Arkansas HVACR NewsMagazine November 2022

News Magazine November 2022

programs, the Arkansas HVACR Association, utility companies, the Entergy Office, the Public Service Commission, and others who actually know something about residential comfort, energy efficiency and rehabilitation. It appears that the IRA will allow the State Energy Offices some latitude to establish these protocols but there is a lot of supposition these days. Also, it is coming quick and establishing protocols is a time-consuming process of gaining consensus from those involved. What ever it takes, the Arkansas Energy Office must take bold steps as quickly as possible. We must protect Arkansans from fast talking salesmen “ selling ” free heat pumps to an unsuspecting homeowner. Look, you may think me an alarmist and that is OK. I just see ads on the internet and door knocking, telephone calling salespersons pushing “ free ” heat pumps to homeowners whose structures need weatherization and insulation before a heat pump is installed. This is going to make the solar promotion look like a kindergarten effort. Why, because this one is really free on the front end. Why would anyone turn it down? If this races forward without limitations and protocols, utilities are going to be inundated with high bill complaints. It will be a tsunami of poor folks not being able to pay their bills. The HVAC industry will get a terrible name if we install heat pumps in houses that are bad applications and — well, we ’ ll deserve it. We, the HVAC industry, know when a house is a good or a bad

application for a heat pump. HOWEVER, the temptation to follow the easy “ sale ” will be difficult for some to resist. An ill informed or unscrupulous company will see their “ sales ” go through the roof. Again — Why would anyone turn it down? IT'S FREE!! You watch and see. If something is not done, it will be like traveling roofers going to the latest tornado. Enough! As you can see, I am concerned, distressed, perturbed, anxious, agitated, flustered, overwrought, and some might say, out of my ever loving mind. That might be true; but, we have an obligation to provide professional design, installation, and service to our customers. We have a responsibility to provide comfort and safety at an affordable price within the desires and financial ability of our customers. We are a profession not an itinerant band of jack lags without concern for our friends and neighbors. We have good friends at the utilities and the Energy Office and I trust that they will see the need and will follow as expeditiously as possible. If I have sounded an unnecessary alarm — if I have offended anyone, please accept my apologies. Just do all you can to protect Arkansans. I don ’ t mind looking like a ravening idiot. I ’ d rather that happen than to sit idly by while heat pumps are installed in bad applications.

That IRA heat pump was suppose to save us money.