Community Involvement — Rivic Heating & Air Conditioning

Andrew Samples founded Rivic Heating and Air Conditioning in 2013 on the premise that a Merrimack Valley HVAC contractor is embedded in the community it serves. Twelve years later, that translates into specific programs, sponsorships, and partnerships listed below. None of this is peripheral to the business — it is why the crew stays, why customers refer neighbors, and why the company shows up for the community events that define Methuen, Lawrence, Andover, Haverhill, Dracut, and the New Hampshire border towns.

The Rivic Heat Aid Fund

Every winter across the Merrimack Valley, elderly homeowners on fixed income, families between jobs, and disabled residents face heating emergencies they cannot afford to fix. The Rivic Heat Aid Fund, established in 2018 in the aftermath of the September Columbia Gas over-pressurization event, provides emergency HVAC repair and boiler replacement at no cost to qualifying households.

• Coverage scope: Emergency no-heat repairs for households below 200% of the federal poverty level, elderly residents (65+) on fixed income, disabled residents, and families with children under 5 in confirmed no-heat emergencies during the November-through-March heating season.
• Funding: A portion of every Rivic installation invoice contributes to the fund. Additional donations accepted from community members through the Methuen office.
• Partner referrals: The fund coordinates with Community Action Inc (Haverhill regional social service agency), Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley, the Salvation Army fuel assistance program, and municipal Council on Aging offices in Methuen, Lawrence, Andover, and Haverhill for household verification.
• Impact since 2018: Emergency response provided to over 240 Merrimack Valley households. Full boiler replacements donated to 14 households. Emergency furnace repairs and parts for 190+ households at no cost to the recipients.

Post-2018 Columbia Gas Community Response

The September 13, 2018 Columbia Gas over-pressurization event affected over 8,000 households across Lawrence, Andover, and North Andover. In the weeks and months that followed, Rivic donated labor for equipment recommissioning, pilot relight, and system inspection to displaced families and to households that Columbia Gas’s official contractor network could not reach quickly enough. Marcus Devlin, now Rivic Service Manager, was among the crews working out of the Andover staging area through the coldest weeks of winter 2018-19. The Rivic Heat Aid Fund was formalized in 2019 to institutionalize that response — because the pattern of vulnerable households facing heating emergencies was not going away with the immediate crisis.

Greater Lawrence Technical School HVAC Apprentice Program

Greater Lawrence Technical School (57 River Road, Andover) trains the next generation of Merrimack Valley HVAC technicians. Rivic partners with the school’s HVAC/Refrigeration program in three concrete ways:

• Apprentice hosting: Rivic hosts two GLTS senior-year students per academic year for the cooperative work placement required for MA Refrigeration Technician licensing prerequisites. Students shadow Marcus, Ryan, and Diego on residential and commercial service calls under supervised training conditions.
• Post-graduation hiring: Diego Ramirez is himself a 2015 GLTS graduate. Two additional recent hires who moved on to other regional HVAC contractors also came through the GLTS pipeline.
• Equipment donation: Retired but educationally-viable HVAC equipment (older Weil-McLain WGO oil boilers, aging Trane condensers, decommissioned refrigerant recovery machines) is donated to GLTS for hands-on training use where practical.

Local Business & Civic Associations

• Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce — Active member since 2015. Andrew Samples has served on the Small Business Committee two terms.
• Methuen Chamber of Commerce (formerly Greater Methuen Chamber) — Sustaining member. Rivic hosts an annual open-house event at the 225 Broadway office coordinated through the Chamber’s small-business networking calendar.
• Elks Lodge Methuen #1587 — Andrew Samples has been an active member since 2014. The Lodge’s community service work, particularly its youth scholarship program and veterans support activities, receives annual Rivic contributions.
• Rotary Club of Methuen — Marcus Devlin serves as Rivic’s liaison to Rotary community projects, including the annual holiday food drive coordinated with the Methuen Community Christmas program.
• Better Business Bureau Serving Eastern Massachusetts — A+ Accredited Business rating maintained since 2015.

Youth Sports Sponsorships

Rivic sponsors youth athletic programs across the eight-city service area. Sponsorship funds team equipment, uniforms, tournament fees, and end-of-season events.

• Methuen Youth Soccer Association — Recreational and travel team sponsor since 2016. Uniform sponsor for U10 and U12 divisions.
• Methuen Little League — Team sponsor for the East Methuen minor and major divisions.
• Lawrence Boys & Girls Club athletic programs — Annual contributor to basketball and youth-baseball equipment funds.
• Andover Youth Foundation — Program sponsor for after-school athletic and mentoring activities at the Andover Youth Services campus.
• Haverhill Boys & Girls Club — Winter heating cost offset sponsor for the club’s Bradford facility.

Mass Save Educational Outreach

Rivic participates in Mass Save’s community education programming across the Merrimack Valley, particularly on the Whole-Home Heat Pump conversion and HEAT Loan financing programs. Ryan Sullivan and Kathleen Brennan have presented at:

• Nevins Memorial Library (Methuen) — Annual homeowner education seminar on cold-climate heat pump conversion, Mass Save rebates, and MA Stretch Energy Code compliance.
• Methuen Senior Center — Twice-yearly presentations for the Methuen Council on Aging on winter heating safety, carbon monoxide awareness, and Mass Save income-qualified programs.
• Lawrence Public Library — Spanish-language educational sessions on Mass Save rebate programs and residential HVAC options, led by Diego Ramirez.
• Andover Senior Community Center — Presentations coordinated with Andover Council on Aging on heat pump conversion for aging-in-place households.

First Responder & Veterans Support

• Methuen Fire Department — Rivic provides free annual HVAC inspection and combustion analysis for Methuen Fire Department facilities. First-responder discount (10%) on any residential HVAC service or installation for active Methuen, Lawrence, Andover, North Andover, Dracut, and Haverhill fire and police personnel.
• Massachusetts National Guard — Deployed-member support: Rivic waives service fees for households with an active-duty deployed National Guard member during the deployment period.
• Veterans discount program — 10% discount on any residential HVAC service or installation for veterans and active-duty military personnel across the service area, verified by DD-214 or military ID.

Environmental Commitments

• R-22 refrigerant recovery and reclamation — Every R-22 system Rivic decommissions has its refrigerant charge properly recovered, reclaimed, and dispositioned in compliance with 40 CFR Part 82 (Clean Air Act). No venting. Ever. Recovery is documented per EPA Section 608 record-keeping requirements.
• Old equipment recycling — Copper, aluminum, and steel components from removed HVAC equipment are processed through a certified metal recycler. Compressors and refrigerant-containing components are separated for hazardous-waste disposal per Massachusetts DEP regulations.
• Cold-climate heat pump advocacy — Rivic has installed over 480 cold-climate heat pumps in the Merrimack Valley since 2020, contributing to the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center’s decarbonization targets. Every heat pump replaces a fossil-fuel system that would otherwise continue emitting carbon dioxide.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I apply for the Rivic Heat Aid Fund?

Referrals go through Community Action Inc, Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley, the Salvation Army fuel assistance program, or municipal Council on Aging offices in Methuen, Lawrence, Andover, and Haverhill. Households can also contact the Rivic office directly at (351) 240-2627 to inquire — Kathleen Brennan will walk through eligibility criteria (below 200% federal poverty level, elderly on fixed income, disabled residents, or families with children under 5 in confirmed no-heat emergencies during heating season). Verification typically completes within 48 hours in emergency cases.

Does Rivic offer discounts for veterans, first responders, or seniors?

Yes. Veterans and active-duty military receive 10% off residential HVAC service or installation (verified by DD-214 or military ID). Active fire and police personnel in Methuen, Lawrence, Andover, North Andover, Dracut, and Haverhill receive 10% off. Massachusetts National Guard members on active deployment: Rivic waives service fees for their households during the deployment period. Seniors (65+) receive a 5% discount on any service call.

Does Rivic host apprentices from Greater Lawrence Technical School?

Yes. Rivic hosts two GLTS senior-year students per academic year for the cooperative work placement required as a prerequisite for MA Refrigeration Technician licensing. Students shadow Marcus Devlin, Ryan Sullivan, and Diego Ramirez on residential and commercial service calls under supervised training. Diego himself is a 2015 GLTS graduate. Schools and students interested in the program can contact Kathleen Brennan directly.

What youth sports teams does Rivic sponsor?

Methuen Youth Soccer Association (U10 and U12 uniform sponsorships since 2016), Methuen Little League (East Methuen minor and major division team sponsor), Lawrence Boys & Girls Club athletic programs (annual equipment fund contributor), Andover Youth Foundation (program sponsor), and Haverhill Boys & Girls Club (winter heating offset sponsor for the Bradford facility). Sponsorship inquiries for the coming season can be directed to the Methuen office in March or April for spring/summer teams and August for fall/winter teams.

How does Rivic dispose of old HVAC equipment removed during installations?

Refrigerant is recovered, reclaimed, or destroyed per EPA Section 608 protocols — never vented. Metal components (copper, aluminum, steel) go to a certified metal recycler in the greater Lawrence area. Compressors and refrigerant-containing components are separated and dispositioned per Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection hazardous-waste regulations. Documentation of proper refrigerant recovery is retained per Section 608 record-keeping requirements and available on request.

Contact Rivic Heating and Air Conditioning — Community Programs

Heat Aid Fund referrals, GLTS apprentice inquiries, sponsorship requests, and community-education booking are all coordinated through the Methuen office. Kathleen Brennan handles community program administration during business hours.

• Emergency Line (24/7): (351) 240-2627
• Address: 225 Broadway #306, Methuen, MA 01844
• Email: info@rivicheatingairconditioning.xyz
• MA Refrigeration Technician License: #RT-24518
• MA Home Improvement Contractor: #HIC-191847
• EPA Section 608 Universal: #608U-2007-192874

Contact Us →

Office Hours

• Monday – Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Sunday: Closed
• Emergency Service: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (emergency line always active)