When Steve DeRolf started Absolute Air in 2001, he was working in the industry and saw customers regularly being sold things they didn’t need at prices that were extremely inflated.
“They were getting $300 for a run cap back then,” he says, explaining that a run cap is an electrical part necessary to run an air conditioning unit. “Today – 22 years later – I only charge $250.”
He says other companies overcharging customers still happens today. And, while he can’t keep other companies from taking advantage of customers, Steve promises that Absolute Air offers honest and reasonable prices to give people an alternative.
He has lots of stories to prove his point — like the woman in a mobile home who was told she needed a new unit with a price tag of $18,000 for the system, plus $6,000 to replace her ductwork.
“We told her the entire job would be $7,000 with us,” Steve says. And, he also told her she could keep using the system until it no longer worked, while the other company was pressuring her to replace the entire system immediately.
Then, there was the man who called because he thought his mom was being taken advantage of by another company.
“They told her that her heater was bad and it would be $1,500 to replace,” says Steve. “But, it was just a burnt wire, so for $200, we had it running again.”
He says another common problem is that some companies won’t tell the customer that a part is still under warranty. Instead of dealing with the warranty to replace the part, they try to sell a whole new system.
“It’s more work to do it right,” Steve says, “so they make it easier on themselves, rather than doing what’s best for the customer.”
Steve’s wife, Tammy, has served as Absolute Air’s office manager since the company’s early years and now his daughter, Amber, is the assistant office manager.
The DeRolf family loves being part of the community they serve.
“I grew up in Zephyrhills when Wesley Chapel wasn’t even here,” Steve says. “All three of my kids went to schools in Zephyrhills.”
Steve met Tammy when she was in the Air Force and he had just gotten out of the Army. They married 29 years ago.
In addition to Amber, they have a son who is a Pasco County Sheriff’s Deputy and a daughter who lives in Palm Bay.
“Our family’s goal is to always treat the customer right,” Steve says, “and to run our business with honesty, integrity and loyalty.”
He says regular maintenance is essential, “like changing the oil in your car,” but you should be wary of companies who say they’ll do your maintenance for $29.99.
Since it costs more than that — between labor and vehicle costs — for them to send a technician to your house to do the maintenance,” Steve says. “They will likely try to get more money from you by selling you something you may not need, or by charging too much for it.
“Some of them are getting $2,500 for an ultraviolet light,” he adds, “but we put them in for $600.”
Amber says those UV lights are important, though.
“It’s something everyone should have,” Amber says. “It improves the life of your coils by keeping mildew out of them, and keeps your air cleaner.”
She explains that Absolute Air also offers maintenance “memberships” for people who want peace of mind regarding keeping their air conditioning and heating units running properly.
“If you join the membership program,” she says, “it’s $5 less for the maintenance and then you’ll get 10 percent off any service calls you might need for the whole year you’re on the program.”
Amber says that Absolute Air’s phones are answered in the evenings and on weekends, because they understand that emergencies happen. They can even send someone out right away, although the cost is slightly higher for after-hours service calls.
And, Amber says that Absolute Air promises that if the company can fix your system and keep it running, they will.
“I have my word and my integrity,” Steve says. “We don’t scare our customers into buying something they don’t need.”
In addition to the DeRolf family, Absolute Air includes vice president Mike Thornton, who co-founded the company with Steve and now handles commercial accounts and new construction installation, and long-time technician Greg Weatherspoon, who used to be a neighbor and whose dad once worked for the company.
“Our customers love Greg,” Amber says. “He’s honest, reliable, trustworthy and will even talk customers through things to help people over the phone, whenever possible.”
One customer who agrees with that assessment of Greg is Mary Mosiello. When Mary and her husband, cosmetic surgeon Dr. Gerard Mosiello, moved into their home 10 years ago, they needed to replace an air conditioning unit. They asked around and one of their neighbors recommended Absolute Air Systems.
They were so pleased, they also had Absolute Air take care of the units at their business in Tampa Palms, as well.
“They are very dependable and responsive,” Mary says. “I appreciate that they’re so helpful and that they educate us as to the best ways to keep this very expensive product running.”
Over the past 10 years, Absolute Air has built a relationship that Mary says is built on her confidence that the company and its technicians are trustworthy and reliable.
“It’s not an easy decision to have to replace something,” Mary says, “but it helps if you trust the people you’re dealing with. They know your home and business and what you need, and I like that for sure.”
And, while she says she’s happy to recommend Absolute Air to others, “I just don’t want them to get too busy where they can’t come see me,” she laughs.
Absolute Air Systems provides heating and air conditioning service for both residential and commercial systems. The company offers full system installs, service calls, preventive maintenance, emergency repairs, UV light installation, thermostat upgrades and any other heating and cooling needs.
“At least get your units serviced once a year,” says Steve. “Since we’re family owned and live in this community, after we come to your house, you’ll probably see us out in the community. Whether it’s at Walmart or Applebee’s or church, we’re out in the com- munity we serve and love.”
And, he says, he never has to worry when he sees his customers out and about. He has no qualms, knowing that he and everyone in his company has treated them with honesty and integrity.
To schedule an appointment for maintenance or service, call (813) 779- 0101. For more information about Absolute Air Systems, visit GetColdAir.com.
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