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Bloovoopsicle Journal Pg. 6 - The end is in sight
2 months ago
General
So, short version of this update: Bought a new system, hope to have it installed and working by this Tuesday. Cost a lot, but felt worth it.
Longer version: Met with the heating company and we went over options. Two, specifically:
1. I could spend a few thousand dollars, get the repair on an out-of-warranty system that, if it fails again, I'll have to go through all this again, or...
2. Purchase a new replacement that is more efficient, has a longer parts and labor warranty, and can be installed in days rather than having to wait for parts or labor.
So I chose option 2. $17k worth of replacement. I took it from savings and applied it. It's near tapped the account, but then again, that's what it's there for.
They're planning on installing it on Tuesday - I took the day off so I could be here to answer questions and watch (And also maybe enjoy the warmth of a lot of body heat in the house for once). But hopefully come Wednesday - everything will be back to normal.
Now, people have asked if I'm doing a GoFundMe or anything. I am not. The main reason is - I had the ability to handle this, and I did. There are others out there - people who have no home. Or they have a poisonous home that is hurting their mental health. Or they are living on ramen noodles while rising costs prevent them from having any savings whatsoever. If you find someone you feel is worthy of your resources to improve their existence, I ask you to do so, and know that you have my gratitude and admiration. I would rather these much needier people get dug out of the crater they're in.
I also want to thank everyone for their suggestions and support. I did exactly what everyone said - a while ago I conferred with some legal offices and the media - the only thing I didn't do was involve the BBB. The answer was pretty much the same - you're out of warranty, you're on your own. I did bring up the suspiciousness of it breaking just after it got a 'clean bill of health' from their maintenance group, but there was no way to prove that they had tampered with it. I called other HVAC facilities around and they - along with the lawyer offices - essentially told me the same thing:
'You have an old system out of warranty. You thus take up full financial responsibility. Their 'maintenance' package does nothing to guarantee their work - you were just unlucky.'
But fortune favors the prepared. My savings might be gone, but I'm not.
Hopefully there will be only one more update to this journal group - informing you all of a temperature controlled voop house. <3
Longer version: Met with the heating company and we went over options. Two, specifically:
1. I could spend a few thousand dollars, get the repair on an out-of-warranty system that, if it fails again, I'll have to go through all this again, or...
2. Purchase a new replacement that is more efficient, has a longer parts and labor warranty, and can be installed in days rather than having to wait for parts or labor.
So I chose option 2. $17k worth of replacement. I took it from savings and applied it. It's near tapped the account, but then again, that's what it's there for.
They're planning on installing it on Tuesday - I took the day off so I could be here to answer questions and watch (And also maybe enjoy the warmth of a lot of body heat in the house for once). But hopefully come Wednesday - everything will be back to normal.
Now, people have asked if I'm doing a GoFundMe or anything. I am not. The main reason is - I had the ability to handle this, and I did. There are others out there - people who have no home. Or they have a poisonous home that is hurting their mental health. Or they are living on ramen noodles while rising costs prevent them from having any savings whatsoever. If you find someone you feel is worthy of your resources to improve their existence, I ask you to do so, and know that you have my gratitude and admiration. I would rather these much needier people get dug out of the crater they're in.
I also want to thank everyone for their suggestions and support. I did exactly what everyone said - a while ago I conferred with some legal offices and the media - the only thing I didn't do was involve the BBB. The answer was pretty much the same - you're out of warranty, you're on your own. I did bring up the suspiciousness of it breaking just after it got a 'clean bill of health' from their maintenance group, but there was no way to prove that they had tampered with it. I called other HVAC facilities around and they - along with the lawyer offices - essentially told me the same thing:
'You have an old system out of warranty. You thus take up full financial responsibility. Their 'maintenance' package does nothing to guarantee their work - you were just unlucky.'
But fortune favors the prepared. My savings might be gone, but I'm not.
Hopefully there will be only one more update to this journal group - informing you all of a temperature controlled voop house. <3
Fuck me that's a LOT of money though.
Option 2 is most def by far the better investment because you cannot trust techs to fix an outmoded HVAC system to such a degree it runs like new and will continue to do so for many, many years to come. They (and the know-how, in my experience) just don't work like that. So even though it's like buying a new used car, it's an investment that'll pay for itself. Like needing a new sewage system or other crucial utility put in. And where you live, with the temps you've recorded...gods yes that heating is needed.
I'm very, very glad that the end's in sight for this whole ordeal. I want you to be more comfortable and not to suffer or incur any more financially wasteful drains. Only able to save for when we can see one another again and enjoy the better upsides of life on this mudball. Love you, big sister. Stay strong, stay safe, and stay warm. <3
I know its not in the budget for awhile but may I suggest you get a emergency pellet or wood stove in the event of this happening in the future. Something that can provide heat with stuff that can be stored for YEARS. Sometimes going old school can save big when modern fails. It wont keep you really warm but will keep pipes from freezing. Of course idk what the regulations in your town - county - state (or province) are nor your home layout. But I can promise you. My wood stove has saved me so many times growing up, times when the power was out in the middle of winter for days or even a full week. It was cold but warm enough to keep the pipes from bursting.
(note: I looked online and found a few micro wood stoves at home depo for like 300 bucks but I recommend finding a real installer and seeing what they recommend and advise them that this is an a EMERGENCY use only system.)
But this is just from my experience and recommendation from someone from Rural New England where the power goes out once a month minimum (trees, accidents, poor maintenance, incompetence from power company or weather (mostly weather)).
Hopefully this is indeed the warm light at the end of the winter tunnel.