Just interested....

ALH_4

Those with careers based on energy production or energy conservation will do well as energy prices increase. I feel this is just the beginning of a very rude awakening with respect to energy prices. And those prices will never fall. There is excellent profit potential and job security for those in the indoor climate control industries.

-Andrew

J.C.A._3

What did you learn today?

I feel this is something to ask yourself once in a while.

I'll start....

Today I learned (yet again) that people hear only what they want to hear. I had to deal with frozen/broken pipes yet again, and one place I went to for the 3rd time.

Do these folks think they're smarter than us ? Do they think that by saving 3.00$ in fuel it will cost them less than having us in their home for 1&1/2 hour on average?

I've explained this until I'm blue in the face. I'm now officially finished. I think a freeze up CALLBACK,after the 2nd time, should now be charged as a weekend call due to stupidity. Any comments? Chris

Brad White_39

Yup.

People the world over usually stay inside their comfort zones and do not like to challenge or have challenged their belief systems. May be a kind of security blanket.

What was that old saying, "Are you really thinking or just confirming your prejudices?"

I have another saying which goes to making things idiot-proof:

"R&D never ceases on idiots. They are always making a better one."

On the other hand, Chris, look at the bright side. They know your work and like it. How else to get you to come by?

J.C.A._3

Brad,

I got the best comments while getting coffee between freeze up jobs.... I quote..."you plumbers must love this"... Now I'll quote Mr. Milne..."Yeah, this is great... we make .50 cents a coupling while all the big jobs are falling behind schedule."

Nuff said? Chris

Joe Brix

Probem is it's not $3.00

People are seeing oil deliveries costing 600-800 that were only half that 2 years ago. Peple panic and start shutting down the stats. I don't know about you guys but I had better plans for that extra $1500 for heating oil this season then giving it to my oil company. This was a mild winter too. I shutter to think of being in the poor house had it been a cold winter.

J.C.A._3

Joe,

Is 5° when it's -3 to 10° outdoor temp. worth 100 bucks an hour? Touchee' .

BTW, the oil company is trying to keep its margin close for the same reasons. They have to make theirs to keep it that way. They only raise their prices to keep it right by what the suppliers slave them to. Trust me....they don't want to charge you anymore than they have to to stay in business. But in the same respect...that's what it is....BUSINESS. They work on the same principals as whatever company YOU work for does. Bottom line...they're keeping themselves in business, and not losing it to some conglomeration that will have its way with you like the "energy companies" that are forming the way they are now. JMHO. Chris

Weezbo

I have a really bunk viewpoint on what this 2X$ fuel

stradgey is doing to the people on fixed incomes if they are that lucky,who helped build this country. It just cant be good.

it has got to be tough all the way around on them.

Tom R.

Fuel

Wheez - We burn a lot more wood now, instead of oil. Now I'm looking for a steam engine for the boat.
TR

Rookie

Happy Mardi Gras

I had an old boss that told me;
"People are stupid when it's 20 degress and maybe more stupid when it's -20 degrees"

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"

J.C.A._3

Weezy,

That's a given. Don't get me wrong..I feel for everyone that is being effected by high energy costs, but what can WE do about it? If it were up to me... oil would stay at.85/gallon as long as possible. Unfortunately, that ain't my call....and the corporations that ARE running the game are under constant scrutiny by the shareholders and world politics.

America has had it too well, for too long and the time has come. Our job is to give the people what they NEED and have the equipment pay for itself in time. Maybe the Govinmint should be givin up some incentives for it, but ....again....not my call. I would stand behind it, but it ain't me babe...No, No,No, It ain't me babe..... JCA

Joe Brix

It's sad

I read in the paper today about Venezuela is sending us 40% discounted heating oil to be distributed to low income and homeless shelters. Trying to make Bush look bad that the US of A needs a handout. Big business is asking people to go without heat or go without food. I swapped out my boiler this past year but my old system wasn't that bad that I was going to get 50% improvement. Those extra fuel oil dollars hurt my budget, along with the price of gasoline and everything elese that's going up. Not blaming the local oil dealer, but I've had to depend on the wood stove more then ever to help keep the budget in line. Probably going from 800 gal to only 500 gal this season but I'm still spending more then last year.

Brad White_39

Mr. Milne

is a sage.

Constantin

Hear Hear!

One bright light on the horizon is the improvement potential in the US. Perhaps now the markets will have the proper incentives to consider life-cycle costs instead of just looking at the first-time cost. Well, I can dream, can't I? :-)

Rich W

freezer

First, I won't try to rush the job to save them money. A frozen pipe is nasty business and you don't want a repeat call.

1.5 hours to:
*locate
*isolate
*cut a hole in the wall
*remove insulation
*protect flammables and wiring
*drain the line (or boiler on an "econo-install")
*replace the damaged pipe
*stick a torch in the wall without burning down the house
*pressure test to check for those pesky secondary leaks
*fill and purge the line
*purge all the other lines (prevents more frozen lines)
*test fill valve
*test expansion/compression tank- follow the rules
*test low water cut off
*test circulators
*test zone valves
*test thermostats
*test for proper ignition/burning
*test for proper venting
*maybe even more tests depending on the system
*make certain there is flow through the whole system

is really, really moving fast.

Obviously, this list is not meant for the techs here. SOME homeowners like to push us into doing second-rate work. They really want top-notch work but are not willing to pay for it. Who ends up looking bad? If a customer refuses any of the necessary work, I list it on the invoice as "refused the following items". I note the zone and location of the leak repaired. Next week when another zone freezes because of air in the line they did not want me to touch, I do not feel the least bit guilty. I'll feel a little sorry for them - not guilty. Sign me "twice shy".

Rich W

freezer

First, I won't try to rush the job to save them money. A frozen pipe is nasty business and you don't want a repeat call.

1.5 hours to:
*locate
*isolate
*cut a hole in the wall
*remove insulation
*protect flammables and wiring
*drain the line (or boiler on an "econo-install")
*replace the damaged pipe
*stick a torch in the wall without burning down the house
*pressure test to check for those pesky secondary leaks
*fill and purge the line
*purge all the other lines (prevents more frozen lines)
*test fill valve
*test expansion/compression tank- follow the rules
*test low water cut off
*test air vents
*test circulators
*test zone valves
*test thermostats
*test for proper ignition/burning
*test for proper venting
*maybe even more tests depending on the system
*make certain there is flow through the whole system

is really, really moving fast.

Obviously, this list is not meant for the techs here. SOME homeowners like to push us into doing second-rate work. They really want top-notch work but are not willing to pay for it. Who ends up looking bad? If a customer refuses any of the necessary work, I list it on the invoice as "refused the following items". I note the zone and location of the leak repaired. Next week when another zone freezes because of air in the line they did not want me to touch, I do not feel the least bit guilty. I'll feel a little sorry for them -not guilty.They are told in writing that air from an un-purged part of the system can migrate to the repaired line causing another freeze.They are also paying for the time it takes to write this on the invoice.It's very expensive for US to do this for free...Sign me "twice shy".

Jerry_15

We fixed it already, four more years, Babe, four more years. I guess I should thank em, my business is great, but then it was good before. Some other folks aren't doing so well, and when my kid's school (public school, sends me a list of stuff they need, pencils, glue sticks, paper, I pitch in big time, for those who can't. It breaks my heart. I do feel a lot safer now though, and I love going to the airport. At least gays can't get married; that makes it all worthwhile. It is us, Babe. We have met the enemy, and it is us.