I still remember our first house.
It was small, three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and it stood on the corner.
We had neighbors to the side of us and, up on a hill, we had neighbors behind us. All of the houses looked pretty much the same, as if the architect designed one house and then simply added and subtracted from that first model to create the rest. The neighborhood was also monochrome and struggled to be middle-class. We never really knew anyone, but it was clear from their comings and goings, the uniforms they wore, the way they spoke, that all of our neighbors were all blue collar. Many worked in the hospitality industry, others in healthcare and quite a few in technical services–machinery and HVAC systems. A fellow by the name of Jeff had his own HVAC business and drove a van with the name, contact information and hours of his business emblazoned on the side. Because it was the South where the heat could get intense and the humidity even more so, Jeff’s services were always in demand. He was an expert in heating and cooling, but also knew about air purification, zone control, oil furnaces, gas fireplaces, ductwork cleaning, air quality systems and homeowner solutions. The houses in the neighborhood were equipped with central air conditioning, but the units were often going bust. Many in the neighborhood relied on Jeff to provide a/c repair on a regular basis. Since this was such a widespread problem, Jeff often advised folks to replace their old air conditioning units with new HVAC systems. He noted the poor quality of the old AC systems and explained that this was what led to frequent malfunction. He also explained the importance of regular HVAC service and maintenance and illustrated best practices for ensuring the longevity of heating and cooling systems. When he couldn’t provided a/c repair or installation himself, Jeff was able to recommend other qualified HVAC technicians for the job.