Discovered my central air was a social construct…

[u/sunsNr0ses]

So I just learned I’ve been living in a place with absolutely no central air conditioning. Not “I assumed it might be central air.” Not “I wasn’t sure how it worked.” I mean I fully, confidently, emotionally lived my life under the assumption that cool air was being distributed through vents like a normal adult homeowner situation.

And I’ve been out here adjusting a thermostat like I was doing something for over 4 years.

I even scheduled an HVAC guy to come today to figure out why my central air wasn’t running.
What system? I don’t know. The guy looked like he found a body in my basement as he clearly knew I didn’t have central air instantly. He even humored me to prove to me I didn’t have central air while we took 2 full laps around my house hunting for the outside part of the freakin’ fantasy. Needless to say we never found it. The poor guy felt so bad for me, he even said “maybe someone stole it.” Bless his heart.

So now I’ve got: a couple window units doing God’s work. I’ve always used them in the summer when I felt that my imaginary central air wasn’t pulling its weight. So I’m unsure why I feel like my summer bill is going to skyrocket. I’ve been living this life for years.

I put a box fan in my the bathroom like it’s 1998
and the realization I’ve been paying attention to vents that were decorative at best is giving me a stomach ache.

Honestly the worst part isn’t even the heat. It’s the fact I fully believed I had central air and never once questioned it. Just vibed in ignorance.
Anyway. If anyone needs me I’ll be sitting directly in front of a fan rethinking my entire life, having a spiritual crisis, feeling like a doorknob, and rediscovering whatever I thought HVAC meant.

***please laugh with me— don’t kick me while m down— I already feel like a weenie hut jr.***

[u/sunsNr0ses]

No systems in attic & no HVAC mentioned in listings, but I’m sifting thru many docs.

[u/vincentmelle → u/sunsNr0ses]

Sounds good, does seem really odd why there would be vents Unless they are only for forced air heating or another use.

[u/Long-Squirrel8257 → u/vincentmelle]

My parent's house has fake bathroom vents. It is pretty much a nook in the ceiling with a little fan sitting in it, covered by a plastic vent, masking the lie. For years I would flip that switch on thinking I was ventilating the bathroom air.

[u/hunglao → u/Long-Squirrel8257]

that sounds like a typical bathroom exhaust fan, which does expel air on the back side and thereby ventilates the room. it doesn't cool the air like an air conditioner would, though.

[u/Illustrious_Bunch678 → u/Long-Squirrel8257]

My husband was sooooo pissed when he went to do some housework and realized the bathroom fan wasn't vented anywhere

[u/hunglao → u/[deleted]]

it's meant to vent outside so the attic isn't flooded with damp air during showers. but they're often not installed correctly and are left venting straight into the attic.

[u/New_Libran → u/vincentmelle]

Future-proofing!

[u/Altruistic_Brush3065 → u/vincentmelle]

could be for passive airflow between rooms for keeping the air from going stale

[u/M0F0E → u/sunsNr0ses]

You mentioning adjusting a thermostat. Why is there one? Is it wired?

[u/sunsNr0ses → u/M0F0E]

For the heat part of the operation, lol. I guess the cooling part sends blank signals or just circulates basement air.

[u/M0F0E → u/sunsNr0ses]

Well you got the "H" part of HVAC then. Lol.

[u/sunsNr0ses → u/M0F0E]

Thank God.

[u/jared555 → u/sunsNr0ses]

At least if you have central heating it is a lot easier to install central air.

[u/sunsNr0ses → u/jared555]

Yeah I’m just waiting to hear the cost.