Reader Mail For The Week: 01/20/2003

I am not sure why in some cases, with a restricted, let’s say, TXV, that the system’s high-side pressures will go up versus go down. Out in the field I have seen both events occur. An obvious indication of a restriction on the high side would in fact be a head pressure which rises above its normal operating pressures and a suction pressure which goes down, perhaps into a vacuum.

I can remember one system in particular; it was a R-22 heat pump split system, in the summer, with an outdoor ambient of about 100 degrees F. With gauges hooked up, as soon as the system was switched on to cool, the system’s high-side pressure would rise to and above the high-pressure cutout setting in a matter of two to three minutes. The problem turned out to be a restricted TXV. This is just one example, as well as systems that do go the other way.

Scott McClure, HVAC instructor, Vernon College, Wichita Falls, Texas

Don’t Mess With Texans

I enjoy reading The News and the many well-written columns contained therein. However, I can’t believe that you would print Jeffrey May’s letter regarding mold [“Mold Misdeeds,” Dec. 2]. What on earth makes the editorial staff at The News think that any Texan would desire to continue to pay for a subscription where the obvious intent was to slam Texans?

Does this guy [May] really believe that Texans condone or appreciate what people (not Texans) at Enron did? Does he realize that many fine Texans lost their life savings, jobs, and homes over what a few greedy people did?

And, what on earth does this have to do with mold, IAQ, or HVAC?

And, what does the silver market and the Hunt brothers have in common with most Texans, much less IAQ, mold or HVAC?

I’ve never heard the term “house cooking” nor know any fellow Texans that have coined the term.

Are Texans to presume that we have been elevated to the status of “bigtime bandits,” and “snake oil peddlers” by Mr. May?

I think an open apology is in order from Mark P. Skaer.

Lubie Martin, Houston, Texas

Professional Image

As an avid reader of as many trade magazines that are available, I was taken aback by your front page picture on the Dec. 16 News. I then proceeded to read through your weekly, and as I read the letter titled “The Copy Machine Guy,” I just couldn’t hold myself back.

First, I have to agree wholeheartedly with Dean Slowik of Slowik Refrigeration, who found out the GQ copy machine guy was charging $130 an hour for his services. Why aren’t we charging a fair price for our service work in 2003?

Second, a constant theme throughout our industry is “We need to be professional.” Look the part, get the training, be responsive, and ask a fair price. We don’t have to look like the GQ man, but why can’t we be dressed professionally, in clean uniforms with NATE patches. No blue jeans, dirty T-shirts, or two-day beards. Let’s get with it! Look professional.

Art Stadtler, President, Stadtler Heating & Cooling, Downers Grove, Ill.

Caught By Surprise?

Today I read an article in a local publication that stated, “Mold, humidity issues to be tackled by ASHRAE.”

Are we just now deciding that since the entire HVACR industry is in incredible turmoil because of phenomenal claim awards for mold by juries, and insurance companies are deleting mold coverage from their liability policies with no remedy available, that we might want to talk about it?

Has the horse long ago fled the barn and we now want to talk about closing the door? Where have we been for the past months and years? Did we get caught by surprise? Or did we just hope it would go away?

Sick building syndrome long ago warned us this was on our doorstep. When we should have been developing standards and addressing issues, we played in the raging torrents of a storm. Did we drop the ball? Will we now simply defend our lack of action with our standard reply, “There is not enough solid information on which to develop good standards.”

Looks to me as though the juries have developed some mighty good standards, such as, without them you pay, BIG TIME! I don’t want to stir a hornet’s nest but, man, are we industry leaders or patsies?

Aaron York Sr., Aaron York’s Quality A/C, Indianapolis, Ind.

Note: Letters should include the author’s full name, address, and daytime telephone number. All letters may be edited for length and clarity, and may be published in any medium.

Publication date: 01/20/2003