Crossville man repairing fireplaces to bring people heat for free

CROSSVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- A Crossville man is driving throughout Cumberland County to repair electronic fireplaces, and he's doing it all for free.

There is a certain saying that nothing will stop a postman from getting the job done. While Terry Bowen is not a certified letter carrier, he is in a class of his own.

"We've been to 113 calls since Friday," Bowen said as he's driving across Cumberland County.

As General Manager of Affordable Heating and Cooling, Bowen is the guy calling the shots for the company. And after this past weekend's storm did so much damage across his hometown, Bowen decided to deliver a big play.

"Nobody pays anything until the power is back on," Bowen explained. "If the power is out, the call is free, the labor is free, and the parts are free."

Bowen is talking about his work as a fireplace installer and repairman. He said most modern fireplaces aren't wood burning, but electronic. So with most of Cumberland County residents without power, furnaces and fireplaces alike are no longer working. That's when Bowen comes in to transform the fireplace into a natural gas burning heater so people can have a way to heat at least part of their homes.

And he's doing all the work completely free of charge.

Tina Brumbaugh knows full well the value of Bowen's work as her power has been out since Saturday morning.

"Going out, it's almost like taking our lives into our own hands," Brumbaugh explained. "This way we can now stay home with the kids and know that the kids will be warm."

Bowen said he's told his crew to do this work at no charge to any of their clients, because after 35 years of service to the community, it's time for him to give something back.

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Crossville man repairing fireplaces to bring people heat for free