Few HVAC companies earn the prestigious Diamond Certified award, which means they’ve been independently rated Highest in Quality. Even fewer can also claim more than 130 years of industry experience, but that’s exactly the case for Schmitt Heating Company, Inc. “This company was established in 1876, so we have a longstanding tradition of providing quality workmanship and personable service,” says Office Manager Jenny Vance. “We’ve been a family business for more than a century, and we treat every customer like they’re part of our family.”

Schmitt Heating Company installs and maintains all types of HVAC systems for residential and commercial clients throughout the Bay Area. The company has the in-house capabilities to work on everything from high-efficiency furnaces and air conditioners to electronic air cleaners and sheet metal, and it also offers ongoing maintenance programs to homeowners who want to optimize their monthly energy savings.

Unlike less experienced HVAC companies that habitually cut corners in an effort to reduce their operating costs, Schmitt Heating Company always follows the strict protocol that it’s been refining for more than 10 decades. “Unfortunately, some HVAC companies fail to do things by the book when it comes to permits and code standards,” explains Ms. Vance. “Not only do we make sure we’re adhering to legal protocol on every job, we also pride ourselves on doing the job right the first time.”

Another distinguishing attribute of Schmitt Heating Company is its ability to provide its customers with over-the-phone information and assistance–a helpful feature that’s not always offered in the HVAC industry. “Our customers will often call for help with things like changing their thermostat batteries or furnace filters, and we’re happy to walk them through those situations,” says Ms. Vance. “In many cases, assisting customers over the phone helps them avoid potentially costly service appointments, which they really appreciate.”

Take simple steps to maximize your indoor air quality. With the current prevalence of allergies, consumers are becoming more interested in ways to minimize the presence of particles and pollutants in their homes, from paint- and carpet-based VOCs (volatile organic compounds) to airborne elements like dust mites, pollen and mold. Fortunately, ongoing industry innovation has produced several options that can greatly improve the quality of indoor air.

The first step to improving your indoor air quality is making sure you have clean, high-filtration furnace filters. There are several types of filters to choose from, including electrostatic, which create an electrical charge that attracts dust particles; pleated, which have ample surface area that provides increased filtration; and activated carbon, which are optimized to absorb chemicals, fumes and odors. Another important consideration when choosing a furnace filter is its MERV rating, which is based on a scale of 1 to 16. Basically, the higher a filter’s MERV rating, the stronger its filtration power.

You can further improve your indoor air quality by purchasing a whole-house air cleaner, which is installed directly onto your HVAC system, or a portable air cleaner, which is designed for single-room use. Since portable cleaners are both effective and affordable, many homeowners opt to put one in each room rather than invest in a whole-house system. In either case, using an air purification device in conjunction with a high-quality furnace filter can maximize the quality of the air in your home.

Save energy with a programmable thermostat
Many homeowners want to reap the benefits of smart, energy-efficient technology but are wary of the expenses. However, according to Jenny Vance, office manager at Schmitt Heating Company, Inc. in San Francisco, there’s at least one way for consumers to go Green without having to make a large initial investment. “A great way to get started without spending a lot of money is by installing a programmable thermostat,” she says. “Traditional thermostats turn off and on all day to maintain the temperature, but programmable thermostats can be set to operate less frequently. For example, you can program your thermostat to shut off when you leave for work in the morning and turn on right before you get home at night. It’s a more energy-efficient and less expensive way of monitoring your home’s heating system.”

Q: How soon can you start my job?

A: We always try to start on the same day of your call, but it also depends on the time of year. During the peak seasons (winter and summer), we may be booked for up to a week, so we suggest scheduling an appointment in advance whenever possible.

Q: Do you offer 24-hour service?

A: Unfortunately we do not. If you have an issue during off-hours, you can send us an email and we’ll call you the following business day.

Q: Do you offer maintenance programs?

A: Yes, we provide maintenance agreements for people who are interested in optimizing their monthly energy savings. Maintaining HVAC equipment in accordance with manufacturer recommendations tends to result in greater energy savings and overall longevity.

Q: Do you offer free estimates?

A: It depends on the nature of the job. We offer free estimates for larger jobs such as furnace replacements, but not for typical service calls.

Q: How do you charge for service calls?

A: We charge a minimum service fee, which covers our travel expenses and the first hour of the service. Any additional hours are billed at our standard hourly rate.