Home Warranties Archives | Page 2 of 2

APHW’s Tech Updates Allow Staff to be Safe at Home

Posted on May 7, 2020 | by Clive Gillett

Donna was uniquely set to work from home as a Virtual Sales Manager due to recent updates at America’s Preferred Home Warranty (APHW). “It’s just one of the many reasons why I love working for APHW,” she said. But things weren’t always that way.

In a typical workday, Donna calls real estate agents to set up trainings, conducts trainings and webinars, and supports an ongoing online training and real estate agent support system. “We’re reaching more people as we go along,” she said. “I might see one agent in a given day, or a few hundred. It’s all to continue getting the word out about APHW, and I love it.”

The company supplied Donna with everything she’d need to work from home during this difficult time, but this was largely possible due to recent updates to APHW’s systems—particularly their new cloud-based NetSuite. “We wouldn’t have been able to do this with our previous system,” she said. “We were prepared, and that reminds us that we’re not in this alone: We are a team, and we’re a family.”

With the nation under a stay-at-home lockdown for the most part, Donna feels fortunate to be able to continue working from home. “I love that I can continue helping real estate agents to build skills and knowledge, to ultimately better help their clients.”

Call us today at 800.648.5006 or visit APHW.COM for more information!

Let us know your thoughts on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter or Instagram!

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.

Was this post helpful? Let us know on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter or Instagram!

America's Preferred Home Warranty Receives NHSCA Accreditation

APHW Achieves NHSCA Accreditation

Posted on March 16, 2020 | by Clive Gillett

The National Home Service Contract Administration (NHSCA) officially accredited America’s Preferred Home Warranty (APHW) Tuesday, March 10, recognizing their full compliance with a recently created, nationwide standard for home warranty companies.

“This gives consumers and real estate agents added confidence to know they’re doing business with a reputable company,” said APHW CEO Rodney Martin. “And we’re very excited to receive this important designation!”

The NHSCA shared their thoughts in a blog post last September, regarding the new accreditation:

“The award of the NHSCA accreditation logo demonstrates to consumers and the industry our membership’s commitment to proper regulation and compliance,” says John Walsh, General Counsel for NHSCA member Cinch Home Services, Inc., based in Florida. Walsh, also the NHSCA Treasurer/Secretary, added, “NHSCA membership is what REALTORS® look for when recommending a home warranty provider. This program is just another step forward to assure regulators and consumers [that] we take our responsibility seriously to meet their expectations.”

But then, APHW leadership have always worked to ensure that homeowners come first. “We pay attention to the details,” Rodney said. “Honesty and integrity are part of our core values. Doing it right matters.”

Call 800.648.5006 or visit APHW.COM for more information today!

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.”

Was this review helpful? Let us know on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter or Instagram!

Home Warranty Day, National Home Warranty Day, Home Warranties

National Home Warranty Day 2020

Posted on February 10, 2020 | by Clive Gillett

Enjoy LIVING in your home without worrying about unexpected expenses. Call us today at 888.351.3681 or visit APHW.COM for more information.