Because we seem to be trying to turn a planet that supports life into one that does not, I’m posting a question or topic here every week to see if together we can work out some nuts and bolts of how to survive. The whole linkable list of prior questions/discussions can be found here.
This week’s question is manual or machined — are we better served by training to do things ourselves, by investing in technologies to do things for us, or by learning how to do the technologies ourselves?
Can you fix a heat pump?
This is an example of a potentially vital machine. We can wash dishes and clothes by hand, we can walk or skateboard or bike or roll in some other way if there are no engines anymore, we can grow food (how much is a later story) without the Haber process, but what can we do if the technology needed is both vital and difficult, like with a heat pump?
Let’s take a look at this question around the issue of heating and cooling (and dehumidifying) as it is a literal life or death issue.
Machines
HVAC systems, dehumidifiers, and heat pumps are increasingly complex machines with multiple moving parts and a dependence on programming and electronics in addition to an energy source. Can you make one or fix one? If not, what happens when the machine you depend on fails? Buying another or getting one repaired requires that manufacturing is still being done and is affordable, or that the people, parts, and knowledge to do the repair exist, are available, and are affordable.
Put it this way: could you make a floppy disc drive in a day (assuming emergency need)?
Manual
Is there a low tech solution to the problem of heat and humidity that you can create and troubleshoot on your own or with the help of a few people?
The earthship homes use underground temperatures, insulation, and passive evaporative cooling and solar to create stable, comfortable temperatures year round. There are many building traditions, especially in the tropics, that use air flow, shade, and passive evaporative cooling to produce comfortable temperatures.
The question is do you have the money, space, materials, time, and permitting permission to do this? To put it another way: are there any non-traditional homes in your area?
Right to Repair
If it’s easier to have machines do a job like temperature maintenance, can you learn to repair your machine and acquire the materials necessary to do so?
YouTube tutorials are readily available so long as the internet is stable, but they are one direction and can be incomplete or wrong. Local training programs are good when they are available, if they are focused on the skills you are trying to learn, but many are focused on creating lower skilled repair techs for currently available jobs. Maker spaces can be great, and also can be sexist and anti/LGBTQIA. Do it yourself manuals are often more thorough than YouTube but also difficult to navigate without a guide. And fixes often require downloading updates, patches, or other software that will have to be made if they are no longer available.
Can you fix your HVAC etc. machine if it fails? Does your state or country have an enforced Right to Repair law in place? Do you see people in your area doing this?
So what’s it gonna be: machine, manual, or you buy it then fix it forever?
