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Home-Tech goes high-tech

New system for assigning and completing service work orders make technicians more efficient

(Fort Myers, Fla. – May 24, 2010) – People across the country use smart phones to stay connected to work while on the road, but Home-Tech has recently found a new way to use the devices to make service calls more efficient for both its employees and customers.

The Southwest Florida air conditioning and appliance service and sales leader has armed its service personnel with BlackBerries® and developed a new system to assign service calls. Previously, technicians left the office in the morning with one job, and called in to Home-Tech's dispatch desk as they finished each job to get their next assignment. Because the dispatch desk took calls from technicians – as well as customers – hold times could be long and technicians had to rely on the limited information about each job scribbled in their notes.

“It's very difficult to find people that can repair appliances and air conditioners well, and it often takes a few years for technicians to become fully efficient at their jobs,” says Home-Tech's information technology manager Tom Barber. “We wanted a solution that would help make our techs as efficient as possible, and also cut down on the amount of writing they had to do.”

Barber and his team developed a customized work order program that generates e-mails summarizing key work order information and gave each tech a BlackBerry. Now, as they complete each job, a message is waiting for them with details on their next one including a customer's name and contact information, issue, whether the customer has a service agreement or needs to be billed, and the service history of the appliance or air conditioning unit that needs to be worked on. They also receive directions via GoogleMaps® with GPS tracking. As each job is completed, technicians simply e-mail a summary of the work performed back to the dispatch team to enter in the system.

“The new system has made us much more efficient. Both the technicians and dispatchers love it,” says Pam Marino, service operations manager. “It cuts down on our calls in the office, and it cuts down on waiting time and note taking for the techs. Our techs are more in control of their own days and don't have to wait for someone else to move on. Our dispatchers are able to concentrate more on making their routes efficient. We've also been able to squeeze more jobs in during late afternoon or early evening hours, too, so it's more convenient for our customers.”

The e-mails themselves have also proved a better communication method for the teams, Marino adds. It's caused both dispatchers and technicians to be more clear and precise.

“So, we've had some pleasant surprises,” she says.

“Originally, we did this as a step to make us greener, more paperless,” Barber says. “We were using a lot of paper to keep customer records. This has worked out really well. We hope to add more functionality in the future, like printing customer invoices in service trucks. There's a lot of potential to make things easier and more efficient for both our customers and employees.”

About Home-Tech

Based in Fort Myers, e mployee -owned Home-Tech has been an industry leader and trendsetter in the fields of air conditioning service and installation, major appliance sales and service, home-service agreements for nearly three decades. Founded in 1981 by Steve Marino, who continues as President and Chairman of the Board, the privately held Home-Tech employs 127 people and provides services in Lee, Charlotte, Collier, Sarasota and Manatee counties in Southwest Florida. Home-Tech operates from two principal locations. Its headquarters, tech training facility and appliance showroom are located at 6400 Techster Boulevard in Fort Myers and a second office at 5215 Lena Road in Bradenton which services Manatee and Sarasota counties. For more information about Home-Tech, visit www.Home-Tech.com or call (239) 433-3344.

Air Conditioning System Clean and Check a Vital Summer Preparation Step

(Fort Myers, Fla. – May 11, 2010) – While preparing for a summer in Florida differs a bit from other parts of the country, some measures apply no matter where you live. It's hard to imagine residents of Ohio, for example, stocking up on jugs of water, first aid supplies, and non-perishable food or putting up hurricane shutters before they head out on vacation, but homeowners everywhere would be wise to include an annual air conditioning system check and cleaning in their pre-summer plans.

It's especially important for Florida residents to have their system inspected at this time of year, according to Michael Hendershott, sales manager at Home-Tech. “It is always a better to have your system inspected during warmer months of the year. It gives the technician a better idea of how hard your system is working under a greater cooling load,” he says. “Checking an air conditioning system's operating pressure is much like taking your blood pressure, except we are reading the performance of the compressor - the heart of system - and testing for refrigerant leaks.”

Home-Tech, Southwest Florida's air conditioning and appliance sales and service leader, conducts thousands of air conditioning system inspections each year, many in the months leading up to summer. Their comprehensive maintenance and cleaning service covers all major components including the thermostats, fan motors, refrigerant levels or pressures, evaporator coil, condenser coil, filter systems, and condensate drain line. In addition to making sure all components are operating properly, they measure the static pressure of the system to make sure all ductwork is in good repair as well.

Cleaning is also very important. Coils that become dirty can get plugged up, making it harder and more energy-intensive for systems to remove heat and humidity from the air. Dirty drain lines can also become plugged up, which can lead to leaks, ceiling damage if your unit is located in an attic, or even system shut down. Dirt buildup in ductwork can shorten its life.

“If any one of the three major components – condensers, air handlers or ductwork - is not operating properly, it could cause lower efficiency and shorten the life of the unit,” Hendershott says. “All systems are different, but properly maintaining your air conditioning unit can generally make it 15 to 20 percent more efficient to run and add three to five years to its life.”

Home-Tech's air conditioning clean and check service costs $99 and typically takes around two hours to complete. But Service Agreement customers can get one annual clean and check free as part of their contract. Hendershott says nearly all of their Service Agreement customers take advantage of this service.

“It's one of the most valuable services a Service Agreement offers, but it's that important,” he says. “We have a vested interest in keeping systems we sell, especially those covered by Service Agreements, running efficiently for as long as possible, so we're glad when customers use it.”

Spring is Home-Tech's busiest time for air conditioning clean and checks as seasonal residents prepare to return north. Homeowners interested in scheduling appointments or learning more about Service Agreements can visit Home-Tech's Website, www.home-tech.com , or call 239-433-3344.

Ronald McDonald House Benefits from Home-Tech Sponsorship and Customer Purchases

Non-profit organization selected as “Charity of the Month”

(Fort Myers, Fla. – May 6, 2010) – Last month, the Ronald McDonald House benefited in a big way from the Home-Tech sponsorship of the Ronald McDonald Storybook Ball and a gift in honor of Home-Tech air conditioning customers. Home-Tech was a $10,000 ball sponsor and made a $560 donation as part of the company's Charity of the Month program for April, which gives a portion of the sales from each new air conditioning system sold to a local charity each month in the name of purchasing customers.

“Home-Tech has been a long time supporter of the Ronald McDonald House” says Home-Tech President and Founder Steve Marino. “Our team is proud to support the valuable work they do, making it easier for families to stay together while dealing with serious childhood illnesses.” Home-Tech also maintains the Fort Myers home's air conditioning and appliances free of charge, offers significant discounts on appliance purchases. In all, Home-Tech has supported the Ronald McDonald House to the tune of more than $40,000 in the past few years alone.

Home-Tech's Charity of the Month program donates a portion of the price of each new air conditioning unit sold to a different charity based in the areas it operates each month. Donations are made in customers' names to thank them for their business, instead of sending corporate gifts. Since launching the program in August 2009, Home-Tech and its customers have given approximately $8,000 to local charities located from Sarasota to Naples in addition to the company's ongoing charitable giving and sponsorship of local charity events.

The Ronald McDonald House was March's selected charity. A portion of April's sales will be donated to the American Heart Association's National Start! Walking Day, and May's sales will benefit the CROW Animal Refuge Center.

Home-Tech, customers present donation to Eden Autism Services Florida

Non-profit organization selected as “Charity of the Month”

(Fort Myers, Fla. – March 11, 2010) – Southwest Florida air-conditioning and appliance service and sales leader Home-Tech and its customers donated $884 to Eden Autism Services Florida as part of the company's Charity of the Month program.

“ Eden is a tremendous resource for people in our region with autism and their families,” says Home-Tech President and Founder Steve Marino. “We're proud to support their ongoing efforts through this donation on behalf of our customers.”

Home-Tech's Charity of the Month program donates a portion of the price of each new air conditioning unit sold to a different charity based in the areas it operates each month. Donations are made in customers' names to thank them for their business, instead of sending corporate gifts. Since launching the program in August 2009, Home-Tech and its customers have given approximately $6,600 to local charities located from Sarasota to Naples in addition to the company's ongoing charitable giving and sponsorship of local charity events.

Home-Tech also supports Eden Autism Services Florida by maintaining their group home air conditioning unites and appliances free of charge.

Home-Tech names Kimberly Riching Outside Service Agreement Sales Representative

(Fort Myers, Fla. – March 2, 2010) – Southwest Florida air-conditioning and appliance service and sales leader Home-Tech hired Kimberly Riching as the company's first outside service agreement sales representative. In this role, she will be responsible for building relationships and promoting service agreement sales to customers, clients, and building, community and realty associations within a five county-territory.

Riching has a long history in sales and real estate. Prior to joining Home-Tech, she was a Realtor® with Keller Williams for six years. She says the newly-created position will give her the opportunity to continue working with Realtors and property managers, representing a company with a very good reputation.

“Kimberly's background in the real estate industry and knowledge of the business will prove valuable in this role,” says Home-Tech's Regional Sales Manager Mike Hendershott. “She has good contacts and sales skills, which will help us get the word out about how our service can benefit home owners.”

Riching has lived in Fort Myers since 1972. Aside from her sales experience, she also worked for local business publications.

Home-Tech Web Redesign Includes Interactive Elements

Site designed with customers in mind to make shopping, service agreements and self-help simple

(Fort Myers, Fla. – Feb. 19, 2010) – Home-Tech, Southwest Florida's leader in air conditioning service and installation, major appliance sales and service, and home-service agreements has launched a new Web site, www.Home-Tech.com, designed with customers in mind.

“We listened to our customers and heard that they wanted more flexibility in searching our offerings, particularly the appliances and packages we sell,” says President and Founder Steve Marino .

Home-Tech responded by creating a clean, easy to navigate site that gives customers options to choose from in browsing information. For example, customers can search for a specific style of appliance like a side-by-side refrigerator in the E-Catalog. Or, they can view the company's full range of refrigerator offerings by type in an Interactive version of its printed catalog. Customers can even view video product demonstrations filmed by Home-Tech's sales staff.

“We have the interactive version of both our appliance catalog and service agreement brochure online,” Marino says. “The interface is very easy to use – you just click on arrows to turn pages like you would the actual paper brochure. You can also point and click to zoom in and out on pages to get a closer look or enlarge the size of the text.”

Customers also have multiple ways to learn about, sign up for or renew their service agreements with the company. They can even schedule service calls and sign up for e-updates with a quick few keystrokes.

“As our customers know, we want to make things easy whenever they deal with us” Marino says. “We now have a Web site that fits our model, letting customers browse information in the way that suits them and giving them another easy way to contact us.”

Home-Tech.com also includes tips for customers who prefer to try to help themselves with minor appliance issues and problems. Written by Techster, the company's mascot, “Tech Tips” includes some fast easy fixes for common problems Home-Tech's expert technicians have learned over the years.

“We're always happy to visit our customers to fix problems, but we know there are some customers that would prefer to try a few simple things themselves before calling us,” Marino says. “That's who Tech Tips are for.”

Home-Tech will continue to enhance its Web site to meet customers' needs. The site can be accessed at www.Home-Tech.com .

Cioffi Named Sales Representative at Fort Myers Showroom

(Fort Myers, Fla. – Feb. 19, 2010) – Tressa Cioffi has been named Sales Representative at Home-Tech's Fort Myers appliance showroom. In this role, she is responsible for the store's sales department, merchandising efforts, customer service and service agreement sales.

Cioffi joined Home-Tech in July 2008 in its Service Agreements department, where she assisted customers in selecting the right options for their air-conditioning and major appliance service needs and handled renewals. Prior to joining Home-Tech, she worked in construction, where she gained experience in helping customers select appliances for new homes and remodels and developed her interest in the appliance industry.

Regional Appliance Sales Manager Mike Hendershott says Cioffi's previous performance and strong customer service skills were key reasons she was selected for her new role.

“Tressa has been a great performer and has proven leadership ability,” Hendershott said. “She will be a good fit in our retail environment, having direct contact with our customers.” Cioffi is looking forward to applying her knowledge of the company's service agreements in her new role and learning more about the sales side of the business.

Originally from Ft. Myers area, residents may also recognize Cioffi from the time she spent as a television personality on the CW6 station.

Boys and Girls Club of Sarasota benefits from Home-Tech's “Charity of the Month” Program

( Venice, FL – Jan. 28, 2010 ) – Customers who purchased new air conditioning units from Home-Tech in December also supported the Boys and Girls Club of Sarasota. That's because the home appliance service and sales company donates a portion of the proceeds from each new air conditioning unit sale to a different charity each month through its Charity of the Month program.

“We're especially proud that the program supported a charity in Sarasota for the first time,” says Home-Tech's Sarasota Branch Manager Joe Nauman, who presented the organization with its $858 donation. “We've enjoyed growing both our business and community involvement and support in the Sarasota area, and look forward to continuing both in the coming year.”

Eden Autism Services Florida also received $884 from Home-Tech customers who purchased units in January. Eden a Naples, Fla.-based non-profit provides comprehensive outreach, including program consultations and early intervention, to 12-month education for school age students and residential and employment services for adults in Southwest Florida . Home-Tech also supports Eden by maintaining their group home air conditioning units and appliances free of charge.

“There are so many good causes to support in the areas we serve,” says Home-Tech President and Founder Steve Marino. “Thanks to our customers, many more will be helped through Charity of the Month donations in 2010.”

Donations are made in customers' names to thank them for their business, instead of sending corporate gifts. Since launching its Charity of the Month program in August 2009, Home-Tech and its customers have given approximately $6,600 to local charities located from Sarasota to Naples in addition to the company's ongoing charitable giving and sponsorship of local charity events.

Home-Tech Offers Tips to Keep Your Holidays Happy and Stress-free

( Fort Myers , Fla. – December 17, 2009 ) – ‘Tis the season to overwork your appliances. During the holidays, most homeowners use their microwaves, ovens, garbage disposals and other appliances more than any other time during the year. So it's no surprise that more homeowners experience microwave meltdowns and disposal drudgery during this time, too.

“Many homeowners don't check or try to clean their appliances until days before they plan to bake a big family meal or a few double-batches of Christmas cookies,” says Pam Marino , Assistant Service Manager for Home-Tech. “It's big mistake to wait until the week you plan to prepare a family feast because if there is a problem requiring parts, we may have trouble getting them in time.”

As Southwest Florida 's leader in air conditioning service and installation, major appliance sales and service, home-service agreements, Home-Tech receives more calls for help during the holidays than any other time during the year. To help homeowners have a happier and less stressful holiday, they offer the following tips:

Ovens

• Turn your oven on to make sure it's working at least two weeks before your big cooking day.

• Instead of cleaning your oven before you do your holiday cooking, clean it immediately after. “Ovens can sometimes get stuck or have problems when they are in cleaning mode,” Marino says. “Cleaning your oven after cooking big meals will prevent pre-baking panic, and it also means your oven will be cleaner longer.”

Garbage disposals

• Always use cold water when running your garbage disposal, and keep it running 20 seconds after grinding has finished. Marino says it helps solidify grease so it doesn't clog later.

• Never put liquid fat down the disposal; put it in a jar in the trash instead.

• Do not put large bones down your disposal. Small bones are okay, and may actually help keep the blades in your grinding chamber sharp.

• Several times per year, and especially during the holidays, Marino puts ice or cut lemons in her disposal. “It helps sharpen the blades and makes it smell fresh, too,” she says.

Thermostats

• More and more thermostats are battery-powered. So, if your air conditioner konks out and turning the breaker switch off and on doesn't work, try changing the batteries.

Refrigerators

• Fridges and freezers tend to be fuller this time of year – whether it be with ingredients or left overs from your feast. If you've just put away a larger than normal load, don't panic if your refrigerator doesn't feel as cold as normal. It may take up to 24 hours for the temperature to stabilize.

• Dusting off the coil under your refrigerator will help keep it running well. Use a soft broom or brush. In common refrigerators with freezers on the top, the coil is often covered with a plastic guard at the bottom, underneath the door.

“Of course, we're here to help if customers need us,” Marino says. “Fixing appliance problems and keeping them running is what we do best.”

Home-Tech Receives Prestigious Industry Appreciation Award from Lee County Horizon Council

(Fort Myers, Fla. – October 12, 2009) – Home-Tech, a Southwest Florida leader in air conditioning service and installation, major appliance sales and service, home-service agreements, was one of just four businesses honored with the Lee County Horizon Council’s Industry Appreciation Award last month. This recognition is reserved for outstanding local businesses exemplifying leadership, innovation, and community involvement in Southwest Florida. Home-Tech was honored in the “General Business” category.

Local: “We’re extremely proud to be included in this group that has done so much for the Lee County economy and community,” said Home-Tech Founder and President Steve Marino. “Every one of our more than 110 employees had a part in earning this honor, and I’m pleased to be able to share it with them.” Marino said the trophy the company received will be traveling around the Home-Tech office so as many employees as possible will have a chance to display it on their desks.

Sarasota: “We’re extremely proud to be included in this group that has done so much for the Lee County economy and community,” said Home-Tech Founder and President Steve Marino. “Though this award recognizes our work mainly in Lee County, our employees in Sarasota and Manatee counties are building the same Home-Tech legacy in those areas. We look forward to having the same positive impact on those communities as we have had here.”

One thing that has helped power Home-Tech’s growth and success is its employee ownership program. After five years with the company, employees can become stakeholders in Home-Tech and earn dividend payments. Each technician participates in a two-month training apprenticeship program, and the company provides approximately 160 hours of complimentary service to local charities.

About the Lee County Horizon Council

Established in 1991, the mission of the Horizon Council is to work toward improving the business environment in Lee County; retain and encourage the expansion of existing businesses; and attract new and diversified employment to the area. Council members represent five cities, 10 chambers of commerce, 16 economic development and trade organizations and 14 community, business, and education organizations. Its Industry Appreciation Awards and week are part of an annual event throughout Florida to celebrate industry’s contributions to local communities.

Ronald McDonald House Charities Receives Donation from Home-Tech, Customers through “Charity of the Month” Program

(Fort Myers, FL – October 23, 2009) — Home-Tech and its customers donated $910.00 to Lee County’s Ronald McDonald House Charities as part of the home appliance maintenance and sales company’s Charity of the Month program.

“The Ronald McDonald House does so much for families in our area,” said Home-Tech Chief Founder and CEO Steve Marino. “We’re honored to be associated with them and to make this donation on behalf of our customers.”

Home-Tech donates a portion of the proceeds from each new air conditioning unit sale to a different charity each month, in the purchasers’ names. Thus the program gives not only the company, but it’s customers an opportunity to give back to local organizations, too, and another reason to feel good about choosing Home-Tech.

Since launching the program in August, Home-Tech and its customers have given approximately $4,000 to local charities. Other recipients include the American Heart Association’s Heart Walk.

Based in Fort Myers, employee-owned Home-Tech has been an industry leader and trendsetter in the fields of air conditioning service and installation, major appliance sales and service, home-service agreements for nearly three decades. Founded in 1981 by Steve Marino, who continues as President and Chairman of the Board, the privately held Home-Tech employs over 110 people and provides services in Lee, Charlotte, Collier, Sarasota and Manatee counties in Southwest Florida. Home-Tech operates from two principal locations. Its headquarters, tech training facility and appliance showroom are located at 6400 Techster Boulevard in Fort Myers and a second office at 720 Commerce Drive in Venice which services Manatee and Sarasota counties. For more information about Home-Tech, visit www.Home-Tech.com or call (239) 433-3344.

Home-Tech, Customers Give Back through New “Charity of the Month” Program

(Fort Myers, FL – October 7, 2009) — Customers who purchase new air conditioning systems from Home-Tech now have more than a comfortable home to smile about. That’s because the Fort Myers-based company has introduced a new “charity of the month” program that puts part of each sale’s proceeds to work for a worthy charity.

“Home-Tech’s employees have always enjoyed giving back to the communities we operate in by supporting local charities,” said Home-Tech Founder and President Steve Marino. “Our new charity of the month program lets our customers give back, too, and gives them another reason to feel good about choosing Home-Tech.”

Home-Tech cut its first check for around $1,000 to the American Heart Association’s Heart Walk and will issue its September donation soon. Donations are made in the names of customers who purchased an air conditioning system the previous month.

Based in Fort Myers, employee-owned Home-Tech has been an industry leader and trendsetter in the fields of air conditioning service and installation, major appliance sales and service, home-service agreements for nearly three decades. Founded in 1981 by Steve Marino, who continues as President and Chairman of the Board, the privately held Home-Tech employs over 110 people and provides services in Lee, Charlotte, Collier, Sarasota and Manatee counties in Southwest Florida. Home-Tech operates from two principal locations. Its headquarters, tech training facility and appliance showroom are located at 6400 Techster Boulevard in Fort Myers and a second office at 720 Commerce Drive in Venice which services Manatee and Sarasota counties. For more information about Home-Tech, visit www.Home-Tech.com or call (239) 433-3344.

Local Company Hires and Trains Repair Techs in Regional Training Facility, Not on Customer’s Equipment

(Fort Myers, Fla. — August 23, 2009) — Employee-owned Home-Tech, a major appliance and air conditioning repair and sales company headquartered in Fort Myers, is currently operating its Better Tech University (BTU) training program for new technicians recently hired. Home-Tech added 6 new employees this summer in spite of the record unemployment rate, all of whom are presently in boot camp or on the job training.

Home-Tech’s BTU has a full time training instructor and is the only training program of its kind in the appliance and air conditioning repair industry in the state. The facility, located off of Daniels Road on 6400 Techster Boulevard in Fort Myers, features computers and white boards for classroom work as well as household appliances complete with a simulated air conditioning system with ductwork.

When technicians are hired, they are required to attend 56 hours of “boot camp” before they are put on the road to handle service calls. And when handling service calls, they are trained to perform just one job for at least one year. The first job is usually an 18-point clean and check of the air conditioning system including the system and ductwork. During the first year, trainee techs will attend classes once a week for 100 hours and online training at home for 100 hours. That’s a total of 260 hours of classroom time.

Trainees then receive on the job training covering approximately 1700 service calls a year for a minimum of 2000 hours of training in the first year. All technicians have a thorough background check, are licensed and bonded.

After the first year, the Home-Tech education doesn’t stop. All technicians must have 18 hours of continuing education every year.

“I believe in education because I was self taught,” said Founder and President Steve Marino. “I would work on equipment all day and then go to the library to learn about how to do a better job in repair at night. I believe education is important so that we can train our technicians our way and so that our techs aren’t learning on our customers’ equipment.”

With the rapid evolution of technology, it’s important for technicians to stay on top of the latest breakthroughs, according to Marino.

“While we hire all ages, we’ve found that with our younger recruits catch on really quickly to the technological aspects of repair because they’ve been raised with technology,” said Marino. “They are not afraid to get in there and push the buttons and figure out the system.”

Home-Tech runs training programs 2 to 3 times a year. With the slow economy, the company now gets nearly 400 applications each time and then narrows the list down to 12 ending up with 3 to 5 trainees for training.

“Over the years we’ve just learned the best personality types that lead to the most successful hires for technician jobs,” said Marino. With over 110 employees from Sarasota to Naples, he should know. The average tenure of a Home-Tech employee is 11 years.

Probably best known for its service agreements, eployee-owned Home-Tech has been an industry leader and trendsetter in the fields of air conditioning service and installation, major appliance sales and service, home-service agreements for nearly three decades. Founded in 1981 by Steve Marino, who continues as president and chairman of the board, the privately held Home-Tech employs over 110 people and provides services in Lee, Charlotte, Collier, Sarasota and Manatee counties in Southwest Florida. Home-Tech operates from two principal locations. Its headquarters, tech training facility and appliance showroom are located at 6400 Techster Boulevard in Fort Myers and a second office at 720 Commerce Drive in Venice which services Manatee and Sarasota counties. For more information about Home-Tech, visit www.Home-Tech.com or call 239-433-3344.

HOME-TECH PARTNERS WITH HABITAT FOR HUMANITY TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR TWO HOMES THIS YEAR

Fort Myers , Fla. (June 25, 2009) –Home-Tech, a local air conditioning and major appliances service and sales company, recently donated funds received through the Community Contribution Tax Credit Program to Habitat for Humanity. This year’s $100,000 donation brings Home-Tech’s total giving to $522,000, which has provided 12 homes for local families since 2002. The state program allows for sales-tax rebates to businesses that have made donations toward community development and housing projects for low-income persons. According to Steve Marino, president of Home-Tech, the company qualified for the rebate. With its total contribution of $100,000 this year, Home-Tech is funding two Habitat homes in Lee County.

Habitat for Humanity of Lee County uses volunteers and donations to acquire and build affordable housing. “We are in the business of repairing and replacing air conditioning systems and major home appliances in homes from Sarasota County to Collier County – essentially we are helping people to operate their homes more smoothly, so our partnership with Habitat for Humanity to provide homes for members of our community is a natural extension of what we do,” said Marino. “We know that people who have their family and housing needs met can better balance their personal lives with their job responsibilities, and that is reflected in the work they do. It’s a classic example of win-win. We salute the state of Florida for creating an incentive that will allow more businesses to be good neighbors and make a difference in people’s lives.”

“Habitat for Humanity provides affordable homes for the area’s workforce, which means businesses benefit as well,” said Vernon Archibald, president of Lee County Habitat for Humanity. “Habitat is grateful to the local companies, like Home-Tech, who have participated in Habitat’s mission through the tax credit program.”

Since 1982, Habitat for Humanity of Lee County has served over 1,000 families. Each new homeowner must invest a minimum of 250 hours working side-by-side with the volunteers who build the homes. The homeowners then repay the cost of the home through a long-term, zero-interest loan, and the money goes back into the program to build more homes.

The Community Contribution Tax Credit Program is administered by the Florida Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development. More information is available by calling (850) 487-2568.

Employee-owned Home-Tech has been an industry leader and trendsetter in the fields of air conditioning service and installation, major appliance sales and service, home-service agreements for nearly three decades. Founded in 1981 by Steve Marino, who continues as president and chairman of the board, the privately held Home-Tech employs over 110 people and provides services in Lee, Charlotte, Collier, Sarasota and Manatee counties in Southwest Florida. Home-Tech operates from two principal locations. Its headquarters, tech training facility and appliance showroom are located at 6400 Techster Boulevard in Fort Myers and a second office at 720 Commerce Drive in Venice which services Manatee and Sarasota counties. For more information about Home-Tech, visit www.Home-Tech.com or call 239-433-3344.

Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency Can Mean Cool Savings for Home Air Conditioning and the Environment

(Fort Myers – June 16, 2009) — As your cooling system ages, it can lose its ability to cool your home. And, not only does it become less efficient keeping your home at the desired temperature, an outdated system can take an increasing toll on your energy bill.

Home-Tech customers are quickly learning that today’s new central air conditioning systems are more affordable due to federal tax credits, energy rebates and more, and provide other benefits, as well. They are:

More environmentally friendly because they use less energy;
Less expensive to operate due to lower energy use;
Provide additional savings through utility rebates, and
May be eligible for federal tax credits made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Federal law now requires a minimum Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) of 13 for all new central air conditioning systems. SEER measures equipment energy efficiency over the entire cooling season. Central air conditioning systems are available in a variety of SEERs, and many people purchase new units with the minimum SEER rating.

But, just replacing an outdated system with a new one does not ensure you are maximizing all the savings possible. Higher SEER units are justified by longer cooling seasons, which are typical in Florida; higher electricity costs and the longer the purchasers will own the systems.

“Our customers have realized substantial savings when replacing their inefficient systems,” says Mike Hendershott, Home-Tech’s regional sales manager, “and in many cases, the new systems have higher SEER ratings than expected, yet ultimately cost the customer less money.”

Tom Sprenger, a resident in Estero, was considering a four-ton, 16 SEER replacement unit for his home, with an $805 rebate available from Florida Power and Light. Based on recommendations by Home-Tech, he upgraded to an 18 SEER system, and ultimately paid $1,055 less, despite the higher price tag. The additional savings were due to a federal tax credit of $1,500, and an increased FPL rebate of $1,200. And, those savings do not include the annual energy savings he will realize as compared to operating his old 10 SEER system. According to FPL estimates, the new system will save approximately $710 annually in cooling costs.

Here’s a side-by-side comparison of the two, 4-ton systems:

	16 SEER system	18 SEER System
Original Price	$6,129.00	$6,969.00
FPL Rebate	805.00	$1,200.00
Tax Credit	N/A	$1,500.00
Final System Cost	$5,324.00	$4,269.00

With an average system life of 10-12 years, Sprenger’s savings could more than pay for the purchase of his new system.

“Many people do not know rebates are available from utility companies, or they purchase units that do not offer tax credits, and spend more than necessary,” Hendershott says. Federal tax credits are available at 30% of the cost of cooling systems , up to $1,500. “Our technicians are concerned with helping the customer find the best value possible when replacing a central air conditioning system.”

Hendershott says maintenance of existing units should be performed regularly to keep their efficiencies as high as possible, and to avoid unnecessary replacement.

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