Heating and cooling facts and fictions are rampant, so how can you tell the difference?Sometimes the information is outdated, like when your mom talks about how dangerous boilers can be (and they very well may have been during the Great Depression). Perhaps you’ve heard that an air conditioner releases dangerous toxins (which technically it can if it has a Freon leak due to lack of maintenance). Heating and cooling systems are complex, and many homeowners do not know the details of how their HVAC system works.

Following are some of the biggest heating and cooling whoppers debunked. You are not expected to be an expert on heating and cooling, but you should know the basics of how your system works. That way, you won’t unnecessarily choose discomfort or avoid a necessary upgrade. Knowledge is power, starting with these HVAC myths:

1. Heating/cooling a home is expensive.

It can be, but not if you have the right-sized system for your home along with best practices and proper insulation. Of course, if you have 20-foot vaulted ceilings, want to heat your entire 5,000-square-foot home to a balmy 95 degrees and are trying to force the wrong-sized system to do it all, you’re going to pay the price. Many factors are at play with price, and having the right well-maintained HVAC system for you is one of them.

2. Forced heat is the only option.

Forced heat from a furnace is by far the most popular option in the United States, but it’s not the only option. A boiler offers radiant heat via tubes that are installed in the floor (best choice), walls or ceiling. Boilers are much more expensive up front, but are more energy-efficient and require less maintenance. It is up to homeowners to decide which they prefer.

3. Air conditioners are full of toxic chemicals.

Spoiler alert: A lot of things are full of toxic chemicals, such as your car and old mercury thermometers. This isn’t a problem as long as the chemicals stay where they are supposed to be. Freon, a coolant in A/C units, can be dangerous if consumed. That is why annual inspections are critical for safety and to maintain any warranties that may still be valid.

4. You can take care of maintenance yourself.

You can do a few things yourself safely, such as swapping out air filters, but be careful. You may void warranties if you do not have a professional take care of your HVAC system’s bigger maintenance tasks. It can also be dangerous to poke around at steam boilers or the electrical panel of a furnace. It is best to play it safe.

HVAC systems are complex. Contact your local Sandy Heating & Air Conditioning experts today for an inspection, repairs or new installation of your heating and cooling system.

A home’s heating and cooling costs are only as good as its HVAC system. A number of factors can impact the system’s efficiency, including the homeowner’s habits, the amount of insulation present, the age of the home, how it’s been maintained and so on. In other words, many variables impact the usage of heating and cooling, and in turn the monthly costs. Sometimes the problem is small enough that the energy consumption increases so slowly that homeowners do not realize it. Other times it’s been an issue from the beginning, but since the home heating and cooling costs have remained static, they are not questioned.

The No. 1 way to keep your heating and cooling in check is to have regular inspections of the HVAC system, appliances, roof, and electrical and gas systems. Homes over indulge in heating and cooling for a few common reasons. Here are the top offenders and how to get them in check before your next utility bill comes due:

1. Your furnace or boiler is not maintained.

Furnaces and boilers are in charge of heating your home. However, if they are not maintained, they may have leaks, be overworked, in need of repairs or simply on their last leg due to age. Schedule an inspection annually or biannually to make sure these workhorses have the care they need to perform at their full capacity.

2. Your air conditioner is on the rocks.

Whether you have central air or window units, homeowners rely heavily on their A/C during the sizzling summer months. However, if the wrong sized unit is installed or you have a leak, a clog or other problem, your air conditioner might be doing everything possible to perform — to the tune of a very high monthly bill. Get air conditioners checked early in the spring before you depend on them for dear life. This is how they get optimized.

3. You do not have the best conservation practices.

If you unnecessarily heat guest rooms, leave the heat or A/C on full blast while the house is empty, or allow big gaps in exterior doors for air to escape, your heating and cooling costs are going to get pretty high. You can take many steps to cut down on consumption and lighten your carbon footprint. Home automation systems help homeowners conserve energy, and something as simple as keeping unused rooms closed can make a big difference.

4. Your insulation could use a facelift.

Your home’s insulation, from the ceiling to the windows, can either trap the air you want or let it out. Insulating can be fast and cost effective, like applying an insulating film to windows. Look at your heating and cooling bills, then compare them month by month as you optimize insulation to see an immediate difference.

Contact Complete Comfort Heating & Air Conditioning for more information on energy conservation, heating and cooling and to take advantage of cost savings just in time for summer.

Homeowners who need air conditioning or furnace repair would be wise to consider what those in the industry have to say on the topic. The Manpower Group conducted a 2014 survey on talent shortage within all industries, and found that skilled trades were the most difficult to fill. HVAC repair and installation falls into that category, which is not good news for homeowners looking for a skilled, local professional to take care of their heating and cooling needs. In order to find out exactly what the best practices are, or should be, for hiring HVAC contractors, a Michigan news organization undertook a survey of professionals to learn ways to find the cream of the crop.

At the top of the list came word-of-mouth referrals, networking and internal job boards. With the help of Lee Hecht Harrison, a worldwide talent development company, online interviews were conducted with over 200 human resources managers and recruiters. The goal was to pinpoint the most effective hiring practices. However, even with job boards still taking up space, the trend is to use social media to find candidates.

A Return to the Good Old Days

Word-of-mouth referrals are nothing new, and for decades have persisted as the best means of finding top talent. However, in today’s digital world, it’s often done via email and networking sites. These referrals usually come from established contractors who may know another candidate from trade school, previous jobs and the like. They know what their employers want and have an in when they find it.

Looking directly at local and national trade schools is another way to lure in top talent. These candidates are equipped with the latest knowledge, are hungry for a good job and are dedicated in a way only new professionals can be. The great find in this survey was that the vast majority of HVAC companies require comprehensive background checks, screens and interviews. They want to make sure their skill sets, background and personality are the right fit for the company as well as the clients. Written and oral exams as well as team interviews are common.

What’s in Demand

Beyond technical skills, the No. 1, in-demand trait is being a team player with great communication skills. The major qualities that would lead to immediate disqualification include unprofessional attitudes, lack of ability to explain circumstances in laymen’s terms, the inability to say “I don’t know” and dishonesty. As part of the interview, some require final candidates to put in a day on the job to see how they really perform.

HVAC companies and managers are looking for good people, and they understand that they get what they pay for. This solid approach benefits everyone, including the customer. Find out what superior repair technicians can do today by calling your local Sandy Heating & Air Conditioning team.