Winter is Coming: Is Your Furnace Ready?

Anyone who has ever woken up to a freezing home and an unresponsive thermostat knows how important proper furnace repair can be. Because the furnace is rarely used during the summer months, many homeowners forget to maintain this important appliance. Lack of use can cause corrosion and other problems, so preventative maintenance is always advised to prevent serious problems down the line. These tips will help ensure that your furnace is ready for winter.

1. Schedule a Fall Tune-up

Sometimes letting a professional take a look at your furnace is the best way to make sure everything is in working order. A maintenance expert can check for leaks or unhealthy gases, thoroughly clean the furnace, and make sure that the system is operating safely.

2. Change the Filter

A clogged filter will constrict the airflow through the furnace, causing it to work extra hard and reduce heat production. As a rule of thumb, filters should be changed every three to six months.

3. Make Sure the Vents are Unobstructed

Since air needs to flow easily through the vents, it’s important to make sure that they are clean and unobstructed. If air is not able to circulate freely, the system can become overworked and malfunction.

4. Check the Ducts

Increased power bills are often the result of leaking ducts. If a duct is leaking or has come apart, hot air will have a hard time reaching living areas, causing homeowners to turn the thermostat higher and higher in an attempt to stay warm. Make sure all connections are properly attached before turning on a heater for the first time.

5. Remove Flammable Objects

Take a look around the furnace and water heater to make sure the area is clear of flammable objects such as clothes, boxes, aerosol cans, paints, gasoline, and motorized yard tools.

If you have any questions about furnace repair, contact a professional at Bryant Heating and Cooling Systems today.

Schaafsma Heating and Cooling Receives Second Award for 2015

Bryant Heating and Cooling Systems offers an award to businesses that show outstanding customer service in addition to consistently selling more Bryant equipment than the average retailer. Schaafsma Heating and Cooling is pleased to count itself among the award winners, having received Bryant's Tier 2 award for 2015. The tiers are based solely on annual sales.

The Medal of Excellence Award (MOE) is only awarded to 15 Bryant dealers annually. Schaafsma, along with the 14 other award winners, will eventually compete for the top spot, the Dealer of the Year Award (DOTY), which Bryant awards to one business every year. Schaafsma has won the DOTY award once before, in 2010.

So far, this is the second award Schaafsma has received in 2015. The magazine Contracting Business named Schaafsma "Contractor of the Year." To continue with such praise, writer Terry McIver of the same magazine commented that "Schaafsma Heating & Cooling has survived for more than 100 years because its leaders were open to change." McIver continued, stating that Schaafsma is a "regional monument" in the way it consistently serves its customers. Schaafsma's claim to fame is the "red carpet treatment," meaning that the company will do whatever possible to meet its customer's needs.

The Bryant slogan is "Whatever it Takes." Coming from a company that, like Schaafsma, is also over 100 years old, the award is meant to value businesses who show hard work and dedication. Schaafsma will continue this trend of hard work and commitment as long as possible, serving the people of the Grand Rapids area with the highest possible dedication and expertise.

Stay Cool This Summer With Regular Air Conditioner Maintenance

When homeowners think about maintenance on their air conditioner, they think about fixing something that is broken. However, true maintenance happens when the unit appears to be working well. Regularly scheduled maintenance is critical for your HVAC system, and the Red Carpet Maintenance Program will ensure that your air conditioner is ready for the heat of summer.

Protect Your Warranty

AC systems break down most frequently during the summer months. This makes sense because that is the time when your unit will be working the hardest to keep you comfortable. If your system is under warranty, you have very little to fear other than a few days of downtime while it gets repaired. However, many manufacturer warranties require regular maintenance to be performed on the system. Getting a tune up each year will ensure that your system is fully protected by its manufacturer’s warranty.

Benefits of Regular Maintenance

One of the biggest benefits of an efficient, working AC system is saving money on your electric bill. As the AC gets further and further away from its original efficiency, it requires more energy to run effectively, which can be especially problematic during the summer months. Regular maintenance will also save you money on future repairs by diagnosing issues before they become even worse and preventing unexpected breakdowns. Checking the Freon levels, coils, filters, and looking for leaks on a routine basis will limit headaches down the line.

Protect your investment, and make sure your air conditioner is running at peak efficiency. Join our Red Carpet Maintenance Plan today!

Schaafsma Heating and Cooling named 2015 Residential HVAC Contractor of the Year

We are so proud to announce we have been named the 2015 Residential HVAC contractor of the year by Business Contracting magazine.

We have been serving the Greater Grand Rapids since 1905 with quality HVAC products and services. Our motto is "Red Carpet Treatment".  That is giving the best service possible and treating our customers as though they are stars, because in our eyes they are!

Click on the link below to see our article in Contracting Business Magazine!


2015 HVAC Contractor of the Year

2014 BBB of Western Michigan Torch Award Finalist

We are proud to announce we were a finalist for the 2014 BBB of Western Michigan Torch Award. This award is based on business ethics that has been the foundation of our company since 1905.  It's a nomination that proves we treat our employees and customers fairly. To be considered we had to submit documentation on various practices within our business and were up against many different businesses in Western Michigan.

If you are considering new furnace or air conditioner doesn't it make sense to work with a contractor that is known for implementing the best business practices in the local industry? Especially when you are making a significant investment in your home?  There are a lot of contractors out there that install a furnace without taking into consideration the comfort of your family or without a thorough evaluation of the home. Unfortunately, a quality job is not the first thing on their mind and sadly this is more common that you think.  If you are in the market for a new furnace or air conditioner please consider us first. We can also service most models of heating and cooling equipment. We will do everything we can to ensure your satisfaction.