Navigating The Wall
Info
Author
Dan Holohan
Published
August 11, 2009
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Thousands of people come to The Wall each day to ask and answer questions. Most lurk and read what others are writing. Those who post are the brave ones and these include contractors, engineers, manufacturers and their reps, wholesalers, industrial people, and a lot of homeowners. HeatingHelp.com is not a trade-only Web site. Everyone is welcome here. If this is your first visit, some tips for you on posting. Most have to do with plain common sense and good human relations.
First, respect the trade. Many contractors visit the Wall each day and most are willing to answer a homeowner's question if the homeowner asks in a polite way. If you post that you're looking for ways to do it yourself and not have to pay a contractor, or if you begin by saying that contractors are out to cheat you, or if you think your brother-in-law, the carpenter, knows more about heating that the people on our site, don't be surprised if you don't get any answers to your question. Be respectful. You're probably expert at something that they're not expert at, so show them the same respect that you would expect them to show your profession. Do that and things will go well for you.
Look around the site. There's a huge amount of information at HeatingHelp.com, so check Resources, Systems, the Library and the other areas where we keep the good stuff. Most of it is very understandable to laypeople. Do some research before you bring your questions to the Wall. The regulars (they call themselves Wallies) will appreciate that and treat you with respect.
Don't ask for prices. We never discuss pricing on the Wall. There are too many variables between job conditions and it's not fair to anyone for people to be tossing numbers around.
If you have a problem, take a deep breath. If you're upset, feel free to vent but please don't get nasty as you do so. HeatingHelp.com is not a site for bashing manufacturers or other people. If you're having a problem, I may be able to intervene for you by finding a good listener at the manufacturer. E-mail me at mailroom@heatinghelp.com and I'll do what I can to help.
Listen. If you ask a question and the pros tell you that what you're thinking of doing is dangerous, please listen to them. They're giving you good advice. They want you as customers, and live customers pay their bills faster than dead ones. Listen to what they're telling you when it comes to safety; they won't steer you wrong. Heating involves fire, water, electricity, and potentially deadly gases. A good part of it is best left to the professionals. Listen.
Learn. There's so much to learn here, and most of it is free for the taking. Please use the site well and enjoy the other people who visit here. HeatingHelp.com is a friendly place to friendly people. We're glad you're here.
First, respect the trade. Many contractors visit the Wall each day and most are willing to answer a homeowner's question if the homeowner asks in a polite way. If you post that you're looking for ways to do it yourself and not have to pay a contractor, or if you begin by saying that contractors are out to cheat you, or if you think your brother-in-law, the carpenter, knows more about heating that the people on our site, don't be surprised if you don't get any answers to your question. Be respectful. You're probably expert at something that they're not expert at, so show them the same respect that you would expect them to show your profession. Do that and things will go well for you.
Look around the site. There's a huge amount of information at HeatingHelp.com, so check Resources, Systems, the Library and the other areas where we keep the good stuff. Most of it is very understandable to laypeople. Do some research before you bring your questions to the Wall. The regulars (they call themselves Wallies) will appreciate that and treat you with respect.
Don't ask for prices. We never discuss pricing on the Wall. There are too many variables between job conditions and it's not fair to anyone for people to be tossing numbers around.
If you have a problem, take a deep breath. If you're upset, feel free to vent but please don't get nasty as you do so. HeatingHelp.com is not a site for bashing manufacturers or other people. If you're having a problem, I may be able to intervene for you by finding a good listener at the manufacturer. E-mail me at mailroom@heatinghelp.com and I'll do what I can to help.
Listen. If you ask a question and the pros tell you that what you're thinking of doing is dangerous, please listen to them. They're giving you good advice. They want you as customers, and live customers pay their bills faster than dead ones. Listen to what they're telling you when it comes to safety; they won't steer you wrong. Heating involves fire, water, electricity, and potentially deadly gases. A good part of it is best left to the professionals. Listen.
Learn. There's so much to learn here, and most of it is free for the taking. Please use the site well and enjoy the other people who visit here. HeatingHelp.com is a friendly place to friendly people. We're glad you're here.
