I Nominate…

I am writing about John R. Hall’s April 2 column on the “Best Support Staff Worker.”

I would like to submit Corrine Quickle as the best. Corrine is our dispatcher. She gets to tell ten technicians (and me) where to go, while we’re on location.

And her mind is a great asset. A lot of things I need she can get for me — off the top of her head. She takes care of tech gross margin per hour easily and callback reports that we do each month. Corrine types letters (She’s a great typist!) and proposals for me, and monitors the bottom of each invoice, which includes tech notes that need immediate attention.

She dispatches, calls customers to set up appointments, and answers the phone. Corrine has been with us for almost ten years. We work well as a team and she is a team player.

Stan Zwaduk Service Manager Apple Heating Inc. Ashtabula, OH

Finding A Job in Hvacr

I graduated in hvacr in December 2000. I was very excited about the prospect of a new career. I was told of the “shortages” and the big demand for service technicians. I graduated at the top of my class, which was a 900-hour course at Adult North Education Center. I missed 2 days overall because of illness; otherwise I had perfect attendance.

I have yet to secure a job. One owner took me on as a “helper.” He really didn’t have enough work for me and eventually couldn’t afford to keep me. Between me and the other person in my class, we have contacted 50 companies here in Columbus, Ohio and surrounding cities. They all want three to five years of experience. How do these companies expect to fill these positions if they don’t give a new person a chance to solidify their book knowledge with the all-important hands-on experience? In my experience since January, these companies don’t care if you are certified. The main questions are, “What tools do you have?” and “How long have you been working in hvacr?” I would like to see your magazine be more honest about the hvacr employment opportunities.

Sarah Wyckoff Columbus, OH

Mitsubishi Uses 410A, Too

I am writing to you in response to your article entitled “Techs Get the Lowdown on R-22” in the April 2 issue ofThe News. The paragraph on page 45 that reads, “In addition, all Japanese mini-split manufacturers have 410A systems. These include Matsushita, Hitachi, Toshiba, Sanyo, Sharp and Daikin,” was incomplete. Mitsubishi Electric has taken strides to lead efforts in new refrigerant technologies worldwide.

We understand that the direct relationship between the release of refrigerant gases into the atmosphere and ozone layer depletion has attracted worldwide attention in recent years. To create a better product that is friendly to both humans and the environment, Mitsubishi Electric now utilizes this new type of refrigerant called R-410A. With ozone depletion potential factor of zero, exceptional nontoxicity, and chemically stable noninflammability, this new refrigerant exemplifies the quality that our air conditioners have to offer. Mitsubishi Electric is also one of the world’s leaders in oil technologies. As an industry first, Mitsubishi Electric employs immiscible oil — which significantly limits moisture absorption to enhance quality and reliability — in our products that use R-410A.

Mitsubishi Electric mini-split air conditioning models utilizing 410A in Europe are MSZ-A 09/12RV and are wall-mounted inverter systems.

Performance information is available at Mitsubishi Electric’s global air conditioning web address: www. mitsubishi-mq.com/products/home_ m.htm#8. I thought it important for you and your readers to know where Mitsubishi Electric stands on this issue.

D. Michael Smith Marketing Manager Mitsubishi Electric & Electronics USA, Inc. HVAC Advanced Products Division

Publication date: 05/07/2001