Contractor Tips

It’s that time of year again — the back-to-school rush. Stores are packed with parents and students grabbing last-minute supplies, planning those final summer vacations, and taking advantage of tax-free weekends. Amid the chaos, there's one back-to-school item that always stands out: tissue boxes. Ever wonder why schools request so many?
The answer is simple — sickness. As students return to school, they also return to close contact with dozens, if not hundreds, of other kids. Germs begin to spread like wildfire, and before long, your child is bringing them home on their hands, clothes, and even their shirt sleeves.

As gross as it sounds, it’s inevitable. But what does this have to do with HVAC systems?

A phrase I’ve used time and time again in the field is: “The home breathes what you breathe.” When your child comes home sick, those airborne germs are introduced into the home’s environment — and your HVAC system circulates that same air throughout the house. Without proper filtration and air quality strategies, you're just giving those germs a free ride to every room.

It’s important to understand that standard HVAC filters aren’t there to protect your health — they’re there to protect the HVAC system itself. In fact, the most effective filter at blocking particles would be a solid sheet of wood — which, of course, would also block all airflow and shut your system down completely. The key is finding the balance between air flow, humidity control, and filtration efficiency.

Now consider heat pumps — a rising choice for homeowners. Unlike traditional fuel-burning systems, heat pumps run longer and more consistently. While that might sound like a downside, it offers a hidden benefit: longer run times mean more opportunities for indoor air quality (IAQ) systems and better filtration to do their job and better humidity control. These systems rely on frequent air movement to be effective, and heat pumps create the perfect environment for that.

But even the best filtration and circulation can fall short if you’re ignoring one crucial factor: humidity. If the humidity in your home is too high, it creates a breeding ground for bacteria, mold, and dust mites. Too low, and it dries out your skin, eyes, and respiratory system — making it easier to catch and spread viruses. Cue the curtains to open for a full communicating, cold climate rated heat pump system to drastically help with these seasonal back-to-school time woes.

As we head into another school year, don’t just stock up on tissues and hand sanitizer. Take a moment to think about your home’s air. Your HVAC system is more than just a source of comfort — it’s the lungs of your house. By investing in proper air filtration, humidity control, and routine maintenance – all of which pair perfectly with a heat pump system –  you can turn your HVAC system into a first line of defense against the back-to-school germ invasion. Because if the home breathes what you breathe… shouldn’t it be clean air?

Far too often, we as contractors find ourselves stepping into a role we didn’t necessarily sign up for—getting deep into a homeowner’s finances. Like it or not, it comes with the territory. If you’re like me, money is one of those “hush words” you don’t talk about in public. Now, imagine being in the shoes of a homeowner with a broken HVAC system. We’ve already entered a highly uncomfortable space—money talk.

Let’s be honest: no one wakes up hoping to spend money on HVAC repairs. And absolutely no one wakes up wanting to buy a new system. So when we sit down with a homeowner for that pivotal conversation—repair versus replacement—we’re already fighting an uphill battle. The homeowner is thinking one thing: This is going to cost me money.

And they’re right. But here’s the bigger issue: we too often focus only on the cost. With the flood of online content, energy-saving blogs, and even AI-driven recommendations, homeowners are hearing a lot about heat pumps and energy efficiency. Yes, we can bring up NEEP data or BeCOP ratings and show how a system could save them money in the long run. That’s important—but it’s not the whole picture.

Here’s the challenge I want to present: Let’s change our language. Let’s stop framing replacement systems as just a cost. Instead, let’s call it what it truly is—an investment.

Because it’s not just about lower energy bills. In some cases, those numbers may not tell the full story. What about all the other discomforts the homeowner is experiencing? Hot and cold spots in the home. Poor indoor air quality. Humidity control issues. Systems that run too often—or not enough. This – and many more uncomfortable implications – address larger things that linger as issues already existing in homes, but easily over-sought when we talk about paying for equipment breakdown.

When we recommend a new system, we’re not just addressing costs. We’re helping solve real, everyday problems that affect comfort, health, and peace of mind. Yes, it may be costly to keep an aging system limping along. But investing in the right solution can transform the homeowner's experience in their space.

Let’s start having conversations that reflect the real value we bring. Not just cheaper utility bills—but a better, healthier, more comfortable home.