Is the easy install a lie?

Technology is great, it does so many things quickly and behind the scenes that it makes things seem simple.

That is a great thing.  Take the new smart thermostats.  About 60% of the time they can take a single controller device and connect it to any of who knows how many different types of furnaces, AC units, heat pumps, etc... that range over at least the past 20 years or more.  The potential for errors is astronomical.

By all rights, you should almost never get the combination to work, but in the majority of cases, not only do they work, they do it with a few simple or no errors.

That is incredible.   It's mind blowing.  It's very underappreciated.  And it's a lie. 

It makes  people think that it's a "simple" installation because it works so well, so often, so few apparent or obvious problems.

Oh but when there are errors and problems,  it's hard for people to comprehend.   Devices malfunction.   Devices don't get charged before installation.   Devices might be damaged during shipping without obvious physical damage.

There are SO MANY different possibilities that need to be investigated.  The troubleshooting can be detailed and take some time before arriving at a solution.

I always suggest that customers never expect an "easy" installation or even necessarily a quick one.  Troubleshooting takes time to track down all the things involved.

Sowhen an installation does happen simple, be glad.   Appreciate that it worked as intended.  It doesn't always.  In fact, it's amazing that it does go that "easy" as often as it does.

When it comes to tech, I think the old saying of "Hope for the best but plan for the worst" is good advice.  It helps avoid preconceived notions and big disappointments.

Keep in mind, the installer in these situations WANTS it to work.  It's in their best interest for things to succeed.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Beware of YouTube DIY channels

 I am advising a lot more frequently that folks who are looking to do work in their home themselves try to avoid the YouTube "DIY" channels.   Not because DIY is bad or wrong or anything like that, but it seems more and more of the YouTubers are focusing on "hacks" and "tricks" to get things done and it cam end up really badly if we actually try some of that crap. Doing It Yourself, ESPECIALLY where electrical,  plumbing, and HVAC are concerned gets tricky.  Because in many places, building codes get a bit tricky.  In a lot of places, they want permits and licensed tradespeople to do specific tasks regardless of if it's a contracted or DIY project. Sure, we can just do it anyway and figure or hope no one will find out till we're dead or gone.  Happens a lot that way.  BUT... You owe it to yourself to do a project the right way.  Why?  Because you may want to sell that house someday and a mortgage inspection may show that work done and pu...
Read more

Im done with D.I.Y

 I'm not making any more "D.I.Y." content.  Instead, I'm just doing, "D.I" content instead. "D.I" being just "Do It", of course.   My point in saying so is that the algorithms on most platforms seem to have gotten stuck into niches of doing things like, "Woodworking", "DIY" (referring usually to derision or low capability things), and so-called "Pro" stuff which is usually selling something or trying to one-up someone else. Even general "How To" content gets broken into such sub categories for the most part.  Thank God we still have "This Old House", and Norm Abrams that don't patronize us. But that's kind of my point, the fact that there's not much more that has a general, "here's how to do this" than "This Old House" and "New Yankee Workshop" to point out, is disappointing to me. So, I've struggled over the past year or so to make videos ...
Read more

Non powered tools are important too

Image
Non-power tools are just as important to me as power tools.  Maybe even more sometimes. Using a drill or a saw or working on fasteners with anything from a hammer to glue gun, to a rivet gun all saves a lot of wear and tear on my body by reducing or eliminating repetitive work.  Having to do any of these things working on a floor, bent or hunched over kills your back and your knees.  Not only that but it often means your working with a reduced or partially blocked view of what you're working on. Sawhorses, tables, stands and other such tools bring the work off the ground or low area and puts it somewhere you can work better and see what you're doing better. Combine those things with clamps, braces, vises and other "third hand" types of tools and your work is improved by a lot. Sometimes you have to go where the work is, and that means on the floor, the ground, or in a low position that means you have to lean or hunch ove...
Read more