Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Building Better Budgets  

0 comments





Over the next few months, Comfort Supply will be running a series of articles on the subject of "Open Book Management (OBM)." With Open Book Management, every employee learns to understand the company's financials along with the other numbers that are critical to tracking the business's performance.

Click on this link to read an article from the HVAC news featuring Comfort Supply and O.B.M.
O.B.M. is something that is very important to Comfort Supply, because this is how we run our company. It has helped us be more successful, and we wholeheartedly endorse it for any company.
This is our budgeting season, which is a high-involvement planning process. Employees who have responsibility for various items on the financial statements participate in this process. Here are some tips for budgeting.

1. Build a true cost system. A true standard cost system reflects what you should be spending on specific items, and not simply what you shelled out for them last year. It's a critical budgeting step, and here's why: If you've been operating inefficiently by spending too much money, and this year you create a budget using last year's inflated cost, then you're simply flooding your system with more inefficient. Instead, you analyze every product or service.

2. Adopt a cost-conscious mentality. Every month, mangers at Critz Inc., an auto dealership, review composite financials published by the company's trade association. This discipline, practiced over time, has made budgeting easier and more accurate. Every year, managers make firm commitments to advertising, personnel, training and inventory. "If we plan to sell 70 cars a month , we'll need 130 in stock. So we factor in those opportunity costs, " explains president Dale Critz, Jr.

3. Avoid excessive detail at the outset. When beginning the budgeting process. Focus first on the high-impact expenses, the ones that matter most to company profitability. For many of our coaching clients, the Pareto wisdom prevails: 80% of their issues are found in 20% of their line items. However, once you get into the budgeting groove, you can and should sweat the small stuff.

4. Break down expenses into useful, controllable items. Allocating more expenses to departments generally encourages autonomy. Make sure employee salaries and expenses land in the right departmental budget, and show people how those numbers vary. If you run a sales organization, keep an eye on travel, entertainment and selling expenses. If run a consulting firm, dig into those billable hours. You want to develop a simple , descriptive income statement that helps employees immediately understand the effects of what they do every day.

5. Use "other " line items strategically. "We're in the service business," says the owner of an open book health club.' If a member get a flat tire in the parking lot, I don't want to hurt any one's budget." The solution: A staffer fills in a "member give back" form which a special payout will be warranted, and the cost comes out of a particular budget line. Also, before you lump together small expenses, have a good feel for the historical trends of the individual items.
6. Build the budget collaboratively-and commit to it. In October, teams receive a refined sales forecast, and they spend six weeks filling in expenses. They consider industry norms, planned price changes and all the "what-ifs". They set reasonable expense targets and plug them into a spreadsheet to see what they look like. From there, it's refine, refine, refine. Once teams have cost projections they can live with for the next twelve months, they commit to them by signing their budgets.

7. Develop an easy-to-understand P&L. Southwest Airlines pioneered it, and many other open book companies have adopted it: the simple, illustrated, single page (doubled-sided) P&L handout that summarizes in everyday language what each line refers to. It provides employees. especially new ones, with a cheat sheet explaining items they may not fully understand. Preparing the handout (and a scoreboard) takes an afternoon, tops. Why not do the same with your balance sheet and cash flow statement.





Updated and Additional Tax Credit Offerings  

0 comments

UPDATED and ADDITIONAL TAX CREDIT OFFERINGS

Gas Furnaces

Ruud is pleased to announce an update to the Tax Credit forms for gas furnaces that qualify for the "Advanced Main Air Circulating Fan" credit. After reviewing the costs associated with these models it was determined that they qualify for a tax credit up to 11.1% of the installed cost of the furnace, not to exceed $1500.00. The specific percentage for each qualifying model is listed on the Tax Credit forms available at http://www.ruud.com/ Each model is different and it is important to visit this site to verify the correct percentage.

Systems

Ruud is also pleased to announce additional Tax Credit qualified condensing unit systems. Our 14AJM and UAPM models are now qualified through 4 tons with select gas furnaces and air handlers. Please see the Tax Credit forms available at http://www.ruud.com/ for specific combinations that are qualified for these credits.


Thursday, September 3, 2009

Ruud sign from the past  

0 comments


Ruud has changed their logo several times. We think this one was from the seventies. This sign was seen at Gilliams AC in Centerville, TN

Thursday, July 30, 2009

It's Never TOO Late  

0 comments




Have You Heard? RUUD National Consumer Rebate Program Extended until November 30th, 2009. Fall Blackout Dates Suspended !!


GeoExcel incentives and credits make geothermal systems even more affordable. In some areas, your local utility company may offer rebates or other incentives. Some states and federal governments offer newly legislated tax incentives.


Coming Soon!! ! R-22 Reclaim


Did you know? Comfort Supply is a NATE testing center. You may take your


Certification or Re-certification at Comfort. Must be scheduled two weeks


in advance. Fees do apply.


SALES !!! SALES !!! SALES!!!! Buy any Samsung Mini Split and receive a


$50.00 gift card from Bass Pro Shop or Walmart, your choice. Samsung


must be stock item.


Honeywell Thermostats and Accessories on sale.


Spend $100.00 or more per order and receive a bottle of red coil cleaner free. Limit 4 per


customer and 1 order transaction. Please mention ad when ordering.




PLEASE contact Comfort Supply or your Salesman for more information.




Wednesday, July 15, 2009

GEO EXCEL  

0 comments

Comfort Supply recently had a training / information class on GEO EXCEL. Over 35 customers and vendors attended. There are many incentives and credits that make geothermal systems more affordable. Many local, state and federal incentives are available for geothermal heat pump installation. RESIDENTIAL MAXIMUM CREDIT is one time of 30 % of installation cost, with no maximum. QUALIFYING SYSTEMS include closed or open loop geothermal heat pumps. Must meet or exceed Enerystar requirements and be installed after Dec. 31, 2007. TIME FRAME, this credit is available until Dec. 31, 2016. COMMERCIAL CUSTOMERS there is a 10 % tax credit, with no maximum available for commercial installations. There are many other incentives in place for commercial installations, depending on location, and type of system.

PLEASE CHECK http://www.dsireusa.org/ for information pertaining to your state, or http://thomas.loc.gov/

Comfort Supply can assist you with all of your GEO THERMAL needs.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

June & July update  

0 comments


We will be closed friday and saturday of next week (7/3 &7/4)

RHEEM / RUUD Rated in the top 2 spots in a recent survey by Consumer Reports. A poll of over 32,000 readers was done, and survey results shown that Rheem and RUUD were less likely to breakdown and need costly repairs when compared to other brands. For full article please visit www.consumerreports.com


Thanks to our customers and vendors "YEE - HAW" day was a great success. Over 300 guests attended our open house, enjoying food, fun, door prizes, and a 2 day sale. Hope to see more of "YALL" next year !!


WHAT'S ON SALE...Scratch and Dent ITEMS, and R-22 Clearance, which includes Split GAS 80% R-22 and Split Heat Pump R-22 (heater kits sold seperately). Free Walmart or Bass Pro Shop Gift Card your choice, with any Samsung Mini Split(must be stock item, while supplies last, this offer good through July 31, 2009). Call us for more details.


GO GREEN...COMFORT SUPPLY will hold a GEO Thermal Training Seminar on July 9, 2009 from 8:00 am - 4:00 pm. Lunch will be provided, and location to be determinded. Please call 615-244-0920 to reserve your spot.

Friday, April 24, 2009

Looking for someone to do commercial take-offs  

0 comments

We are looking for someone to do commercial take-offs, pricing and bids. If you know of anyone, please have them call me at 615-244-0921.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

RUUD Dealer Meeting  

0 comments



Comfort Supply held a dealer meeting at the Lane Motor Museum on April 21, 2009.
Tax Credits, New Products, and

Consumer Rebates were the topics covered by Mr. Bill Tillman, RUUD representative.

Monday, April 6, 2009

Governor Signs executive order requiring more energy efficient equipment  

0 comments

Governor Signs executive order requiring more energy efficient equipment

Gov. Bredesen signs Executive Order #59 requiring energy efficient equipment in state government.
Gov. Bredesen signs Executive Order #59 requiring energy efficient equipment in state government.
Governor Phil Bredesen today signed Executive Order #59 requiring use of efficient Energy Star qualified equipment and appliances in all executive branch state agencies. Energy Star is a widely accepted labeling program jointly operated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. The program is designed to identify and promote energy-efficient products to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The directive is an initial result of recommendations from the Governor’s Task Force on Energy Policy, which met today for the final time this year. Additional executive orders and legislation are expected as state government improves efforts to “lead by example” in the areas of energy efficiency and conservation. “Energy Star is a widely recognized brand name that translates to immediate energy savings and long-term benefits to the environment,” Bredesen said. “I’m proud to sign this order officially kicking off state government’s increased efforts to lead by example in energy efficiency and conservation.”
At least 20 states have taken similar steps, according to the National Governors Association. Among other steps, Bredesen’s latest executive order requires:
· All future office equipment, appliances, lighting, and heating and cooling products and systems purchased by and for executive branch state agencies shall be Energy Star qualified, provided that such Energy Star qualified products and systems are commercially available; and
· Purchasing contracts that do not provide as options Energy Star qualified office equipment, appliances, lighting, and heating and cooling products and systems shall not be renewed upon expiration. Subsequent contracts shall provide as options Energy Star qualified office equipment, appliances, lighting, and heating and cooling products and systems.
The Governor’s Task Force on Energy Policy is a 17-member panel that includes key state officials as well as representatives of business, environmental and other interests. The group is charged with making recommendations to help Tennessee become a leader in energy efficiency and conservation, development of clean-energy technology, and use of alternative fuels and renewable energy sources.
More information is available online at www.energystar.gov and www.tn.gov/energy.

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

CONSUMER TAX INCENTIVE  

0 comments













Purchasers of highly efficient heating, cooling. and water heating equipment can take tax credits of 30% of installed cost for purchasing qualifying equipment. These credits are available for systems placed in service from January 1 , 2009 through December 31, 2010. There is a $1500.00 cap on the credit per home, including the amount received for insulation, windows, air and duct sealing. Let Comfort Supply save you money on your HVAC & Water Heater equipment. (Restrictions Do Apply)

YEE - HAW DAY  

0 comments






Comfort Supply will be holding an Open House ( YEE - HAW DAY) on May 29th, 2009 for customers and vendors. 8:00 am - 2:00 pm. We will have one day "in house Specials", mechanical bull riding, food, and other activities. Donations will also be made to The United Way. All vendors who wish to have a table please contact Luan or Crissy for table reservations and fees.


Comfort Supply

305 Arlington Avenue

Nashville, TN 37210

615-244-0920

615-242-8444 fax

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Victory for Comfort Supply and Community  

0 comments

The Zoning Appeals Board rejected the special exception request that would have brought a Greyhound bus station to Murfreesboro Rd. The 4-0 vote came after BZA members cited over crime and Greyhound's poor efforts to work with the neighborhood.


For full article please visit
http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/news.php?viewStory=66601

Monday, January 26, 2009

closing for inventory  

0 comments

Comfort Supply will be closed this friday (1-29-2009) and saturday (1-30-2009) for inventory