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Why We Normalize Slow Decline
Format: Post-call
Runtime: ~8 minutes
Source: Psychology , minimization as coping style; Lazarus and Folkman stress and coping theory (1984)
There's a certain kind of customer who, by the time they call, has waited so long that what I find and what they've told themselves they were dealing with are very far apart.
This was one of those.
He called because the system wasn't keeping up. When I asked how long it had been a problem he said: oh, a few weeks. Maybe a little longer.
When I got there and started checking, a few weeks became something else. The filter was well past any reasonable interval. The coil had a layer of dust that builds over months, not weeks. The blower wheel had enough buildup on the blades that it was running measurably below its rated airflow. And the refrigerant was low , not critically, but enough that it had been compensating for a while.
I asked: have you noticed the system running longer cycles this summer?
He said: maybe a little. I figured it was just the heat.
The heat had been intense, sure. But the system was working about forty percent harder than it should have been for the load it was carrying.
I said: this has probably been building since last fall at least.
He said: I mean, it never really seemed that bad.
That sentence , it never really seemed that bad , is the thing I want to think about.
Because I believe him. It probably never seemed that bad to him. That's not the same as it not being that bad.
Give Us A Shout
Thanks for tuning in to Hartzell's Heat & Air, your trusted HVAC experts in Oklahoma and beyond. From Kingfisher to coast-to-coast consulting, we design, install, and maintain smart, efficient systems that deliver year-round comfort.
We're employee-owned, family-run, and powered by 45+ years of experience. Whether it's AI-powered thermostats, geothermal systems, or classic tune-ups, we deliver upfront pricing, expert care, and warranties that back it all up.
🛠️ Book Online:
https://book.housecallpro.com/book/Hartzells-Heat--Air/4a569038b3dc460daf2d5f6497b18351?v2=true
🌐 www.hartzellsheatair.com
📞 (405) 375-4822
🚛 Trane Comfort Specialist • Mitsubishi Diamond Dealer • ClimateMaster Elite
🛡️ VIP Comfort Club • Remote Monitoring • Extended Warranties
📲 Follow us for tips, updates, and real-world installs:
YouTube: @hartzellsheatair6003
X: https://x.com/HartzellsHVAC
Facebook: facebook.com/hartzellsheatair
LinkedIn: Dave Hartzell
Built on trust. Backed by warranty. Designed for comfort.
View all episodes
By Dave Hartzell's Heat & Air - Kingfisher,OKFormat: Post-call
Runtime: ~8 minutes
Source: Psychology , minimization as coping style; Lazarus and Folkman stress and coping theory (1984)
There's a certain kind of customer who, by the time they call, has waited so long that what I find and what they've told themselves they were dealing with are very far apart.
This was one of those.
He called because the system wasn't keeping up. When I asked how long it had been a problem he said: oh, a few weeks. Maybe a little longer.
When I got there and started checking, a few weeks became something else. The filter was well past any reasonable interval. The coil had a layer of dust that builds over months, not weeks. The blower wheel had enough buildup on the blades that it was running measurably below its rated airflow. And the refrigerant was low , not critically, but enough that it had been compensating for a while.
I asked: have you noticed the system running longer cycles this summer?
He said: maybe a little. I figured it was just the heat.
The heat had been intense, sure. But the system was working about forty percent harder than it should have been for the load it was carrying.
I said: this has probably been building since last fall at least.
He said: I mean, it never really seemed that bad.
That sentence , it never really seemed that bad , is the thing I want to think about.
Because I believe him. It probably never seemed that bad to him. That's not the same as it not being that bad.
Give Us A Shout
Thanks for tuning in to Hartzell's Heat & Air, your trusted HVAC experts in Oklahoma and beyond. From Kingfisher to coast-to-coast consulting, we design, install, and maintain smart, efficient systems that deliver year-round comfort.
We're employee-owned, family-run, and powered by 45+ years of experience. Whether it's AI-powered thermostats, geothermal systems, or classic tune-ups, we deliver upfront pricing, expert care, and warranties that back it all up.
🛠️ Book Online:
https://book.housecallpro.com/book/Hartzells-Heat--Air/4a569038b3dc460daf2d5f6497b18351?v2=true
🌐 www.hartzellsheatair.com
📞 (405) 375-4822
🚛 Trane Comfort Specialist • Mitsubishi Diamond Dealer • ClimateMaster Elite
🛡️ VIP Comfort Club • Remote Monitoring • Extended Warranties
📲 Follow us for tips, updates, and real-world installs:
YouTube: @hartzellsheatair6003
X: https://x.com/HartzellsHVAC
Facebook: facebook.com/hartzellsheatair
LinkedIn: Dave Hartzell
Built on trust. Backed by warranty. Designed for comfort.