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Start-up and balancing of the system went smoothly.

"One of the reasons I pay such a great deal of attention to duct design is that properly sized and installed systems are very easy to balance," Patterson says. "The zoning also helps areas needing more conditioning as the satisfied zones shut down and the system focuses only on the areas calling for heating or cooling. I'm a big advocate of zoning systems as they 'self-balance' to a point."

A Silver Lining
Patterson admits that he can sometimes find the quality of some other contractors' work a little bit dismaying, especially now that his sons are entering the trade.

"The lack of workmanship and quality can be a little discouraging," he says. "You try to show the kids coming in to the trade what not to do, and yet, just about every job you go on holds a lesson in what guys shouldn't be doing, especially when it comes to the engineering of the duct design. It's tough to see homeowners spending good money the first time, then having to spend again a second time."

However, he's happy to continue to win Quality Home Comfort Awards by making right what was wrong, and making homeowners such as the Flints happy. And the referrals gained from doing outstanding "system savior" work in a small community such as the Southampton area are priceless.

Always one to look out for others, Patterson does have a concern related to his numerous Quality Home Comfort Awards: the well-being of Tim Ryan, the photographer who travels to take the beautiful shots that grace the pages of the Quality Home Comfort Awards.

"The last three times Tim has been here, it's been for homes on the same street within about a quarter mile of each other," Patterson laughs. "It's a beautiful town, but I think Tim's getting tired of coming up and always visiting the same neighborhood."

Featured equipment in the home includes ClimateMaster Tranquility geothermal heat pumps, and Carrier Infinity air handlers.

PRODUCTS KEY TO SUCCESS

• 2 ClimateMaster Tranquility two-stage geothermal heat pumps (3, 5 tons)
• 2 Carrier Infinity variable speed air handlers (3, 5 tons)
• 2 Carrier Infinity air purifiers
• Carrier Infinity Controls
• 2 Sanuvox 1700 UV systems
• 2 Aprilaire 400 humidifiers
• Carrier Infinity zone control system