Propane
Setters is a new local company servicing heating equipment for propane, oil and
natural gas. With 14 years of experience in the industry, John Schoennagel
wanted to have a different kind of company, one that puts customers first and
the bottom line second.
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| John Schoennagel of Propane Setters |
Propane
Setters installs gas appliances like stoves and refrigerators, on demand water
heaters and boilers. His primary goal is to provide service for all of the
equipment. He is a dealer for Rinnai, which means that there will be no middle
man when it comes to getting parts for heaters.
The
company offers cleanings, repairs, installation of gas lines and oil lines. Schoennagel
knows the business and is frank about what he offers.
Schoennagel
grew up in Rhode Island and owned an auto repair shop before moving to Maine.
“I
enjoy the interaction with customers more with heating than auto repair,” he
said.
His
top priority is treating customers right. “I want customers to feel like
they’re being paid attention to. I will keep in touch with them until they get
that part in the end,” he said.
With
his knowledge of how big chain heating companies are working with clients,
Schoennagel wants to be fair with his customers in both price and information. It
takes very little effort for him to call a customer to give an update on the
progress of their project.
“I
do a lot of educating about the products,” he said. “I’m also more flexible
with a person on a tight, strict budget. Sometimes I think I’m too kind
hearted.” He is hoping that word of mouth advertising will encourage more
people to call him when they are looking to upgrade heating systems or need
service.
During
the most recent blizzard, Schoennagel received a call from a hearing impaired
woman with no heat at 3:30 a.m. He struck out to help her. She lived on a
private road that hadn’t been plowed, but he made it there. After three hours,
he finished the job, which had involved climbing on her metal roof to unblock
her chimney flue, among other things.
“It’s
gratification. You know you did a good thing,” he said.
Schoennagel
wasn’t planning to open another business after closing his auto repair shop,
but he felt with the dysfunctional scheduling and lack of customer service, he
owed it to the community to offer his services through Propane Setters. Not
every large company has these issues, but enough do that he wanted to make a
difference.
“I
know there will be disgruntled people and I will work with them,” he said. “You
get respect when you give respect.”
Propane
Setters does not sell products and it doesn’t change out tanks, but the best
way to find out if the company can help is to give them a call. Schoennagel is
licensed and insured. His territory is a 50-mile radius from Windham and north.
Propane Setters also services commercial food equipment like fryolators and
propane stoves.
“Clients
are looking for natural gas where it’s available because they don’t run out,”
Schoennagel said. Propane is clean burning. Despite that, it still requires cleaning
and safety evaluations yearly. When Schoennagel installs a heater, he offers a
free cleaning a year later to make sure everything is working as it should.
Propane
Setters also offers yearly contracts. The one-time payment is individually
created depending on the appliances being covered and the customer’s needs.
Each contract comes with one free cleaning and covers labor and emergency
calls.
Emergency
calls after hours are only for those without heat or hot water, he clarified.
If
a client offers a referral that Schoennagel sees, they receive their next
cleaning for half price as a thank you, he said.
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