Russell's corollary to Murphy's Law

[jgrussell]

For years, I have had Russell's corollary to Murphy's Law posted on my website: "Murphy was an optimist!"

Think I'm joking? Try this on for size. Friday night, I noticed the sight glass on my gas-fired steam-generating furnace was leaking. Called the plumber, was told it would not affect the heat and they'd be out first thing Monday.

Today, after the indoor temps dropped 4 degrees in an hour, I called again and got them out just ahead of the snowstorm. Temporary repairs effected, had to bite the bullet and schedule them to come out Tuesday or Wednesday to do what I've known for some time would be needed soon: replace the furnace. (It's just about 20 years old and has been troublesome for the past 2-3 heating seasons.) Ouch. That's a HUGE expense I'd have rather postponed...

Now, of course, it's after midnight. There's a blizzard going on outside. Total snowfall is expected to be between 14 and 21 inches.

You can write the rest of this yourself, can't you?

Yep. Furnace died again. Can't get it to come back on.

http://photos.jgrussell.com/Photo365/December/IMG8095dpp/745219576_zi68y-L.jpg

Thank heavens for one single space heater and an electric blanket.

Tomorrow, I'll try to dig out of here and, if I can find one, get to a pet friendly hotel until the new furnace can be installed.

Merry Christmas. BAH HUMBUG!

Now to figure out (a) just how well Canon equipment does in the cold (as the temps drop like a rock) and (b) how to shoot the snowfall while digging out (and packing the cats into) the car...

[number six]

I feel for you. Thursday I had a new furnace installed - thinking all the while, "I could buy a pretty nice lens for $4800".

At least it wasn't freezing here.

-js

[neilwood32]

Makes you think about spending money on camera gear doesnt it?

Murphys law is definately true and the corollary is true as well - it will go wrong at the worst time and in the worst way possible!

I had a similar issue 3 years ago with my gas boiler - gave up the ghost on Xmas eve. So Xmas day was spent at relatives (not planned) and boxing day was spent waiting on an engineer. Temporary repairs were carried out which lasted 2 days but by that time the part was in and the proper repair could be carried out. All at emergency call out rates as it was the holiday season.

Could have go a new boiler cheaper had i known it was goingto go.

[jgrussell]

I feel for you. Thursday I had a new furnace installed - thinking all the while, "I could buy a pretty nice lens for $4800". At least it wasn't freezing here.It definitely is cold here. I should have taken a series of shots -- as the thermostat recorded the decline in the inside temperatures... And I could easily get the 500 f4 IS for what I'll be shelling out (includes some other repairs and a new water heater as well).

[jgrussell]

Makes you think about spending money on camera gear doesnt it?It does... and not favorably...

Murphys law is definately true and the corollary is true as well - it will go wrong at the worst time and in the worst way possible! I had a similar issue 3 years ago with my gas boiler - gave up the ghost on Xmas eve. So Xmas day was spent at relatives (not planned) and boxing day was spent waiting on an engineer. Temporary repairs were carried out which lasted 2 days but by that time the part was in and the proper repair could be carried out. All at emergency call out rates as it was the holiday season. Could have go a new boiler cheaper had i known it was goingto go.Ouch! That hurts! At least the company here is rolling the two emergency calls into the price of the new system.

[number six]

My situation could have been much worse. The old furnace hadn't failed, it was just getting noisy. And the new furnace is 95% efficient, compared to 72% for the old one. I hope to see my winter gas bill drop by about $50 per month.

This new furnace is so efficient that the flue venting the burners is PVC pipe, not stove pipe. It just gets warm to the touch.

Other good things are the rebate of $300 from PG&E and the tax credit of $1500 from the Feds.

[jgrussell]

Other good things are the rebate of $300 from PG&E and the tax credit of $1500 from the Feds.The kicker for me? I have a gas steam system. The number of gas steam systems that qualify for the tax credit: none. That's right. None. Nada. Nary a one.

[number six]

Is that because of low efficiency?

-js

[jgrussell]

Is that because of low efficiency?Yeah. Steam generally is less efficient than either hot water or forced air, and nobody makes a steam boiler efficient enough to qualify. I suppose I could (theoretically) refit the house for a hot water system... for several times as much as the tax credit. Sigh...

[MikeFairbanks]

Have you considered moving to the South?

Here in Atlanta, 19-21 inches of snow reflects about a decade of accumulation....maybe even two decades. Seriously

[MikeFairbanks]

I feel for you. Thursday I had a new furnace installed - thinking all the while, "I could buy a pretty nice lens for $4800".

At least it wasn't freezing here.

-js


That's a strange town for weather. I stayed up the hill once in May and it was 85 degrees. I told my family, "it'll be cold down by the water. Wear jeans and bring a sweatshirt."

Nobody listened to me until it was too late. I had to give my sweatshirt to my wife and freeze.

[number six]

Yeah. You know what Mark Twain said about San Francisco, don't you?

[jgrussell]

Have you considered moving to the South?Virginia is as far south as I'd consider and then only because so much of my family is there.