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Bay Furnace marks 60 years in business

A local furnace and air conditioning service and replacement firm is celebrating 60 years in business. Despite the name, it calls Westlake home. Lynn and Billie Robinson operate the business, Bay Heating and Air Conditioning or Bay Furnace. The Robinsons have worked in the family-operated company for 35 years.Bay Furnace serves all the Westshore communities and has thousands of customers. "We find out the number of customers we have on a hot day — they call all at once," Billie said. The company offers service, repair and replacing, as well as installation of heating and air conditioning equipment. Bay Furnace is also a dealer of Carrier products with the motto, "Turn to the Experts."

Bay Furnace has it's name because of it's ordinal location. Billie's father, Bill, who founded the company, did so in Bay Village 60 years ago. Since then Bay Furnace has made several moves. First the company went to Fairview Park for a time. Then the business moved to the West 150th street in Cleveland before moving to Westlake approximately 35 years ago. It's current location, 24530 Sperry Drive, is great for business because of it's proximity to the highway. Billie said the store's spot came with a bit of luck. "My father had bought a lot on Sharon Drive. Someone switched lots with him. The freeway wasn't there at the time, but it came and it worked out." The current site represents still one final move. The first Westlake location for Bay Furnace was in an adjacent building that Billie's husband Lynn helped to build. The company moved to its current location in 1987.

Bay Furnace hasn't always done servicing of equipment."Originally, we worked with builders and did the building trade," Billie said. "We've only been servicing 30 years." While Westlake isn't the company's first home, Billie said it's a good place to be. "We've been here a long time and definitely like it," Billie said. "It's a good place, a good business spot, there are good customers who give referrals and treat us very well."  While Billie said she did not want to name names, she mentioned that the company has worked with some high profile clients. "We've worked with some of the football players, TV personalities, basketball players and business owners," she said.

Bay Furnace is a three-generation family business. Billie's father started the company. Now she and her husband are running it. Soon, their daughter Kori Szabo will be taking it over in the future. Even the employees of the family have worked at Bay Furnace for three generations. Roger Tresh, Jr works there now, as did his father Roger, Sr. and his grandfather Al Tresh. "Our goals are to complete a third-generation transfer," Billie said. "And for my husband and I to retire and the company to grow. Thank you to Westlake and surrounding communities for supporting us all these years." Bay Furnace is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. five days a week with 24-hour emergency service available.

Source — Westlake Advocate

Bay Heating and Air Conditioning is the consumer’s choice

Ensuring customer satisfaction and maintaining the highest business integrity has made Bay Heating and Air Conditioning the consumer’s choice for whole house comfort systems.

Bay Heating specializes in the sales and installation of furnaces, air conditioners, heating and cooling accessories, hot water tanks, UV lights, humidifiers, boilers, heat pumps, and thermostats. Maintenance, 24-hour emergency service and regular service, including heat, air and hot water tune-ups, are available to ensure peak performance.

Bay Heating is a Carrier dealer and was actually the first in the area to carry this prestigious line. “It was an honor to be the first because Carrier looks for the best companies to support their products,” said Billie Robinson.

According to Robinson, Carrier is the only one on the market to feature the new, innovative thermostat that can be controlled over the Internet or by phone. “All you have to do is log-on or call in and you can adjust your home temperature immediately so that you enjoy maximum comfort upon arrival.”
Bay Heating features a full in-house sheet metal shop to create custom duct work that’s nice looking, doesn't leak, and ensures a perfect fit.

The company offers a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee. “If a problem arises, we do what it takes to make it right,” said Robinson. Bay Heating and Air Conditioning has been family owned and operated for 60 years.

Source — Sun News 3/18/04