Monday, December 12, 2011

We're Now Supplying Aprilaire IAQ Products  

0 comments


We have recently added Aprilaire indoor air quality and humidity control products to our product offerings.

We're stocking Aprilaire’s whole-home humidifiers, including models 600A automatic, 400A automatic, 600M manual, 400M manual and the 800 steam humidifier. All Aprilaire humidification systems are digitally controlled, set-it-and-forget-it, and can be installed for both residential and commercial use.

By partnering with Aprilaire we’re able to supply our dealers, especially those in the Knoxville and Chattanooga markets, with an indoor air quality line that will help them cater to the needs of their customers.

Aprilaire is part of Research Products Corporation, a maker of indoor air quality products. Based in Madison, Wisconsin, Aprilaire produces humidifiers, dehumidifiers, air filters, thermostats and zone-control HVAC systems.

Contact your local Comfort Supply branch to learn more about the new IAQ products.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Holiday Greetings from Comfort Supply  

0 comments

Happy holidays from all of us here at Comfort Supply!
 
We wish you and your family a season of warmth, joy and wonder. 
 
We also wanted to quickly notify you of our holiday and inventory closures.
 
All locations will be closed Friday, December 23, Saturday, December 24 and Monday, December 26 for the Christmas holiday. We will also be closed Monday, January 2 for New Years. Our Nashville location will be open from 8 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 31. If you have an emergency and need to contact Comfort Supply during these times, please call our emergency phone number at (615) 207-2858
 
Our Murfreesboro and Cookeville locations will be closed Friday, December 16 for inventory. Our Nashville location will also be closed Friday, December 16 and Saturday, December 17 for inventory.
 
Thank you for your business and support throughout 2011. We wish you a bright and auspicious beginning to 2012.

Thursday, December 1, 2011

We're Open in Chattanooga!  

0 comments

The view from Lookout Mountain over the city of Chattanooga.
Today we are officially opening our sixth location in Chattanooga. The new warehouse and showroom at 3000 Broad Street will be the first Ruud PROSTOCK store for Comfort Supply. The 20,000-square-foot Chattanooga store will offer parts and supplies that residential and commercial contractors need to install and service HVAC equipment.

By being a PROSTOCK store, our customers will benefit by having access to a greater PROSTOCK product offering, and greater stock consistency.

In 2010, Business Facilities magazine ranked Chattanooga first in the country for metro economic growth potential. The magazine cited Volkswagen’s $1 billion assembly plant in Enterprise South industrial park that, when ramped up, will employ more than 2,000 workers. An adjoining supplier park will create another 500 jobs.

All these things make Chattanooga the perfect location for our new store. This area is growing quickly and it is our opinion that it will only continue to grow in the coming years. We look forward to forming new customer relationships and cementing our commitment to the city of Chattanooga.

Jeremy Whitworth is the branch manager for the new store. You can reach him by calling 423.826.0349 (local) or 1.855.661.2992 (toll-free).

If you have any questions about our new branch, just leave them in the comments below.

Monday, November 7, 2011

Ruud Digital Controls Class  

0 comments

The Ruud Digital Controls Class that was scheduled for this Wednesday 11-9-11 has been canceled. We regret any inconvenience this may cause.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Training Class Canceled  

0 comments

Please advise: The Nashville training class that was scheduled for tomorrow has been canceled. As of now, we do not have a rescheduled date. That's the November 2 (Nashville): Ruud Comfort Control II Systems / OTNTT-CCS2 class that's been canceled. We're sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

GeneralAire Counter Days  

0 comments


Want to learn more about GeneralAire?  

Stop by one of Comfort Supply's upcoming Counter Days (and enjoy a free meal while you're here!)

GeneralAire Counter Day Schedule

Tuesday, November 1, 2011
  • Nashville Counter Day over lunch
  • 305 Arlington Ave., Nashville, TN 37210
  • Call 615.244.0920 for more information

Wednesday, November 2, 2011
  • Murfreesboro Counter Day over lunch
  • 1514 Sarah Ct., Murfreesboro, TN 37129
  • Call 615.907.1120 for more information

Thursday, November 3, 2011
  • Knoxville Counter Day in the morning
  • Cookeville Counter Day over lunch
  • 608 Business Park Ln., Knoxville, TN 37932 OR 1410 Imperial Dr., Cookeville, TN 38501
  • Call 865.675.2774 (Knoxville) OR 931.432.0569 (Cookeville) for more information            

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Annual Chili Cookoff 10/28/11  

0 comments

Comfort Supply will host its Annual Chili Cookoff on Friday, 10/28 at our Nashville branch location.

All contractors are invited to come enjoy project demonstrations and some friendly chili competition.

Friday, October 28
11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Comfort Supply Nashville
305 Arlington Avenue
Nashville, TN
(615) 244-0920

Haven't been able to attend a Chili Cookoff in the past? Check out the pictures from last year's event here.

Monday, October 17, 2011

Market Continues to Challenge Distributors  

0 comments

Check out this article in November's ACHR News that discusses the current HVAC distribution market trends. The magazine interviewed me for the article, and I think it does a good job laying out a general overview of the types of things we're seeing across the industry.

Let me know what you think!

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Comfort Supply Announces New Product Line: MonoFoil  

0 comments

We're happy to announce that all Comfort Supply locations have started carrying MonoFoil, by Coeus Technology.


What is MonoFoil?

MonoFoil is an antimicrobial that when applied to a surface will protect that surface against molds, fungi, bacteria, algae and mildew.

How can MonoFoil help your customers?

MonoFoil can be applied to HVAC system components (insulation, coils, fans, walls, frames, filters, etc.)

Take, for example, air filters.

Air filters are part of the front-line defense for dealing with microbial problems in your customers' homes and offices. Fungi and bacteria thrive in air filters because they provide the moisture, nutrients, temperature and surfaces that these microorganisms need to survive, grow and reproduce. Humidity of the air being filtered leads to moisture, and the filter medium, finishing compounds, fibers and binding agents are receptive surfaces and nutrients for microorganisms.

When sprayed on a filter, MonoFoil can make that filter more efficient by protecting it from abnormal fungal and bacteria growth. This in turn reduces household dust and odors. Also, ASHRAE tests have shown that treating filters with MonoFoil doesn't negatively affect the filter performance, i.e. it has no affect on the filter's trapping capabilities.

What are MonoFoil's features?
  • It's odorless and colorless
  • Non-toxic
  • It doesn't gas or pollute the surrounding environment
  • Contains no heavy metals, phenols or arsenic
  • It permanently bonds to target surfaces
  • Can be applied to almost all interior surfaces
  • Long-lasting
It's effective, affordable, safe (it won't create the much feared "superbug") and easy to apply.

How can I learn more?

Contact your local Comfort Supply sales rep, and we will be happy to fill you in about all the details regarding MonoFoil.

Friday, September 23, 2011

Buy a Bosch, Get $50 Free  

0 comments

Buy a Bosch Tankless Water Heater, get a $50 giftcard to Bass Pro Shop or Wal-Mart.

Promotion runs October 1 through November 30

Visit or call one of Comfort Supply's locations for more information. 



Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Double your Atlantis Trip Points!  

0 comments


Earn Double Atlantis Trip Points

For all purchases of Ruud equipment 14 SEER or higher

October 1, 2011 through November 30, 2011

Contact your Comfort Supply Salesman for more details. 
Learn more about the Atlantis Adventure Trip here.

Friday, September 9, 2011

Don’t Wait Until Spring For HVAC Inspections  

0 comments


Conventional wisdom suggests that an annual inspection of a homeowner’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning system is the best way to maintain the health and peak efficiency of a system.

Usually a HVAC contractor performs that maintenance in the spring, in preparation for the upcoming summer. But, what about fall maintenance for the upcoming winter months?

When switching from cooling to heating, there are maintenance tasks in the fall can have a big impact on homeowners’ utility bills in the winter. It’s just as important that your heating equipment work at its peak efficiency as your cooling equipment, and in many climates where heating costs far outweigh cooling costs, it’s more important.

Comfort Supply suggests semiannual HVAC maintenance—in the fall and in the spring—to detect and prevent future costly repairs.

Contractors should inspect and service gas controls, heat exchanges, heat pumps, coils and condensers. Clean coils on heat pumps, and combustion chambers on gas furnaces. Watch for rusted or cracked heat exchanges as these can release carbon monoxide into a customer’s home.

It’s one thing to present semiannual maintenance as an option to a homeowner. It’s another thing entirely to actually sell the idea.

We recommend setting up automated communications to homeowners to let them know when maintenance is due. This can be done through email, direct mail or over the phone. Communicate to your customers through the channels that they prefer, and make it as easy a possible for customers to be aware of and schedule upcoming maintenance.

Contractors can also add a semiannual inspection option to their service contracts, and contractors sell this option by highlighting its benefits.

The best way to sell semiannual preventative maintenance is to be honest and remind the homeowner of its primary benefit: It decreases costs over the entire life of the HVAC equipment. If long-term benefits evade your customer, use short-term examples the homeowner can understand. For example, leaking ducts can reduce energy efficiency by up to 20 percent. That’s $15 on a $75 monthly utility bill.

Friday, September 2, 2011

SEER vs. EER  

0 comments


Do you know the difference between ‘SEER’ and ‘EER’ ratings? If so, do you know how to explain this difference to your customers? Do you know which is the better ranking to use in different situations and why it matters?

What’s SEER?

SEER: Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio

The most common measurement used to rank the efficiency of a central air conditioner, SEER is   the certified AHRI rating for a residential product 65,000 BTUH and under. SEER ratings are determined in “moderate temperatures,” 82 degrees or below.

What’s EER?

EER: Energy Efficiency Ratio

It’s the AHRI certified rating for commercial equipment with capacity greater than 65,000 BTUH. EER is a hot weather snapshot of efficiency taken at the same conditions as AHRI Listed Capacity, 95 degrees or hotter.

How can you explain SEER vs. EER ratings to your customers?

Start by using buzzwords like ‘Energy Star,’ which designates equipment that ranks in the top 25% of efficiency. Then explain that while SEER is more commonly known, both SEER and EER ratings are considered in Energy Star calculations. The difference being that SEER is a rating of efficiency at moderate temps and EER is a rating of efficiency at extreme temps.

Which ranking is better to use?

The EER rating is truly the most effective way to measure the efficiency of a central air conditioner. When do homeowners care more about their air conditioners, when it’s 75 degrees or when it’s 100 degrees outside? If you answered 100 degrees (which is what most people answer) then your customers are better off getting a central air conditioner with a high EER rating.

Why does it matter?

Besides saving homeowners energy (and money on utility bills) when they need it most, equipment with a higher EER rating tends to be more expensive, so you can upgrade your sale simply by having the SEER vs. EER conversation with your customer.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

HVAC Salesmen Take Applications on the Road  

0 comments


Smartphone and tablet technology can help increase productivity & sales opportunities

At the intersection of technology and the heating and air conditioning industry lies a glut of smartphone and tablet apps for the HVAC professional. There’s HVAC Buddy, HVAC Formulator, HVAC Terminology and the ACCA and ASHRAE apps to name a few. But the question remains, how—if at all—are these tools being used in the field?

We recently asked two Comfort Supply employees how they use smartphone and tablet technology. See their responses below.

Micah Sandlin, an outside salesman, has been outfitted with an iPad for two months. “I use it more and more everyday,” Sandlin said.

His favorite tool is Docs to Go, an application that enables you to create documents such as quotes to send to others, or keep and send to your email. “I can create an order and send it to the sales counter, so my customer can get products without waiting for me to get back to the office,” Sandlin said.

Rocky Cothran, technical service advisor, also finds the app helpful. “You can store any file that you need, like your price list, spec books and list of Middle Tennessee contractors,” Cothran said. “The app helps you find documents really quickly too. I can easily search 200 page manuals.”

Another useful tool when out in the field is the Contractors App Box. “With this app, I can still write an order when I’m on the road. The app pulls up the form just like an order sheet, then emails it directly to the computer in the office,” Cothran said. “You can also access job site and accident sheets, invoicing materials, estimates and purchase order emails.”

Built-in, general use applications like note pads, calendars and maps can also improve an HVAC salesman’s productivity.

“I use the iPad’s NotePad Pro app all the time. It’s a really helpful tool to take notes with on job site calls,” Sandlin said. “Since the app stores notes by the date the data was entered, my notes stay organized too.”

“The notepad works great for me, just like a pencil and paper,” Cothran said. “I can even create wiring diagrams and email them back to the office. Obviously, when you’re driving around Tennessee and Kentucky, the GPS app comes in very handy too.”

Having technology readily available also allows HVAC salesman to pull up websites on a sales call.

Salesmen can pull up a supplier’s website and show their customers the latest specs, equipment, sales and any promotions that we may be having. For example, Honeywell has a very readable website on the iPad. Salesmen can look up thermostats, search by model number and download installer instructions.

“There are so many products on the market, it’s hard to remember all the model specs. When I’m on the road with my iPhone or iPad, I can research my competitor’s products on the Internet. By learning about other products, I can better sell my unit over someone else’s unit,” Cothran said. “It’s a tool that helps me perform my job better.”

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Pick-A-Trip Winners  

0 comments


There were 48 trips won in this year's Pick-A-Trip contest. That's 2.5 times more trips than last year! You can find the winners and prize levels below. For more details on the vacations won, visit our website. Thanks to all of our contractors to participated in this fantastic program!

Level One Winners:
  • Comfort Zone Heating and Cooling
  • Jason's Heating & Cooling
  • Mid South Appliance 
  • Premier Heating and Cooling
  • Qualified Service & Instillation
  • Southern Heat & Air
  • Stidhams Heat & Air
  • Larry Gentry
  • D&L Heating and Cooling
  • Designed Climate
  • Home Heat & Air Conditioning Services
  • JEM Mechanical
  • Beard's Heating and Cooling
  • Bobby Fox
  • Darrell Lyle Construction
  • Giles Insulators
  • McBroom's HVAC
  • McNeese Service
  • Mid-State Air Conditioning & Heating
  • Sewell Electric
  • Accu Comfort HVAC
  • All Seasons Comfort LLC (2 trips won)
  • Iles Heating and Cooling (2 trips won)
  • Pro-Service Heat & Air (2 trips won)
  • Rogers Service
  • Sain Heating & Cooling
  • Sparta Heating & AC (3 trips won)
  • Taylor Service
  • WW Morrow
  • B&R Services
  • L&G Plumbing and Heating Services
  • H & H Heating, Air & Refrigeration (2 trips won)
  • Link's Heating & Air Conditioning
  • Malugin Heating & Cooling
  • Total Comfort Systems
Level Two Winners:
  • Cloud's Heating & Cooling
  • Charles Stone Heating & Cooling
  • Taylor Service
  • Link's Heating & Air Conditioning
Level Three Winners: (there were no Level Three winners)

Level Four Winners:

Friday, June 17, 2011

Sizzling Summer Special  

0 comments

Buy a Ruud tankless water heater, Ruud generator or Samsung minisplit –  and select one Omaha Steaks® gourmet package from the Omaha Steaks President’s Collection. To see the list of 12 options to choose from, click here.

Offer going on July 1 through August 31, 2011.

Visit or call your local Comfort Supply store today for more information – and start your summer off sizzling!

 

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Go Green or Go Home  

1 comments

It's been a year since we started our Certified Green Contractor program and it's going great! Three companies have qualified for the program so far: J&J Heating & Cooling, Total HVAC and Temp Control LLC.  

Why should you go green? Green initiatives can help bring in new business. More and more customers are looking to their HVAC contractors for environmentally conscientious options.

Ollie Johnson, co-owner of J&J Heating & Cooling, said, “Green business was up last year. It seems that customers are interested in anything that J&J can do to save them money and lower their energy costs. Any program that catches customers’ attentions and gets them interested in your company is a good thing.”

In addition to our Green Contractor Program, we recently launched the Rapid Recovery Program. The DYNACYCLE Refrigerant Recycling Program gives you store credit, good towards any purchase, in return for your R22 Recovery Cylinders. To learn more about Rapid Recovery read this blog entry on the program.

To help your company get green, we've compiled some resources on our website. We've gathered all sorts of information regarding our Certified Green Contractor Program, green contractors, green equipment and green news all in one place.

Think your company has what it takes? Interested in working towards becoming the next Comfort Supply Certified Green Contractor? Contact your local Comfort Supply salesperson, or call 800-467-4235 to get started.

Friday, June 3, 2011

Can Potential Customers Find You?  

0 comments

(Courtesy of HubSpot Blog)
Out are the days of telephone book listings. In are the days of online directories.

The internet is now the go-to-place for people to find local businesses. But how do you know what sites are the most important? Lucky for you, the people at HubSpot Blog have compiled a great list of the top-50 local business directories.

Below is the list, but you can also click here for more information.

So go ahead. Check the list out. If your company isn't on some of these--sign up now! Simply registering your company with these directories can make it 100 times easier for your customers to find you!

Top-50 Business Directories:

1. Google
2. Bing
3. Yahoo!
4. Yelp
5. Merchant Circle
6. LinkedIn
7. YellowPages.com
9. Whitepages
10. Supermedia
11. Yellowbook
12. CitySearch
13. Mapquest
14. Biznik
15. Local.com
16. Foursquare
17. ThinkLocal
18. CitySlick
19. USYellowPages
20. MyCity
21. Outside.in
22. Dex
23. BizJournals.com
24. TeleAtlas
25. Justclicklocal
26. Discover our Town
27. Metrobot
28. Best Deals on
29. twibs
30. LocalEze
31. Kudzu
32. CityVoter
33. Manta
34. Zipweb
35. MatchPoint
36. UsCity.net
37. Local Site submit
38. InfoUSA
39. Axciom
40. Infignos
41. Yellowassistance
42. ChoiceVendor.com
42. Myhuckleberry
43. Genieknows
44. MojoPages
45. Brownbook
46. Magic Yellow
47. CitySquares
48. TeleAtlas
49. Navteq GPS

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

R22 Freon Sale  

0 comments

R22 Freon Sale going on now at all Comfort Supply locations

Sale Ends June 30, 2011

Call or visit your Comfort Supply sales rep for pricing and information

Buy More! Save More!

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Reduced Fees on KwikComfort Financing Program  

0 comments

Ruud is pleased to announce the continued relationship with GE Money that will provide Ruud Reliable Top Contractors with strong financing tools and programs through our Ruud KwikComfort Financing Program.

To celebrate our continued partnership, Ruud and GE Money are pleased to announce new, lower contractor fees on all With Payment, Deferred Interest credit plans! The new program rate sheets have been posted for your convenience here. If you aren't yet an enrolled Contractor, visit us to enroll and review the program information.


Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Nashville Open House (More Pictures!)  

0 comments

Our Nashville Open House on Friday, May 13 was packed with people enjoying the food, vendors and Lane Motor Museum. Photos from the event are posted below.





Craig Killebrew, Craig's AC; David Blunkall, Air Comfort

Matt Reiners, General Air; David Butler, Comfort Supply; Tim Barton, General Air

Bray Melson, Rapid Recovery; Billy Jobe, Comfort Supply

Dennis Hargus, Hargus Heating & Air; Dan Melson, Rapid Recovery

Tim Barton, General Air; Ogden Rattliff, Comfort Supply

Tammi, Josiah and Terry Hudgnis, Cool Solutions Repair

L to R: Clay Blevins, Brad Blevins, Tim Kentner and Jim Eades of Blevins Inc.

Terry, Tim and Michael of Qualified Service-Installation

Kevin Harbour and Jacob McDaniel, Total HVAC

Chris Lydick and Jim Barber, Blevins Inc.

Eloy and Susan Saban with their children (Dillon, Sasha and Emily), Temp Control LLC

Clarksville Open House - Pictures from the Event  

0 comments

Thanks to all who attended our Clarksville Open House on Thursday, May 12. The weather and event was great. Check out the photos below & see you next year!


L to R: Jay Hammond, GEO Excel; Dan Hoegemeier, Mueller Industries; Chad Taylor, Gray Flex; Brandon Lemons, Ralph Easterday; Gene Dyke, Fieldpiece; Dan Melson, Rapid Recovery

Brandon Lemons, Ralph Easterday; Chad Taylor, Gray Flex

Rucker Chunn, JayKay Sales; Gene Dyke, Fieldpiece

David Peck; Johnny Ransdell, Johnny Ransdell Plumbing; Jimmy Shelton; Comfort Supply

Tim Duncan, Standex

Steve Cook, Morton Mechanical; Dan Melson, Rapid Recovery; Gordon Ramseur, Reflectix; Billy Jobe, Comfort Supply

Johnathan Greene and Adam Harrison, H & H Heating & Air; Daniel Long, Comfort Supply

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Open Houses This Week (3 locations!)  

0 comments

It's open house time again -- this time with our Clarksville, Murfreesboro and Nashville locations getting in on the fun.

Here are the details:

Clarksville Open House
  • DATE: Thursday, May 12, 2011
  • TIME: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
  • LOCATION: 1460 New Ashland City Road, Clarksville, TN 37040
For more information, please contact Mark White at the Clarksville office (931) 802-6050.

Murfreesboro Open House
  • DATE: Thursday, May 12, 2011
  • TIME: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
  • LOCATION: 1514 Sarah Court, Murfreesboro, TN 37129
For more information, please contact Rob Warpool at the Murfreesboro office (615) 907-1120.
 
Nashville Open House
  • DATE: Friday, May 13, 2011
  • TIME: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
  • LOCATION: Lane Motor Museum, 702 Murfreesboro Pike, Nashville, TN 37210
The Lane Motor Museum is next to the Comfort Supply Nashville headquarters. There will be FREE museum admission for Comfort Supply guests and visitors. For more information, please contact Crissy Bond at the Nashville office (615) 244-0920.

Food, fun and product demonstrations for all. Hope to see you there!

Monday, May 2, 2011

Knoxville Grand Opening: Pictures from the Event  

0 comments

Tents outside the new Knoxville location

Lee Purvis, Centainteed; Matt Reiners, General Aid

Greg Moore, Brandon Lemons and Chad Taylor

Clay Blevins, Randy Roberts

Mike Himmel, Pro Stock and Billy Jobe, Comfort Supply

Dan Melson and Sue Smith

John Lay, Eagle Heat & Air; David Sosna and Clay Blevins, Comfort Supply

Ogden Rattliff, Clay Blevins and Billy Jobe, Comfort Supply

Al Allen and David Sosna, Comfort Supply




These are just a sample of the photos from the event. Check out our Facebook page to see more.