As summer strikes northern New Jersey with soaring temperatures and oppressive humidity, most of us set our thermostats to “cool” and enjoy the wonders and comforts of air conditioning. For homeowners, it’s as easy as flipping a switch, but there are complex electromechanical systems and engineering making the process happen in the background.
And...where do you turn if the switch doesn’t work properly? You may want to call the team at Pratt Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling, which has had the Pascack Valley covered since 1927.
Originally located in Montvale, the firm moved to River Vale before their recent move to 52 Park Avenue in Park Ridge. Their service team knows the area, homes, and homeowners of Pascack Valley quite well.
Owner Steve Hopper grew up in the family-owned business. “The business was started in 1927 by my maternal grandfather, John Pratt,” says Steve, who began working in the trade at age 14 during the summer months. “My father, Lee Hopper, assumed ownership in 1965, and I began working full-time after high school and started running the company in 1989. This month, we are starting our 96th year in business.”
In addition to air conditioning services, Pratt offers both residential and commercial services to repair and replace all types of plumbing, heating systems, and water heaters; and they offer annual maintenance contracts, too. Service techs are factory-trained in all of the latest technologies and equipment, including high-efficiency boilers. “This is important because the technology keeps evolving and we must continue to learn and adapt to the new equipment,” says Steve.
Over their many years in business, Pratt has become a staple of the community, and the local “go-to” company to call when home mechanics are not working properly. “We frequently work with multi-generations of families,” says Steve. “Not long ago, we were handling a project in Old Tappan and received a call from Park Ridge—it was a family member of that Old Tappan customer who had his own plumbing problems. We get to know the families and their homes quite well.”
Familiarity with the homes they serviced is an advantage for their customers. Steve recently directed a customer directly to her main water valve and instructed her how to turn it off to avoid a deluge. “I knew exactly where her water meter was, and it saved her from having to deal with a flood in her home,” he notes.
Steve’s hands-on approach to customer service is an added benefit for his customers. After-hours calls are personally manned by senior staff members 24/7. “We monitor and answer the calls in real-time in order to provide our customers a solution as quickly as possible,” says Steve.
Part of Pratt’s longevity in the business is due to Steve’s fondness for the local community. He’s proud of the fact that this family-run business hasn’t succumbed to becoming a part of a corporate enterprise. “I like this community and the people,” he says. “I enjoy the job—I’ve been doing it since I was 14. I do something different every day, and it’s interesting to see homes--and the towns evolve--it never gets old!
prattservices.net
It’s going to be a long, hot summer. Here are Steve’s hints on increasing your air conditioning efficiency:
· Be sure to check and change your air filters regularly
· Use a programmable thermostat
· Check duct work--if you feel a cold breeze in the attic, check and tape up the connections with approved duct tape
· Ensure coils on outdoor units are clean and free of grass and shrubs.
· Have your air conditioning and heating systems professionally serviced once a year.
