Morning Coffee and Emergency Calls
The day begins early at Milwaukie Heating & Cooling. By 6:30 AM, I’m already pulling into our Clackamas headquarters, travel mug in hand. Winter in Oregon means one thing for HVAC technicians: busy days filled with emergency calls.
As one of the service technicians, my morning routine is sacred. Check the van inventory, review the day’s scheduled appointments, and enjoy those precious fifteen minutes of coffee and conversation with fellow techs before hitting the road. Today’s first call: a family in Happy Valley with no heat during a particularly cold snap.
7:30 AM: First Call of the Day
The temperature gauge in my van reads 28°F as I navigate the frosty roads to my first appointment. When I arrive, I’m greeted by a worried homeowner in a heavy sweater and her two children bundled in blankets. Their furnace stopped working overnight, and the home heating system needs immediate attention.
After a thorough diagnostic check, I identify the culprit: a failed ignitor. I explain the issue to the homeowner, provide the replacement cost, and within an hour, warm air is flowing through their vents again. The look of relief on their faces is exactly why I love this job.
10:00 AM: Routine Maintenance in Lake Oswego
My next stop takes me to a lovely Lake Oswego neighborhood for scheduled maintenance on a heating system we installed last year. Preventative maintenance is crucial for avoiding those middle-of-the-night emergency calls, and I make sure to explain this to every client.
I run through our comprehensive checklist:
- Check and clean burners
- Inspect heat exchanger
- Test safety controls
- Change air filters
- Calibrate thermostat
- Check for proper airflow
Noon: Lunch Break and Team Check-in
Lunch today is a quick sandwich in the van while I call back to headquarters. Our dispatcher informs me about an urgent furnace replacement consultation needed in West Linn. The homeowner’s 20-year-old system finally gave out, and they’re exploring replacement options. I rearrange my afternoon schedule to accommodate this priority call.
1:30 PM: Consultation in West Linn
At the West Linn residence, I perform a thorough assessment of their heating needs, measuring the home and discussing their comfort priorities. The homeowners are concerned about efficiency and long-term costs. I explain our various furnace options, from standard efficiency to high-efficiency models, and help them understand the potential energy savings over time.
After answering all their questions, they decide to schedule the installation for later this week. I call our office to get them on the calendar and provide them with a detailed quote before heading to my next appointment.
3:30 PM: Heater Installation Follow-up in Oregon City
My afternoon includes a follow-up visit to a recent installation in Oregon City. Last week, our team installed a new high-efficiency heating system, and now I’m checking that everything is operating correctly and answering any questions the homeowners might have about their new system.
The homeowners are thrilled with their new system’s quiet operation and the improved comfort throughout their home. These positive interactions are the highlight of my workday.
5:00 PM: Emergency Call in Clackamas
Just as I’m preparing to head back to headquarters, a call comes through about a commercial heating system failure at a small business in Clackamas. With temperatures dropping for the evening, this can’t wait until tomorrow.
After diagnosing a faulty control board, I’m able to implement a temporary fix to get them heat for the night and schedule our team to return with the replacement part first thing tomorrow. The business owner is grateful we could respond so quickly.
6:30 PM: Back to Base
At the end of the day, I return to headquarters to restock my van, complete paperwork, and debrief with the team about the day’s challenges. Working at Milwaukie Heating & Cooling means being part of a dedicated team that prioritizes customer comfort in all the communities we serve.
As I drive home, I reflect on today’s six service calls – from emergency repairs to routine maintenance to consultation for new installations. Every day brings different challenges, but the satisfaction of keeping our neighbors warm during Oregon’s chilly winters makes it all worthwhile.
Tomorrow will bring a new set of HVAC challenges across the Portland metro area, and our team will be ready to respond with the expertise and care that has built our reputation over the years.