By Wayne Grant

wgrant@hometownnewsol.com

HOLLY HILL - Mike Calenda of Broward Factory Service said he sells "conditioned air," not any particular type of air conditioner.

The company sells, installs and repairs air conditioning and heating systems, and they offer a wide range of choices for the consumer. They also service any type of appliance.

He said the company is not married to any particular type of air conditioning.

"Some companies are contracted with a certain brand, but we sell everything," he said.

Most of their business is service but they also install units or entire systems.

Mr. Calenda said before installing a system, they will determine the needs of the homeowner.

"Whatever the consumer wants, we can put in," he said. "Every situation is different. It all depends on what they hope to achieve."

Mr. Calenda said he does not have sales people.

"My technicians are the ones who advise the homeowner," he said. "They will offer three options: good, better and best."

The company installs any type of system including heat pumps, straight cool systems with electric heat, water cool, gas furnaces, etc.

Few new homes are being built these days but many people are replacing old units, Mr. Calenda said.

"People who have 20- to 30-year-old units are having them replaced with higher efficiency systems," he said.

Higher efficiency units have lower operating costs and tax credits are often available, Mr. Calenda said.

Maintenance contracts are also popular these days, he said.

"Many of our customers are on fixed incomes," he said. "Repair calls can be costly, even for something as simple as replacing a belt. With a contract, you are done for the year. You know what your annual expenses will be."

He said the company can cover anything mechanical in the house and the homeowner has their choice of what they want covered.

A popular item that many people don't know about, Mr. Calenda said, is the "blue tube UV system."

A special UV light is installed in the air handler that prevents mold from growing.

"There is moisture in your air handler when it is running," he said. "Moisture and no sunlight means mold. If it's in your air handler, it's going to be in your air stream. We can keep it from growing."

Broward Factory Air in Holly Hill is part of a corporation headquartered in Hollywood, Florida, which has been in business for 35 years. There are locations throughout Florida and in three other states.

Mr. Calenda said the advantage of being part of a big company is having stability. Many small contractors have gone out of business in recent years.

"We're not going anywhere," he said. "The owner is dedicated to this business."

Mr. Calenda would like everyone to know that the company only uses its own employees.

"A lot of companies will sub out their work," he said. "We are one of the few that don't. Every person we send to your house is a BFS employee."

Broward Factory Service is located at 1120 State Ave., Holly Hill. For information, call 386-257-5692.