33rd Annual Heat’s On Free Furnace Checks For Veterans Set For Oct. 23

MADISON, WI – Madison Area Mechanical & Sheet Metal Contractors Association (MSC) and Steamfitters Local 601 will host the 33rd Annual Heat’s On event on Saturday, October 23, 2021. Over 40 area steamfitters will volunteer a day of labor to inspect and service heating systems in 40 qualified veterans’ homes throughout Dane County. Trucks and equipment used for the day are donated by local union heating contractors, and replacement parts are donated by area suppliers. Veterans signed up for their free furnace checks through the Dane County Veteran Services Office and the Veterans Hospital.

“We need to make sure we take care of our veterans, now more than ever,” said Tom Duffy, Regional Service Manager in Wisconsin for the The Waldinger Corporation. “Each year, we hear stories from our technicians about how this program saved someone from carbon monoxide poisoning or gave someone heat who was without for two freezing winters. It’s a pleasure and an honor to be a part of a program that helps our veterans!”

Heat’s On has been serving Dane County residents since 1987, and have performed maintenance services on over 2,500 furnaces. The purpose of Heat’s On is to reduce the occurrence of veterans going without heat or facing other life-threatening emergencies associated with home heating systems.

Two years ago, Heat’s On fixed a furnace for a veteran who survived the polar vortex without heat in his home. Three years ago, amongst the many veterans that the program serviced, Heat’s On assisted with a furnace of a family with three generations of veterans. In 2017, the program replaced the furnace of a World War II veteran who had been taken to the hospital twice with carbon monoxide poisoning. The leak in the furnace that was causing the poisoning was discovered and fixed by Heat’s On.

Heat’s On will kick off the event with individual breakfasts at the contractors involved with the event. 1901 Inc. and General Heating & Air Conditioning will host breakfasts for their technicians, and the MSC office will host a breakfast for additional volunteers. Gaylord Catering will be providing breakfast at each of the locations at 7:00 a.m.

Agenda for Heat’s On – Saturday, October 23, 2021
7:00 a.m. – Breakfast at each location
7:30 a.m. – Program including a video message shown at each location
8:00 a.m. – Photos
8:15 a.m. – Service Calls

About MSC:
MSC is a non-profit contractor association representing union contractors in the heating, piping, air conditioning, and sheet metal industry. Their members are dedicated professionals who provide high-quality, cost-efficient products and services with a commitment to safety.

About Steamfitters Local 601:
Steamfitters Local 601 is comprised of approximately 2,400 members, and represents a 14-county area in southeastern Wisconsin. While the majority of membership is comprised of Steamfitters and Refrigeration/Service Fitters, they also represent other classifications such as gas distribution, helpers, and welders. Their members work on a variety of jobsites including residential and commercial heating and cooling systems, breweries, and power plants.

Participating Madison Contractors:
• 1901, Inc. (formerly H&H Industries), Owner Paul Christensen, phone: 608-273-3434
• Bassett Mechanical, Area HVAC Service Manager Chad Warnecke, phone: 608-838-6362
• General Heating & Air Conditioning, Labor Manager Mike Polster, phone: 608-271-3900
• The Waldinger Corporation, Service Manager Tami Schultz, phone: 608-221-8886

Participating Supply Houses:
• First Supply, Sales Manager Mark Arrowood, phone: 608-222-7799
• Gustave A. Larson, Store Manager Courtney Martins, phone: 608-221-3301
• Johnstone Supply, Owner Dan Kunze, phone: 608-223-1499
• Temperature Systems, Sales & Refrigeration, Scott Nachreiner, phone: 608-327-2345

For more information, please contact Julie Walsh, Madison Area Mechanical & Sheet Metal Contractors Association at 608-288-1414 or julie.walsh@mechanicalindustries.org.

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