Dad and the Boiler

My family moved often when I was a child and each new home presented a multitude of challenges for my DIY dad. In one house, the boiler kept running too hot even on the lowest setting. The inside temperature would become intolerable.

My father was an engineer and also a genius, very high IQ. So he studied the problem and designed a plan to keep this boiler in check. He spent considerable time on his complex scheme which utilized inexpensive parts from the hardware store. Armed with diagrams, charts and parts list, he headed for the local ACE one cool morning. The clerk listened and examined the drawings as Dad carefully elaborated. After a few minutes of silence, the clerk asked, “Have you thought about opening a window?”