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America's Preferred Home Warranty and Child and Family Charities, Home Warranty, Home Warranties

Child and Family Charities and APHW Working Together During COVID Lockdowns

Posted on May 14, 2020 | by Clive Gillett

We couldn’t be more proud to help Child and Family Charities (CFC – https://bit.ly/2LsBmGh), an incredible non-profit serving children, youth and families in Mid-Michigan, especially now as their services are even more needed. Beyond donations, our company fundraisers for CFC also help to build up our teams and share the message of the charity.

Want to help? Click here: https://bit.ly/2YTqV6N

(Special shoutout to UnoDeuce Multimedia for producing this video!)

Interested in a home warranty? Call 888.351.3681 or visit APHW.COM today for more information!

America's Preferred Home Warranty, Furnace Filters, Home Maintenance, Contractor Advice

Contractor Cornerstones: Filters & Finances

Posted on May 4, 2020 | by Clive Gillett

Getting ready to switch out your furnace filter for the year? It might be time to consider what kinds of filters you could replace it with.

According to Lammers Heating & Air Conditioning President Todd Desy, the primary difference between one filter or another is how efficiently it will remove particles from your indoor air.

“They rate from 1-inch throwaways that just protect the furnace itself (the blower), on up to higher efficiency air cleaners that will actually filter and improve the air quality in your home,” Todd said.

While the minimum filter is cheaper up front, it only truly blocks larger debris (like pet fur or hair) from your HVAC system, allowing smaller particles of dust, mold spores, and other potentially harmful bits to pass through.

Switching from the basic filter to a higher efficiency filter also keeps your furnace cleaner, increasing its lifespan and saving you money in the long run. Though it’s important to ensure you’re not using a filter that’s too strongly woven (which can make your furnace work harder to bring air through). Check out this detailed list with Everything You Need to Know About Furnace Filters.*

Regardless of which efficiency level you choose, make sure to select the correct size and shape of filter to fit well in your particular furnace. “The minimum would be a basic mechanical air cleaner that has to be replaced once a year,” Todd said.

^*America’s Preferred Home Warranty is not affiliated with HVAC.com in any capacity.

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America's Preferred Home Warranty Staff Family Members on the Front Lines of COVID

Family on the Front Lines: Beth

Posted on May 1, 2020 | by Clive Gillett

If there’s one thing we can all agree on these days, it’s the front-line heroes keeping our society going—and many of us have close friends and family members working those front lines. Here is America’s Preferred Home Warranty Corporate Training Manager Beth’s story, about her mom.

My mom’s name is Darlene Elden-Lane, and she is a Registered Nurse (RN) at Henry Ford Hospital (HFH) in Detroit. She’s been an RN for 35 years.

At the beginning of her career, she took care of HIV-AIDS patients in the early years of the AIDS epidemic. Since then she has worked in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and was a home care nurse for “Mom & Baby” visits: After they got home from the hospital, they would have a nurse follow up at home.

Her current role is in the Admissions Transfer Management Office department, coordinating transfers to HFH Detroit from hospitals all over Michigan, including life flight and organ transplant team.

Since HFH is not currently accepting transfers, her desk work has halted, and she has been redeployed to wherever she is needed as an RN. Odd as it may seem, her anxiety has decreased since getting back out there – sometimes as an equipment runner on the general practice floors, other times assisting with direct patient care.

It’s one thing to read news stories about the hospitals and health care workers, but when you listen to their first-hand accounts, it becomes more real. I don’t think any of us will ever truly understand the impact of this disease like health care workers currently caring for COVID patients on the front lines.

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Humidifier Maintenance, Home Maintenance, Home Warranty, America's Preferred Home Warranty

Contractor Cornerstones: Humidifier Maintenance for Homeowners

Posted on April 15, 2020 | by Clive Gillett

Are you keeping up with your humidifier? No, not the essential oil-misting gadget sitting on a shelf—the one in your furnace. In this episode of Contractor Cornerstones, Jackson, Michigan’s Lammers Heating & Air Conditioning President Todd Desy told us what homeowners should be checking for.

According to HVAC.com,* a whole house humidifier works with the furnace, “…to distribute moisture efficiently to all living areas.” In other words, that’s what keeps the heated air from drying everything out in your home and causing excess static electricity… that is, unless you like getting zapped every time you reach for something metallic.

“Homeowners should check their humidifier filter (or pad) a couple times a year and replace it if necessary,” Todd said. “If the pads are left in too long, they can cause condensate leaks and drain line issues.”

It’s up to the homeowner to decide if they are comfortable replacing a pad—but there are some cases when Todd strongly recommends calling a technician for assistance. “If the pad looks like it has deteriorated to the point where there’s debris in the humidifier and into the drain line, they should have a tech come out and clean the whole system,” he said. “It’s necessary to ensure there are no blockages in the drain line,” which can lead to expensive repairs.

So, when was the last time you gave your furnace humidifier a once-over? If it’s high time to do so, click here for a step-by-step to help you along.*

Be sure to visit our blog for more home maintenance tips and tricks!

^*America’s Preferred Home Warranty is not affiliated with and has not collaborated with either HVAC.com or TheSpruce.com in any capacity.

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Because That’s Just What We Do

Posted on April 9, 2020 | by Clive Gillett

Have you ever avoided salespeople? I don’t appreciate a forceful sales pitch either… but not all salespeople are like that. Definitely not Suzann Blades—as far as she’s concerned, friendship is far more important.

“I truly do care about every one of the real estate agents I work with,” said the America’s Preferred Home Warranty (APHW) Area Sales Manager. “If you give me business, I appreciate it, but I reach out because I sincerely want to know how you are doing.”

Times Are Hard

Like everyone else, social distancing dramatically changed Suzann’s routine. Her typical day used to involve visiting agencies, meeting real estate agents for coffee or trainings, or delivering updates about their clients’ home warranty experiences. Now finding new ways to make and continue those connections without actually being around people—but this isn’t really new to her.

“We’re used to dealing with various disasters in Louisiana,” Suzann said, indicating events like Hurricane Katrina. “We mobilize and get things done, and we check on each other because that’s just what we do: We care. Now we’re all working together to come up with a different way of doing business.”

Honesty Helps

This straightforward integrity and caring attitude have earned Suzann loyalty within the real estate community over the years. “I’ve had agents go out of their way to stand up for me when I’m not even in the room,” she said. “They know that no matter when they call, I’m going to pick up and I’m going to do what I can to help.”

And Suzann has a message, both for real estate agents and everyone else: “As strong Americans, we will get through this,” she said. “This is a time to reflect, but we will make it through this gauntlet and rise above it.”

Louisiana real estate agents can get in touch with Suzann at 225.400.7447 or [email protected].

Call 800.648.5006 today to find your state’s area sales manager, or visit APHW.COM for more information.

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America's Preferred Home Warranty, Home Warranty, Stay At Home

Home with the Kids? Us Too.

Posted on March 29, 2020 | by Clive Gillett

The capacity to work from home in this time may be a blessing, but it’s also a balancing act. Many parents are discovering whole new ways to organize work and kids in the same household. Pittsburgh resident, America’s Preferred Home Warranty (APHW) Area Sales Manager, and full-time mother Fawna Farrell is one of them—and her hands are full to capacity.

A Crazy Couple of Days

“The first couple of days I was really stressed out,” Fawna said. “I felt so much pressure and no control with how everything was changing by the minute. I was worried about how I would work and take care of the kids and all these extra responsibilities, and I honestly thought everything was caving in for a minute there.”

Then in the second week of Kaden (7) and Flora (5) being home from school, she had an epiphany: In the past when she had been gone all day, Fawna felt she was missing out on their lives. “Now I have the best of both worlds!” she exclaimed. “I can stay home and be with my kids while I continue my career.”

Implementation Though…

Now that’s easy to say, but harder to do. “We just had to find that balance as a family,” Fawna said. She found that structuring the days is what worked best for her and her husband, Jeffrey, and of course for her children. “When kids don’t have structure, they act up. So I came up with targeted learning charts for both of my kids, and another for rewards where they get stickers for good behaviors, daily chores, etc. We’re also using this time to teach them life things, like folding clothes and what goes into making dinner.”

Fawna (@FawnaAPHW) wanted to share her story to let other parents know they’re not alone in all the craziness going on. “There are probably a lot of parents who feel beside themselves,” she said. “My hope is that they’ll see my story and just embrace things for what they are. Our kids are only little once, and we miss them like crazy when we’re working. So let’s enjoy them while we get to stay home. Just have fun with it!”

Home Warranty, Home Warranties, APHW, Home Maintenance, Furnace Filters

Contractor Cornerstones: Replace Your Furnace Filter

Posted on February 12, 2020 | by Clive Gillett

Hey there! So, we want you to have useful information about maintaining your home systems and appliances, but we also want that information to be fresh! So we’ve started interviewing the experts: The contractors you hire, know, and trust!

To that end, I am pleased to introduce our “Contractor Cornerstones” series, with information straight from the horse’s mouth (so to speak).

Expert Advice

This week we spoke with Service Manager Andy Miller of Jackson, Michigan’s Lammers Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc., asking what he thought was the most important thing homeowners should be doing at this time of year.

“Changing the furnace filter is number one,” Andy said. “A blocked filter restricts the airflow to the furnace, which can cause it to be far less efficient or even lead to malfunctions. It can drastically affect your electric bill, and if it gets too bad, it can overheat your furnace, leading to a service call.”

Save Money, Change Your Filter

Those service calls typically amount to more than $100, according to Andy, so changing your filter can help save you money as well. Here is a quick rundown of the steps Andy suggested for replacing your furnace filter:

Turn the power off to the furnace.
You should see the filter on the return side of your furnace (1 inch or 4 inches thick). There may be a door, or sometimes there’s just a slot in the top of the ductwork.
Pull out the filter and put in a new one of the same size. The arrow on the filter should point toward the furnace.
Restore power, and you’re good to go!

Don’t Forget the Vents!

Andy also strongly recommended clearing snow and any other blockages away from the vents on the outside walls of your home. “The snow blocks your intake, which prevents the furnace from coming on,” he said. “That’s another easily preventable $100+ service call.”

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Take Control of Your Claims

Posted on December 13, 2019 | by Clive Gillett

You know it, I know it, and so does everyone else… you hate the idea of filing a claim. But why?

One word: Inconvenience.

Over the years you’ve come to expect long wait times and difficult communication, plus an unknown contractor coming to your house at odd hours (who may not be someone you actually want in your home).

Wouldn’t it be nice if you could just file your claim quickly and get a contractor out on YOUR schedule? Better yet, someone you know and trust?

You can with America’s Preferred Home Warranty.

Control the Process

Your call will be answered quickly and professionally by our Michigan-based customer service representatives, available 24/7/365 for your convenience. Heater go out at 2 a.m? Christmas Eve oven issues? We’re here, and we take notes.
Choose who YOU are comfortable with. Your contractor will be working around your home and family—they should be someone you trust.
Schedule for YOUR convenience. No waiting on the warranty company to make an appointment. Your licensed contractor of choice works for YOU, so you set the appointment to suit your schedule.

Control Your Costs

Get an immediate decision about coverage. Once we receive your contractor’s diagnosis, you receive an immediate claim decision, so you can decide how to proceed.
Use your approved claim money however you see fit. No restrictions on parts, brands, or colors. See a great deal on a newer model? Go for it! It’s your money, use it how and where you need it.

Control How Payments Are Processed

Pay up front with quick reimbursement, or we can pay the contractor right over the phone, so your contractor can get right to work and get you back to living in comfort in your home.

Say goodbye to the claims experiences of the past, and say hello to taking back control of your life.

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What is a Home Warranty? Let’s Talk.

Posted on December 5, 2019 | by Clive Gillett

First Things First

Home warranties and homeowners’ insurance are two different things.

Homeowners’ insurance is essentially hazard insurance—it covers damages to your property as a result of external forces (i.e., flooding, fire, etc.). A home warranty, on the other hand, is a service contract—it offers coverage for failures of your major home systems and appliances due to normal wear and tear.

Neither replaces the other, but they can work well together.

Know Your Warranty

It is vital that you thoroughly read and understand the details of your home warranty contract. Reading the terms and conditions will provide crucial information to your decision-making process, creating a better understanding of what to expect from your coverage, and helping you to avoid unmet expectations.

Why APHW?

America’s Preferred Home Warranty (APHW) allows homeowners to Choose Their Own Licensed Contractor. This provides the homeowner with:

An unbiased, third-party assessment of the covered item’s failure,
The ability to choose someone they know and trust to allow into their homes, and
The freedom to schedule their contractor at THEIR convenience.

APHW also provides a 3-step easy claims process with 24/7/365 person-to-person service. Whenever you need us, we are here to help.

Call 888.351.3681 for more information.

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APHW Volunteers at Michigan Fall Special Olympics 2019

APHW Staff Volunteer at Michigan Special Olympics 2019 Fall Games

Posted on October 4, 2019 | by Clive Gillett

America’s Preferred Home Warranty (APHW) employees volunteered again this year at the Michigan Special Olympics Fall Games September 20 – 22, assisting in a variety of ways for the 2019 events.

Patty took part in the cycling event, discovering upon arrival that her own cousin was competing! She got to escort him to the starting line for both of his races, and states she would definitely do it again next year. “It’s an amazing feeling to be a part of something like this, to watch the excitement on the participants’ faces, and see the true meaning of sportsmanship,” she said.

Assisting in flag football, Toney watched a new girl on the team discover what it’s like to score. “She hadn’t played before and at first looked confused on which way to go,” she said. “They handed her the football and told her to run, and the other team followed behind her and let her make the touchdown—her first ever. It was one of the best moments I have seen in a long time.”

“My favorite part was just being involved in the games and talking with the participants,” said David, who also assisted with the flag football event. “Our world is so self-centered sometimes, and it’s good to just think about others for a while—it’s a rewarding experience.”

“I acted as a ball retriever and delivered water to each team in the softball event,” said Taylor. “Seeing the joy and gratitude on the players’ faces was so fulfilling, and it was rewarding to see the excitement as teammates watched others hit the ball or make it to the next base.”

Toney really enjoyed interacting with the players, and strongly encourages others to consider volunteering next time. “The players are competitive, but they also cheer for each other no matter what team they’re on. It’s an amazing experience,” she said. “And they really need you.”

“Giving back and doing for others is what God wants us to do,” said Sherry, who also assisted in the cycling event. “It made me feel so good inside to be able to help and interact with them. It’s the best feeling in the world, and all I can say is go and help volunteer; you’ll be glad you did.”

With more than 1,600 athletes competing in the games, every volunteer makes a difference. APHW would like to thank Taylor, Alicia, Toney, Patty, David, Sherry and Brittany for volunteering their free time toward this event, as well as Donna for leading the volunteer effort. We are so proud to have each of you on our team!

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