An interview with Owner Jason Schreyer, Sunset Air and Home Services. Written by Dylan Kurt, ACHR NEWS. (Air Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration NEWS)
One of the best clientele in the state of Florida is one that’s not actually in the state of Florida.
Snowbirds, or seasonal residents, typically abandon the Sunshine State during the muggy summer season, but in order to protect their investment, their properties can’t just sit empty and endure the elevated moisture levels while they’re back up north for upwards of six months.
To combat that, HVAC systems still need to run. Prepping the homes and HVAC systems for months of inactivity, during which time severe storms and hurricanes are certainly a possibility, is a great way to stay busy during shoulder seasons.
ACHR NEWS reached out to Jason Schreyer, president of Sunset Air and Home Services in Southwest Florida, to learn more about how to capture this unique share of the market.
ACHR NEWS: What are some common problems/failures that result from a home that sits empty for months at a time? Do you see a rush of service calls when snowbirds return in the fall?
Schreyer: When a home sits closed up through a Southwest Florida summer, the HVAC system continues to take a beating even if no one is there. Heat and humidity don’t take time off.
What we routinely see when snowbirds return are clogged filters from months of dust and moisture, blocked outdoor units from shrubs or storm debris, and drain lines that have backed up because mulch or soil shifted while the home sat empty. Those issues all make the system work harder than it should.
We do see an uptick in business when snowbirds return. Maintenance checks and evaluations are extremely important. We try to run specials and get articles published with tips for folks before they leave and when they get back for the season. It’s definitely something people need to be aware of if they’re splitting their time between two locations like we see so often here.
ACHR NEWS: Is this a service that you have people inquiring about, or is it something you suggest? How much business does it generate?
Schreyer: It’s both. Homeowners do ask, and we also strongly recommend it. But importantly, it’s required by the manufacturer in their terms and conditions to have the system checked yearly by a licensed HVAC contractor in order to keep the warranty valid.
We make sure there’s information on our website that lays out what needs to be done to protect a system before leaving and after returning. We do see the same preventable issues year after year. As for volume, we don’t break out revenue by service category publicly, but it’s fair to say seasonal prep is an important part of our fall workload.
ACHR NEWS: What exactly is included in your “vacant home HVAC prep” service? Is this a one-time visit, or more of a seasonal maintenance plan? Do you follow up after they’ve left?
Schreyer: We don’t sell a package labeled “vacant home HVAC prep,” but the core elements are well‑defined in our snowbird checklist and maintenance procedures.
Click here for the full article.
239-693-9005
