Member Spotlight: Bruening Heating & Air Conditioning and Fireplaces
Bruce and Sandra Bruening, owners of Bruening Heating & Air Conditioning, have helped residents in the Quincy
area maintain a comfortable environment in their homes for more than 36 years. They also want to make sure you’re heating your home safely.
“It is important to have your heating system checked every year,” said Bruce Bruening. “Make sure it presents no danger, such as carbon monoxide. One of the things we’re concerned about this year is people burning green wood in fireplaces. The storms this summer resulted in a lot of trees being cut down, and people might be tempted to burn that wood in their fireplace. Wood should be seasoned at least one year prior to use in a fireplace. Unseasoned wood can gum up the chimney, plug it, and result in fire. We don’t want to see that, for our customers or anyone in our community.”
Bruce and Sandra Bruening established Bruening Heating & Air Conditioning in 1975, first operating the business out of their home. Following his service in Vietnam, Bruce completed Rankin Technical College’s heating and air conditioning program.
Today, the Bruenings operate two locations – Quincy and Mendon – and have successfully incorporated all three of their children into the family business.
“It is exciting to have all of our family working together in the business,” said Sandra. “We have the opportunity to see them on a regular basis and have been able to watch them grow professionally. Our sons, Chad and Marty, now run the heating & air conditioning portion of the business, and our daughter Kelly’s specialty is fireplaces.”
“We are a one-stop shop,” said Bruce. “We install Bryant heating and cooling systems and wide range of fireplaces, plus take care of the electric, thermostat and provide maintenance or repair services for all brands.”
The Bruenings have options – and advice – for potential customers with existing furnaces and/or fireplaces and for those considering construction or a remodeling project.
“There are many homes in Quincy with beautiful masonry fireplaces,” said Bruce. “Placing a gas insert in the hearth offers the heat and ambiance of a traditional wood burning fireplace without the danger of an open fire. They are sealed, safe and efficient. They can even be set to come on when the room drops to a certain temperature, which is ideal in case of a power outage.”
“We keep up-to-date with the latest technology and advancements in the industry. Furnaces are now very sophisticated. Some can even be controlled with an app on your smartphone. Today’s furnaces and fireplaces are also more efficient. In the past, you had wingback chairs, which were high enough to protect the back of the head from cold air drafts. You no longer have to worry about a draft.”
Gas fireplaces are the most popular option for new construction and additions. However, the Bruenings carry a full line of hearth products and inserts, including wood fireplaces and freestanding stoves.
“For construction, remodeling, and additions, we help customers plan not only their heating and cooling system, but the placement and selection of fireplaces based on their floorplans,” said Sandra. “We carry top quality brands that have been around for a while and are still manufacturing their own products. We’re very careful about what we carry – good products create fewer problems, and that is important for our customers.”
Speaking of problems, the Bruenings agree that one of the most common problems they see is neglecting to change the furnace filter.
“You’re actually better off using the cheap $2 or $3 filter than the expensive [$10 to $20] pleated-style,” said Bruce. “The pleated filters can get completely plugged, which creates stress on the system.”
“We have also heard about people trying to cut their utility bill by using space heaters in addition to, or sometimes in place of, the furnace. Electric space heaters, even the large, more expensive types, may help make one cool room more comfortable, but they are not intended to heat a large area or a whole house. That often results in an even higher utility bill and a less comfortable environment. If your furnace is not providing efficient heat throughout the home, we can help you find the best solution.”
Despite the long hours and hard work the Bruening family has put into building their business, satisfied customers makes it all worthwhile.
“We don’t believe in just installing a furnace or fireplace,” said Sandra. “We want to make sure our customers are long-term customers, and we’ll do whatever it takes to make sure they are happy.”
For more information about Bruening Heating & Air Conditioning and Fireplaces, visit their showroom at 1857 Broadway in Quincy, call (217) 224-COOL or visit www.brueningheating.com.
