Tri County Comfort Zone Magazine 2015 | Suncoast, FL AC Company

Natural Choice Awards
2010, 2011, 2012 & 2013
Green Business of the Year
TriCountyAir.com
BALANCEThe Story of Nik Wallenda
Tri County Air Nurtured by the Past, Poised for the Future
Tri County
Community Foundation
Community Service Scholarship
PREMIER EDITION

Providing home comfort in surrounding areas since 1977
Call 1-800-771-COLD (2653) • TriCountyAir.com
No Matter What The Weather
Our best home air conditioners make the distinction with two-stage technology.
Lennox® air conditioners are the most efficient and quietest you can buy.
Having a comfortable home goes way beyond temperature settings. Lennox Residential
is a leading global name in home comfort. Tri County Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc.
gives you the personal touch you expect from your indoor comfort professionals.
Sarasota (941) 485-2222 Manatee (941) 749-0756 Charlotte (941) 625-1638

Tri County Makes it Better
EC13003720 • CAC 042759 • CVC 56801

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8
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© 2015 Tri County Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc.. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing. Comfort Zone is a
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Message from the President
by Billy Swanson
The Journey:
Tri County Makes it Better
Tri County Air
Nurtured by the Past,
Poised for the Future
Comfort Care
An Integral Part of
Tri County Services
Cookies!
A Hallmark of
Tri County Hospitality
SuDoKu
Lets Have Some Fun!
Is a Duct-Free Air Conditioner
Right for You?
BALANCE
The Story of Nik Wallenda
Venice High School
Bright Futures Program
6/
8/
11/
14/
16/
18/
20/
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Contents
31
40Editorial by Suzi Harkola
17/
TriCountyAir.com4 COMFORT ZONE

Content Awards for Tri County Excellence
It’s no surprise that the company has received
numerous awards for their quality service and
outreach. Among them are:
• Lennox® Outstanding Dealer Performance;
Centurion Award; and Circle of Excellence
• Bryant® Premier and Outstanding Dealer;
Florida Achievement Award; Medal of
Excellence; Dealer of the Year; and
Environmental Leadership Award
• Florida Power and Light: Certificate of
Achievement
• Venice Area Chamber of Commerce: Business
of the year
• First place local Air Conditioning and Heating
Company in Venice - Readers Choice award
(Herald Tribune 2015)
These accolades are due in large
part to Tri County’s commitment to
consumer satisfaction and the company’s
contribution and volunteerism to
community efforts in many health,
children’s services, elder services and
ministry arenas. Efforts include but are
certainly not limited to:
• The Salvation Army
• Goodwill Industries
• Tidewell Hospice
• Area Food Banks
• Alzheimers Association
• American Red Cross
• Susan B. Komen Foundation
• Manasota SOLVE
• Multiple children’s athletic teams
• Area schools
• Efforts to feed the homeless
• Venice Park and Recreation Department
• Loveland Center
• Boys And Girls Club
• Big Brothers/Big Sisters
• Relay For Life
Tri County: Serving Florida’s Suncoast
Since 1977
For more information about specific services
offered by Tri County, or to reach any of the
management team, please call 941-485-2222,
or visit TriCountyAir.com. Tri County’s office is
located at 1080 Enterprise Court, North Venice,
Florida. Visitors are encouraged to stop in to get
any questions answered by our courteous and
knowledgeable staff, or to just say hello.
What to Expect When
You Call Tri County
Saving Energy and Money
is Easier Than You Think
Cool Car Contest
Make a Difference Day
Beautifies Venice Parks
Tri County Community Foundation
Our Ambassadors
Tri County’s Commitment to Service
Southern BBQ Chicken
Tri County Values Employees
with 10-plus Years of Service
Mold: A Living Nightmare
Lets Have a Little Fun!
The Total Package
Compact Air Performance
UNDERSTANDING WARRANTIES:
Do the Maintenance!
Labor Agreements:
Keep Your Equipment Humming
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1-800-771-COLD (2653) 5COMFORT ZONE

W
elcome to the 2015-2016 edition of Comfort Zone, a
magazine that shares experiences of our company and
people with customers and prospective customers
in a fun, interactive dialog. You’ll find multiple opportunities
within the pages of this magazine to offer your “two cents” by
giving comments and suggestions. We’ve built our business over
the past 38 years by listening, by caring, by comforting and by
responding to our customers’ needs.
There are a few areas I want to stress, high among them is
Maintenance Agreements. Manufacturers are increasingly
becoming more demanding in what they will and will not accept
when honoring warranty items. One of the biggest issues is that
most require at least annual maintenance to avoid the voiding
of warranties. Homeowners who install new equipment and
then do not perform subsequent maintenance run the risk of
voiding their warranty. Unfortunately, they did not find out
that the warranty has been voided until it was necessary to use
it. If you have questions about your warranty or maintenance
agreements, just give us a call and one of our highly trained
customer service representatives will be glad to help you.
We’re also seeing mold as a growing (no pun intended) problem
in homes within our service area. We’ve included a few horror
stories, as well as some things to avoid to keep the devastating
effects of mold at bay. The damage caused, and the speed in
which it happens, may amaze you.
While mold is far from a laughing matter, we’ve included some
fun articles and activities that I hope will spark an interest and
help you understand better the overall mission of Tri County Air
Conditioning. You’ll find information about our community and
school outreach programs, off-the-radar things to do, puzzles
and games, and interesting trivia about the development of our
company. We invite, always, our customer and reader participation
and input into the efforts we are making within the community.
Enjoy this issue of Comfort Zone. Have a little fun and, most
importantly, let us hear from you. We’re all ears!
Sincerely,
Billy Swanson
President
from The PresidentMessage

iComfort S30 Thermostat
So simple. So smart. So comfortable.®
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using a smartphone, tablet or laptop. Remote access, along with live weather forecast and automatic updates,
offers a level of convenience that goes degrees beyond what’s possible with a standard thermostat.
Easily control your entire
system in one simple place.
Keep tabs on your system
for maintenance and updates.
Connect and control your system from
anywhere with your phone or tablet
Updated weather forecasts
CALL 1-800-771-COLD (2653)
TriCountyAir.com
Sarasota (941) 485-2222
Manatee (941) 749 -0756
Charlotte (941) 625-1638
EC13003720 • CAC 042759 • CVC 56801
“No matter what the weather,
Tri County makes it better.”
Quick response
motion sensor

T
ri County Air Conditioning, Inc., with headquarters in
North Venice, is one of the largest air conditioning service
and replacement companies in Florida. From North Ft.
Myers to Parrish and all points in between, the company is
honored to provide comfort to more than 40,000 families.
Their immaculate and expansive showroom/warehouse/
maintenance plant covers nearly 20,000 square feet. The
designer showroom itself is equipped with 7 fully-operational
air conditioning and solar systems. Additionally, a complete
vehicle maintenance area is part of the campus to handle all
maintenance needs of the company’s fleet of nearly 68 vehicles
and 11 trailers. More than 90 Tri County employees live in
Manatee, Sarasota and Charlotte counties, performing jobs in
service and maintenance, new equipment installation, sales,
customer service, marketing, finance and administration.
Services and products include air conditioning units, indoor air quality
systems, photovoltaic systems. The company services all makes and
models, and can perform warranty work for all manufacturers.
William Swanson, Jr., fondly known by colleagues, staff and
customers as Billy, is president and owner of the company,
which was founded by his father in 1977. He began working
full time at Tri County in 1987, and took over the business in
TheJourney
Tri County
No Matter What
William Swanson Sr. First Fleet - Venice, FL (1987)

George Skaggs & Billy Swanson (1996) First Building - Nokomis, FL
Makes it Better
2001 following the death of his father. Billy holds a degree in
mechanical engineering from the University of Florida, is a
registered professional engineer (mechanical) and a ministry
leader in the community.
Billy’s primary calling was ministry through Jesus Christ. His
outreach began in college and extended over the years to family
and friends. In 1995, he, his wife Lolly, and their two children
traveled to Russia to teach Christian ethics and morality. It was
there that Billy realized that his purpose in life was to teach
others about the eternal comfort found in Jesus Christ.
Incorporating Business with Spiritual Outreach
“After taking over Tri County’s management, I struggled for
the first couple of years,” he admitted, “and then God helped
me see that business can actually be a platform for ministry.
Tri County could be the best and most trusted company in
providing environmental comfort, and it could also be an
organization to help others find eternal comfort in Jesus
Christ. And that is my goal, personal and in business: to be the
best and largest air conditioning company, bar none, on the
Suncoast of Florida.”
From this belief came the company’s mission: ‘To comfort all in
such a way that (1) they are compelled to tell others about their
experience, and (2) it honors the Great Comforter, Jesus Christ.’
The mission statement is inspired by 2 Corinthians: 1:3-5.
the Weather,

Billy Swanson (1987) The Staff (1994)
Birth of the Jingle
Interestingly, one of the most iconic advertising jingles
represents the Tri County mission: “No matter what the
weather, Tri County makes it better.” Almost anyone who has
lived in the area for longer than a few months will recognize the
jingle, and could very well burst into song.
“My dad invented a version of the motto when the company
was in its infancy,” notes Billy. “He would always state ‘No
matter what the weather is outside, Tri County makes you feel
good inside’, he wasn’t just referring to the quality of air inside
a person’s home. He wanted people to know that Tri County
can make life better with supportive and caring personnel. It’s
all about how our customers feel inside. A married couple who
wrote jingles for a local television station took that motto and
made it the well-loved and instantly-identiable marketing jingle
it is today.”
CommitmenttoSatisfaction&EnvironmentalStewardship
The values instilled in every member of the staff are not
surprising: honesty, love and caring, teamwork, and service
excellence. The company stands behind the guarantee “to make
it better.” Billy states, “If you are not 100 percent satisfied with
our service, we will
refund 100 percent of
your investment.”
Tri County Makes it Better”
“No Matter What the Weather,

Billy Swanson
Service Department
Lee Moore and Customer
T
ri County’s successful growth has been steady, consistent and
true to the intrinsic values of the people who have crafted a
mission statement based on Christian values, and who live that
mission daily with each and every business and personal transaction.
Tri County has been led by Billy since his father’s death in 2001.
Billy’s dedicated team of managers, installers, personal services
representatives and support personnel believe, as he does, in
the basic Christian values of honesty, caring, teamwork and
service excellence. It’s this dedication that has fed the growth
of Tri County over the years, now serving more than 40,000
customers in Charlotte, Sarasota and Manatee counties.
“Indoor air quality, or environmental comfort naturally affects
our health and general well being. We are, after all, a product
of the air we breathe,” Billy explains. “Our company’s vision is
to improve the environmental comfort, physical comfort and
emotional/spiritual comfort of at least 25% of the west coast
of Florida.”
“This is where we are growing. Our Comfort Care department
has been a fixture within Tri County since 2003, and we’ve been
able to accomplish a lot of really good work, locally, regionally,
even globally. In looking at where we’ll be in the future, I’m
committed to expanding our community outreach to help even
more people receive the full range of comfort that we are able
to provide.”
Billy has several ideas about how to achieve this goal, including
moving into the more active channels of advocacy for those
needing assistance with heating and cooling services and
equipment, and perhaps into a leadership position with
networking opportunities to unite community resources to
fill those needs. Through establishment of the Tri County
Community Foundation, the company has extended outreach
Tri County Air ConditioningTri County Air Conditioning

L-R: Victoria French, Emili Clark, Susan Orsini
Billy Swanson
Jim Watt
into the area’s school system. Additional initiatives with the
area’s school boards are also in place, to assist students at
all K-12 levels. (See the expanded article of outreach into the
schools and enhancement of community resources on page 30,
with emphasis on Make a Difference Day and scholarships to
help the County’s outstanding seniors earn Bright Futures credits
to help with educational expenses.)
Through an expanded Comfort Care agenda and the Foundation,
Tri County has extended a hand – and a hot meal – to the area’s
homeless population and to others in need. The company’s
2014 Christmas Eve free luncheon is just one example of taking
an idea and creating a dynamic event that touched the hearts of
many Venice-area residents.
“The luncheon was such a resounding success that we plan to
expand” explains Jim Foubister, Comfort Care coordinator and
co-director, with his wife Chris, of the Foundation. “We found
this to be a tremendous opportunity to create a community
fellowship through food.”
The bottom line, Foubister says, is that Tri County will grow
by following its mission: “These concepts are not just words
on paper,” he stated emphatically. “They are living words, our
credo for day-to-day business dealings. Tri County has long been
blessed and guided by our mission: to comfort all in such a way
that (1) they are compelled to tell others about their experience
and (2) our work honors the Great Comforter, Jesus Christ.”
and Heating:and Heating: Nurtured by the

Mervin Richardson
Victoria French
Janice Cunningham
Jim & Chris Foubister
L-R: Javier Lima & Ron Abbott
Billy Swanson & Dean Burnside President
& CEO of Good News Pest Solutions
“We do not have an agenda to bring anyone into a specific church
or denomination,” he stresses. “We are open and available
to meet the comfort needs – environmental, physical and
emotional/spiritual – of everyone, regardless of their beliefs. We
do not push our faith on anyone, but if we’re asked about our
faith we will guide them through scripture and show them how
they can have a personal relationship in Jesus Christ.”
“It’s this belief and commitment that will lead Tri County to
even greater successes in the future,” Jim says. “We are known
as the ‘comfort’ company, and it’s our collective goal to make
emotional and spiritual comfort a meaningful cornerstone of
our business in the coming years.”
The company is also currently operating the Tri County Comfort
Institute, an in-house training program that prepares people
of good character to serve the Tri County way. No previous air
conditioning experience is required. Billy says he hopes their
proprietary training model will catch on, and he’ll make it
available to other companies to utilize.
“Franchising will be available so other companies can purchase
the training program and change the parameters to reflect their
own policies so they are not handicapped by procedures taught
by a previous employer or local trade school,” he says.
Clearly, Tri County is not stopping to rest on its many years of
accomplishments. The dreams are there, as are the resources,
determination and commitment to make those dreams reality.
Past, Poised for the Future
“Thank you very, very much. You and your
team were a Godsend. You helped turn our
mold nightmare into something we could
deal with.” – Rick and Jaye S.
Thank you!

Y
our air conditioner can make your home more
comfortable, but what about you? Could you use a little
comfort? Someone who cares? Someone who will listen?
Would you like some practical help with budgeting your fixed
income? Coping with a diagnosis? Knowing Social Security?
Getting emergency help? Finding reliable repairmen? Helping
grandkids on drugs? Tackling other life issues…?
Inspired by his Christian faith and his love for people, Tri County
president Billy Swanson wants his company to truly make
a positive difference in the quality of people’s lives. While
Comfort Care
An Integral Part of
Tri County Services
his team is in the community providing excellent air quality
services, they help people in need, if they want help.
“We care, and we know how to go the extra mile for a friend,”
Billy says. “We have a lot of community resources, and we know
how to search for more.”
“While Tri County is a Christian-based business, our
customers span all religious groups,” he continues. “You
don’t have to be a Christian to receive Comfort Care
services. We care about people, and want to be there for
anyone who needs us. We will not try to push our faith on
Chris & Jim Foubister

If you’re facing a crisis, need a shoulder
to cry on or a heart to listen, contact
Jim Foubister at 941-223-1771, Chris
Foubister at 941-716-4102 or for more
information, please visit tricountyair.
com/comfort-care
you. If you have questions, we’ll
explore them from a Christian
perspective, always respectful of
your religious beliefs.”
Tri County’s Comfort Care services
are based on the company
mission: “To comfort all in such
a way that they are compelled
to tell others about their
experience, and to honor the
Great Comforter, Jesus Christ.”
The Comfort Care services
are coordinated by Jim and
Chris Foubister. They have the
training and the heart to reach
out to anyone in need and to
find solutions.
Jim says, “Our service team
is observant about sensing
people’s needs. If it’s a situation they don’t feel they can handle,
they pass it on to us. We keep a log of all of the requests for help
and how we have helped people through telephone reassurance,
personal visits, practical problem solving, community referrals and
resources; prayer and encouragement; and spiritual guidance.”
While all Comfort Care services are confidential, this note from a
customer, Mary Ellen, expresses the appreciation that so many feel
for Tri County’s outreach:
“I cannot thank you enough for the comfort and support as we
questioned and mourned Tim. You will always have a special
place in my heart. I thank the Lord I had the courage to come see
you. Thank you for welcoming me with open arms. I will always
remember the inspiration you gave me.”
L-R: Princess, Chris & Jim Foubister
Ranfurly Orphanage, Nassau Bahamas
“The workers were great! Job well done!
A special thanks to Javier Lima for a great
presentation.” – Richard N.
Thank you!

W
hat says “comfort” more
than a fresh cookie? When
Tri County sales and service
personnel visit your home, that’s what
you’ll receive. How many cookies does
Tri County deliver in a month? You
might be amazed.
JoAnn Newman at Sweet Treats in Venice
knows the answer: 600 dozen a month,
150 dozen a week, 30 dozen a day, just
for Tri County. She also bakes for several
other businesses in the area. Her small
shop in the Brickyard Plaza carries the
sweet and tantalizing aroma of cookies
and other baked goodies. She’s at the
bakery every day at 6 a.m., and runs
throughout the day to prepare for late
afternoon and evening deliveries, with
the help of her assistants, Jose and Amy,
and her partner, John.
“Cookies have been a hallmark of
our service for many years,” says Billy
Swanson, president of Tri County. “We
offer comfort to our customers, and fresh
cookies are a way to say, ‘we’re here to
serve you with personal comfort as well
as improving the quality of the air inside
your home.’”
Billy made a switch last year from Otis
Spunkmeyer cookies to Sweet Treats due
to changes within the Otis Spunkmeyer
corporate structure.
“I’d been looking around for a while for
a good local bakery that could handle
my volume while still maintaining quality
and outstanding taste. Steve Burnett
of Burnett Marketing
recommended Sweet
Treats, and I knew that
was the answer,” Billy
says. “Our customers
love it, and our service
people enjoy providing
a ‘sweet treat’ to them.
It’s a great way to say
‘thanks for letting us
serve you’.”
Each cookie comes
wrapped in a
cellophane bag, sealed, and emblazoned
with the Tri County logo and a reminder
that the company has been in business
for 38 years. They are delivered to each
service personnel’s home the night before
their rounds, ready for presentation to
the customer.
“Our cookies say a lot about our
company,” Billy explains. “They’re fresh,
they’re inviting, preservative free and
local–they bring a smile and say ‘comfort’
in so many ways.”
“Cookies have been a hallmark
of our service for decades,”
says Billy Swanson, president
of Tri County.
A Hallmark of Tri County Hospitality
kies!kies!CC

56 74
2 6
7 238
64 93
8 92
6245
3 7 65
5 8
6 31
Did You
Read?
ACROSS
3. Guinness world record-holder, author and
spokesperson for Tri County
9. Fast-track HVAC training introduced in 2015
DOWN
1. 2014 State Volleyball Champions
2. Keeping air conditioning systems
in tiptop order
4. Computer app to match
volunteers with personal and
community needs
5. Commitment to a company or
cause over time
6. Community involvement to
improve people's lives
7. Take a picture of this and you
might win $100
8. Tri County customer sweet treats
10. Group of people related by
interests, beliefs or kinship
2
3
9
6
5
4
7 8
11
10
12
1
11. Cornerstone of Tri County mission
12. Insidious organism that eats your home
Complete the grid so
that every row, column
and 3x3 box contains
every digit from 1 to 9
inclusive. See answers
on page 41.
Lets Have Some Fun!
SuDoKu

D
uctless mini-splits, or duct-free HVAC units, can be a useful
alternative to cool and heat homes and businesses. Coming in
a variety of sizes capable of controlling the air temperature in
the individual zones of a building or home, they offer both economic
and environmental advantages. HVAC companies nationwide are
installing duct-free systems in multi-family housing units, renovated
older single-family homes, and office spaces. They’re perfect for
residential and commercial consumers alike, offering a unique way to
save energy by only cooling areas that are presently being occupied.
Duct-free systems, as the name implies, have no ductwork,
and consist of an outdoor condenser and an indoor air-
IS A DUCT-FREE
RIGHT FOR YOU?AIR CONDITIONER

handling unit. These are linked together
with tubing that houses the power
cable, refrigerant, as well as a drain
for condensation. In many ways, they
operate in a manner quite similar to a
standard air conditioning system.
Going duct-free, however, provides several
advantages, although customers often
overlook them. This includes ease of
installation, energy savings, and system
placement flexibility. Duct-free systems can
be installed in places where conventional
ducted systems simply cannot go. Options
for interior design include ceiling and wall
mounted units, drop ceiling applications,
and even a picture gallery unit that allows
the owner to customize the look of the
space. Most indoor units have profiles of
about 8-11 inches deep, and have a range
of designs suitable for any home or office.
There are even floor-standing models
available. All systems offer a remote
control to easily make adjustments to air
flow patterns or temperature, and on and
off when it’s positioned high on a wall or
suspended from a ceiling.
Duct-free systems can also help to keep
your home safer, only a small hole
needed for the tubing to pass through
the wall. In contrast, window-mounted
and through-the-wall air conditioners can
present an easy entrance for intruders.
Because of the unique installation and
placement associated with ductless mini-
splits, not all air conditioning contractors
are able to properly install them.
Though we do not recommend it, if you do
decide to hire an air conditioning company
employing technicians not proficient in
duct-free unit installation, there are a few
things to keep in mind. Each unit must
be correctly sized and placed, which is
not always an easy task and could have
potentially negative effects. An error here
could result in wasted energy, improper
temperature or humidity control, and
greater long-term operational expenses.
While many consumers still have
reservations about leaving the world of
traditional air-conditioners behind, Billy
Swanson, president of Tri County Air,
believes duct-free systems are starting
to proliferate because they offer a huge
cost savings, something the economy has
forced all consumers to consider closely.
“In terms of the energy you’ll use,
the installation costs, and required
maintenance, duct-free systems offer
people a big savings in the long run,”
Billy says. “These things are built to last.
And best of all, you won’t sacrifice any
comfort if you choose to use one.”
FREEDOM TO CONTROL
YOUR COMFORT IN EACH
AND EVERY ROOM.
Perfect cooling and
heating for:
 Additions
 Enclosed patios
 Larger, multi-room
spaces
The cost savings can be
significant in terms of
installation and energy
use.

G
uinness World Record holder,
high wire legend, Sarasota native,
and devoted family man Nik
Wallenda happens to be one of the
nicest people you could ever meet.
As a spokesperson for Tri County, he
also shows a sense of humor in his
ads for the company. “I’m still Nik
Wallenda” he says with a grin on the
third take. But that is far more than a
slogan. After all of the publicity and
public acclaim, he is still Nik Wallenda.
Steeped in Christian values, he is
humble yet confident.
“My parents taught me that good
things come from God,” he writes in his
newest book, Balance. “I know what I
have to do. I know I will do it.” Wallenda
shared his deep devotion to God most
prominently in his high wire walk across
Niagara Falls. Finding comfort in God’s
hand guiding him, he made it across
the raging waters as over one billion
people watched on television with bated
breath – no net, no safety harness. He
appeared alone, but he knew God was
with him, and evoked God’s strength
along the way.
Being ‘still Nik Wallenda,’ he returned the
next day and spent three hours picking up
the trash that the crowd – estimated at
20,000 on the American side, more than
100,000 on the Canadian side – had left
behind. Conquering the Grand Canyon
was next. His tightrope walk, blindfolded,
between two Chicago skyscrapers capped
his 2014 performances.
BALANCEBALANCEThe Story of Nik Wallenda

It was his Christian beliefs that brought
him together with Billy Swanson and the
team at Tri County. While training for his
walk across the Grand Canyon, Tim Jones
of Tri County was among those watching.
He approached Wallenda after the training
session and, after a brief conversation, asked
him if he would meet with Billy Swanson, Tri
County president. He agreed, and the two
immediately formed a bond.
“We discussed our faith, first, and then
mutually-beneficial projects,” Wallenda
notes. “I won’t endorse a product or
company unless I believe in it, and I
look at the owner’s values and to other
research to make my decisions. Tri County
met my qualifications, and when Billy
suggested an avenue for distribution of
my new book, Balance – A Story of Faith,
Family and Life on the Line, free to all
who purchase AC equipment from Tri
County, I thought it was a good match.”
Balance can also be purchased online at
NikWallenda.com, Amazon.com or Barnes
and Nobel. It is a gripping story about
his family, growing up in the circus, his
faith and his ambitions. Co-written by
David Ritz, it is a revealing look into
the people and events that shape the
life of Nik Wallenda. Most of all, it
chronicles his unrelenting faith. From his
performance on The Today Show, which
he credits for many of the other acts to
come, through his Walk Across America,
and his on-going relationship with The
Discovery Network, he writes about
finding a balance between humility and
confidence, his love for his wife, Endira,
the tension between them, and how
he found answers in the Scripture and
through prayer.
“We tell people that we’re born-again
Christians, and we are,” he says in
the book, as he explains how he has
struggled with finding humility while
trying to promote himself. “We’re
continually being reborn with new
insights about our struggles and
behavior. God is always revealing
Himself to us, always opening windows
and doors that shed new light.”
For more information about
Balance and his upcoming feats,
visit NikWallenda.com.
From left to right: Front Row - Amadaos
Wallenda, Evita Wallenda, Yanni Wallenda
Back Row - Nik Wallenda, Erendira Wallenda

“O
utreach into the communities
we serve, as well as beyond,
has been key to the corporate
culture of Tri County for decades,” says
Billy Swanson, president of Tri County.
“In order to more formalize that concept,
we established the non-profit Tri County
Community Foundation in January 2014.
While the Foundation has several areas of
focus, we think one of the most important
is to recognize and reward young people
who have given their time and talents to
support community betterment.”
“To that end,” he continues, “We have
established the Community Service
Scholarship Program, which offers a $250
scholarship to exceptional graduating seniors
within the Sarasota County School District
who share our commitment to community
betterment. Application forms are available
at the Sarasota County high schools and
from Tri County.”
The scholarship is awarded based on
academic achievement, extra-curricular
activities and community service. An essay,
‘Why is community service important to
my community?’ and ‘How has community
service affected my life?’ will be factored
into the selection process, along with two
letters of recommendation. One letter
must be from a teacher; the other from
someone in the community who has
benefited from the applicant’s service.
Jim Foubister and his wife, Chris, head
the Foundation and the scholarship
program. Jim stressed that applicants
must be registered to volunteer at Florida
Cares (FLCares.com) or Venice Cares
(VeniceCares.com). “We have developed a
VeniceCares app,” he says, “which provides
students many benefits including a crisis
help line and opportunities to volunteer
and benefit the community. The app
requires iOS 6.0 or later and is compatible
with Andriod, iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch,
and is optimized for iPhone 5. The free,
easily downloaded apps were selected as
a communication vehicle because a recent
study showed the number one way to
communicate with students is through their
smart phones.”
Kim Kindell, administrator of the Bright
Futures program within Sarasota County
schools that helps outstanding students
attend a college or university in Florida,
has high praise for the Tri County initiative.
She explains that students volunteer after
school in programs at the Salvation Army,
Boys and Girls Clubs, Habitat for Humanity,
the Humane Society, the library and
elementary schools, among others. “Of
course, the students’ working in the parks
system has a huge impact on the quality of
life in Venice,” she adds.
“The students use the VeniceCares app to
find the best fit for them to donate their
time,” she continues. “We as administrators
like it because we can track their time
and involvement to meet one of three
levels of Bright Futures community service
hours. Besides the credits they get toward
community service, they also get a one-half
credit that appears on their permanent
record. They can repeat this, for a full credit. It
looks great on a resume or college application
and, of course, the community benefits.”
Foubister adds that the app also serves as a
crisis line. “Some of the students who have
this app on their phones have used it as a
way to reach out when in crisis over the
past year,” he notes.
Pictured in the new Team Room are, left to right, Jim Davis- girls basketball, Brian Wheatley- volleyball, James Slaton- boys basketball, Billy
Swanson- Tri County President, Jack Turgeon- VHS Principal, Jim Foubister- Tri County Community Foundation.
Venice High School Scholarship Program, Bright Futures,
Community Service Scholarship Benefits Students, Improves Venice’s Quality of Life

Vhs girls state champion ring presentation | January, 2015
Make a Difference Day, Venice High Volleyball
I
n 2014, following the dramatic come-
from-behind State Championship
victory for the Venice High School Lady
Indians volleyball team, Coach Brian
Wheatley was still walking on air when he
ran into Jim Foubister of the Tri County
Community Foundation. The two men
attend the same church and became
friends. Wheatley was recounting the
“surreal” win for the team. Even though
it was his fourth State Championship, the
win over odds-on favorite Vanguard was
especially sweet.
“Jim and I were talking about the game,”
says Wheatley. “He loves Venice High
athletics – his son was a wrestler here
– and he follows the teams. Then the
conversation shifted to the Tri County
Community Foundation, which Jim and
his wife Chris administer, and the possible
opportunity for funding for some of our
projects. Jim said something like, ‘we
want to help, what do you need?’ and
I immediately thought of a rarely-used
room in our new school. Our volleyball
and basketball athletes didn’t have a place
of their own to go for team meetings,
studying, bonding in general. We as
coaches thought the room could be ideal,
but much work was needed before it could
fully function as a Team Room.”
Wheatley notes that Tri County helped
underwrite the expenses of bringing the
“abandoned” room up to code, painting
the walls with graphics and slogans, and
providing a comfortable, inviting place for
the basketball and volleyball athletes to
call their own.
“Venice High has a great tradition of
student athletics,” Wheatley says. “We are
extremely grateful to Tri County for making
this Team Room something our
athletes can enjoy and benefit from for
years to come.”
For more information, please contact Jim
Foubister 941-223-1771, Chris Foubister
941-716-4102 or visit VeniceCares.com
Foundation Benefits Student Athletes
“Thank you for the great job you did replacing
the ducts in my home. Bill, you truly have
a great crew, and they all reflect the high
standards and quality customer service your
company is known for.” – Mike H.
Thank you!

“It’s a terrific day at Tri County,
How may I direct your call?”
“I need maintenance/service
on my air conditioner.”
“I would like a free estimate on
a new air conditioner”
We will verify your name, address and
the make of your system. Then, we will
schedule an appointment.
Our Technician will
be dispatched to your home.
What to Expect When

Our Comfort Advisor will provide you with a
“Good”, “Better” and “Best” estimate and schedule
an installation date.
Equipment is registered and
warrantied with Manufacturer.
Your technician will diagnose your problem, and
check pricing and availability of repair parts.
Either way,
We’ll bring the cookies!
You Call Tri County
Our installation team will
install your new air conditioner.

55
Saving Energy and Money
is Easier than You Think
Tri County offers easy ways to save energy year ‘round. Do
your own energy audit and you’ll be amazed at the dollars you can
save by simply keeping an eye on your costs, needs and options.
26 COMFORT ZONE

Maintenance is imperative.
•Changefiltersatleasteverythreemonths.Thiswillsaveyou4to6
percentonheating/coolingcostsandprolongthelifeofyourAC.
• Seal and insulate ductwork for even more savings.
• Never run heater or A/C with open windows
• Seal and insulate doors and windows.
• Lower the temperature on the water heater to 110 degrees.
In the kitchen…
• Use a slow cooker, which consumes far less
energy than an oven or stove top for extended cooking times.
Little secrets can save big money.
• Use bubble wrap (bubble side against the glass) or other
window film to insulate out-of-the way windows. Simply spray
with water, apply the wrap or film, and remove when it’s
warmer out by peeling it off.
• Install awnings or plant trees on the south, southwest and
western exposures.
• Use window treatments to provide internal shade.
• Dress appropriately for the weather, in cotton or light fabric
during hot spells; and in sweaters, long pants and socks when
it’s chilly out.
• Move air over your skin with fans and outside breezes.
• Drink cold water in the summer, hot drinks in the winter.
• Replace incandescent bulbs with LED lighting.
• Turn your computers off at night.
• Turn off lights when leaving a room, every time.
Invest to save.
• SERVICE your unit regularly.
• REPLACE an outdated unit with high-efficiency equipment.
• Install a programmable thermostat; perhaps two if you have
a two-story home.
• Consider high-energy replacement windows.
• REPLACE your standard water heater with a heat pump
water heater.
About that pool…
• Turn off the heater if the pool is décor only. If your house is
situated appropriately on your lot, try a solar pool cover.
• Reduce the runtime of your pool pump.
How do YOU save energy at your home? We would love to hear from you. Email suggestions to
Billy@tricountyair.com. We’ll publish them in the next edition of Comfort Zone magazine.
55
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22
11

I
f a picture is worth 1,000 words, what’s a picture of Tri County
Air Conditioning’s new Cool Car worth? Possibly $100 cash,
if your photo of any Cool Car is uploaded to Tri County’s
Facebook page, and your entry is drawn in a weekly contest.
You’ll be able to see your winning photo on Facebook, too, garnering
instant celebrity status in your new role as Paparazzi to the Cars.
The Cool Car is Tri County’s newest marketing “vehicle” (pun
intended) to get the word out on the street that the Cool Car
represents both outstanding indoor air quality as well as a
progressive and fun company. The Tri County cars and trucks,
with bright, colorful decals, can be found throughout the Tri
County service area. They’re easy to photograph with any
phone equipped with a camera, or use a standard camera and
upload it to your PC or Mac.
Tri County Announces
Car Contest
The contest is simple. Just take a photo of the Tri County Cool
Car – or any Tri County vehicle – and post it on Facebook.com/
TriCountyAirFlorida. The winning photo for the week will be
determined each weekend, and the winner notified of when to
pick up their check. You may even receive your check from Billy
himself! Contest ends December 31st 2015.
He explained, “Since the Cool Car can be found wherever our
service personnel are working, it’s hard to miss. Other Tri
County vehicles are eligible, too. Capture a picture of any one of
our branded vehicles, post it to our Facebook page. All names
will be placed into a bowl and one name will be drawn each
week to win $100! Let’s get connected.”
So, keep your eyes peeled for a Tri County Air vehicle, snap a
pic, and post it to Tri County’s Facebook page. You may just end
up $100 richer at the end of the week.

To enter the $100 weekly
Cool Car Contest drawing:
1. Take a picture of ANY Tri County vehicle.
2. Like our Facebook page (facebook.com/
tricountyairflorida)
3. Post that picture to our Facebook page
4. Check back every Monday to see if you were
the weekly winner! The name is drawn every
weekend, recorded on video, and announced
on our Facebook page every Monday.
28 COMFORT ZONE

J
ohn Veneziano, Director of Public Works in Venice, notes
that this scholarship program and the app to match
need and talent has been a positive addition to the city’s
beautification efforts, among others.
“We had over 400 volunteers in the parks during 2014” he says.
“Jim [Foubister] arranges for all of the volunteers, schedules
them and provides lunch. For example, they did a couple
of projects in Centennial Park, such as painting the gazebo,
cleaning up the splash pool and repairing fences. This effort
actually began in 2013. They approached us during that summer
and asked, ‘what do you need?’ We just made a list and Tri
County took care of it.”
Veneziano explains that this is all part of “Make a Difference
Day,” slated for a Saturday in late October. “There’s a core group
of volunteers we can count on for 2015, but the kids
themselves help spread the word and get their
friends involved. This is a living, growing project
that has saved the city thousands of dollars and
gotten teens involved in a volunteer effort to better
their community.”
Venice Mayor John Holic echoed Veneziano’s
comments. “It was like a blitz,” he says. “During
Make a Difference Day
Beautifies Venice Parks
the one-to-three hour period of work, these volunteers did the
equivalent of four men doing six months of work, mulching
playgrounds, raking leaves, replacing slats in park benches and
refreshing paint on signs in various city parks.”
He also praised Tri County for providing the VeniceCares app that
matches need to talent. “This is a perfect example of the community
at heart. They have a choice, they can make a difference.”
Involving other community resources has made this and other
projects successful. Jim credits Home Depot with donating all the
paint necessary for the new Center of Hope Church Project. “They
also provided several volunteers, and encouraged other trades to
donate materials and manpower to the project,” he says.
“Venice Cares volunteers painting
the gazebo in Downtown Venice”
“The extent to which the workers cleaned up
after the job made a very positive impression
on me. Also, they took the time to answer my
questions. That was great.” – James P.
Thank you!

Tri County Community Foundation
2016
SCHOLARSHIP: A $250 Scholarship will be awarded to one
senior at each high school in the Sarasota County School District
DEADLINE: Post mark March 18, 2016
DELIVER TO: Tri County Community Foundation
ELIGIBILITY: Must be a current high school senior in the
Sarasota County School District
REQUIRED ATTACHMENTS: Only completed applications
will be accepted
Include contact info. (name, address, phone number, email),
academic information, extra-curricular activities, and
detailed community service info.
High School Transcript (unofficial). Scan or fax:
Office of Jim and Chris Foubister
1080 Enterprise Court, North Venice, FL 34275
Phone: (941) 223-1771 Fax: (941) 485-9508
www.TriCountyAir.com
Potential College/University information
Essay “Why is community service important to my community?”
and “How has community service affected my
life?” (500 words or less)
Two Letters of Recommendation (One teacher and one
from your community service)
Must be registered to volunteer at FLCares.com, which
provides various volunteer opportunities
Acknowledgement that the following information may be
shared in Tri County materials: applicants first name,
school and essay.
Remember to get preapproval for all your service hours!
For questions, please contact: Jim Foubister (941) 223-1771 or
Chris Foubister (941) 716-4102
1.
3.
2.
4.
7.
6.
5.

L
ike so many of the Tri County
Air Conditioning programs
and initiatives, becoming an
Ambassador for the company is two-
fold. First, it’s a representation of our
service, experience and outstanding
workmanship in meeting our customers’
individual needs for their cooling and
heating system. It’s person-to-person
advertising that generates referrals from
satisfied customers.
Vern Montgomery of Montgomery
Carpets Plus in Venice is a good example.
“I work with a lot of Realtors®,” he said.
“When people are buying a new house
– not necessarily new construction –
they often need more than just new
flooring. Especially if they’re new to the
area, they’ll ask about air conditioning
companies. We always recommend
Tri County. Their reputation is solid,
and, like our company, they’ve been in
business a long time.”
Tom Elwell of Parrish is another good
example of an Ambassador for Tri County,
and his referrals are based on personal
experience. He says, “Four years ago our
12-year-old A/C system failed. I did my
due diligence, and got 14 or so quotes
on replacement. Tri County had the
best salesperson, and after I studied the
company in depth, I selected them. I have
absolutely no complaints, the service is
fabulous. During the summer months, I
keep an eye on several homes while their
owners are up north, and I’ve referred
Tri County to a lot of people. I would do
this anyway, but the gift certificates and
thank-you notes are a nice bonus.”
Sarasota resident Nancy Gerry has referred
many of her neighbors to Tri County. “All
of our A/C units are failing or have failed
due to age in the past several years. When
mine died about four or five years ago,
I got numerous estimates. Tri County’s
was the best, and their salesman was
terrific. The company’s staff is friendly
and respectful, and their motto is ‘We’ll
take care of you.’ Their follow-up is
unbelievable. I am delighted to refer the
company to the people I house-sit for in
the summer, and I enjoy the perks that
come with being an Ambassador – outings
like baseball games, cruise on the bay. It’s
a great opportunity to mix and mingle.”
Tom, Nancy and Vern are just three of
the many satisfied customers who have
referred Tri County over the years. They
are Ambassadors of the company to others
in their communities who are looking for a
trusted air conditioning company.
Representing Tri County’s
Commitment to ServiceAmbassadam•bas•sa•doram•bas•sa•dor
HelpfulOn Time
Fast Service
Efficient
Efficient

Become a Tri County Ambassador!
Over the years, our business has grown because
satisfied customers have told their families, neighbors
and friends about us. These customers have become our
Ambassadors, and we thank them for referrals.
Go Shopping On Us!
We’ll send you a $10 gift card for each person you refer
who becomes a new customer.
Have Dinner On Us!
If a new customer purchases new equipment from us,
Tri County will send you a $60 Gift Card toward dinner at
one of our area’s casual restaurants.
Enjoy Exclusive Outings and
Entertainment!
Our top Ambassadors are invited to annual special
events, including trips to the theatre, fine dining, fishing
expeditions, athletic events and more. Learn how to
become selected for these and other perks of Tri County
Ambassadorship by calling (941) 485-2222 or visiting
TriCountyAir.com.
Submit Your Referral Today!
The first referral resulting in a purchase of
new service or equipment will receive the
applicable gift card.
Contact us for full details:
TriCountyAir.com
941-485-2222
Billy Swanson, Tri County President, says, “We are so grateful
for the network of customers we have throughout the Suncoast.
Our Ambassadors are deeply appreciated, and it’s our pleasure
to thank them through gift cards and the occasional outing. We
invite everyone who is satisfied with our service to become a Tri
County Ambassador by simply referring our company to a friend,
neighbor or business connection. It’s a win-win-win proposition.”
dorAmbassador So Polite..
Professional
“Everyone was very helpful, knowledgeable and
professional, and the installers left the place
‘clean as a whistle.’ Thank you all.” – Carole H.
Thank you!

Slow-grilling over indirect heat keeps this chicken moist and tender. Giving the drumsticks a thorough rub with
seasonings makes them taste great. Always baste at the end of grilling to prevent the legs from burning.
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 large cloves cloves garlic, chopped
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
10 chicken drumsticks
Southern BBQ Chicken
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
3/4 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
IngredientsOriginal recipe makes 5 servings
15 min prep, 55 min cook

DIRECTIONS
Mash brown sugar, garlic, salt, and pepper together until
it forms a paste, then spoon it into a re-sealable bag.
Add the chicken to the bag, and roll it around until it is
thoroughly covered by the mixture. Seal the bag, place it
in the fridge, and let it set overnight.
Heat your oil in a saucepan, but don’t let the oil
reach a boil. Add your onions, cook until soft (about 5
minutes). Throw in your vinegar, Worcestershire sauce
and ketchup. Cook this mixture for another 10 minutes,
stir occasionally.
Preheat your grill to medium heat and oil the grates to
prevent sticking. Remove the chicken from the bag in the
fridge, and place it directly on the grill. Let the chicken
cook until the skin is brown on all sides.
Move the chicken off the heat source after all sides are
browned, but keep the grill hot. Allow the chicken to cook
using indirect heat.
After a few minutes, take your sauce off the stove and
baste the chicken with it repeatedly. When the chicken is
ready, take it off the grill and serve. It should be delicious.

Tri County Values
Employees with
10+ Years of Service
Service
Just as Tri County is grateful for the thousands of loyal customers who have supported the company
throughout the past 38 years, they also applaud and thank the employees who have worked diligently
for many years to ensure Tri County’s continued success.
These employees have served Tri County customers
for at least 10 years:
• Billy Swanson, President, 28 years
• Ron Abbott, Vice President and Sales Manager, 27 years
• Harold Terry, Senior Service Tech / Trainer, 21 years
• Larry White, Senior Service Tech, 20 years
• Dave Lugert, Senior Service Tech, 16 years
• Matt Koehl, Comfort Advisor, 14 years
• Jerzy Zukowski, Lead Installer, 13 years
“We value the loyalty of our employees, who we strongly believe
are the best trained, most skilled and most caring of any field team
in the region’s air conditioning service area,” says Billy Swanson.
“We are blessed to have such a caring and competent staff.”
• Janice Cunningham, Receptionist, 13 years
• Stephen Cusick, Senior Service Tech, 13 years
• Donna Ackles, Warehouse, 12 years
• Kristina Brown, Payroll Administrator, 12 years
• Genci Mihali, Senior Service Tech, 11 years
• Robert Geddes, Senior Service Technician, 10 years

A LivingMold:
W
hile the Florida lifestyle is
the envy of many living in
colder climates, our sub-
tropical weather can do more than
relax and soothe. Many homeowners
find themselves stuck with unwanted
house guests – mold – as the seasonal
temperatures heat up.
Stopping mold in its tracks is a challenge,
but one that needs to be faced before the
organisms damage equipment, destroy
walls and floors, or affect the health of you
and your pets. Cleaning and preventive
maintenance of an air conditioning
system is important in any climate, but it’s
imperative in Florida.
Mold can accumulate in several
different areas of an air conditioning
system, so it’s important to have your
unit checked and cleaned at least
once a year. If mold is able to grow,
the spores will blow through the
house, building up over time. This is
particularly dangerous for people with
asthma or other breathing problems.
Most of us think we only need to prepare
against mold if we’re going away for the
entire summer. Few realize that, under
the right circumstances, mold can form in
just 72 hours! Once it starts, it reproduces
every six minutes.
Generally speaking, if you’re only leaving for
a week or two in the summer, just set your
thermostat at 80 or 82 degrees and you
should be okay. If you plan to be away for
a month or longer, that’s when it would be
wise to take further precautionary measures.
Tri County customers Rick and Jaye
Scarberry of Punta Gorda know far too
well the havoc that mold can wreak on a
home. Their nightmare – the death of one
of their precious pet dogs, the illness of
their other dog, and the near destruction
of their home – began with a missing
vapor barrier underneath their mobile
home. It was soon clear that the problem
was much worse than they had imagined.
“Tri County came in and helped take what
was a nightmare, and turn it into a voyage.
With our home essentially destroyed and
our little family still grieving over the death
of our dog, Billy Swanson of Tri County was
here with us to seek and find the reasons for
the mold and to get it remediated,” says Rick
Scarberry. His wife, Jaye, added, “We are now
in the process of replacing all of our walls and
much of our furnishings – no easy task for
us ‘seniors’, but Tri County has been with us
all the way to make this possible. They are a
Godsend, and we intend to pay it forward and
help others as they have helped us.”
The Scarberry couple are not the only
ones whose lives were upended by mold
damage. Mike Parkhurst and his wife
arrived at their winter home in Venice to
find it completely overrun by mold.
“Everything was black,” Mike says, “including
the silverware. It was a nightmare just
opening the front door. We never even
walked into the house, but went directly to
my sister-in-law’s home and called Tri County.”
He continues, “We did everything right, or so
we thought. The biggest mistake we made
was not having someone come in and check

Nightmareon the place periodically. We had to have
everything removed – walls, flooring, kitchen
appliances, furniture – it was a disaster.”
When Tri County was called to come
check the equipment and the settings
on the A/C and dehumidifier, they
responded immediately. Mike says their
commitment to getting the problem fixed
was exemplary. Mike had high praise
for the company’s president, Billy
Swanson, and his team for addressing
the issues and assuring the couple
that their mold days were over.
Should you find mold or desire
additional information on
products or practices that reduce
the chance of mold, the indoor air
quality professionals at Tri County
can help. Call 941-485-2222.
The fan switch on your thermostat needs
to ALWAYS be set to “AUTO.” Humidity
increases 10-15% when set to “On.”
Make sure your dehumidistat is set properly.
Billy recommends a setting of 50% and 80
degrees on your thermostat when you are
gone on vacation.
Always have someone check the home,
and make sure they know what they are
looking for and that they understand how a
dehumidistat and thermostat work.
5 Easy Steps to Reduce the Chance of Mold
Always listen to your FPL bill; it tells you what
is happening. If there is a change in Kilowatt
usage, there is a reason, and you should call Tri
County right away.
Go online or call us and get a copy of "How to
prepare your home before you go," then follow
the suggestions.
1
5
4
2
3
“Over the last seven years, several companies
have tried to get my business. I tried one for
an annual check-up and he was a crook. I am
happy to be with Tri County and will continue
to do so.” – Walter L.
Thank you!

Let’s Have a
little
Fun!
T
ri County is all business when it comes to
servicing your air conditioning and heating
systems, but the folks there like to have
fun, too. We asked Tri County employees and
ambassadors to recommend some out-of-the-
way opportunities for recreation, sight-seeing
and exploring nature. We’re not talking about
the Ringling Museum, Mote Marine or Selby
Gardens. Rather, here are some spots that are
off the beaten path but well-worth discovering.
Historic Spanish Point: A
Glimpse into the Past
Want to explore an “Old Florida” oasis? Visit
Spanish Point outdoor museum in Osprey.
“A Window to the Past” exhibition shows the
layers of the development of civilization built
inside of a shell mound. You’ll see Sarasota’s
first produce packing house, a chapel; and the
beautiful Guptill House, built in 1901. Experience
Mrs. Potter Palmer’s Jungle Walk and the
Butterfly Garden.
Spanish Point offers two-hour eco-tours on stand-
up paddleboards or in kayaks. Paddlers leave the
museum’s property and explore the mangrove
islands and tunnels.
337 N. Tamiami Trail, Osprey. For information, call
941-966-5214 or visit HistoricSpanishPoint.org.
The Celery Fields: A Not-so-
Hidden Gem
The Celery Fields recreation area provides
hiking, running, biking, kite flying, and
horseback riding. Birders can view 217 species
of birds from the 75-foot observation tower.
Mammoths and mastodons used to roam
the area near a lake. The lake naturally filled,
creating a large sawgrass wetland system.
The land was drained for agricultural needs in
the late 1880s and early 1900s. In the 1920s,
Fancee Farms used the fields for growing celery,
which became known as the Celery Fields.
In 1994, Sarasota County purchased this 444-
acre of fields, lakes and marshes after record-
setting rains, so the land could perform its
natural flood storage function, and to prevent
downstream flooding.
Take the Fruitville exit east of I-75; turn right at
the Abbott Park entrance. (941) 861-5000; 6799
Palmer Blvd.
Lions and Tigers and Bears,
Oh My!
Listen! Can you hear the roar of lions and
tigers? These big cats thank Kay Rosaire,
founder and owner of Big Cat Habitat, and her
team for rescuing them.
A non-profit safe haven for rescued and
surrendered big cats, bears and other
animals, Big Cat Habitat strives to educate the
public by fostering appreciation for animals
and stressing the importance of habitat
preservation. Animals receive care, comfort
and support.
Gates open from 12:30 PM to 4 PM
Wednesday through Sunday. Demonstrations
at 2 PM. Admission: $15, adults; $7, children.
EastofCeleryFieldsoffFruitville;7101PalmerBlvd,
Sarasota.941-371-6377orBigCatHabitat.org.
Want More Wildlife?
The Venice Area Audubon Rookery is the
place to go to see nesting birds. Alligators
guard the Rookery’s island. Northerners love
to see the wildlife here.
4002 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice. VeniceAudubon.
org/rookery.
If you have only one day to take visitors to see
wildlife, make Myakka River State Park your
destination. You’ll find gators, herons, osprey,
egrets, anhingas, cormorants and more, as
well as deer.
13208 State Road 72, Sarasota. FloridaStateParks.
org/myakkariver.

Charlotte Flatwoods Environmental Park is a
large 4870-acre park operated by Charlotte
County, home to a variety of birds of prey
and wading birds. Bring your binoculars and
look for red-shouldered hawks, red-cockaded
woodpecker and sandhill cranes.
15801 Tamiami Trail, south of Punta Gorda.
You may see herons, grebes, ducks and egrets
at Ollie’s Pond Park in Port Charlotte. A small,
easily-walked neighborhood park, Ollie’s Pond
Park is also dog-friendly.
18235 Avon Ave., Port Charlotte.
Cedar Point Environmental Park in Englewood
offers both land and sea birds, due to its
location on Lemon Bay. There are hiking trails,
picnic areas and a visitors’ center.
2300 Placida Road, Englewood.
Whimsy Museum Will Tickle
Your Imagination
The pink flamingos will catch your eye first,
driving up or down highway 41 just south of
Dr. Martin Luther King way. Look closer to see
a spinning ballerina and a stainless steel rocket
ship, nestled within a canopied historic oak
grove with cascading orchids and tropical plants.
Catch the outdoor gardens featuring light-
hearted paintings, sculpture and stained glass.
Founded by Marietta Lee in 2009, the
Museum is dedicated to the creative
human spirit and raising the importance of
Whimsical Art.
2121 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Call 941-364-
3399, email info@whimsymuseum.org or visit
WhimsyMuseum.org.
Just Need to Burn Some
Energy?
Check out the Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline
Park, located just off Bee Ridge Road near
I-75 in Sarasota. The main goal of Sky Zone
is fun physical activity for all ages. The all-
trampoline walled courts are designed to
provide a wide array of low-impact activities;
everything from free-style play to dodge ball
to organized exercises. Jumps start every 15
minutes, and jumpers are welcome for 30,
60, 90, or 120 minute sessions.
6180 Edgelake Drive, Sarasota. 941-363-6FLY,
SkyZone.com/Sarasota.
Pirate Spring Baseball
Professional baseball can be found in
Bradenton when the Marauders throw the
first pitch in April at historic McKechnie
Field. A Class A-Advanced affiliate of the
Pittsburgh Pirates, the Bradenton Marauders
are one of only two professional minor
league teams to be affiliated with the club.
All the fun of going to a real diamond can
be found right around the corner, all season
long. There’s nothing quite like the live crack
of a bat.
McKechnie Field -1611 9th Street
West, Bradenton. 941-747-3031,
BradentonMarauders.com.
Let’s Go Antiquing!
Antiquing satisfies a thirst for those seeking
the unique and/or historical item for a
collection or as décor. Find an enclave of
antique shops on Miami Avenue West in
Venice, and behind Captain Eddy’s and Café
Evergreen in Nokomis (US 41 and Colonia),
among many others in the Tri County service
area. Spend some time strolling, shopping
and admiring items from the past.
These gems are just the tip of the iceberg
for recreational opportunities in Tri County’s
service area. Know of a place we haven’t
mentioned that you think is a must-do?
Let us know at Tri County, where fun
is encouraged and the entertainment
offerings are highly valued. Email Billy
Swanson, Tri County president, at Billy@
tricountyair.com. We’ll cover those in the
next edition of Comfort Zone.
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Tri County has the Answers!
ACROSS
3. Nik Wallenda
9. Tri County Comfort institute
11. Comfort Care
12. Mold
DOWN
1. Venice Highschool
2. Maintenance
4. Venice Cares
5. Loyalty
6. Outreach
7. Smart Car
8. Cookies
10. Family
Tri County Crossword

A
combined heating and cooling
system in one streamlined, self-
contained package, the Lennox
LRP14 will keep your home at a comfortable
temperature throughout the year. A variety
of packaged options lets you choose from
gas or electric, air conditioner, heat pump
and dual fuel models.
A summer in Southwest Florida, when
heat is at its worst, is a true test of an air
conditioning system, and the Lennox line
passes with high honors. On those chilly
winter nights, your home remains cozy and
comfortably warm. Your entire family will
enjoy the peace of mind that comes in year
‘round comfort with the Lennox LRP14.
An important part of your home’s
comfort factor is quiet performance.
The Lennox LRP14 package features
an internally-mounted outdoor fan
that helps reduce vibration and keep
operating sounds at a minimum.
The compact design of the Lennox LRP14 is
ideal for homes built on a crawlspace, like
many of the homes in Southwest Florida,
and perfect for installation on a rooftop on
any home or office. The unit connects with
the home’s existing ductwork through a
secure opening in the wall, providing easy
access for maintenance. Lennox packaged
units are constructed from the highest
quality materials to ensure season after
season of reliable operation, comfort and
savings. Their rugged design includes steel
louvered coil protection for added durability.
The performance of your cooling and
heating system is determined in a
large part by your HVAC equipment’s
operating efficiency. Think of it in terms
of miles per gallon of your car. The more
cooling/heating a system puts out for
each unit of energy it consumes, the
higher rating it will receive. The higher
the efficiency rating of your system, the
less energy it will consume; that means
lower utility bills and less of an impact
on the environment.
Utility savings while maintaining
efficiency and comfort is a hallmark of
the Lennox LRP14 series. The packaged
units feature efficiency ratings of 14.00
SEER Seasonal Performance Factor. The
Lennox LRPD14 package is also rated at
81% Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency.
AFUE is the most widely used measure
of a furnace’s efficiency, as it measures
the percentage of heat delivered to your
house from each unit of fuel. With the
Lennox LRP14 system, 81% of the fuel
burned in the furnace is heated for your
home. If buying a heat pump, look to the
Lennox LHP14 for its high Heating and
Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF).
Simply speaking, the Lennox packaged
units offer a high standard of efficient
performance to deliver unprecedented
comfort to your home or office.
The Total Package
Compact Air Performance

The LRP14HP packaged heat pump
and LRP14AC packaged air conditioner
both come with a 10-year limited
warranty on the compressor and a
10-year limited warranty on remaining
covered components. Other warranties
are offered on remaining covered
components; your authorized Lennox
dealer will explain those to you.
For year ‘round comfort,
great value, long-term
performance and a unique
solution to providing
cooling and heating to
Southwest Florida families,
ask about the Lennox
LRP14 package.
Enjoy All-season Comfort
with the Lennox LRP14
Packaged unit lineup offers legendary
Lennox® quality, along with outstanding
performance and reliability.

T
ri County Heating and Air Conditioning believes strongly in
protecting your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning
(HVAC) investment by understanding your manufacturers
warranty and possibly your third party extended service contract,
which provides labor coverage, extended part coverage, or both.
• When you purchased your new air conditioning
system, you should have received a copy of
the equipment warranty, which contains the
manufacturer’s terms and conditions. If you also
have an extended service contract, it will have
its own terms and conditions. You should keep
this paperwork in close proximity to your unit for
reference purposes.
Michelle Tamm-Booth, who oversees warranties
at Tri County, has seen many changes over the last
several years in how warranties are administered and
regulated, affecting the entire HVAC industry. These
changes have occurred in both the manufacturer and
extended service warranties.
• Michelle states that the biggest change comes in the area
of maintenance. “Although all manufacturers have, in the
past, strongly suggested yearly preventative maintenance
on your unit, some are now requiring proof that it has been
completed when submitting a claim.” She also thinks that
UNDERSTANDING WARRANTIES:
Do the Maintenance!

all manufacturers will soon require
the same, and, that the “lack of
maintenance could actually invalidate
the warranty.” Don’t let this happen.
Have the maintenance done at least
annually to protect your investment.
• The next area of change to be aware of is
in the transferability of your unit’s warranty.
Each type of unit is unique, however, as of
2014, most manufacturers warranties will
not transfer after the fifth year.
There are some exceptions: top-
end units will normally transfer to
subsequent owners, and there are
certain units whose warranty will
not transfer at all. Again, all of this
important information can be found
in the terms and conditions that came
with your equipment.
• One thing that has not changed is
the requirement of using OEM parts
(Original Equipment Manufacturer) for
replacement. If you want a part to be
replaced under warranty, it will have to
come from the manufacture of the unit
(no generic parts). To that end, Tri County
prides itself in having a large, extensive
warehouse with hundreds of different
parts for many different units. But
honestly, every part for every customer’s
unit will not be in stock all the time. Tri
County’s top-notch parts and dispatch
department promises to get you the part
you need as soon as we can, and in the
meantime will provide temporary cooling
options whenever possible.
• Tri County offers in-house maintenance
agreements that may be renewed every
year. They can include coverage for labor
and parts, even after your manufacturers’
warranty or extended service contract has
expired or become invalid.
The warranty staff is pleased to help you
with questions you might have regarding
your warranty. Consequently, anyone
in the customer service department
can guide you through what type of
maintenance agreement will best protect
you and your a/c investment.
Just call 941-485-2222 and one of our
caring receptionists will help you.

Labor Agreements: Keep Your Equipment Humming
According to Tri County president Billy Swanson, labor agreements are like insurance policies for your air conditioning equipment.
“Purchasing a labor agreement is much like pre-paying for labor during maintenance service calls, which you must do in order to
maintain the manufacturer’s warranties on equipment and parts,” he explains.
All agreements exclude coverage for rust, corrosion, mold, mildew, wires, breakers,
ducts or anything external of the equipment, or other maintenance issues.
Call for pricing 1-800-771-COLD (2653)
If your existing AC
equipment has a 10 year
parts warranty, our labor
agreements are a perfect
fit for you because they
give you full parts and
labor coverage.
Homeowners have the
option to upgrade to a full
service (“C”) agreement,
for equipment between
five and 10 years of age.
This covers all parts, labor
and compressor on service
calls needed any time of the
day including weekends or
after hours. “This is what we
consider priority service,”
says Swanson. “Customers
with any of our full
service agreement receive
preferential scheduling
and no additional cost for
overtime or holidays.”
The other two options
are “S” agreement, for
systems over 10 years of
age that cover all parts
and labor excluding
compressor and coils on
service calls.
The company’s “J”
agreement are for
systems over 10 years of
age that cover all parts,
labor and compressor on
service needed any time.
“L” Agreement
Covers Labor
“S” Agreement
Excludes Compressor
“J” Agreement
Covers Parts + Labor
“C” Agreement
Covers Parts + Labor

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PESKY PESTS!
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Our Purpose: To represent Jesus Christ to the Gulf Coast by
providing peace of mind at a fair price, protecting our environment
as the leader in green pest management and serving others with
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412.9610
Sarasota County
371.1311
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752.1520
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1.888.235.4632
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START SAVING MONEY
WITH SERVICE AGREEMENTS FOR YOUR A/C
START SAVING MONEY
WITH SERVICE AGREEMENTS FOR YOUR A/C
CALL 1-800-771-COLD (2653) • TriCountyAir.com
Sarasota (941) 485-2222 Manatee (941) 749-0756 Charlotte (941) 625-1638
EC13003720 • CAC 042759 • CVC 56801
“No matter what the weather,
Tr i Count y makes it bette r.”
Regular maintenance keeps
your system running efficiently,
saving on your utility bills.
Potential problems can be
prevented or corrected early –
and more cost effectively – before
equipment fails. Proper servicing
extends the life of a heating
and air conditioning system.
Agreement advantages include
discounts, preferred customer care,
and access to specialized testing.

Tri County Comfort Zone Magazine 2015 | Suncoast, FL AC Company

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Tri County Comfort Zone Magazine 2015 | Suncoast, FL AC Company