The Air & Water Spotlight series introduces you to the fantastic members of the GE Appliances Air & Water Solutions team and why the HVAC and plumbing industries are so important to them — and our company.
Today, we’re featuring Brittney Zeller, commercial director of light commercial A/C. Brittney is a driving force in our HVAC division, helping build new partnerships and create growth opportunities for our customers across the industry.
Tell us a little about your role.
I oversee our packaged terminal air conditioner and vertical terminal air conditioner product lines, especially within the hospitality, senior living and multifamily markets. My job is to bring our products to life by driving our market strategy and enabling our sales team to get our best products out to the market.
I pay special attention to our distributor partners as well. I work alongside them to better understand their customers’ needs and pain points. Property owners’ needs can vary by application. Some are driven by cost while others understand that a quiet, energy-efficient PTAC can save them time and money long-term. There may also be requirements in new construction to have fresh air brought into the building, in which case we would work with the customer to introduce one of our makeup air units. These are the kinds of conversations that are critical, ensuring we’re providing the right product and services to meet their specifications.
Ultimately, my goal is to help our teams provide the best customer experiences for distributors, property owners, contractors, and their customers and guests.
What drew you to join the GE Appliances Air & Water Solutions team?
Joining this company was a no-brainer. Our brand is known for its incredible culture, amazing employees and, of course, quality service and line of products. I was especially excited about the opportunity to join the Air & Water Solutions team, a new microenterprise. I come into every venture with an entrepreneurial spirit, and the chance to grow this business motivates me every day.
What are some of the biggest challenges you’re seeing across the HVAC industry right now?
The COVID-19 pandemic made everyone realize the importance of air quality. Breathing clean, healthy air is vital to our health and well-being, and the hospitality, senior living and multifamily industries need to find ways to improve indoor air for their residents and guests.
With advanced HVAC products such as our Zoneline® UltimateV12™, we focus on the latest makeup air technology. We also utilize high-quality filtration using MERV 13 filter kits to create the cleanest air possible for hotels, senior living, and apartments.
How has demand grown for more energy-efficient products?
One of the questions we hear most often is, “How do I make my buildings and units more efficient?” Sustainability and energy efficiency are major topics in HVAC right now. Our engineers have been working on designing and building more energy-efficient, eco-friendly units. We’re doing that through the use of new refrigerants that not only meet higher environmental standards, but also improve the units’ energy efficiency by 30%. This saves property owners more money and as energy costs go up, it allows units to operate longer and keeps their guests happy.
We’re always trying to find a better way. Our priority is to help people live happier, healthier lives.
What do you hope to accomplish through your product lines over the next several years?
My ultimate goal is to show the industry that GE Appliances Air & Water Solutions is a proven, trusted brand in the marketplace. From distributors to installers, our customers are dedicated to their work and expect the best products and services.
I want them to know that no matter what industry they serve, we will be here to help support them with anything they need. We are dedicated to earning their trust by equipping them with the best air and water products on the market and making their jobs easier.
Why should customers who have developed strong brand loyalties over the years consider looking at GE Appliances Air & Water products?
Our strong service and distribution network set us apart. We focus on our clients’ needs by providing personalized customer service. We have application engineers who provide expert assistance with technical questions either on-site or remotely. We also have a dedicated training manager who will travel to our distributors and partners to train their sales teams.
But our value proposition doesn’t end with service and support. That’s because we design and engineer every product to make the lives of our customers — and their customers — easier. Whether it’s enhanced features that win the sale or user-first designs that take the headaches out of installation and maintenance, we focus on creating quality HVAC and plumbing products that the pros and their customers can depend on.
We’re not going away. We’re going to challenge the status quo, finding innovative ways to improve the HVAC and plumbing industries. These industries have been around for a long time and they’ve done things the same way for too long. We’re determined to go that extra mile to make a difference and improve people’s lives. I don't think folks around these industries are ready for that kind of disruption yet, and I’m excited to be a part of it.