A Must Read For Your Indoor Comfort Spring-Summer 2009

Comfort Zonefrom the Technicians You Can Trust With Your House Keys!®

Win 1 Year of

FREEASAP Service

for Trivia Winner

Pg. 12

Going Green "Screened"

Has Never Been Easier

Energy Tips to Save on your Home's Electric Bill Pg. 12

INSIDE:Outdoor Hydrants are a Simple and Convenient Upgrade Pg. 8

Page 2 Call (913) 384-4440 or (816) 285-4440

Comfort Zone • Spring-Summer 2009This publication is printed to provide customers with information about comfort, health, safety, energy savings, practical tips and more. © 2009 Anthony PHC

Questions & Comments Please contact Steve Burbridge, Customer Relations at (913) 384-4440 or sburbridge@anthonyphc.com Our Mission: To provide a consistent, value-added service experience of the highest quality for every customer...every hour...of every day. This service experience must exceed expectations to the point that customers will be so delighted with us, they feel compelled to tell others so they can benefit, too.Our Goal: CLIENTS FOR LIFE

Our ServicesAir CleanersAir ConditionersBoiler SystemsDehumidifiersDuct Sealing

Sump PumpsThermostatsFurnace & AC Tune-upsWater HeatersZoning Systemsand much more!

Faucet InstallationFurnacesGarage HeatersGarbage DisposersUV Germicidal LampsHeat Pumps

High-Efficiency FiltersHumidifiersASAP (Anthony Service Agreement Program)Plumbing Repair

Your AC is on Borrowed Time . . .The clock is ticking down until 2010 when

air conditioner manufacturers will (by Federal law) stop producing air conditioners which use ozone-

depleting R-22 refrigerant (freon). Then new cooling systems will only use R-410A, an environmentally-

friendly refrigerant. Almost all older air conditioners in the market today use R-22, which will soon

become scarce and pricey. Plus, R-22 is scheduled to be phased out and will no longer be available for

usage in the years to come.

If you have an air conditioner or heat pump with R-22 . . . there is no way to

simply replace the old refrigerant with the new refrigerant. A new system is your only option

to have the non-ozone-depleting refrigerant.

If you have a known refrigerant leak in your system . . . consider upgrading your

system now to save for the future.

Don't know what refrigerant you have??? Call us and we will send a technician out at no charge

to inform you as to the type of refrigerant you have and the energy efficiency of your system.

www.anthonyphc.com Page 3

You are probably going to be surprised when I tell you the safest and highest return on your investment dollars today is upgrading your heating and cooling systems! In my 29 years in the business, I have never seen the size of tax credits, utility rebates and manufactures' incentives that are available now. If it has ever crossed your mind that you should be replacing your comfort system, or if it is over 12 years old – now is the time to act.

It starts with the government stimulus plan that allows a tax credit for up to 30% capping at $1,500. This means you can have a super quiet, super efficient system installed at builder’s grade prices. The federal tax credit for solar is 30% with no maximum. Almost every utility in the metro area has some incentives and/or rebates.

KCP&L has been the most aggressive offering up to an $850 rebate plus reduced electric rates 8 months of the year just for installing a high efficiency heat pump. Combine the heat pump with an Energy Star rated furnace with a programmable thermostat and Missouri Gas Energy (MGE) will add $225 rebate on top of that (if MGE is your gas supplier). BPU and Independence Power and Light also have attractive incentive plans.

At Anthony Plumbing Heating and Cooling, we always offer 12 months same as cash (w.a.c.) on all of the systems we install. So you can lower your utility bills by up to 50%, receive a whopping amount of credits and rebates and not pay a dime for a full year. Now do you see why this is the soundest investment you can make today? Call us for further details, and we will make sure you don’t miss out on all the incentives.

There Has Never Been a Better Time Than This A Bonus Bonanza For Customers by Steve Burbridge, Customer Relations

What "Green" action do you perform the most? Recycling Hybrid Car Gardening Car Pool Heat Pump

Vote Now

Comfort SurveyHow Green Are You?We asked website visitors "What GREEN action do you perform the most? Our poll delivered the following results...

The winner by far was "Recycling" at 68%. Both users of "Heat Pumps" and "Gardening" tied at 11%. And a tie for last place at 5% was "Car Pooling" and drives "Hybrid Cars".

Page 4 Call (913) 384-4440 or (816) 285-4440

Private Sale WinnerCongratulations to Frank Rahija of Kansas City, Kansas, who won the Private Sale drawing for a new desktop computer system. Those homeowners who inquired about replacing their comfort system in November and December were in the drawing for the computer whether they purchased a system or not. Apparently, Frank used the computer as a gift for his daughter..

Happy Surfing!

Douglas PriceEd HeilmanEula WeaverGene BurvickGene ParinGlen DarrowHarbinger Property GroupHays CompanyIvon JonesJan Rice-DeMarsJason BrownJason JonesJeff & Jody CusickJennie MillerJoAnn ThomasJoe CampinJohn AnzekJohn GreenJohn MadruenoJudy BakerJulie HansonKathy KreamerKeith HaskampKen MoodyKent ThompsonLinda LightonLori GilgusMarie LicktenarMarsha MurlengrahtMartin HollandMarvin ColeMary AldersonMary Humphrey

Mary Jo EvansMatt SimsMetzler RemodelingMichael CarsonMike MagnessMike O'ConnellNancy BurryNancy KanetPam TriplettPatty MasonPaul GibbsPerformance Plus HomesRay MischonRick MillerRob MorganRobert RamRoger SchultzRon & Doris WelkerRonald & Lois TrayfordRosalyn OsbornRuss MorganRuthie WornallSandra SigmanSusan MorgenthalerSusan PruenteTed & Kathy ThomasTian XiaoTom HaasTom MadsenWarren TraynorWayne PlatzWendell GardmanWestern Chemical Pumps

Al HerreraAlicia MitchelsonAll Star AwardsAmos RobertsAnnell EisonAnthony RossAudrey ChodenBarbara PhillipsBecky BeersBill RichmondBill SelvidgeBob & Betty WaisnerBob ChrismanBob SolgerBobbie MarkusBrackman ConstructionBrad ElderBrian SchellBryan SchmeligCarol BransonCarol ParkerChis ChavezChris CrouchChuck EngleCindi KennaleyCraig FossumCraig KurseCraig NovorrDebra EversonDenise MurphyDenny ListonDonna & Mark WalshDorothea Jacoby

You Shared the Best Kept Secret in Town!Thank you to those who recently referred us!

www.anthonyphc.com Page 5

Now using Anthony is the Green thing to do! Like most people, you are concerned about the happiness and health of your family. So let them enjoy the absolute best environment as well! You want your children and future generations to breathe fresh air, drink clean water, and bask in the beauty of Mother Nature! For that to happen, your helping hand is needed. The world has changed greatly over the last few decades. Pollutants are infecting water

sources, food quantities are diminishing while their prices rise, and everyone questions when oil prices will stabilize. Making matters more difficult, Earth’s population proceeds to swell.

Recycling aluminum cans and plastic bottles helps, but it's not enough. When homes are one of the largest consumers of

water and energy, more must be done, and that’s where you can make a differ-ence! You can begin moving toward an environmentally-responsible home by choosing a Green Screened HVAC contractor! Anthony Plumbing, Heating & Cooling is Kansas City's first service company to become "Green Screened."

Green Screened contractors make the commitment to embrace the “green” movement by being “green” in their own actions, as well as by educating homeowners on ways that they can make their home comfort systems more energy efficient. In fact, all Green Screened contractors provide homeowners with Home Energy Audits and Evaluations!

FACT: Only 1% of all contractors in North America qualify for Green Screened certification.

TM

Hawaii Requires Solar Water HeatersStarting January 1, 2010, Hawaii will be the first state to require all newly constructed single family homes to have solar water heating systems. Could California and other progressive states be far behind?

You need Zoning in your home if . . .• It has multiple levels• It contains a bonus room off the back or over the garage• There are finished areas in the basement or attic• It utilizes expansive glass areas• You desire different temperatures in different areas of the home• You have a home office• A portion of the home is built over a concrete slab floor• The home extends in multiple directions or has wings extending off the main living area• There are large, open areas such as vaulted ceilings or lofts, an atrium or a solarium

Not as comfortable as you could be?You are not alone. Recent research demonstrates that approximately 74% of homeowners have at least one room that is either too hot or too cold.

Your home is the place for you to be completely comfortable. So why do you still find yourself reaching for a blanket to watch a movie in the basement TV room, or turning on your ceiling fan, even when the A/C is on, just to get cool after a day out in the yard?

Most homes, including yours, have areas that suffer because you are asking a single thermostat located in one area to control the temperature in all parts of your home. The thermostat only knows the temperature where the thermostat is actually located! You simply cannot achieve whole home comfort with one thermostat, just like you can’t (and don’t want to) control all your lighting with one light switch.

Zoning is a control system designed for the way you use your home. With a zoning system, each area of your home is given customized heat-ing and cooling control. Today we have wireless thermostats that you can even carry with you from room to room!

Page 6 Call (913) 384-4440 or (816) 285-4440

FREE Room by Room Temperature Analysis

Call Today!

Gain Control of Your Home's Temperatures!

www.anthonyphc.com Page 7

OLD EXPRESSIONS AND WHERE THEY COME FROM

The first person to send us the origin of the last expression on this page will win a 1 year maintenance (ASAP) for their heating, cooling & plumbing system. ($259 Value). E-mail your answer to service@anthonyphc.com.

FROM THE HORSE'S MOUTHYou can tell a horse’s age by examining its teeth. A horse dealer may lie to you, but you can always find the truth 'from the horse’s mouth'.

WHITE ELEPHANTIn Siam (modern day Thailand) white or pale elephants were very valuable. The king sometimes gave a white elephant to a person he disliked. It might seem a wonderful gift, but it was actually a punishment because it cost so much to keep!

WHIPPING BOYPrince Edward, later Edward VI, had a boy who was whipped in his place every time he was naughty.

LET THE CAT OUT OF THE BAGIs probably derived from the days when people who sold piglets in bags sometimes put a cat in the bag instead. If you let the cat out of the bag, you exposed the trick.

WIN HANDS DOWNThis saying comes from horse racing. If a jockey was a long way ahead of his competitors and sure to win the race, he could relax and put his hands down at his sides.

WASH MY HANDS OFThe Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, refused to be involved in the death of an innocent person (Jesus). So he washed his hands in front of the crowd, symbolically disassociating himself from the execution.

START FROM SCRATCHThis phrase comes from the days when a line was scratched in the ground for a race. The racers would start from the scratch.

SHOW YOUR TRUE COLORS????

Outdoor Hydrants Easy on your hands and they won’t freeze or allow back flow into drinking water. by Randy Hardesty, Plumbing Manager

Have you ever had to turn your outdoor hydrant off with both hands to keep it from leaking? Do you have a hard plastic handle that hurts your hands?

Our plumbers have ready-to-be-installed hydrants that have rubberized steel handles that won’t crack and are easy to turn on and off with one hand. In addition to being easy to grip, they provide safety in two ways:

1. The hydrants will not freeze, even if you forget and leave a hose attached! (Although we recommend disconnecting your hoses in

weather below freezing).

2. You won't have to worry about contaminated water and chemicals back flowing from your hose into your

drinking water with the built-in, anti-siphon function of these high-quality hydrants.

You'll be amazed at the ease of operation of these hydrants – it can make gardening fun again!

Egg Smell in Sinks? Try this: Pour white vinegar down the drain and let it sit for a minute, then turn on the water and flush with more white vinegar and water. Wipe down the sink with a white cloth soaked with white vinegar. If this doesn't fix it, then call an Anthony plumber to check your pipes or clean your disposer.

Page 8 Call (913) 384-4440 or (816) 285-4440

www.anthonyphc.com Page 9

What's Your Sump Pump "Backup Plan" if it Fails? by Mike Carter, Plumbing Technician

Imagine a power outage and your sump pump goes useless during a thunderstorm. Or what if your sump pump fails

prematurely or is at the end of its life (about 7 years)? Would you know before it's too late? A Battery Backup sump pump is your best insurance to protect your basement and any valuables you may store in it.

A Battery Backup Pump saves the day when your regular sump pump: • Fails as a result of a power outage • Has unexpected pump failure • Has a float switch failure • Is unable to keep up with incoming water

A backup pump is an inexpensive insurance policy eliminating the headaches and cost associated with a flooded basement.

How Does It Work?Your AC/DC battery backup pump will switch automatically to battery when power fails or your main pump breaks. It can also pump along with your main pump when there is more water than your main pump can handle. A backup pump will typically handle 1000 to 2200 gallons per hour. It also has a maintenance alarm to notify you that service is needed. It's the best insurance for your basement and belongings!

See inside back page for Battery Backup Special...

Sump Pump Tip It is important to check your sump pump regularly to make sure it is in proper working condition. 1) Remove the cover and slowly pour water into the sump pit. 2) Watch for the "float" to rise and trigger the pump. 3) Once the pump is engaged, the water level will quickly lower and the float will shut off the pump. This is what is called "a normal sump cycle".

Page 10 Call (913) 384-4440 or (816) 285-4440

You don't have to be good in the kitchen with the fast and easy solution for the taste buds. Springberry Pie is our fun way of saying good ol' fashioned Strawberry Pie. It's not too filling and healthy for you and the kids Let's start cookin'...

Ingredients:8 oz. cream cheese 1 cup sugar 1 tsp. grated lemon peel 2 tsp. lemon juice 9-inch baked pie shell 4 cups fresh strawberries 2-10 oz. packages of frozen strawberries – thawed and mashed ¼ c. cornstarch

Light & Tasty

Springberry Pie

Anthony’s Kitchen

Beat the cream cheese, ½ cup sugar, lemon peel and lemon juice

until well-combined. Spread in cooled pie shell. Top with fresh berries. Cook the

mashed berries, ½ c. sugar, and cornstarch until bubbly, plus an additional 2 minutes. Cool until just warmer than room

temperature, then pour over strawberries in the pie shell.

Delicious!

Generous HEART Anthony's Customer Focus

We have a great story to tell about keeping a positive attitude through adversity, compassion and contagious gener-

osity. We first learned of this story through one of our valued customers, Julie Hanson. She's the mother of Jeff Hanson, an incredible 15-year-old artist from Overland Park. Jeff is visually impaired from an optic nerve tumor associated with a genetic condition called Neurofibromatosis. The tumor started causing severe

vision loss in 2005, and Jeff received radiation and chemotherapy in 2005-2006. His vision is

20/200. Despite this, Jeff sees well enough to create original art work for several charities as well as commissioned pieces.

Jeff started painting abstract art note cards in the spring of 2006, when he was 12 years old. It was a hobby and pastime for him since his visual impairment prevented him from doing the usual “kid stuff,” like skate boarding,

bicycling, baseball, etc. Jeff’s art is totally abstract with bright, bold colors that are explosive!

Jeff started selling his note cards in the summer of 2006, at Jeff’s Bistro, a glorified lemonade stand in his front yard. The public response was overwhelming, and Jeff decided to give the profits to The Children’s Tumor

Foundation to help fund research for Neurofibromatosis and optic tumors. Jeff painted and sold over 5000 original cards, as well as mom’s baked goods, raising over $15,000 for the charity. Since that time, Jeff has moved into larger works using acrylics on canvas with much of the profit going to various charitable foundations. Jeff also donates canvases to several of his favorite auction fundraisers typically raising $500-$1200 each.

Jeff’s story is about generosity. Learn more about Jeff and the charities he supports by going to their website www.jeffreyowenhanson.com

www.anthonyphc.com Page 11

Page 12 Call (913) 384-4440 or (816) 285-4440

An Energy-Saving TestMost homes can use some weather stripping in doors/windows to keep the heat out. This summer, you can save on your cooling bills for the low cost of weather stripping, and it's easy to install. How do you know if a door needs weather stripping? Put a dollar bill in all four sides of the door frame and shut the door. If the dollar bill can be pulled out easily, YOU NEED weather stripping!

EcoSharpTM Calibration For Your Air Conditioner

by Cecil Davis, Operations Manager Now that Anthony is a certified "Green Screened" contractor, we

thought it would be good to explain further how this helps you, "our customer". Over the course of several cooling seasons without regular servicing, your cooling unit can become beat up and worn down. The cooling coils, which keep an air conditioner operating efficiently, can become packed with leaves, dirt and debris. This lack of maintenance will stress the operating components of your unit and knock them out of calibration and alignment. Vital parts can lose lubrication and begin making noises and rust in a very short amount of time.

This wear and tear on your cooling system will guarantee poor operation, costing you up to 17% MORE of the energy it consumes! An air conditioner already has a great deal of waste due to how tightly sealed (or not) your ductwork and home is. That means more oil and coal are being burned to create unnecessary energy, more smog, acid rain, and global warming is occurring.

The environment isn't the only one paying a price for wasteful fuel; you are, too! The cold truth is that an air conditioner without proper maintenance will have a short life.

An EcoSharp Calibration can eliminate your energy wasting ways!If you are a proud owner of an A.S.A.P. (Anthony Service Agreement Program), you already receive this wonderful service that saves 75% on repairs that never happen, ensures the longest life possible of your cooling system and saves up to 17% on your energy bill!

Why Moss Only Grows on the North Side of Trees

by Frank Laster, Comfort Consultant

Ultraviolet germicidal lamps (like the sun's rays) break down the DNA of living organisms like mold, mildew, bacteria and viruses which kill them, preventing spread and growth. Mold and mildew can grow anywhere there is a food source (dust and particulates), moisture (condensation on indoor cooling coils and drain pans), and warm and dark areas (inside of ductwork). This is why we install the lamps typically near the indoor coil on your comfort system.

The light is so powerful it will damage your eyes if you look at it. We have a customer that did not realize his bulb was burned out on his

system until his kids seemed to be getting sick all the time. He had us check his germicidal lamp, and we found the burned out bulb.

With all the health issues in our homes, a germicidal lamp is a must-have component of your comfort system.

Monthly Comment Card Winners!Congratulations to our friends below who turned in a comment

card after having service provided by Anthony at their home. The winners received a $50 Gift Certificate to the Hereford House (Dinner for 2). Every card you send in is read and shared with all Anthony co-workers to help

keep our service up to your expectations. Thanks and keep sending in those comments!

October: Michael & Jeanine Bensman, Overland ParkNovember: Harold & Monica Doty, Olathe

December: Larry White, Overland Park January: Louise Pinkard, Shawnee February: Mike & Chris Field, Leawood March: Sally Shaffer, Kansas City, MO

www.anthonyphc.com Page 13

The MailboxCustomer Comments and feedback are the pipeline of our success! Go on-line at www.anthonyphc.com and

give us your valuable input.

Page 14 Call (913) 384-4440 or (816) 285-4440

I was 110% satisfied with the technician’s service and your company. For the past 20 years, I have used the same technician from another company for my furnace issues and tune-ups. After having Anthony’s technician out, I’m sorry I did not use you sooner. Your technician is fabulous! He is very knowledgeable, thorough, and well experienced. I appreciated that he used a “fine comb” when checking my furnace, unlike the technician I previously used. He even took the time to answer all my questions and explained what he was doing throughout the tune-up. Plus, he went the extra mile in checking my vents, and some other odds and ends. C. McDonald, Prairie Village, 66208

As always, the technician arrived on time, was courteous, and explained well, what he would do. I have used Anthony since I moved to Kansas City and I would not call anyone else! J. Scott, Kansas City, MO 64114

Your technician visited our home to perform the pre-season heating system service. In 34 years as a homeowner, we have never had a more thorough, complete pre-season servicing. The technician was exceptional, and he put customer service first by describing in detail what he had done and why it was done. He also advised on issues found and told us the next steps he would take to resolve the issues. He was terrific with his follow-up, getting the right UV lamps installed the right way. His initiative, hard work and extra effort to be sure he got the right UV lights and getting them installed correctly was an example of outstanding customer service. I was eager to return the comment card to give you the feedback and recognition he earned. M. Bensman, Overland Park, KS 66221

Our heater went out on a very cold night, and your technician got it up and working temporarily. He was very knowledgeable and answered all of our questions in detail. He even called the next day to make sure everything was OK!! H. Jackson, Olathe. KS 66061

Yesterday, one of your customer service reps called to confirm the quality of service from a recent service visit. As usual, the technician did an excellent job troubleshooting and repairing our system. He is far and above the best service technician in the business. His vast knowledge is remarkable and employs excellent troubleshooting/deduction skills. Hopefully, he shares what he learns with his peers through some sort of troubleshooting sessions. I am glad he works with you!

J. Hayward, Overland Park, KS 66085

The technician was outstanding. I told him I had a sick baby, and he was so quiet. Yet he did his work very well and thoroughly.

I would use your company again. Thanks! C. Hansen, Overland Park, KS 66212

Experience MattersOur customer service staff has years of experience in helping homeowners with their heating, cooling and plumbing needs. When you call us, you'll never get a person who doesn't understand, or can't get you answers. You can always count on local, friendly service from Anthony, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Schedule appointments on-line at www.anthonyphc.com

Early Bird AC Tune-Up 10% Off before May 31st

www.anthonyphc.com Page 15

The most comprehensive maintenance you will find! Help prevent costly repairs, emergency breakdowns, increase efficiency and

safety all winter. ASAP customers always get 20% off.

Must present coupon, not valid with other offers or discounts

(913) 384-4440 (816) 285-4440

Rubberized steel handles that won’t crack • Easy to turn on and off with one hand • Will not freeze even if you forget and leave a hose attached • Built-in, anti-siphon function keeps chemicals out of your drinking water. Good Thru June 30, 2009.

Must present coupon, not valid with other offers or discounts

(913) 384-4440 (816) 285-4440

Reduce Mold and Allergy Symptoms! Goes directly into your heating & air conditioning system to keep your cooling coil and indoor air clean and mold-free.

(913) 384-4440 (816) 285-4440

$50 Off Outdoor Hydrant Installation

$100 Off Ultraviolet Germicidal Lamp

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