In this Florida community, at the home of 83-year-old Wilfred Ross, a 22-year-old package unit was failing, and failing fast.
"The compressor was going out, sending metal fragments into the reversing valve, causing it to stick," said technician David Kennedy, who had been sent to the home by Jerry Mong, owner of Central Florida Air Conditioning Inc. "With the compressor about dead, the unit reached the point where it would not be economical for Mr. Ross to repair it."