Leep forgetting to change your filters until you notice they are black? Well, now there’s more than an app for that problem.
RTP Capital, Silicon Valley-based Azure Capital and several angel investors provide startup funding for Raleigh-based FilterEasy.
It’s goal: Deliver air filters to subscribers’ home when it’s time to change them out.
For homeowners, the regular changing of filters will save energy costs, the startup says. Everyone knows that, right? But we keep forgetting …
In steps FilterEasy with an idea and a service that struck a chord with a Silicon Valley venture capital firm – a still relatively rare achievement for a Triangle-based firm, especially one at such an early stage of development.
FilterEasy announced its fund raising early Friday.
“Changing your filters is a pain, you have to remember when to do it, what size you need, and then travel to the store hoping your size is there,” said Thad Tarkington, co-founder and CEO of FilterEasy. “This hassle has pushed most homeowners to rarely changing their filters, which leads to higher energy bills and poor quality air. We figured if we could deliver quality filters at a good price, homeowners would change their filters more often.”
Tarkington and co-founder Kevin Barry dropped out of N.C. State to focus on building the business. The initial driver? Barry’s own 4-hour trial in trying to replace a filter in an apartment.
Visitors to the firm’s website automatically receive a coupon offer good for a $10 discount.
FilterEasy aims to help homeowners with scheduled deliveries but also delivering just the right sizes needed. Plus, the founders say, subscribers won’t need to visit a store to stock up.
Consumers can save over $100 in related heating and air conditioning costs, they add.
The fees are based on quality of the filers, and the company says the utility savings “in effect pays for your subscription,” says FilterEasy’s Adam Tury.
Subscribers sign up online, scheduling deliveries and picking sizes as well as quality of the filters.
FilterEasy initially opened for business last year after going through The Iron Yard, a startup accelerator program in Durham in 2013.
The company hopes to capitalize on consumers being more willing than ever to rely on web-based services for a growing variety of needs.
“Consumers have proven they will adopt subscription services that save them time and money, while making life easier,” said Mike Kwatinetz, general partner of Azure Capital Partners. “FilterEasy is infusing a market that has traditionally worked the same way for years, with a more cost-effective means to increasing the health of not just their largest material asset, their home, but also themselves. Because the company educates consumers that changing filters more frequently actually saves them money it is also expanding the market size.”
FilterEasy currently employs 13 people.
