Old Cars and Older Furnaces

Q: How is it possible that my boiler lasts longer than my car?

A: I’m gunna fix up that old car one day, you just watch. That was my pops old jalopy when he was running around town way back when. Seen pictures of him and my ma just grinning from ear to ear leaning against the fender. That was before my time and heck, my brothers too. Can’t imagine the crazy times this car has seen if you were to believe the stories. Every dent means something to somebody if our memories didn’t fail us, and folks didn’t die. Its hard to recapture what the old girl meant to him, but I’ll bet it was a runner. How many times was it seen cruising the ol drive-in down on 40 you have to wonder. Boy oh boy if metal could talk….

         At what point does an old rusty car change into a priceless rusted touch stone of incredible historical significance? Really, let’s figure that out. It is a classic design? Perhaps, but I have seen some butt ugly rides that could never be parted with. Maybe it’s the color, that mighty drive train, the convertible top, the massive fins, or the lack of fins. The essence I believe is in the patina awarded from decades of survival. The odds of being crushed years ago at the junk yard or in some unfortunate crash are overwhelming. Nothing last forever especially a metal box racing along on bias ply tires (if you remember them) at high rates of speed with drum brakes and no seat belts, those were the days. For whatever reason the old car is still there, tired, and ready for a full frame off restoration to take it back to day one. At what cost and is it “worth it?” Can you really put a price on memories?

        So, thank goodness most folks, alright just about anybody, does not get that attached to their furnace or boiler. I’m not going to say it doesn’t t happen, there is some sort of mental condition to describe it in the DSM-2, but by and large our heating equipment does not hold the memories like the old ‘55. That does not mean we don’t appreciate the flaming metal monster but we have no intention of replacing it. It’s a fact, it has worked faithfully for decades and it was firing away during the Cuban missile crisis, the launch of the Sputnik, the assignation of a great man, and everything since. Perhaps it will never die and for that, thank the hard work and dedication of many now retired men and women of the manufacturing sector of the great mid-west. Are there classic furnaces like there are classic cars?

       I believe some of the bravado of the “greatest generation” may be withering on the vine but it is not lost on the youth. We may not have classic furnaces, boilers, and heat pumps but we do our best to work as hard as we can with good intent. Hammer and torch, snips and wrenches make the world go round, at least in the HVAC industry. Will we measure up with all those damn “APPS” that are the answer to everything. Keep your apps, hard work and critical thinking is the answer to many of societies ills. I would like to think the fine folks at AirWorks can solve all the worlds problems with hard work but alas we just work on heating and A/C problems. So as the fall turns to winter, give us a call at (406) 257-1341 to keep your classic heater humming.