Arkansas HVACR NewsMagazine November 2022

HVACR NewsMagazine September 2022

Feature Story

TESP will be between .4 and .6. If these are out of range, repairs or adjustments must be made with the duct system prior to depending upon any refrigerant measurements. Nothing you do to the charge will make the system operate more efficiently. #7 The big picture Once we find the problem, we move to make the repair and present an invoice. It pays to have a check list to follow on each service call to avoid a return trip. The list will include checking condensate drains, electrical connections, cleanliness of equipment, safety components, equipment operation and finally, resetting the thermostat to the temperature the customer had set at prior to your visit. It’s always a plus to check smoke alarms for the owner or occupant while on site.

If the owner says no one else has mentioned the issue, you can prove the fact with proper diagnostics. The State of Arkansas has many homes built upon hillsides. There is science that proves homes can benefit greatly by encapsulating crawl spaces and lower levels. Insulation alone will never pave the way for comfort and durability in many of these homes. Future code improvement will probably move to include the requirements for this type of construction.

#9 Invoicing the right way Invoicing the right way includes invoicing every call. The invoice should outline the items mentioned earlier

that are checked on every call. The invoice should include a spot for the thermostat setting when the technician arrived and when they leave to avoid any confusion. Warranties and limits of liability should be outlined to set expectations for the customer. Who wouldn’t warranty duct work for a lifetime, with the right exclusions to include rodent, animal, or mechanical damage? Proper invoicing can offer additional services the consumer may not be aware of. Take the time to make your invoice a piece of marketing material. Do not use an invoice as a contract for equipment sales. Build a separate set of documents that outline things an invoice won’t have room for. The sales contract can include a wider choice of equipment or services. The contract can provide additional marketing information.

#8 Telling the truth

The customer is owed the truth, no matter what we find or think they may be able to afford. We often

misjudge opportunities to serve. Customers don’t mind paying on a true investment. A duct system may cost a significant amount but leaving bad components in place will cost much more over time. It is not uncommon for a poor duct system to cost $75 a month in high bills. Over a period of 15 years that amounts to well over $7000. This doesn’t include better comfort and equipment longevity to boot.