I recently learned that our most-recognized superheroes - Batman, Superman, Wonderwoman - were created near the end of the Great Depression. Likewise, some of the greatest villains were created to balance them out fictionally, like the Joker.

Today’s comic villains would probably be bankers. If comics - er, graphic novels - are part of an emotional escape, then the villains need to characterize those people we would like to escape from. Maybe there could be an inept or crooked politician.

Today’s heroes could be slightly different. Instead of a Captain America, how about a Captain Economy, or Greenman? Greenman could be green in many ways, saving energy and saving people from the poorhouse.

WHO IS GREENMAN

Greenman foils the plans of those who would chip away at the economy and our natural resources. Greenman rescues families, senior citizens, and children from the poorhouse, keeping them warm in winter and cool in summer. Greenman saves them the green of their hard-earned cash, and protects the green of the Earth.

Greenman could be you, male or female.

Think about it. Don’t you provide solutions that save people from losing their money to cold, heartless villains?

Forget the tights. Every discussion of superheroes and villains seems to come back to the costume. Greenman doesn’t need or want tights. (Nobody wants tights, except perhaps people who work in a circus ring.) Greenman doesn’t even need to wear green. A basic workplace uniform would suffice. Greenman doesn’t need to be faster than a speeding bullet; efficiency and competence are more than satisfactory, though Greenman is most likely a bit of a perfectionist.

Greenman might be sitting in a truck or in an office, providing useful information on quality products and services to those who need them.

WHO ISN'T GREENMAN

Greenman is not a hack. He doesn’t believe in shoddy workmanship. Shoddy workmanship, in fact, is one of those things that sets him off.

Greenman does not sell with high pressure; he sells with information. He doesn’t tell people what they need; he lets them make up their minds based on good information.

Greenman doesn’t believe that he knows everything he needs to know; he does keep questing for knowledge.

Greenman does not limit his offerings to one system; he knows that people like choice. He does not assume that people only want to buy the lowest-priced system.

Greenman does not install systems without measuring the load or the refrigerant charge. He knows that these both have a significant affect on system operation.

Greenman does not walk away without offering regular maintenance, which can help his customers’ systems operate at peak efficiency.

Greenman does not ignore the ductwork.

Greenman is not unfamiliar with the concept of quality installations. In fact, it’s something he challenges himself with - every day, in every way, to get a little bit better.

Greenman isn’t afraid to ask questions. After all, isn’t that how we learn?

AT THE END OF THE DAY

When the day’s work is done and Greenman puts his civilian clothes back on, he can think about his day with a certain amount of satisfaction. If he sees a customer in the grocery store, he doesn’t feel compelled to hide in another aisle; he can meet his customers with pride - and more information if they need it.

Greenman can be any of us, but especially those of us in the HVACR field. We truly have the power to help make our communities, and our world, a better place.

Publication date: 05/18/2009