Contractors Should Focus on Reducing Energy Use

[Editor’s note: The letter is written in response to readers who have written letters about climate change science.]

Instead of arguing about which scientist is right, let’s do our part and save our customers some money by installing high-efficiency equipment, let’s insulate their attics to make their homes and businesses more energy efficient and more comfortable, let’s install a programmable thermostat to reduce energy use.

Our company has been doing that for years and I am proud to say that we have gotten a lot of thanks from our customers when they see the benefits. Energy will become more expensive in the future; it is simple supply-demand economics. I live in Florida and I know the electric power company is raising its rates. I am also certain that gasoline prices will climb as soon as the world economy rebounds.

Let’s be responsible as professionals and as citizens.

Julian Gogonis
A STAR Air Conditioning
Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Warranties Cause Loss of Revenue

I think this industry has caused the loss of revenue most companies and suppliers are having. When I started in this business over 25 years ago, most all equipment only had [warranties of] one year parts and five years on compressors. Now we have allowed the industry to lengthen warranties to 10 years on parts. So, instead of selling parts, we only sell labor, and you can only make up labor so much, especially with all of the people out of work and now doing service on the side.

Don’t tell me to sell parts and labor warranties again. Go buy a refrigerator or television and see what your extended warranty gets you.

Ray Pearce
President of Airetronics Inc.
Winter Garden, Fla.

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Publication date: 03/15/2010