One year after Comfort Supply inaugurated its progressive “Certified Green Contractor” program, the Nashville-based wholesaler of Ruud HVAC equipment has certified three contractors, and made advances to expand its green footprint.
The three contractors that have qualified for the program are:
- J&J Heating & Cooling, Minor Hill
- Total HVAC, Nashville
- Temp Control LLC, Nashville.
“Temp Control LLC already had an environmentally friendly company environment. The Certified Green Contractor program was a way to recognize that commitment,” said Susan Saban, general manager of Temp Control LLC.
“Publically displaying the green logo on our trucks, website and social media let customers know that if they chose Temp Control LLC they’d have environmentally friendly options.”
The Certified Green Contractor program recognizes HVAC contractors who take a series of steps to be more environmentally friendly on the job site and at the office. To qualify contractors must accumulate at least 100 points from a set of criteria. A Comfort Supply representative then verifies the designation as a Certified Green Contractor.
Contractors earn points by executing green tasks such as establishing a recycling program, purchasing locally and in bulk, carpooling and maintaining vehicles, or installing high-efficiency or geothermal HVAC units. “One organizational change that I implemented to qualify for the Certified Green Contractor program was adding a recycling receptacle to the front of the office—making is easier on everyone to recycle,” said Ollie Johnson, co-owner of J&J Heating & Cooling.
“As individuals, we already felt strongly about recycling,” Saban said. “At least half of the items on the list are ways to reduce waste, which are just good and responsible ways to do business.”
Comfort Supply supplies Certified Green Contractors with decals for company vehicles, patches for technicians’ uniforms and graphics for websites and social media. “The question that we get the most from customers is ‘What are you going to do with our old unit?’” Johnson explained. “That’s when we get to promote that we’re a green contractor. Reclaim and recycle—that’s the only answer.”
In 2011, Comfort Supply took its commitment to green practices to the next level by instituting a “Rapid Recovery Program” for its customers. The DYNACYCLE Refrigerant Recycling Program turns R22 recovery cylinders into Comfort Supply store credit.
“It was important for us to build on our green initiatives started last year. To continue to push green commitment, we’re making it easier for our customers to enact and benefit from green practices,” said Clay Blevins, CEO of Comfort Supply. “It’s one thing to start a green program. It’s another thing to execute, maintain engagement and expand opportunities in green HVAC programs.”
“The Rapid Recovery Program that Comfort Supply recently started is going to be a benefit to our green practices,” Johnson said. “We’re still implementing green practices. We plan to more actively promote the Certified Green Contractor program in the future,” Saban said. “Sales of green products increased last year, primarily because of the tax credit, but that doesn’t rule out that the Certified Green Contractor program could have helped our customers make the decision to call Temp Control LLC. For example, customers could have seen the logo on our website, and it helped with their buying decision.”
Johnson agreed, “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.” Contractors who wish to participate in any of Comfort Supply’s green programs can contact Comfort Supply at 800/467-4235.