EP 449: How A Dallas HVAC Company Earns Generations Of Trust

What makes Taylor Chestnut with Washburn Air a good neighbor?

Your AC doesn’t usually give you a warning—it just stops working… and in the Dallas-Fort Worth heat, that’s not just inconvenient, it’s urgent. We sit down with Taylor Chestnut of Washburn Air to talk about what dependable HVAC service really looks like when your comfort, safety, and home are on the line.

Taylor shares the legacy behind Washburn Air, a Dallas-based company serving homeowners since 1960, and why that kind of longevity comes down to one thing: trust earned over time. From his own transition out of semiconductor engineering into business ownership, to the standards he now upholds, you’ll hear what truly separates a reliable local contractor from the ones that just look good online. Think: proper licensing, real technician experience, clear communication, and doing the job right the first time.

We also break down a common mistake many homeowners make—choosing the highest-rated air filter thinking it’s the “best.” Taylor explains how overly restrictive filters can actually hurt your system by limiting airflow, and why something as simple as the right MERV rating can extend the life of your unit and improve performance.

Beyond repairs, this conversation gives you practical insight into maintaining your system before problems start, what to look for when hiring help, and how to avoid costly missteps. If you want to feel more confident about how your HVAC system works—and who you trust to work on it—this episode is for you.

Subscribe, share it with a neighbor before the next heat wave hits, and leave a review to help more homeowners stay prepared and protected.

To learn more about Washburn Air go to: https://washburnair.com

Washburn Air 

972-372-0124

Transcript

Welcome To The Good Neighbor Podcast

SPEAKER_00 0:00

This is the Good Neighbor Podcast, the place where local businesses and neighbors come together. Here's your host, Sophia Yvette.

Meet Taylor Chestnut Of Washburn Air

SPEAKER_02 0:10

Welcome to the Good Neighbor Podcast. Are you in need of an HVAC company? Well, one may be closer than you think. Today I have the pleasure of introducing our good neighbor, Taylor Chestnut, with Washburn Air. Taylor, it is lovely having you on today. Now we are so excited to learn all about you and your business. Please start off by telling our listeners just a little bit more about your company.

SPEAKER_01 0:35

So the great thing about Washburn is that it's been around for a very long time. It was started by its uh its founder, Mr. Washburn, back in 1960. And he ran it for about 40 years. Um, and then it was owned by a man named Joe. And uh and Joe owned it for 20 years, and uh, and I'm and I will be the fourth business owner uh of Washburn. So uh we have a lot of very loyal customers, customers that have been with us for a very long time.

From Engineer To HVAC Owner

SPEAKER_02 1:05

Wonderful. Now, Taylor, how did you originally get into this industry?

SPEAKER_01 1:11

Well, you know, it's it's that's a funny question. So I I actually started, you know, I was an engineer by trade and uh I was in the semiconductor industry. We were making computer chips, and uh I just decided that after spending about 10 years in that industry, that I wanted to uh do something on my own, uh, you know, be my own boss and uh really just control how my day was spent and what the priority was. Um HVAC particularly drew me in just because uh it's it's such a need in the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex. I mean you know, you know, temperatures can get into the hundreds very, very quickly. Um I view what we do as uh almost as important for your health and safety as a doctor or a nurse, right? I mean, it can be a life or death situation for an older uh customer, and it's really nice just to be able to help them out and and to also be able to um just be in a profitable industry.

The MERV Filter Misconception

SPEAKER_02 2:15

100%. Now, getting a little bit deeper into your industry and some of the specifics here, what is that number one misconception you come across on the day-to-day that you would like to put to rest today?

SPEAKER_01 2:31

Well, uh one of the misconceptions is on MERV filters, everyone thinks, okay, I need a high MERV number so that I want the you know the smallest holes in my filter possible to catch all of the dirt. Well, the reality is that when you have the you know a very fine filter like that, it can really block up your airflow and it can do some damage to your to your AC unit. MERV eight is is plenty high enough.

Finding Customers Through SEO And Content

SPEAKER_02 2:56

Wow. Now we've taken some time to get a little bit more about your background and you know your industry. So let's go ahead and talk about growth for a second. Now we know that marketing is the heart of every business. So today, who are some of those ideal customers that you're looking to help? And how are you attracting them?

SPEAKER_01 3:17

Well, step number one for me whenever I bought the company is I wanted to really focus on Google SEO, really get our search engine optimization to work to a good place. I did that by completely redoing the website, uh hiring a uh digital marketing firm to help with some of those things. I also send out uh a monthly blog to all my customers. It's kind of a a you know, a do-it-yourself, um, you know, helpful tips with HVAC. And I've gotten a lot of positive feedback from that. And I'll also send that out to all my social media, so my Facebook and Instagram and LinkedIn.

SPEAKER_02 3:56

Wow. Well, you know, we all need that at the end of the day. We all need our AC working. Um now, have you ever thought about having your own podcast for the business before to continue to educate some of these potential clients?

SPEAKER_01 4:12

Sounds like a great idea. I I haven't considered it uh that much, but you know what? I'm I'm definitely not opposed to it.

SPEAKER_02 4:21

Now, jumping back into your industry for a second, what is the number one takeaway you would like some of your clients or potential clients to learn today about Washburn Air?

SPEAKER_01 4:35

So, one of the things I want you to know is that we're not owned by private equity. This is a local, this is a local Dallas family that owns Washburn Air. We've been in Dallas for four generations. Um we take a lot of pride in what we do. All of our technicians are background checked, they're all drug tested. Um, I think that we have uh a crew that is a step above what the competition has out there, and I think that most of our customers are very happy with the results.

SPEAKER_02 5:08

Wow. Now, what is the number one thing that makes your company stand out compared to other HVAC companies in the area?

SPEAKER_01 5:16

So, I mean, one of the things is that we're uh you know we're a licensed vendor, not all vendors are licensed. We are, you know, we're we have insurance. Like I said, all of our technicians, the technician that's gonna be in your house has six to ten years experience. Um they are they are have a lot more experience than your standard HVAC tech that comes in. Um they speak English. Um and I think that just the the one-on-one personal conversations you can have, but we're only a phone call away. Um, and we're we're happy to talk to all of our customers.

SPEAKER_02 5:52

Now, where can our listeners go to learn more about Washburn Air? You did say you're only a phone call away.

SPEAKER_01 6:00

So our phone number is 972-226-7485. Uh, you can also reach us on our website, which is www.washburnair.com. And you can go to the click on the contact page and you can fill out your information. And from there, we can schedule a service or maintenance call for you.

SPEAKER_02 6:22

Well, Taylor, I really appreciate you being on the show. We wish you and your business the best moving forward.

Nominate A Local Business

SPEAKER_01 6:29

Thank you so much for having me. I appreciate it.

SPEAKER_00 6:31

Thank you for listening to the Good Neighbor Podcast. To nominate your favorite local businesses to be featured on the show, go to gnpfrisco.com. That's gmpfrisco.com or call four six nine two two two one nine three four four four four four five.