Founded in 1960 by the late Ray Frisbee, Frisbees has been proudly serving the Sioux Falls community as the leading company in the heating and cooling industry. Director of Admin Operations Marci Pirlet shares that it was Ray’s vision to lead in quality workmanship and unsurpassed customer service.
“In the beginning, we started as a heating and plumbing company, and then we added electrical about 30 years ago,” Marci adds. “Sometimes we take it all for granted – going to the kitchen faucet to run the water or turning the lights on and they illuminate, but it takes a company like Frisbees to put it all together.”
In 2022, Frisbees installed more than 370 residential heating and cooling units that replaced old air conditioners, furnaces or dual systems. Marketing manager Rhonda Ims adds that the company added over 2,500 new customers and went on more than 6,600 service calls.
Frisbees is the only company in the area that offers services with 18 skilled service technicians in plumbing, HVAC and electrical plus a retail plumbing showroom. “Our technicians combined have more than 160 years of experience at Frisbees alone, which doesn’t even include our employees working at various job sites in the field; they’ve seen and accomplished it all,” Rhonda proudly shares.
Every day the techs are out in the community working on everything from water heater installations and lighting installs to repairing or starting up new equipment. All estimates are free, so it never hurts to call and schedule a consultation before an emergency situation arises.
Did You Know?
Did you know Frisbees is not only serving the community in the plumbing, HVAC and electrical industry – they also have initiatives in place to give back to the community?! “We try to help in the community where we can,” Rhonda smiles. “We love to support our employees and sponsor their kids in sports, and we also do a lot of work within the industry through educating youth on jobs in the trade.”
Not your typical donation to charity, education is an alternative to giving back that is really making an impact in the community. Rhonda says, “In the past, we’ve been a part of junior achievement classroom chats and attended career fairs. We are always looking for any opportunity we can to get in front of young kids to let them know about the huge need in our industry for good workers and that you can make a solid career in the fields of plumbing, HVAC and electrical.”
Other volunteer works have included installing a water-bottle-filling drinking fountain for athletes at Special Olympics South Dakota, partnering with Call to Freedom to collect items for victims’ support, adopting two families for Christmas wish lists, as well as donating to McCrossan Boys Ranch, The Banquet, Bishop Dudley Hospitality House, DakotAbilities, Children’s Home Shelter for Family Safety and more. “We do a lot in the community, and we love to continue building our legacy and story,” Rhonda says.
Repair or Replace
When running into system issues with an HVAC, there are four key factors to help decide whether you should repair or replace your unit: the age, condition and efficiency of the system, as well as your
personal budget.
Rhonda adds, “If you’re not sure whether to upgrade or repair, it’s always a good idea to consult with a professional HVAC technician. They are trained to assess the condition and help you make the best decision for your needs.”
IT MAY BE TIME TO UPGRADE IF YOUR HVAC SYSTEM:
- Is more than 15 years old
- Is not cooling or heating your home effectively Is making a lot of noise
- Is making a lot of noise
- Is leaking refrigerant
- Is not energy-efficient
- Has had multiple repairs made in the last year
IMPORTANT FACTS:
WHAT ARE IMPORTANT THINGS YOU CAN DO AT HOME TO PREVENT EMERGENCIES WITH YOUR HVAC OR PLUMBING?
- Check your furnace filters on a regular basis ALL year long. We recommend checking/changing filters every 1-3 months if you have a 1” pleated filter and every 6 months if you have a more efficient air cleaner filter. We sell replacement filters including AprilAire in our Parts Department. Also, you should have your heating and cooling equipment inspected each year. This can help your system run more smoothly, prolong the life of the equipment and catch potential problems.
- Purchase and install a carbon monoxide detector. This gas is colorless, odorless and very dangerous if present in your home. A detector will alert you and keep you safe. We recommend having a detector on every level of your home used for sleeping. CO detectors do have an expiration date so be mindful of that.
- Change/test the batteries on your smoke detectors. A smoke detector can’t save your life if there are no working batteries.
- Install a water alarm. There are alarms that can be easily installed by a homeowner that would alert you if there is water present in the designated area. The most common place to have this is located in the mechanical room by a water heater or sump pump. It could save you lots of money in damages. We do sell these alarms in our Parts Department.
- Know where your water shut-offs are. Everyone in the house should know where the main water lines shut-off is in your mechanical room. If a water issue ever arises, you can quickly shut off the water in the home until a repair can be made. Often times we have customers call with reports of water spraying everywhere, and they don’t know how to shut the water off. Ask Frisbees to label or show you your shut-offs next time they are there for a plumbing service call.
- Test the sump pump. To test the sump pump, pour a few gallons of water into the sump pit. The sump pump should turn on and pump the water out of the pit. If the sump pump does not turn on or does not pump the water out of the pit, you will need to have it repaired or replaced. Make sure that the sump pump is plugged into an outlet and that the outlet is working properly. Also, you will want to make sure the outlet pipe or discharge line is clear of any clogs, debris and isn’t frozen. It’s also important to make sure the line moves water AWAY from the house. Too often we see discharge lines running along the foundation of the home. Make sure it’s directed away from the home.
- Check for leaks regularly. Look for any signs of water damage, such as wet spots on the ceiling or walls. If you see any leaks, have them repaired immediately.
- Use a plunger to clear any clogs that do occur. Do not use chemicals to clear clogs, as they can damage your pipes.
- Don’t flush certain items down the toilet even if they seem flushable. Items like hair, baby wipes, medication, kitty litter, dental floss, gum, bleach, Q-tips, paper towels and even fish shouldn’t be flushed down a toilet. All these things have the potential to cause issues with the plumbing system or contaminate the water supply.
