You've heard the saying, " Neither rain, nor snow, nor death of the night, can keep us from our duty".

We all know that as the "mailman's motto" but did you know that they are not the only ones committed to getting their job done, regardless of the weather?

No? Well there are, and I'm gonna tell you a little bit about them...

Why? Because "There Ain't No Cure for the Summertime Blues"

It was 1958 when Eddie Cochran recorded the song "Summertime Blues." It's a story of a young man who mourns the fact he had to take a summer job. It means he would miss all the delights of summer. Almost anyone can relate to that song because summer is a time of amusement, vacations, barbeques and fireworks.

Who wants to work during the summer? Nobody - right? I know I sure don't!
If the boy from the song was actually real, he would realize that the world doesn't come to a stop in summer. Who wouldn't like to take 2 to 3 months off?

Unfortunately, the majority of people have to work for a living. Some actually work more during the summer months than they do during the rest of the year. Some of the hardest working people in the summer repair and install central air conditioning. They make it possible for the rest of us to enjoy the summer whether we're working or not.

Workers in the air conditioning trade barely have time to get a drink of water in the summer, let alone spend a week at the shore. You may not think or care much about them the rest of the year, but on the day your air conditioner breaks down, you'll be thinking of your a/c guy/gal as your best friend!

People rely on their central air conditioning systems to make summers bearable. No matter how hot it gets outside, central air conditioning is there to even the playing field in the ongoing battle with Mother Nature.

Just as a bridge allows people to cross a wide area of water, and vaccines and medicines defend against natural diseases, air conditioning scores a knock out in its infinite fight with the sun. Once again, technology triumphs over nature! That is, until the air conditioning system breaks down. Uggh.

Mother Nature can be merciless in her revenge. Temperatures inside an un-air conditioned home rise quickly. The daytime sun inflicts chaos on the now vulnerable home, and not even the darkness of night can relieve the overwhelming heat. Irritated and stressed out homeowners reach for their lifeline-their local air conditioning service company. That's where our heroes come in.

Air conditioning service and installation technicians are a special breed. Their workday life is the exact opposite of an office worker; at least from a comfort standpoint.

Think about it. Technicians spend their time working in homes and businesses that are hot and miserable. When they complete their job, those homes and businesses start cooling off and getting comfortable again. So what does the tech do then? He leaves and heads for another hot and miserable job.

There's no reprieve in the winter either. He works in the cold, and makes it warm. Once things are comfortable, he leaves for the next cold building.

While the typical office worker trembles at the thought of spending an hour outside during the hottest or coldest days, the AC technician lives in the extremes. His calling is not to be comfortable, but to provide comfort.

Workers in the air conditioning industry spend endless hours training on an ever increasing variety of high-tech equipment. They invest thousands of dollars in tools that may be replaced on a regular basis. And they often work from dusk til dawn (and beyond) when the temperature climbs in the summertime, or plunges in the winter.

While progressive air conditioning companies try to even out our workload throughout the year by performing preventive maintenance during our off-season, there is always a summer rush that tests the physical limits of their crews.

If anyone should have the "Summertime Blues" it's the technicians who are committed to keeping families comfortable and safe. Day or night. All year long.

But don't feel sorry for him. He loves his job. And though he might not be spending his summer at the shore, he probably won't turn down a nice big cool glass of water.

And Avoid Unlicensed, Uninsured Moonlighters

In tough economic time, people look for ways to cut corners and save money. A professional contractor knows this and will present options and suggest ways you might save money, especially if you express concern about expenses.

There are many safe ways to cut costs. The use of moonlighters and handymen lacking professional industry accreditation is not one of them. While it's true that moonlighters can often perform satisfactory work, you take risks when hiring one.

By nature, moonlighters lack specialty trade licensing, do not carry workers compensation insurance for employees and liability insurance. Usually they cannot permit the work they perform because the are operating illegally.

If handyman makes a mistake, such as the unlicensed plumber who accidentally burnt down a home when trying to "sweat a line" inside a wall, he is unlikely to have insurance to cover the loss. You may be stuck with the deductible and if your property valuation is not up to date, you may not be able to fully replace your home and possessions. Plus, if you file a claim against your homeowner insurance, you will probably face higher premiums going forward.

If the work performed is part of an insurance claim, check with the insurer before works begins to see if they require work to be performed by a licensed contractor and properly permitted. You do not want to discover a requirement for permits to ensure the work complies with the building codes after the fact.

When uninsured moonlighters or handymen injure themselves while working on your property, you are legally responsible. You might be liable for medical expenses, for compensation if the individual cannot work and for pain and suffering.

Typically, work by moonlighters and handymen is unwarranted. If the handyman fixed a symptom and not the problem, or performed shoddy work, you may have no recourse (and may not even be able to find the handyman).

Also, be careful who you allow in your home. During a sting operation to identify unlicensed contractors, some of the suspects charged in the sting had drugs on their person. One had an outstanding warrant for battery.

Professional, Licensed, Insured Contractors Meet Higher Standards

Quality, licensed contractors have a stake in your community. They carry appropriate levels and types of insurance. They invest in training, certifications, permits and proper tools for the work. They perform background checks on employees. They stand behind their work. Professional service contractors exist to serve. That includes meeting your budget...but safely and reputably.

Consider a career in HVAC! It's a Great Job!

As an HVAC technician, you will enjoy more freedom than almost any other profession.

You're given responsibility for a service truck worth tens of thousands, carrying parts and tools worth thousands more.

You're on your own, all day.

You enjoy variety. Every day is different because every problem is different.

There's challenge. The job requires a knowledge of electronics, electricity, and mechanical systems.

There is pride in doing the job well and satisfaction when you make a home comfortable for a grateful homeowner.

You'll get great pay in the HVAC industry. You will be paid far more than many deskbound jobs and offers better growth opportunities.

You can move into sales engineering, computer-aided drafting and design, and service management.

With HVAC, the sky's the limit and it's the coolest job in town.

AirNow Heating & Cooling

From winter's chill through the dog days of summer, our primary goal at AirNow is to keep your home comfortable for you and your family. But, that's just the beginning. We also offer you peace of mind, ensuring your equipment operates safely. We help you save money on your fuel bills. And, we help deliver relief to those concerned with the quality of the air they breathe. We are a full service residential heating and air conditioning / HVAC company. We offer maintenance contracts that include a 15% discount on all repairs. With more than 10 years of experience in the business, our technicians have the knowledge and tools to get the job done right.

Serving New York's 5 Boroughs and Long Island