Now that summer is here, your customer's HVAC system
"time at shine" has finally arrived. It has rested all winter and now
is the time for it to get to work. The important thing is to make sure things
are set up so that it can do its job efficiently. For the system to do its job
properly, it just needs the "space" to work. Summer weather puts a
strain on these systems. There is a reason that we see an increase in service
calls at this time of year.
To make sure that your company is the company that they call
when there is a problem, send out a Helpful Tips letter. If you ever needed to
be present for your customer, this is an excellent way to do that. And this
time of the year is a great time to remind your customers that there are some
things that they can do themselves to make the HVAC system's job easier while
making themselves more comfortable. And regular maintenance has the added
benefit of conserving energy and lowering their utility bills.
And for marketing purposes, there is nothing quite like
putting a mailer in the hands of the homeowner or business owner. That's right,
a good old-fashioned U.S. Mail type of mailer that's professionally printed on
glossy paper. These professionally designed and printed brochures are
inexpensive, and they add a lot to your image. This is not a job that an email
or text can ever hope to accomplish. This is the perfect time to mail a notice
to your customer list with a reminder of a few things they can do to get their
system ready for the heavy lifting of the summer. The hot and humid season is
the time when you want them to remember who you are and especially how to get
in touch with you. So if you don't have some full-color brochures and some
stickers for those mailings, it's time to order them today. They are not only
inexpensive, but we also have a quick turnaround time. And of course, don't
forget to insert some business cards.
Many of these maintenance activities we will discuss
probably should have been done in the spring, before the cooling season began.
But you can't go back in time, and it's still not too late for them to do some
basic maintenance that will make their system more efficient and utility bills
lower. And remember, this is a very
strategic time to be in touch with your customer. Most problems with HVAC
systems occur in the summer when the demands on the equipment are at its
highest. This is the time where you want your company to be at the forefront of
their minds. There's no better way to do that then to put a full-color brochure
in their hands. Here are a few things you can mention in your letter:
The Thermostat
Probably the biggest change for the HVAC system other than
the summer heat is the change in the schedule of the people who live in the
house. In the summer, children don't go to school, people do go on vacations,
there are summer sports, and beach trips and people come to visit. There is
generally a whole new schedule in and around the house. Add to that, the
exterior doors are open and closed a lot more in the summer, causing a lot more
dust in the air. So, with the cooling system working overtime, it's a good time
to bring attention to the different options with the thermostat settings. If
their system has an older, non-programmable thermostat, you could suggest that
they upgrade to a newer electronic thermostat. The savings and convenience
would surely pay for the change.
Air Filters
Another good reminder is to change the air filters in their
system. Summertime is a dusty time in most parts of the country. Filters
usually get clogged in the summertime more than any other time of the year.
They should check their filters and replace them even if they are only
partially used. These filters are not very expensive, and trying to get a few
more months out of their filters doesn't make sense. Also, they might forget to
check the filters until next year. You can suggest that they consider an
allergy-reducing filter for even finer filtered air. Even though they will be
doing this work themselves, you will be giving them valuable advice. Not only
will this help them, but it's good marketing on your part. It's a win-win
situation.
The External Unit
Remind them to clean the external unit on a regular basis.
They should do it every time the lawn is mowed, or a leaf blower is used around
the unit. They should especially pay attention to debris that can accumulate
and prevent the heat from escaping the system. Often, because the unit is
outdoors, customers don't even think about it. It's an out of sight, out of
mind situation. This is an easy thing
for them to do, and it has a huge benefit.
They should clear the area around the unit. Weeds are often
a big offender when it comes to blocking the efficient use of the system. They
should make sure that there are no plants, bikes, lawn furniture, or other
items within two feet of the unit.
Storing things close to the outer part of the air conditioner is a bad
idea.
Having a system that is allowed plenty of good air
circulation around the unit is critical to its performance. While it is the
technician's job to repair a compressor or a switch, many of these regular
maintenance duties can be best performed by the homeowner or business owner. In
fact, some of them can only be done by the homeowner or business owner.
Vents
Another thing that your customers should check are the vents
inside the house. All vents should be open and unblocked. Explain to them that if they want a certain
part of the house to get less air conditioning then, if possible, they should
control that by turning off the air conditioning in those spaces. Shutting the
vents is an unreliable and usually more expensive way of trying to control the
heating and cooling zones. Also, they should make sure vents are not blocked by
carpets, furniture, or other things. The air must be allowed to circulate
freely throughout the home.
Add Bleach To the Drain
Another simple item that the customer can do is make sure
the condensate drain is clear. As microbes grow in this standing water, it can
back up and overflow, causing water damage in the home as well as the HVAC
unit. It also can add humidity back into the air. A little chlorine bleach in
the drain area every few months will do the trick.
Add a Whole House Dehumidifier
Some areas of the country are very humid, and the addition
of a whole house dehumidifier can pull water out of the air reducing the strain
on the air conditioning system. Air conditioners do remove some moisture from
the air, but in some areas of the country, the air is too humid for the air
conditioner to get it all. Adding whole house dehumidifiers can be a worthwhile
investment in saving their system and adding to their comfort.
Good For Your
Customer - Good For Your Company
A mailing like this, with good advice tips for your
customer, is a win-win situation. This type of advice is helpful to your
customer. It will make their system run more efficiently and make them more
comfortable. Also, it will convey to them that you care about them and their
HVAC system. And most importantly, as with any marketing, it will show that you
are a high-quality company who is available to help them when they have a
problem.
Your customers should learn to make these simple maintenance
steps part of their regular household routine. Even though they are simple,
inexpensive and will keep their systems in good running order, most people in
the industry know that homeowners usually don't get around to it. If you offer
a regular service contract, an annual maintenance tune-up should be part of it.
Let your customer know that annual contracts pay for themselves many times over
in the life of the system. Preventative maintenance is the best kind of
maintenance.
Conclusion
Like most things in life, the goals here are multifaceted. The primary goal is to service your customer so that their HVAC s