Day 516: Cooler
Aug. 13th, 2021 10:06 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
eve_primeToday I learned a lot more about heat pumps, having assisted the repair guy during the entire two hours he was here (other than the extended period of time he spent in his truck afterwards, writing it up). Today's problem was a transformer that had been damaged by moisture, thanks to this summer's extra humidity. So awesome - as soon as it was in, I got to flip the switch on the circuit breaker board, and I could hear the heat pump outside spring into action. He also flushed out the built-up rust in the pipe that's supposed to drain away such moisture, and washed the heat pump itself.
As someone whose car engine failed this year, I asked what could go wrong with my heat pump that would be so severe that it would be better to replace it. Heat pumps are supposed to last for around 20 years and this one's 29 years old, so he recommends replacing it soon regardless. One issue is that mine uses a coolant that's no longer sold new (I imagine because of chlorofluorocarbons?), so if I ever need more it would be extremely expensive, recycled stuff. Later in the day they sent me an estimate: $8,426. I'd also be getting a nice, digital thermostat - it turns out the slider type I have includes mercury, so they don't use those anymore either. Whee! So much money.
Today was hazy again so I didn't get any exercise, but I guess I got plenty yesterday. I also worked on a paper, and the three of us had Thai food for dinner. This week's movie was Tron. I'd remembered Jeff Bridges but couldn't recall who the handsome guy playing Tron was, and I was absolutely tickled that it was Bruce Boxleitner, whom I know these days as the dad of the Gourmet Detective on the Hallmark mystery series (and the dad on another Hallmark mystery series, too, maybe the one with Danica McKellar).
As someone whose car engine failed this year, I asked what could go wrong with my heat pump that would be so severe that it would be better to replace it. Heat pumps are supposed to last for around 20 years and this one's 29 years old, so he recommends replacing it soon regardless. One issue is that mine uses a coolant that's no longer sold new (I imagine because of chlorofluorocarbons?), so if I ever need more it would be extremely expensive, recycled stuff. Later in the day they sent me an estimate: $8,426. I'd also be getting a nice, digital thermostat - it turns out the slider type I have includes mercury, so they don't use those anymore either. Whee! So much money.
Today was hazy again so I didn't get any exercise, but I guess I got plenty yesterday. I also worked on a paper, and the three of us had Thai food for dinner. This week's movie was Tron. I'd remembered Jeff Bridges but couldn't recall who the handsome guy playing Tron was, and I was absolutely tickled that it was Bruce Boxleitner, whom I know these days as the dad of the Gourmet Detective on the Hallmark mystery series (and the dad on another Hallmark mystery series, too, maybe the one with Danica McKellar).