May 2026 Newsletter
A Word from our President
by – Ron McEwen-Cold Control
Mid May temperatures will be reaching the 90’s. Cottonwood is flying so it is time to get busy with clean and checks.
Like it or not Tariffs will be here for a while, I found out almost ALL manufacturers will have an 8% across the board increase starting June 1st. That should be a great selling point for customers on the fence about upgrading their equipment.
Our May 19th meeting will be good for 1 non-code CEU, Key refrigeration will put it on.
June 16th will be our last meeting before our new officers step up. WSM will be presenting this non-code CEU meeting as well.
Both will be at the Scotch and Sirloin 11:45am. Remember to bring your business card to enter the drawing for $100 cold hard cash!
Selfless plug!! This year I am honored to be Admiral Windwagon Smith VII (the Ambassador for Wichita Riverfest). Riverfest starts May 29 and goes to June 6th, come on down and enjoy 9 days of fun, 8 concerts and 3 fireworks shows! So come say hi!
Go to KCCAKS.com to get registered for these meetings. The cost is $20 for members and $30 for non-members.
Ron McEwen-Cold Control Refrigeration Inc
I look forward to seeing you throughout the year.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions,
Ronm@coldcontrolks.com or Office 316-942-9650
EDUCATION
MABCD Newsletter
Click here to get the latest updates on Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing changes to code.
2025/2026 Meetings
Congratulations to Nathan Eckert & Alexander Reed from Kelley & Dawson Services for applying for the KCCA Tool Scholarships and both were awarded.
April’s General Meeting
Thank you Pat Thomas from CFM for coming to speak aboutthe intelliGen control platform for refrigeration and also the A2L changes. Pat had a lot of great information and KCCA appreciates you coming to speak. Congratulations to Ryan Robertson from WSM for winning $100 cash!
Hope to see you @ future meetings!! All general meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday, except no meeting in July or December.
Myths vs. Facts: Residential HVAC Edition
Armed with information, contractors can overcome preconceived notions about HVAC
By Matt Jachman
April 20, 2026
From “bigger is better” to “heat pumps don’t work when it’s cold out,” there are some persistent myths about residential heating and cooling equipment. HVAC technicians have heard them all.
We surveyed a few contractors about some of the most common myths their residential technicians encounter, and about the ways their technicians are guided to — gently — push back against those misconceptions.
Here are six of the myths homeowners seem to cling to the most, along with the facts technicians present to correct the record:
Myth 1: Cranking The A/C Way Down Will Cool The House Faster
Marco Radocaj and his crew at Balance HVAC in Vero Beach, Florida, hear that one a lot. The average daytime temperature in Vero Beach in July is around 88°F, the humidity is high, and even in January, the area sees temps in the 70s, so a/c is more important than heating for Balance customers.
In reality, Radocaj said, turning the thermostat way down will cause the a/c system to run longer and risks freezing the evaporator coil and overheating the compressor.
“Think of the thermostat like elevator buttons, not a car’s gas pedal,” Radocaj said. “Whether you’re headed to the second floor or the 20th, the elevator travels at the same speed.”
Myth 2: Save Energy By Turning Up The A/C When You’re Not Home, Then Letting It Cool The Home When You Arrive
This one was reported by George “Butch” Welsch, president of Welsch Heating & Cooling Co. in Maryland Heights, Missouri, which also sees a lot of hot and humid weather.
“This does not save any appreciable operating cost and typically results in an uncomfortable home for at least a few hours after returning the temperature to normal settings,” said Welsch. The problem, Welsch said, is that people are used to the idea of turning down the heat at night when the weather’s cold, then turning it up during the day, to save on their bills. But the same kind of reasoning doesn’t apply to a/c, he said.
“The difference is that a furnace pumps out a lot of heat at 130°, which, when sent into a home where the temperature was dropped to, say, 65°, allows the temperature to return to normal rather quickly,” Welsch said. But an a/c system, moving air at 65°F, for example, can take a long time to cool a home where the daytime temperature had been set to 80°F, he added.
Myth 3: Heat Pumps Aren’t Effective In Colder Regions
This one comes from Matt Marsiglio, general manager of Flame Heating, Cooling, Plumbing, and Electrical in Warren, Michigan, and Brian Stack, president of Stack Heating, Cooling, Plumbing, Electrical, which has two locations in Northern Ohio. Stack said it’s the biggest myth his team hears these days.
When they encounter that objection, Marsiglio said, Flame’s technicians and salespeople share manufacturers’ data about how well new cold-climate heat pumps perform.
“Heat pumps have come a long way and are able to operate at much lower temperatures (than) in the past while still providing adequate heat output,” said Stack. “We try to put that in simple terms and talk about ‘cold-climate technology’ that has been developed in recent years.”
Myth 4: Oversized Equipment Will Heat And Cool Better
Marsiglio mentioned this one too, and Stack said he’s heard it applied to a/c.
“There is no standard wording, but we try to educate customers about what an a/c system actually does,” Stack said, “humidity control being a top topic.”
At Flame, Marsiglio said, technicians and salespeople who hear this myth can explain that oversized a/c will not dehumidify properly, leaving the home feeling cold and clammy, and that an oversized furnace can lead to premature heat exchanger failure and a drafty home.
Welsch reported a different version of the “bigger is better” myth, one related to the size of the equipment itself, not its heating or cooling capacity. Furnaces today are much smaller than they were years ago, he said, and when customers who remember the older models see a new unit, they sometimes think they’re being ripped off.
Myth 5: The Equipment Brand Is The Most Significant Factor In The Performance Of An HVAC System
Joanna Buglewicz, owner and president of Green Valley Cooling & Heating in Green Valley, Arizona, added this one.
“Many homeowners come into the conversation focused on brand names, assuming one manufacturer will deliver significantly better comfort or efficiency than another,” she said.
The truth, Buglewicz added, is that most major HVAC manufacturers offer comparable equipment, and system design and equipment installation are bigger factors in system performance.
“Proper load calculations, duct design, airflow, and commissioning play a much larger role in long-term performance than the name on the equipment. … A well-installed system from any reputable manufacturer will outperform a poorly designed or improperly installed system every time,” she said.
Myth 6: Closing The Doors Of Unused Rooms, Or The Registers In Them, Pushes More Cold Air To Occupied Spaces
Radocaj said this practice disrupts the proper air mixing that a balanced forced-air system produces.
“Blocking supplies can choke overall airflow, reduce total capacity, and create negative pressure in those rooms,” Radocaj said. “If the bedrooms border attics, garages, or exterior walls, this pulls in hot, humid infiltration — raising humidity and hurting comfort house-wide.”
Adjusting air flow, he added, should be intentional and follow pre-calculated goals based on the home’s load and occupant usage. “Otherwise, you’re just guessing and hoping for the best,” Radocaj said.
KEYWORDS: energy efficiencyenergy managementhomeowners
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How Driving Choices Can Impact Your Reputation
Your company vehicles are highly visible markers of your business in the local community. Every time your employees drive in a branded vehicle, they carry your company’s reputation with them.
The Danger of Distractions
With an easily identifiable logo on the side of a vehicle, your drivers both promote your business and give an instant calling card if they aren’t driving safely. With one quick search, anyone can find your business online and leave a review.
Distracted driving isn’t just about using a phone — it includes eating, adjusting navigation, frustration and emotional fatigue, or anything that takes attention from the road. Most importantly, distracted driving puts lives at serious risk.
Building a Culture of Safe Choices
As a business owner, it’s up to you to lead by example. Give clear direction that safety comes before a quick response. Consider the following tips:
•Encourage employees to pull over before returning calls or texts.
•Create policies that clearly outline acceptable and unacceptable behavior while driving.
•Hold regular safety meetings to discuss safe driving behavior and expectations behind the wheel.
•Give drivers the training and support they need to eliminate distractions.
Protect Your Reputation
By addressing distracted driving, you can help protect your employees, the communities you serve, and your reputation. Recognize and reward safe driving behavior, and make safety a key part of your company’s culture. This can help build trust, strengthen your brand’s reputation, and make roads safer.
Federated Insurance® offers safe driving resources, telematics tools, and more to help keep your drivers safe. Reach out to your local marketing representative to learn more.