Heating Up The Customer Service: Anthem Heating & Cooling Joins the Chamber

When hands-on learner Marcus Brandenburg was a senior at Grinnell High School, his counselor pulled him aside to ask about his future plans. “I didn’t come from a family with a lot of money, so I wasn’t really thinking about college,” recalls Brandenburg. “Instead, I jumped right into the trades.”

Brandenburg was offered an apprenticeship program, where he delved into the HVAC industry and completed his journeyman license. After working locally for a number of years, he moved to Des Moines to experience the corporate world of HVAC. There, he met two fellas — Dylan Albrecht and Marshall Halverson — who were equally as passionate and ambitious about branching out in the industry.

After eight years of working together and bonding over hunting and fishing, the company they were with was bought out by a private equity firm. “We always mentioned starting our own business in passing,” recounts Albrecht, “but then we started to have really serious, long phone calls. In my head, I figured the worst that can happen is that I’ll go back to working for someone else.”

With the support of friends and family, the three men launched Anthem Heating & Cooling last May. Today, they celebrated their inauguration into the Grinnell Chamber with a ribbon cutting!

Albrecht and Halverson agree that the Grinnell/Des Moines area is the best place for their business to be. Albrecht spent years working in the oil fields in North Dakota before deciding it was time to come home, start a business, and stay close to family. Marshall, who lives in Grimes, also built his career in HVAC from the ground up — starting at the lowest level and working his way to company leadership over the last 10 years. Together, Brandenburg and the team serve towns such as Ottumwa, Fort Dodge, Cedar Rapids, and other small, underserved areas between Grinnell and Des Moines.

Anthem Heating & Cooling offers HVAC install and service, including but not limited to: work with heat pumps, new construction for home builds, ductless mini splits, heat pumps, water boilers, water heaters, and more. Though Anthem doesn’t have a storefront, they operate with fully equipped install trailers containing everything needed for residential jobs, which make up the majority of their work. “If someone calls us, we’ll come to the house and give them an estimate that day,” Albrecht says.

Anthem Heating & Cooling is also proud of their exceptional customer service. “One thing that is unique about it is that you get a picture of us when you call,” says Halverson. “You know exactly who will be coming to your house to do repairs or service.” Their phones are always linked directly to them, with two people on call 24/7. Missed call? Rarely.

When asked about tips or tricks for homeowners, Albrecht shared that regularly changing furnace filters and batteries in your thermostats can improve your system’s longevity. “Plus, no one enjoys paying us to replace the batteries,” he laughs. The trio suggests changing batteries annually, noting daylight saving time as a good time to do so!

Customers can also request specific brands, but because Anthem Heating & Cooling isn’t tied to one manufacturer, they can install whichever system best fits a homeowner’s needs. They carefully size each unit and offer thorough explanations about what will — and won’t — work.

“Customers are like family,” says Halverson. “We would not offer a product that we would not place in our own homes. We work efficiently, give options, and don’t assume what you need.”

And for those wanting to go into the trades? “There’s nothing better than heating and cooling,” encourages Brandenburg. “They’re extremely important. You can’t replace this kind of work with a robot, so it’s good to educate the youth about the potential in this field.”

Stay in touch with the work that Anthem Heating & Cooling does by following their Facebook page. Plus, customers can call or text a message to 515-249-2581 to schedule a service. Again, the Anthem team is on call 24/7 for all your needs!

Chamber Ambassadors from left to right:

• Dedee Lehman — All In Real Estate Inc.
• Ashley Sorensen — Volunteer Iowa
• Donna Fischer — UnityPoint Health - Grinnell Regional Medical Center
• Fran Conn
• Nikki Armstead — Grinnell Chamber
• Bri Gaunt — Community 1st Credit Union
• Trent Arment — MCG - Mahaska Communication Group
• Lisa Cirks — Cirks Financial Services
• Yesenia Mozo — Grinnell Chamber
• Blake Pearson — Converge Chiropractic PLLC
• Donnette Ellis — Grinnell College Community Connections with Grinnell College
• Dylan Albrecht — Anthem Heating & Cooling
• Marcus Brandenburg — Anthem Heating & Cooling
• Marshall Halverson — Anthem Heating & Cooling
• Brad German — GreenState Credit Union
• Evan Petig — The Grinnellian
• Nicolle Donnelly — Poweshiek Insurance Agency
• Jess Dawson — REMAX Partners Realty- Grinnell
• Matt Moyer — Bayer Crop Science
• Monica St. Angelo — Grinnell Area Arts Council
• Monique Shore — PFLAG Grinnell Poweshiek
• Dan McCue — McCue & Associates LLC - American Family Insurance