getting ready for summer

I need to get a new air conditioner. There are rebates, but this is still a big expense. I've been doing my research and meeting with lots of A/C companies. I asked my neighborhood for recommendations, got several names and set up appointments almost every morning this week.

Since I bought my first home, I've had to deal with repairs. I've learned to replace floors (vinyl and ceramic tile), I've painted interior and exterior, I've done a lot of basic plumbing, installed a dog door or two, built fences (with help, of course), and in Seattle, I put a room in my basement complete with windows and electricity, thanks to the help of my neighbors.

The hardest thing is always dealing with the big companies, the people who sell heaters and a/c, the contractors who are doing big jobs can be sleazy and try to make you feel stupid so you'll pay more. It's hard because you want them to like you, but you don't want to pay them $100 to haul things off that they never touched, and you don't want to pay a clean up fee when they didn't clean up. You have to be firm and sometimes things can be uncomfortable.

Some women get a boyfriend or husband to deal with repair people. I don't see the point in this. I need the person I'm working with to be honest and clear with me. That means I have to be honest and clear to, so, getting a stunt double isn't an option.

Here's the method I've learned: I listen to my gut...and depending on what it says I either keep the card, or toss it as soon as they leave. It's not scientific but it works for me.

The first guy that came out stood over my a/c and told me couldn't tell me how good it was, but can tell me what model it is. (The model name and number is on a large sticker on top of the A/C, it's pretty easy to read, too, it's in English and everything.). I told him I could see that, I needed to know the best model for my home, the best value, etc. "Now, don't get upset, but this will be pricey." I could have fainted on the spot, or batted my eyes and him something about how my sugar daddy would take care of it, not to worry...but I kind of just looked at him like he wasn't very smart. Even as I felt the look cross my face, I couldn't stop it and turn it into anything else. It was that quick. Later when I told him what a friend had told me about my ductwork, he looked disgusted and told me "I don't know who your friend is, but I'm an airflow expert and ...on and on and on." Even if his price was the absolute lowest, this guy won't be replacing my a/c, even though I was able to talk him into an additional $200 discount which means I would get the "winter price" instead of the "spring price."

The second guy was very nice, but introduced some new a/c terms. He suggested I rake the insulation to fluff it up. He also suggested I balance the air ducts. He was very nice, but I was curious to check out insulation raking and air duct balancing with the next a/c service person, just to check this out.

The third guy tried to "jump start" my a/c with a stick, but told me never ever to try this myself. (Not to worry on that one...) He didn't like the idea of raking insulation or balancing the ducts, he was all about replacing all the ductwork, starting over, rerouting things. He made a point to tell me I had insulation dust all over my "hiney" when we came down from the attic. Something about a complete duct replacement didn't ring true to me.

The fourth appointment was with the owner of a small A/C company. He showed up in his button up shirt with the company name on it right on time. He was very nice, patient, talked to me like I was intelligent and explained things when I asked for more information. He told me the ducts wouldn't have to be replaced at all. They were the best in the world, sheet metal. Eh said he could balance them and install dampers and they would be just fine. He said I'd need a unit that was a little bigger, he recommended the model he liked best, and told me why he liked it best. He said he'd get me a bid by Monday.
He'd been recommended by several neighbors and one really good friend.

I think he's the one.


Sorry my life isn't more interesting right now. I'm capturing footage from the last roadside shoot and getting ready for lots of big stuff later this month and in May/June...at which point, I will have a working a/c.