Sylvander Heating helps heat up a Red Wing family

Staff at Sylvander Heating took some time to install a furnace in a Red Wing home free of charge on Saturday — and the timing could not have been better.

Temperatures hovered in the 40s throughout the day and wind gusts of up to 35 mph made it all the more chilly.

Saturday’s install was part of a program hosted by Lennox Industries called “Heat Up Minnesota” where the company donated 100 new, high efficiency furnaces to people throughout the state.

“(Families with) financial difficulties, health issues or maybe just a family that is struggling right now,” explained Theresa Gillman, co-owner of Sylvander Heating.

Everyone selected by Lennox was first nominated by their friends, family or fellow community members.

“Neighbors helping neighbors is really how it all started,” Sylvander co-owner Tom Thompson noted. Thompson is part of a committee that traveled to Lennox dealers in various towns receiving donations and asked them to contribute their installation expertise.

After Lennox opted to donate a furnace to a family in Red Wing, staff at Sylvander volunteered to help complete the process.

“We donated the labor materials to install the furnace,” Thompson said.

For about five hours, a crew of three installers took out a 28-year-old gas furnace and replaced it with one that has a 92 percent efficiency rating. The furnace was one of 40 installed throughout the state Saturday as part of “Heat Up Minnesota.” Thompson joined the crew in Red Wing to greet Terry and Cindy Lohman as they received their new furnace.

“They were just really thankful — somewhat in disbelief,” Thompson said.

“It’s really neat that it’s going to someone that will thoroughly appreciate it,” Gillman said.

Tags: red wing, business, energy, minnesota