Built to Last
We installed this heat pump when Michael Boccacino was exactly 50 years old.
It may look like it’s fallen on hard times, until you consider that Michael would be celebrating his 90th birthday this January if we were blessed enough to still have him with us.
We learned the story of this heat pump, and its very fine home (and homeowner!) at our Fall Home Show. He told us that we had installed his heat pump 40 years ago. Innocently, I asked if he was in Fairport or Spencerport (the main locations where a heat pump makes financial sense). I learned that when his home was built, there was actually a prohibition on gas furnaces in Rochester. It was built in the 1970’s, at a time when there was broad uncertainty about the price of fossil fuels and, even, America’s stability. As you well know, we Rochestarians are among the nation’s most prolific users of natural gas during heating season, so as a way to preserve oil & gas, Rochester was restricted to electric heat pumps.* I had never heard this before; it was a great history lesson and we got to chat with the homeowner for a good few minutes. The heat pump had provided heat and cooling for many years, but we eventually installed a gas furnace to handle his heating needs. In spite of its age, the heat pump is still handling cooling just fine for 40 years and counting. While it’s starting to show some signs of age, we are gratified that it’s still able to provide good quality cooling for our homeowner. We hope a well installed duct system has given this unit extra years of life, and good functionality even after it is operating at less than full power.
I want to thank Jeff for the great conversation and history lesson. I learned a little known fact about Rochester’s history (just try googling it!), and also about the power of a well installed system. Here’s to hoping that heat pump will keep you cool for years to come!
*- the electricity was generated by burning coal, a resource abundant here in the U.S.
