I bought an air conditioner for the shed on March 3, 2019 – just over a year ago. The intent, at the time, was to get it installed to keep the shed cool through the summer of 2019. Didn’t happen. And attempts to get it installed this year hadn’t gotten anywhere. But, finally, it got installed this week.
Ribbing
The major icebreaker was reaching agreement with the contractor on the cost of plumbing, insulation and carpentry – including installation of the air conditioner. A construction permit was pulled last week and a few days later two workmen showed up at my door (but stood 6 feet away) offering to begin work. The first step was to install “ribbing” in the ceiling, to make room for the required R-19 insulation. I dutifully cleared out some of the stuff to make room (most was on the shelving in the middle of the room which they said I could leave). I asked if they would be installing the air conditioner and they said they would. But not that day.
But they surprised me. I guess the ribbing work went faster than expected and by the end of the day the air conditioner was installed and operational.
But not remotely controlled.
After I bought the air conditioner I tested it to make sure it worked and configured it for remote control in the (vain) hope that I could get someone to install it while we were north last summer and could then monitor and control it from there. But when I took a look for the remote control app on my phone it was nowhere to be found. Don’t know why it disappeared, but it was gone. I would have to download and configure it again. Frustrating, but no big deal. It didn’t take much effort the first time and the second time should be even easier. Right?
So I downloaded the app and almost immediately hit a roadblock: I needed the password from the label on the right side of the air conditioner. But, now installed in the wall, the label could no longer be seen. So I had to call for technical support. That took three phone calls before I found a person who could help. Then I had to download a second app to get the MAC address of the air conditioner. But the tech support guy was able to use that to look up the password and I was then able to finish the configuration. I can now monitor and control the air conditioner from anywhere in the world where I have cell phone or WiFi access.
Yes, I wrote down the password in case I need it again.
All of this was done during mounting concern over the COVID-19 pandemic. I made it a point to keep as distant as possible from the workmen, to never touch them and, just once, when I was inspecting the air conditioner installation, getting within 3 feet of either of them. Later that day, when walking Rusty, I stopped by the newly-closed pool. If there is a photo that captures the impact of the pandemic in the RV resort, this is it. An empty pool on a beautiful “in season” afternoon. Sad.
Air conditioner, installed
Shuttered pool