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October 28, 2006 RE: L & H Services Inc. Beecher, IL 60401 To Whom It May Concern: Recently my husband and I decided it was time to update our 17 – 18 year old furnace and air conditioner. I had my heart set on Geothermal but after a few phone calls we determined that cost was prohibitive. So I decided that the next best thing would be the air to air heat pump. I went on line to the big names that you hear advertised all over and that you see in the newspaper (Trane, Carrier, Lennox, Bryant). I contacted local dealers that I found on their websites. I also went to the BBB and checked them out before I called them. Two Lennox guys didn’t even bother to come out. The Carrier guy was very nice and very helpful but the prices where a little high. The first Bryant guy was okay but I didn’t like that the units he was giving us prices on which where no longer even listed on Carriers website. The second fellow was nice and didn't even get a chance to send his bid out. Only L&H, the second Lennox guy and the first Bryant guy where in favor of heat pumps. The Carrier dealer said they were really efficient and never said anything bad about them but he said he wouldn't put the money into one unless we were going to be here for 20 plus years. Everyone who came to the house I could have worked with, Mike just stood out from the rest. I had looked at enough information on the heat pumps to know that they were very efficient. I also knew that the people who had problems with them 1. Expected the heat to feel warmer than body temperature so they thought the pump wasn’t working or 2. The installer wasn’t comfortable with heat pumps and it needed to be tweaked. My last call was to Mike at L & H Services in Beecher. He was totally different than the other guys I had talked to. Just from that phone call I felt that not only was this his job, but he had a passion for what he did and for helping people. I did not feel talked down to; I did not feel that he was feeding me a line. After that call I think we were leaning towards buying what he had without even having him come out. The second Bryant dealer had left our house only minutes before Mike got here. First impression is that Mike is intense, if you want a slick sales guy he is not the person for you. Mike is more of an educator. He wants you to understand what he is selling so that when you make your decision you are making it with understanding. By the time Mike left our house we were ready to buy. I felt bad because the other dealer hadn’t even had time to get his bid to us but the only reason we didn’t sign before Mike left was he laid out a bunch of options on the “extras” that I wanted to talk to my husband about. In the end we decided on the furnace and heat pump the humidifier, air cleaner and UV purifier. I must state this clearly Mike did not push anything on us, he was not looking at our pocket books and trying to figure out how much money we had to spend or trying to make us spend more so that he could earn top dollar. We did it because with Mike’s prices we were able to get a lot more for our money! It was expensive I won’t kid anyone but we are very happy with our decision. The install was supposed to take place about three weeks after the order was faxed in. It happened the next week. Mike came out the first day to help get the pump in and to build the platform and work with Jake and John. The following day Mike came out to go over things with my husband and just see how things where in general. When do you get the owner of a busy store to do that? He doesn’t just abandon you once the sale is done he stays with you. Jake and John where wonderful I cannot say enough good things about these guys. My husbands comment the first day was “They are being so careful to not get our house dirty and here I am tracking mud all over.” That’s the way it was they were so respectful of our home and our family it was a pleasure to have them here. All around nice guys and very professional. They must have been good because the first day they were here my mom had an auto accident and all I knew was it was bad and she was bleeding when I raced out of here. My nerves where a little jarred and they still stand out in my mind as a very bright spot. The heat that first night with only the pump running and everything not hooked up or tweaked was great! We had it up to 72 and by 10:00 p.m. I had my husband turn it down it was just to hot. We turned it to 70 and by morning we were to hot again! This has never happened in our house, it has always been to cold upstairs in the winter. I worried constantly about the kids because they kick off their blankets at night, I no longer need to worry that they will be cold in their sleep! Last year I kept the furnace at 68 and we wore sweat pants and tee shirts and sweatshirts and socks and sometimes more to try and keep warm. Yesterday after everything was finished I turned the furnace down to 68 because it was just to hot and then put on shorts! We woke up this morning and didn’t have scratching throats and eyes that felt like you rubbed them in steel wool and I slept like a baby. Got out of bed and for the first time didn’t run for a rug because the floors where freezing! I don’t know how the bills will be with these units; I know that even if the bills are the same they were worth it. I have it set to the same temperature that we kept the old one at and it feels great in here. As for whether or not a heat pump is good in the Chicago area I would just like to say it works for us. I had read that heat pumps are very noisy but ours is not. I heard that they vibrate like crazy, ours is rock solid and we have only used the pump so far. I heard that the temperatures in the Chicago area make them impractical but how many below 30-degree days do we really get? I have an efficient furnace to back me up so what do I care if it gets a little colder, I’ll still save money. I heard that they wear out faster because they run winter and summer. Most of the air/furnace units we were looking at had a 5 or 10 year warranty; this pump has a better warranty. Plus the pump is bigger than regular air units so it should be fine. By the time I want to replace it, it will be because something better is on the market that I want to upgrade to. I heard that people thought they blew cold air, generally under body temperature, which is why it feels cooler than normal furnace air. That one worried me a little but after getting it installed and standing on the vent I can say the air is warmer than the air from our old furnace! The gunk that the filter and UV are taking care of is amazing I saw the filter after only running a short time it was gross and that used to be in our air! I will not miss running out to buy filters to change them once a month all year long. I will not miss our old furnace humidifier that never really worked like we thought it should. It did however run and drip all over our furnace and whatever was sitting below it. Plus the thing needed to be cleaned often and that was a major hassle. I won't miss turning on the furnace and having the house smell like something was burning, then everyone started to get cold like symptoms. Running noses, and icky eyes, scratchy throats and headaches all winter long. I think the most important thing you can do for yourself if you get a heat pump is get someone who knows how to install them. Not just has been to a class and maybe done one or two but doesn’t really like them. Get someone who has done them often and likes them. That’s the difference. Mike, Jake and John are great. Buying from L&H will not disappoint you. Anyone can sell you an air/furnace unit and you will probably be mostly happy with it. It’s how these guys do their job that made it a happy experience to give them a check at the end of it. I’m so tired of people who do only as much as they have to just for the money. I’m tired of slick talkers giving you want you want to hear and then delivering a whole different package. Mike is not slick; he is a hard working, family man who takes care of you like you are his family. If you want a sales pitch and a smooth talker who always says things right go to a motivational speaking seminar. If you want an excellent product, installed by the best guys around go to L & H. Sincerely, Marisa and Bill Nosie P.S. I can hardly wait for summer so I can see what the air is like! |
I never had central air conditioning, only an 18,000 BTU (1.5 ton) window air conditioner, which, with the use of some strategically placed fans, would cool the entire house (small house with a total of 1800 sq. ft ... 900 sq. ft. basement with rec. room, and 900 sq. ft. upstairs).
My heating unit was a forced air gas furnace. It was original equipment (47 years old) and was still running. It has served me well, but was very inefficient by today's standards.
I am of the "old school." "If it works, don't fix it!" But a friend of mine convinced me that it is time to upgrade.
I called four (4) HVAC contractors for prices, L & H included. After my first appointment, I made my first proposal my benchmark, to insure that everyone was bidding an identical system. Turned out that the "basic" bids were for a 2.5 ton Central AC Unit, and a 90,000 BTU Furnace.
To my surprise three contractors bid using the same manufacturer, and the bids ranged from low to VERY high, which again was a surprise. I thought, that with the same manufacturer, they would ALL be approximately the same? I also thought that I would get bids from contractor's using different manufacturer's. Figured four (4) contractors, four (4) different systems to compare. Two of the contractor's spent a moderate amount of time with me, and the third couldn't get out of the house fast enough.
Then I had my interview with Mike (L & H). Mike spent more time with me then all three of the other contractors put together, and he was the only one to offer a different, and better, manufacturer. He really educated me as to the do's and don't of modern day heating and air conditioning. He presented "energy summaries" comparing five (5) different HVAC systems. No! He did not compare the systems with my old 47 YO heating unit, and window AC, and he did not compare the systems with the competitor's. His "high end" systems were compared to his "standard system", which was the benchmark for all the bids. His standard system was right there, price wise, with the other bids. Competitive with the lower figures, and much lower then the highest figure. I ended up with the "high end" RUUD HVAC System. With the "HVAC Summary" as a guide, I will save enough in energy bill's to pay for the difference in cost between the "high end" and "standard" system in less then four (4) years, and this is based on comparisons of the "new modern units." I expect that payback time to be cut in half when compared to my "OLD UNITS." NICOR and ComEd are going to hate me for this change. I signed the contract with L & H on a Friday, and the following Monday (Yes! Sat, Sun, and MONDAY) they installed my new HVAC system. My thermostat has been set at 73 deg. F since the installation, and it hasn't moved. I compared last years ComEd bill with this years. Even though my AC Unit is always on (I didn't even bother to turn it off when I was gone for the weekends) I used 463Kwh LESS, and saved $40.30 over last years bill. AND guess what? The average "daily" temperature "Last Year" was 79 deg. F, AND the average "daily" temperature "This Year" was 79 . Also on the PLUS side, my homes indoor temperature is now consistent from room to room. No more "COLD" spots. I can also tell you that last year, and in all previous years, my window AC was only turned on during the really steamy, unbearable days. Had it run continuous, like my new unit, I can guarantee that my usage would have tripled, and also my bill. Thanks to Mike, and the "L & H Team," I am really spending less, and enjoying it more!
I can't wait till heating season starts, and I get to run my new furnace. I will give you a follow-up on the heating unit at that time. Guarantee, it'll be shorter, because all the "History" is right here.
Respectfully,
Rich Krenovsky
Alsip, Illinois
-Steve Koehn
- Yvonne A Allen
Eric is a Good Guy, He Shows Friendship Immediately. He's very Professional and a great asset to Your Company. He Leaves You with Comfort & Peace of Mind like Larry & Mike always have. I've been a Customer of Larry's since 1974 Before L&H began, I still am and will be. The Hameisters are like Family.
Thank You & Sincerely,
Patsy Bedeker
Thanks for being there when I need you.
Gloria J Luecke
Mr Larry Hameister
L&H Services, Inc.
140 Dixie Highway, Suite 1
Beecher, IL 60401
Dear Mr. Hameister,
On September 23rd, your company installed a condensing unit at my parent's home in Frankfort, IL My father, Paul Daugirda, retired as Vice President of Research and Development for the Rheem Water Heater Division in 1990. I am currently the Engineering Manager responsible for Gas-Fired Furnaces at the Rheem AC Division.
My Father called last week and told me that his condensing unit had failed. I consdiered finding a unit for him in the laboratory in Fort Smith, but I was concerned that my parents would be without air conditioning for an extended period of time. I suggested that they purchase the equipment locally. My father was very pleased with your quick response and service. He is an engineer and has installed his own equipment in the past. I am certain that he watched the installation carefully. I am happy to know that there is a Rheem dealer near my parent's home that we can depend on. I should have known that I could "Relax, It's Rheem."
Thank You
Diane
Diane
Jacobs, PhD, PE
Engineering Manager
Residential Heating Equipment
Rheem Manufacturing Co.
Air Conditioning Division
P.O. Box 17010
Fort Smith, AR 72917
July 10, 2006
L&H Services
Beecher, IL 60401
Re: Letter of Recommendation
Dear Larry,
I am writing to thank you for the outstanding service and installation L&H performed at our house in Flossmoor.
As you know, Michelle and I were looking for a contractor to install a high-velocity HVAC system during our remodel of our 1940's colonial. In fact, by the time we called L&H, we had already obtained a bid from a Unico contractor in Elmhurst, IL. As you know, we weren't very happy with the figures quoted by them.
L&H visited our house and came up with a better system design in less time. The designed system met our requirements - ultra-high efficiency forced air heat, forced air colling, radiant heat, and potable hot water. And the price was nearly 1/3 of what your competitor wanted to charge us. Needless to say, L&H got the job.
Throughout Construction, we were very pleased with L&H's work. L&H was willing to work with the changes in our schedule, did its work quickly (faster than any other contractors on site), and followed up promptly. The installation is top-quality, and when visitors come to our house, I show them the HVAC system first. We very much appreciate the work that L&H did and would quickly recommend L&H to anyone looking for an HVAC contractor.
Very Truly Yours,
Cameron M. Nelson