HVACR NewsMagazine December 2017

loved ones in spite of the romantic and exciting tale printed in the next day’s paper. Bonnie and Clyde were criminals. They stole from the helpless and killed some that got in their way. They were not to be lauded, respected, or in any way idolized. So why are we committing space in a HVACR publication to Bonnie & Clyde. Because the public sentiment that surrounds them also surrounds the unlicensed, untrained HVACR contractor today. In a recent hearing of the Arkansas HVACR License Board, an unlicensed contractor was quoted as saying, “I’m just trying to make a living.” Admirable don’t you think? At least he wasn’t taking welfare or expecting the local church to feed his children. Like Bonnie & Clyde, there is a certain mystic to the story. But also like Bonnie & Clyde, you need to hear the story from his customers’ perspective. I’ll not mention his name here because, I hope he will realize that he needs to learn his chosen craft and be honest with his customers. I wouldn’t want this article to haunt him should he become rehabilitated. On one job, our malefactor replaced an evaporator coil with an old corroded rusty coil that he painted to make it look new. Additionally, he taped a label to the coil to further hide the fact that it wasn’t even of the same brand or configuration. We see from this that not only does he need to learn his craft, he needs to have a spiritual and moral awakening.

According to hearing documents, our malefactor had a tremendous opportunity. A local mobile home park had 200 rental units they wanted him to service. He serviced a couple and replaced one entire unit. It never worked correctly. On the day the state inspector viewed the installation, the mobile home inside was 84 degrees. Did I mention that he was paid with cash and never returned to fix the unit or units? Like Bonnie and Clyde, he never returned to restore those he took advantage of. Now you can say that the store owner or gas station owner that Bonnie and Clyde robbed had plenty of money and they deserved being robbed. Maybe that is one opinion. What about our present day Clyde that takes cash to repair or install an air conditioner or furnace but never makes it right? Every month at least one of these guys is called before the Licensing Board. The story is always the same. They installed a system that did not meet the manufacturer’s instructions, many times leaving it in a condition that risks the health and safety of the residents. They can’t or won’t make the repair and don’t even have the courage to show up for their hearing before the board. Yet these are the folks that say with fake piety and fake sincerity, “I was just trying to make a living.” Why fake piety? Because they all brag that “No one is going to them what to do.” Why fake sincerity? Because every one of them could have a job in a HVACR company with a bright future and support their family honestly. They