average price.
  19. A serviceman has to be licensed and knowledgeable to be in the air conditioning business.
  20. Affiliations such as the BBB will take legal action if you get ripped off.


20 Truths

  1. Quality is always the best value.
  2. Compressor failure during the life cycle of the equipment is not normal.
  3. Dirt is the leading cause of major air conditioning failures.
  4. Misapplication of equipment or service techniques is the second leading cause of air conditioning failure.
  5. There is no such thing as 0% interest financing.
  6. A free furnace costs something.
  7. A professional air conditioning company charges a fair rate all the time. Special rates are offered by those whose charge more for the service rendered, especially the services you don't really need. Winter bargains may mean summer rip offs.
  8. The basic way air conditioning is installed has fundamentally changed very little in the last 30 years. There have been many ways found to install it cheaper, but only a few ways developed to install it better.
  9. If you call the manufacturer of the equipment brand you wish to install, they usually won't refer you to any contractor whose work has caused them customer complaints.
  10. It is difficult to compare apples to apples if you are comparing Granny Smith's to Macintosh. You must analyze every detail of what you are comparing. For instance, there is no such thing as low efficiency air conditioning systems.
  11. If it's not in writing, it is not guaranteed to be installed.
  12. Rebates almost always cost the dealer at least. 50% of. the rebate, plus the paperwork cost to file. This is passed on to you, and then given back.
  13. The heat pump is the worst way to heat your home if you have gas installed.
  14. Any repair made correctly will rarely fail within 1 year.
  15. When you buy a house, the air conditioning does not have to perform to any 'specific standards to pass inspection. It can be a lousy system in poor shape and pass a general inspection.
  16. Expansion valves fail more often than other metering devices because they have more moving parts. However, the fact is failure is extremely rare.
  17. Mold growth in an air conditioning system is very common.
  18. You get what you pay for if you do your homework before you make a major purchase.
  19. It takes a very experienced person to install a proper system for your exact needs.
  20. Affiliations are usually set up for promotion of contractors more than customer protection.

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