Growing up with parents in the same profession, Larry Featherston Jr. knows a thing or two about heating and air conditioning. Featherston worked alongside his parents learning everything he could about HVAC units. When he was ready to start a business of his own, he was well prepared. His wife Christy joined him in the venture a little while later when they realized their combined efforts could strengthen the business even further. Plus, working side by side everyday isn’t something most spouses get to say they do! Christy is also no stranger to building a company from the ground up. Her father’s entrepreneurship served as an inspiration for success in this way. These factors are what made Home Heating and Air Conditioning into the thriving, full service HVAC company it is today, and both owners are looking forward to the direction their business is heading in the near future.
The Ups and Downs of Owning a Business
Starting and running a business isn’t always easy, however, and self-doubt can creep in at any time, especially in the early days. Christy explains, “It’s a scary thing to take the leap and start. It’s taking a dream and turning into reality with no assurances.” With typical employment in a large company, workers don’t have to worry about fluctuating paychecks or being on the job 24/7. For entrepreneurs, these sacrifices are overwhelmingly common. Christy remembers in the beginning when all they could afford was an old yellow moving truck to haul their tools and equipment to various jobs. They didn’t have enough money to paint the truck either, so they rolled with the yellow. Today, yellow is the primary color scheme for Home Heating and Air Conditioning, both helping them to stand out and serving as a lasting reminder of their humble beginnings.
Creating a Culture
With the invention of modern heating and cooling, HVAC units aren’t just a luxury anymore but a necessity for most families. In Idaho, where residents experience changes for all four seasons, families especially rely on their units during the bitterly cold winters and dreadfully hot summers. These are the busiest seasons for Home Heating and Air Conditioning, allowing small periods of rest in between.
With HVAC servicing and installation companies all over the area, Christy says what makes them stand out from the rest is their unique product—their technicians. Any heating and air company can offer different brands of products, but what really makes an interaction memorable is the professionalism and heart behind the technician. Home Heating and Air Conditioning makes that the central theme of their culture, allowing them to provide “Fantastic, Famous Service” every time. Christy explains that their technicians treat everyone they visit like family, ensuring their homes are well taken care of with a proper HVAC tune-up. She went on, “If people could just see the heart and care behind Home Heating & Air, if they truly understood who we are, that there is no way that they would ever choose anyone else.”
A broken-down unit can sometimes bring a home’s operations to a screeching halt. Although homeowners don’t think about these machines hidden away in their utility closets very often, they are essentially a home’s vital organs. Not only do they affect the temperature levels in the home, but they filter out allergens, particles, and other matter from the air, ensuring fresh breathing air to all residents. The technicians at Home Heating and Air Conditioning understand just how vital these machines are to the most sensitive members of the family, and they work hard to restore balance to a family’s delicate ecosystem. Christy says the goal of their company is to serve homeowners in their times of need and is proud of the heart and care each of their technicians has for their customers.
Hard Times for an HVAC Owner
We asked the Featherstons what the most common problems were that they see with HVAC units, and they responded with the top four: the age of the equipment, dirt buildup, a lack of proper maintenance, and poor installation. Taking care of these four issues can prevent a lot of heartache and headaches for a homeowner.
Most HVAC units have a lifespan of 12-15 years with normal maintenance. A great unit that is always properly serviced can go longer, but homeowners can expect this timeframe for a typical replacement schedule. Units that aren’t properly maintained will have a much shorter lifespan. As the machine ages, it will naturally start to break down. Researching various models and deciding upon a replacement before the breakdown occurs will save the homeowner loads of stress when the time comes to get a new one. HVAC specialists will typically measure the home, check window and door leaks, and measure the duct work to help homeowners determine the right machine for them. Even so, there are different brands to choose from, and knowing which ones you like beforehand can save time when making the quick decision later.
They explained further that dirt is the enemy of these units and can make it work harder than it should. HVAC units should be cleaned at least every year, or more depending on the location of the home and whether or not the homeowner has any pets. Whatever is blowing around in the air will eventually end up in the unit, and vice versa. Christy equated a dirty HVAC to not dusting the furniture for a couple of years. It can get pretty gross! A thick layer of dust on the inside parts not only wears them out faster, but also decreases efficiency of the machine which means higher bills for the homeowner.
Not only do the service technicians at Home Heating and Air clean the machine from dirt and debris so it functions more efficiently, but they also check for worn-out parts that may need replacing. The Featherstons explain that a small part replaced now could prevent a larger, more expensive part from needing replacement later on. This preventative maintenance keeps homeowners from experiencing a breakdown on the days they need it the most—usually the hottest or the coldest days of the year.
Lastly, the owners of Home Heating and Air Conditioning informed us that the installation of an HVAC unit will have the most impact on the quality of its life. Installing a unit isn’t as simple as picking out your favorite and putting it in your house. There are measurements to consider and variables like window and doors that will affect the overall efficiency of the unit. The size of the home impacts the size of the machine, understandably. However, the ductwork also has to match. Homeowners who have completed additions on their homes or have upgraded their windows may need an entirely new machine to counter the differences. The Featherstons let us know that there’s a lot of math and science behind their work, ultimately saving homeowners thousands of dollars in the long-run.
Industry Progression
Like many male-dominated professions in the modern era, service technicians are making room for women. Larry’s mother was a rare breed of technician in the 1970’s when Larry’s parents were starting their business. Now, the Featherstons are seeing that homeowners are excited, and perhaps a bit relieved, when their female employee shows up for a service check. Christy noted that for the wives and mothers who are typically home to answer the door for a call, being greeted on the other side by a female puts them at ease and relieves some of their fears of inviting a stranger into their home. The men are also impressed with her skills and ability as a technician, putting them at ease as well! For a family who has always had women part of the family business, the Featherstons are excited to see the industry as a whole accepting more women into the fold.
Growth in Twin Falls Equals a Bright Future Ahead
A once overlooked state, Idaho has seen unprecedented growth in the past few years. As costs of living rise all over the country, people and business owners alike are looking for cheaper spots to take root. For many, Idaho is top of the list. The U.S. Census Bureau pegged Idaho as the fastest growing state last year in terms of population percentage growth. Idaho joins 7 other western states that made the top ten (above Nevada, Utah, Washington, Arizona, Texas, Colorado, and Oregon), with Florida and D.C. in the mix. For established businesses like Home Heating and Air Conditioning, there is ample opportunity for growth, which the Featherstons are excited about. This much growth can bring new challenges, but the owners of this HVAC company are ready to tackle them as they come.
With their history in this business and proven track record, it’s clear that the Featherstons aren’t planning on going anywhere any time soon. Their commitment to providing excellent HVAC services to both natives and newcomers to Idaho is what will keep them in business for years to come.
Media Contact
Company Name: Home Heating & Air Conditioning
Contact Person: Christy Featherston
Email: Send Email
Phone: 208-732-1211
Address:326 Main Street North
City: Kimberly
State: Idaho
Country: United States
Website: http://www.gohomeheating.com