Editor’s Note: The following remarks were made regarding the “High-efficiency HVAC Equipment Can Make a Statement” article by Kyle Gargaro, published Jan. 12, 2015, in The NEWS.

Working-class Heroes

As an HVAC licensed contractor and sheet metal shop principal, I was ashamed to see the final comment in your Commentary section. The impression I get is not a positive one that my customers want to hear, bleeding heart liberal or working-class hero! Tell a homeowner his variable frequency drive (VFD) motor will cost $1,300 to replace and smile.

Larry M. Greenwich
President
DuAll Heating & Cooling Inc.
Bolingbrook, Illinois

Editor’s Note: The following remarks were made regarding the “Can My Beloved Furnace Get any Quieter or Efficient” article by Herb Woerpel, published Sept. 22, 2014, in The NEWS.

Combining Two and Two Makes Perfect Sense

I read the article in the Sept. 22nd issue of The NEWS and had to chuckle. We run across this [a single-stage thermostat being connected to a two-stage furnace] all the time. I do not now, nor did I ever, understand the thinking behind this. When we bring it up to the homeowner, he or she is usually a little upset at the installing contractor for not offering the option, at least. We then get paid to install a new thermostat and sometimes run new wiring, as well. If a contractor goes through the bother of explaining (or not) the advantages of a two-stage furnace and there are the two additional wires needed (or a very easy run for new wire), then I can see no reason for not putting in a new, digital, programmable two-stage thermostat. If it was just the money, then why sell them a two-stage furnace? Even if they don’t have the wires, there are ways to get around that, too. Do these contractors really believe that running a two-stage furnace with a single-stage thermostat is doing the customer any service? Our industry is always complaining of a lack of qualified employees, but, obviously, there is a lack of qualified contractors, also. That’s just my two cents.

Jim Mackie
Estimator/Special Project Manager
R-D Sheet Metal Inc.
Fort Worth, Texas

Publication date: 2/2/2015
 

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