I think you should repost your questions in the Heating and Air Conditioning forum at this site. They have experts that will answer them with authority. I am just a homeowner, but I know that on my heat pump system the thermostat has only one switch that can be set for either fan or auto. In the fan postition the inside fan runs constantly instead of cycling on and off as heat or cooling is called for. This is normally only used when a whole house filtration (not just a fiberglass dust collector pad) is used to constantly keep indoor air dust free. In auto the fan cycles with the heat or cool unit. Some units actually have a two speed motor and can automatically switch speeds depending on if you are heating or cooling.

To be clear I did NOT say that they INSTALLLED the $30 thermostat for $200. I said they sold me a $30 thermostat for $200! The INSTALLATION and the SERVICE CALL were TOTALLY different charges so the whole thing was about $600 (and it conked out 3 days later so changing the thermostat didn't fix the problem,and so much for thier "diagnosis") so I DO think that the people I dealt with were thieves. I find it interesting that you would jump to such an erroneous conclusion as to me being difficult being the problem. That was REAL helpful. What I had hoped for was somewhere to start educating myself about what to look for in a good central air conditioner and what factors make one better than another, and if there ARE any REAL hazards about one kind of system over another (although I find that unlikely in refridgeration but I don't know which is why I'm asking). Otherwise the NEXT few people I deal with may try to convince me that System X will explode,and that is why Sytem Y which THEY install is better. Thanks

mike_home, Thanks for the info. I will consider a heat pump. This year the state of new jersey now requires all ac installers to receive training and state licenses in ac installation. In my research it has been stated quite a few times, the ac will work only as well as it was installed. Lennox has premier installers and only a very few of the other brand installers are NATE trained. But the majority are still not ac trained licensed installers. The majority are plumbers and electricians. My concern is the duct work and the refrigerate not being done to specifications. Many hvac contractors offer only one year labor. Unfortunately a number of homeowners found themselves shelving out more money 2,3,4, years later, just for labor. The installer is as important as the ac with 10 year limited warranties. I can accept an annual maintenance contract, but want the ac to work as smoothly as the Luxaire had for 35 years.

Well it really shouldn't be used because it adds confusion to an already confused market place as it is. Most larger companies are set up like this in order of knowledge (hopefully): 1.HVAC manager : Holds HVAC license. (larger companies Manager never leaves the office except to go home.) --- In the case of my company it would be me coming to your home. 2.HVAC Technicians: Technical and Trouble shooting ability (hopefully) In Texas HVAC technicians are required to be registered with the state. This isn't a technical ability or knowledge based requirement. Send in your $20 and you can be a Tech too. 3.Installers: Limited to no technical ability at all. Not licensed. Bottom rung. 4.Dispatch: Limited to no technical ability at all. They merely dispatch calls and answer the phones and in some cases call to set appointments. In order to buy equipment, parts etc. You must have an HVAC license in the state of Texas. If you skirt that rule by buying over the internet or a buddy, there is no 'part' warranty or any warranty provided by the manufacturer. But my perception after reading many posts on this forum is that you are the exception. Thanks for that. I know that some topics I come off as brash sometimes. Part of this is from experience of running typical kinds of calls in the field and seeing poor choices made. The HVAC system in your home can cause financial damage to your house hold budget. So realize my brashness is for purpose to warn those who may be reading. Some people only learn by experience and so there's that end of it as well. I thought these guys who don't know how to diagnose a problem were getting paid by the manufacturer during the first year. Nope. This is why a good number of HVAC companies fail every year. A 35% new equipment failure rate and you're a dead company walking. In today's world I think it would be hard to over come a 10% new equipment failure rate. (Within year 1 of installation)