Readers Provide Their Top 10 Reasons

The News asked readers to provide "The Top 10 Reasons Why The World Would Be In Trouble Without HVACR Professionals." Here are the responses:

From Bob Keingstein, VP, Boss Facility Services - 1. We increase the productivity in commercial office space and retail centers. 2. We provide comfortable living at home. 3. We provide the medical industry (hospitals) with clean operating room environments. 4. We provide the food industry with the ability to store food for later distribution and now. 5. We provide healthy environments for people with alergies, etc. 6. We provide comfort while driving (auto A/C). 7. We provide cooling to the computer industry, allowing computers to operate efficiently; 8. We provide cooling to the communications industry, allowing phone systems to operate. 9. We provide cooling to the manufacturing industry, allowing manufacturing of products that require chilled water or cool air. 10. And, finally, as long as manufacturers are producing the HVACR products, someone has to repair ‘em. Without the technician, none of the above is possible!

From Norman Leifried, manager of technical services, Virginia Air of Carolina - 1. Energy consumption would be high, due to improperly maintained equipment. 2. The possibility of major disease outbreaks due to improper refrigeration temperatures being maintained. 3. Lawsuits would flourish with the manufacturers taking the hit because of improperly trained technicians. 4. Indoor air quality, in general, would be degraded to the point of spreading disease. 5. New entries into our field would be minimal. 6. Without new input from learned technicians, produce development would be hit or miss. 7. There would be no long-term storage or transportation of perishable products. 8. Equipment failures due to inexperienced techs would create havoc.

From Natalie Narce, service manager-Venezuela, The Trane Company - 1. Teamwork: The term HVAC professional encompasses a broad base of people, starting from the company manager, to the sales person, up to the service technician that repairs a unit. In these changing times, these professionals form a team of excellence that works in harmony towards a common goal: to service the customer and offer him/her the best each team member has to give, ultimately attaining excellence in performance. 2. Control: HVACR professionals could plan, design, and carry out an entire process, which requires specific conditions to be met. For instance, in some product lines you need special ambient conditions (humidity) in order to obtain a product. If this control is nonexistent, not only are you risking the not obtaining the planned job, but also you can waste resources. 3. Efficiency (energy): At present days with the high cost of electricity, the cost of KW/ton, and the SEER, the HVACR professional could help determine what equipment needs to be purchased or what equipment needs to be replaced, obtaining a result which is balanced between cost and efficiency. 4. Integration: Nowadays, the HVACR professional not only has to know equipment, but also the overall view and the controls that bind these together. The new controls that come with units is an integrated system solution. A customer will benefit from the professional's advise on this issue and how to tie separate components (chillers, air-handling units, lighting, security, etc.), reducing overall costs. 5. Lower environmental impact: With the increasing concerns of CFC's and HCFC's on the ambient, a conscientious HVAC professional should work in the scope of not only being profitable, but also to take into account its impact on the environment surrounding the system. 6. Safety: An HVACR professional is aware, educated, and knowledgeable in the field he/she works in and could determine prior to any work what hazards it involves, what precaution to take, and how to handle any emergencies if they occur. The lack of safety in any job is too much of a big liability not to take into account. 7. Productivity: A well conditioned ambient promotes a stable environment for people to operate and perform. If a person is comfortable, he/she will be productive. A good HVACR professional is capable of determining where the source of discomfort lies and propose a viable solution.

From Michael Slade, purchasing agent, Donelson Air Conditioning - 1. The most obvious answer is, of course, that comfort control would be nearly impossible, in both residential and commercial situations. It takes someone that knows what they are doing to properly size, install, balance, and maintain a comfort system in virtually any structure. 2. Another answer is the research/development done by industry professionals on a daily basis. As the need increases for comfort control, in both residential and commercial applications, so do the obstacles that arise from said need. It takes study and work to configure systems that are able to address a variety of areas where needs may be unique. 3. As our natural resources are depleted over time and utility costs increase, the need for more and more efficient systems and duct configurations also increases. It takes HVACR professionals to maximize the efficiency of the systems they manufacture, install, and service, and to make the most of available resources in each and every application. 4. Another obvious answer, just like automotive and computer professionals, who would service the systems when they go down? The average homeowner/business owner has little or no idea how to service the equipment they rely on so heavily each day. 5. It's also very important to follow the proper guidelines when handling refrigerant. It takes a person that is schooled/trained/certified in this area to work on systems so that little or nothing is released that could be detrimental to our health and/or the environment. 6. As systems become more and more complex, the training needed to work on them becomes more and more vital. Variable speed, computer interface, and alternative refrigerant systems present challenges to even the most seasoned technicians. Professionals that are able to teach and impart their knowledge in these areas are essential to the future of our industry. 7. HVACR professionals are equipped to educate both homeowners and business owners on the proper steps to maintain their systems and get the maximum return on their investment. While some areas are very basic (changing filters, keeping coils from becoming obstructed, etc.), others are more involved and technical in their aspects and need more than a rudimentary explanation to the layman. A customer that is knowledgeable on how to properly maintain his system can make our own jobs easier. 8. HVACR professionals provide the feedback and information needed for manufacturers of equipment. Almost every day, a situation arises somewhere that may not have been addressed before, and having a "network" of professionals that communicate in one way or another can help bring these problems to many others' attention and broaden the scope of what the HVACR manufacturer can produce in response. 9. As HVACR professionals, we are accountable for the work we do, whether it is manufacturing, installing, servicing, or even disposing of systems. It is our responsibility to see that our work is governed by and maintained by an industry standard set by our peers. This enables the layman to enjoy some peace of mind in the comfort control area, secure in the knowledge that he is receiving value for his money, and that his needs will be met in a professional manner. 10. Also in the area of basic safety, only people qualified to work on HVACR equipment should be. It can be very dangerous for an unschooled person to attempt to fix/service equipment that he has little or no working knowledge of. Knowing there are professionals out there who can resolve problems in HVACR can help prevent the laymen from attempting a repair that could place him in a potentially dangerous situation.

From Richard Sisk, field operations manager, Peadon Air Conditioning - 1. Technology would not have grown at a rapid pace. 2. More crimes. 3. Less variety of food. 4. Comfort year around. 5. Poor family health. 6. Protects our food supply from bacteria. 7. Allows us to travel in comfort. 8. Keeps medical supplies cool and safe for use. 9. Keeps equipment and computers cool. 10. Cleaner indoor air.

From Stephen Cramer, employee, AIS (Ar Interior Saudavel Lda) - 1. Without HVACR professionals, there would be no HVACR equipment and no comfort indoors. 2. Without HVACR professionals, there would not exist specialists to install correctly the HVAC equipment. 3. Without HVACR professionals, there would be no preventive maintenance. 4. Without HVACR professionals, the indoor air quality would be bad. 5. Without HVACR professionals, the energy consumption of HVACR equipment would be higher. 6. Without HVACR professionals, the lifetime of the HVACR equipment would be shorter. 7. Without HVACR professionals, we would have more people on sick leave. 8. Without HVACR professionals, we would have lower productivity levels. 9. Without HVACR professionals, we would fill up the hospitals. 10. Without HVACR professionals, health costs for the individual and the state would soar.

From Rich Barnes, president, Furnace Boy HVAC - 1. Computers would not function. 2. Women would be even nastier. 3. Sick and elderly people would be in danger. 4. Heat strokes would be more common. 5. Higher germ rates and infection. 6. Poor indoor air quality. 7. Food would spoil. 8. Pipes would freeze in the winter. 9. Health technology would fail due to undesirable testing conditions. 10. I wouldn't have a job.

Publication date: 05/17/2004