It seems like everywhere you turn somebody is talking about global warming. And the more I hear about the topic, the more questions I have. Is global warming real? Is it man-made or simply the course of nature for our planet? Are the repercussions going to be as severe as Al Gore says?

Not sure about the answers to the questions above. All I know is whenever I hear someone utter the words global warming, the cartoon below correctly showcases what I am feeling.

Not that our industry needed more bad press, but Alanis Morissette has a fear of air conditioning. For those of you who are not a 14-year-old girl, Morissette is a singer-songwriter who has sold more than 55 million albums worldwide.

According to the www.showbizspy.com, the singer has a fear of a/c because the fumes from the coolant allegedly destroy her voice.

(As a point of reference, it is important to establish that www.showbizspy.com is not on my general Website surfing list, but rather I clicked on it through an air conditioning Google Alert. Also, in the interest of full disclosure, I did click on the link beside the story that was headlined “Tyra Banks Branded a ‘Phony’ by Angry Show Audience.” Good read.)

Anyway, Morissette is quoted as saying, “I refuse to go into rooms with air conditioning. People think I’m some sort of a diva because I won’t even put a foot into a place if the air con is on. It’s not about being a diva — it’s about my health. Within a matter of minutes of being exposed to air conditioning, my body goes into meltdown, and within three hours I’ll contract laryngitis and won’t be able to speak, let alone sing.”

I don’t know what she is talking about. That does not sound like a diva at all. Did I mention she is Canadian? How often do they turn on the air conditioning up there, like twice a year?

So, someone please head over to Morissette’s house and provide a whole-house IAQ solution so we can stop this negative press.

This was sent to me by Thomas Ask, P.E., associate professor at Pennsylvania College of Technology and I thought I would pass it on to my three readers:

It is difficult to drive theoretical concepts into the minds of students who like to work with their hands. What I ask all students to know when they complete my courses is a list of eight critical truths related to HVACR. This list is asked for both on the midterm and final exams. This is an imperfect list; however, it endeavors to lock in critical knowledge that the HVAC professional must always consider in his or her work.

HVAC professionals must always know the following:

• HVAC equipment is Heavy, check load bearing ability of structures and floors.

• Poor combustion results in undetectable CO, which can kill people.

• Fuel can Explode at certain fuel to air ratios, which can kill people.

• Things eXpand when heated and contract when cooled, which can tear apart systems.

• High surge Pressure is produced by the closure of fast acting valves, which can tear apart systems.

• Smoke travels through ducts, which can kill people.

• Water expands as it freezes, which can tear apart systems.

• Refrigerants can suffocate people.

I have developed the following mnemonic that is helpful in memorizing these key concepts: Heating and Cooling EXPerts Set World Right. Most professionals would add many more items to this list but I believe these eight facts encompass important safety and catastrophic destruction concerns in mechanical systems.