My worst fear about living here came true…read more
Sunday night, July 24, 2022. The central air conditioning quit blowing cold air. Yeah, that's my worst fear about living in the high desert in summer. I opened windows and put a couple big fans near my bed. Couldn't fall asleep. Got up, went to my home office downstairs and submitted a service request to Doug Anderson Property Management, the people who handle this house for the owner.
Got a lot of work done. At 9 a.m. Monday, July 25th, when the property management office opened, I called to make sure they would immediately contact their A/C repair vendor, which turned out to be Working Class Heating & Air, of Lancaster. I called, spoke with Stephanie, and she said they're booked solid for that day but she'd try to squeeze me in for a technician's visit. Later, I got a text which said to expect a visit between noon and 4 p.m.
In my first-floor office, I had the fans aimed at me as the house neared a temperature that could bake pizza. I guzzled cold water. And then I saw an SUV show up. The technician, Matthew Grubb, emerged and I led him to the back yard unit. He quickly diagnosed the problem as a failed fan motor. He told me he could install a new one on Wednesday, provided Doug Anderson's people issued the work order. That meant two nights in a hotel.
Stephanie texted: "I've submitted an estimate to Doug Anderson Property Management. If they approve, we will be there Weds."
"If they want the rent money, they'd better approve!" was my reply. I was in a foul mood.
I booked the local Best Western. I packed up for my hotel stay. I'd work from the hotel. At the front desk, I handed the lady my registration info. "I'm local," I said. "My wife kicked me out of the house, so I'm staying two nights with you," Her eyes popped up to meet mine. "I'm kidding. My A/C broke." (I'm single). I hauled everything to room 317...where it turned out the room A/C was unresponsive to the thermostat's cool/off/heat control. It ran cold all the time. I froze. How's that for irony?
By the time I crashed, I'd been up for 36 hours.
Tuesday morning, July 26th, I visited the property management office to make sure they authorized the repair. They did. Stephanie said the approval came through and they would be on site between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Thank god for small bureaucratic miracles. Tuesday night, I had some success with sleeping in arctic temperatures.
Matthew rolled into my driveway early, at 10:30 Wednesday morning, July 27th. He swapped out the fan motor, tested the coolant level, and hooked up a pressurized gas container to top it off. His work was flawless. Stephanie exhibited perfect customer service. Attentive and helpful. It doesn't get any better than this. Thank you, Working Class HVAC.
Matthew left to take care of other desperate customers. And finally, I sit here in 72-degree bliss. And Doug Anderson will get their rent check.
