Q: Why is my heat pump replacement so expensive? I seem to remember it being half that amount 20 years ago…
A: Well we have never heard that question before, NOT. Yes indeedy the costs of things have gone up if you have lived on this planet and opened your wallet (or purse), that is a fact. Of course, we all wonder, wonder who … who wrote the book of economics, and if you search that subject, prepare to be enlightened, or bored nearly to death. The forces of the economy rival the forces of nature in their ability to create or destroy (think Houston or the financial collapse in ’08). Unlike nature, the power of an economy can be harnessed to a great extent but still is constrained by market forces and pesky human psychology. What we humans see as valuable, or at least put a value on, varies so significantly and that is what makes economics so fascinating. It is far more than numbers on a spread sheet, the Dow Jones Average, or a Black Friday sale. In our little slice of the economic pie, heating and air conditioning should be at the top of the list (in our humble opinion), when one considers value and what is valuable. For our purely basic needs, food, water, and shelter pretty much we really do need for a fulfilling and healthy life. We can’t help you with food (but hope you are visiting the Kalispell farmers market today), we can’t help you with water (just make sure you stay hydrated), and we can’t build you a shelter, but if you have a shelter, we can make it comfortable and more efficient. How you choose to condition your shelter, whether it is a yurt or a mansion, depends on many factors and often will be a heat pump of some variety. The cost of such a system either initially, or to replace, is never inexpensive. What is expensive is up for opinion and everyone has an opinion, just like we all have ear lobes. We believe the disconnect in what is charged and the perceived value is simply a lack of information or knowledge on the subject. In the retail world, you can compare this flat screen with that one, this washer and that dryer, Chevys vs. Fords and that’s all good fun. In our industry we have to supply the actual equipment that will make you comfortable and then we have to go to your home or office and install it. Then we have to take care of it, 24 hours a day for years and years. We handle warranty issues and are a 24-hour resource for questions silly or otherwise. Please remember every call is a house call, be it on a fine summer day in the Flathead or 20 below. It goes without saying that you expect knowledgeable, experienced technicians to show up and do their job competently and honestly. A technician with those attributes should be well paid and is worth every penny. The other side of the coin is not a pretty place to be. So yes some of these projects do come with a cost, which is why we put on our proposals, “the cost of your investment” will be such and such. These things are an investment for certain and taken care of will serve you well
