For a number of people, including both seniors and many others who may deal with movement issues of any kind, a home elevator or lift system can be enormously valuable. However, certain harmful myths about these products have become more common over the years, and these may stop people who could benefit in major ways from taking advantage of them.

At A+ Elevators & Lifts, we’re proud to offer a wide range of home elevator systems, from our direct gear systems to electro-hydraulic systems and more. In addition, we regularly offer clients and prospective clients important information to ensure they’re properly informed on these products — including debunking some of the most pervasive myths out there about residential elevators. Here are some of these common myths, plus the proper information on each of them.

Myth #1: Only Rich People Can Afford Home Elevators

While it may have been true several decades ago that the only people who could afford home elevators were the extremely wealthy, this no longer has to be the case. Today’s range of home elevator products if far more affordable and attainable, making these systems accessible to people of more modest means.

In many cases, especially if the elevator is being installed for medical purposes, programs like Medicare or Medicaid may cover some or all of the costs involved in putting in a home elevator. If you’re on disability for any reason, your individual benefits may be able to cover these expenses, too.

Myth #2: Home Elevators Only Work For One Person

Many people assume that elevators are designed only for one person’s use at a time. However, this is not true of home elevators. The majority of residential elevator models are built to accommodate two or more people at once, which makes them ideal for many different family members’ needs.

Even if you plan on using your elevator by yourself most of the time, it’s nice to know that other people who visit your home can use it too without issue or inconvenience. The design of these elevators is such that they can easily support multiple users at once, making them great for any number of purposes.

Myth #3: Home Elevators Are Not Safe

Simply put, this statement couldn’t be further from the truth. The home elevator systems that are on the market today are built with safety in mind every step of the way, from their easy-to-use controls to their durable designs.

For some reason, there’s an assumption among some stating this myth that residential elevators use just one or two low-quality ropes to lift the cab, which could easily snap and make the entire system dangerous. While this used to be true of some older elevator models, today’s systems are incredibly advanced and engineered to superior standards.

Today, home elevators are powered by steel cables and are capable of supporting hundreds of pounds. Most are made with materials that will not break or weaken over time, making them incredibly durable and reliable for use by everyone in your household.

Myth #4: Home Elevators Require Too Many Repairs

As long as you’re purchasing from a reputable installer like ours, you’ll find that your home’s residential elevator is a durable and long-lasting product. In addition, with the proper preventative maintenance from a professional service provider, you can reduce the risk of potential issues.

In general, lifts that are properly maintained will not only operate properly for years to come but also be safer to use as well. In many cases, building a relationship with a local service provider can be the best way to ensure that your home elevator is well-maintained throughout its life.

In addition, most major repairs will be just a phone call away, and you’ll have peace of mind knowing that help is nearby if an issue does occur. By trusting A+ Home Elevators for all your home elevator needs, you can have a safe and reliable system put in place that everyone will enjoy.

Myth #5: If Something Goes Wrong, I’ll Be in Free-Fall

We’re not sure why, but some years ago, a myth developed that if anything goes wrong during the use of a home elevator, the entire cabin would plummet to the ground. This is simply untrue, and there’s no reason for anyone to worry about this happening.

Home elevators are designed to automatically stop if they’re not properly grounded or attached to their guide rails, making them safe for anyone who uses them on a daily basis. In addition, many modern lifts also include a backup battery that will automatically engage and stop the cab if power is lost.

It’s easy to understand why this myth was started, but it has absolutely no basis in reality. With one of the safest and most reliable home elevator systems available today, you’ll never have to worry about any danger when trying to access your elevator.

Myth #6: Power Failure Leads to Major Hazards

Some assume that if the power goes out while someone is in a home elevator, he or she could be trapped and injured. While this may sound like a reasonable assumption, it’s far from the truth. In fact, most modern elevators come equipped with a backup power system that automatically powers the elevator in a power failure situation, continuing the elevator operation to a designated floor, allowing passengers to safely exit and ensure everyone’s safety.

If you’re concerned about what would happen during a power outage, you can rest easy knowing that your home’s lift is engineered to keep everyone safe even in the most severe weather conditions. If anything goes wrong, you’ll be protected during its operation and while it’s stationary.

For more on the common myths out there surrounding home elevators and lifts, or to learn the proper information on any of our residential elevators or other products or services, speak to the pros at A+ Elevators & Lifts today.