Indoor air quality is paramount, especially now with more people spending more time in their own homes.
The level of air quality relates to both health and comfort of occupants, and is affected by temperature, humidity, ventilation, and chemical or biological contaminants found within each structure. Some good news is that air quality doesn't have to be left up to chance.
To get advice from local HVAC experts, Frisco Life checked in with Gary and Shelley Mertz, who were happy to answer all the questions. They've been in the HVAC business for 10 years, and became Aire Serv in 2017. Their company's team services at least 27 different brands for both residential and commercial needs, while handling air conditioner installations; air conditioning maintenance; and repair or replacements of air conditioners, heaters and furnaces.
What attracted you to handling this type of customer service?
Gary’s working life began in construction, and eventually moved into the hospitality industry – hotel and restaurant management. Shelley also worked in the hospitality industry and teaching. "Owning an HVAC company is a perfect blend of these vocations."
Gary uses his knowledge of the systems, materials and mechanics, while serving homeowners and helping them to get the most comfort, enjoyment and efficiency from their homes. And Shelley applies her skills both in taking great care of customers and in effectively working with and training employees to be their best.
What services do you supply?
"To make the air in which we live and breathe comfortable and clean! Everything from maintenance, service, design and installation, inspection and safety checks of the air conditioning and heating components, to improving, repairing and cleaning duct work, air filtration and purification, and installation of UV light systems. We provide these services in both residential and commercial applications."
What makes your company different from others who provide these same type of services?
"The emphasis on customer service, and the high-quality employees we have working on the team." With their hospitality backgrounds, Shelley and Gary say it feels like an art to provide best-in-class service. Each of their customer service reps, home comfort designers and service professionals have made a commitment to always do their best to WOW. They say they have a great team of dedicated, fun professionals of which they're proud. "No one WANTS to have their HVAC worked on, but there's no reason the actual experience can’t be great."
What steps have you taken given COVID-19 concerns?
They say they've been doing all they can to make customers comfortable during these strange times. They are wearing masks and gloves for each appointment, but they also are taking care to watch out for the most vulnerable clients. Whenever possible, they're concentrating efforts in service and maintenance on the outside unit until the worst of this is over. And anytime they're inside, they wipe surfaces they touch, especially thermostats, with antibacterial wipes. Additionally, the air purification system they install uses the same technology that many hospitals use to clean and sanitize hospital rooms.
Do all your technicians work directly for the company versus being contracted, solo technicians?
All of their technicians work directly for Aire Serv of Frisco. In addition to a thorough interview process and background checks, the Mertz's say their technicians are required to complete a minimum of 80 hours of training per year, and to achieve NATE certification within one year.
Are there any new services you've launched this year, or intend to launch before year's end?
With indoor air quality weighing on people's minds as a result of the pandemic, they say they want to make sure the air everyone breathes is as healthy and clean as it can be. They believe they have a distinct advantage in the field of IAQ because they've been selling UV lights and upgraded filtration for years. They say they have an excellent relationship with their IAQ vendors: Environmental Dynamic Air Quality and Lennox. Their technicians have been fully trained in what options are available and the features and benefits of each. "We can’t control the quality of the air in a lot of places where we spend time, but in our homes, we can absolutely control the air we breathe."
What do you enjoy most about working in this industry?
"Changing the way people live in their homes is definitely the biggest reward of the business. Customers are frequently amazed about how we can achieve a comfort level that they didn’t realize was possible. Everything from ducting, filtration and increased comfort, to helping a client find a new system, when that time comes, that has the benefits, features and cost they are looking for. HVAC is one of the biggest investments you will make in your home. A customer needs to have all of the information available to make the right decisions, and we see it as our job to help a client put that information together."
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