The new contractor had said that an air conditioning tune-up would no longer be enough to keep the heat pump running, but I had stubbornly overlooked what he said. He must have been new to the HVAC business because, in my opinion, he had no idea that some equipment had more years to them than it appeared. I called a different cooling expert to prove my point and insisted that he carry out duct sealing and check the temperature control system. Looking back, I cannot believe that I was that ignorant to think that those two services were all that it would take to improve my indoor air quality simply because I had read a five-line article on an HVAC duct. The tech did as I had instructed, but he also told me that it was not enough to keep the equipment running for long. The long and short of it was that I needed to purchase new air conditioning equipment if I cared for my indoor comfort. I started by doing extensive research to have my facts straight. The next thing I did was talk to the new cooling specialist so that he could explain further what I needed to do and the type of system that was best suited for my home. I decided that a mini-split air conditioner would be best. With it and a smart thermostat, I would be able to have a zone control system that would be very energy efficient. I also apologized for being stubborn earlier when he told me maintenance would not be enough. I learned a life lesson: I would never let my own opinions crowd my judgment.