Archive for the ‘Air Conditioning’ Category
Monday, February 22nd, 2010
With the early bout of warm weather in the Richmond area this weekend, it’s not too early to start planning for your HVAC system’s Spring maintenance. As you may know, Marshall Mechanical is an authorized Lennox dealer and we specialize in helping you to maintain your heating and air conditioning equipment so that you can enjoy comfort and energy savings all year long, for many years to come. Below is an excellent Spring HVAC maintenance checklist* and reminders to help you best maintain your HVAC equipment this year.
Keep your cool with simple A/C maintenance
- Clear leaves, brush and dirt from inside your air conditioner’s top grille.
- Trim nearby shrubs and bushes to allow at least two feet of clearance around the unit.
- Set the thermostat to cooling mode and run your air conditioner a few minutes to make sure it’s working.
- Schedule an annual checkup of your air conditioning system.
- Replace your air conditioner filter once a month. Dirty filters restrict air flow and can waste energy.
- If you use a room air conditioner, install it on a north-facing wall to keep it out of the sun.
- If it’s time to replace your air conditioner, look for an ENERGY STAR® qualified model to help reduce cooling costs up to 20 percent.
Don’t let April showers bring May mildew
- Clear leaves, pine needles and other debris from gutters and downspouts to ensure proper drainage. Check that they’re stable to avoid flying debris during storms.
- Be sure downspouts slope away from your house. They should carry water at least 5′ from foundation walls.
- Position lawn sprinklers so they don’t spray your home’s walls.
- Examine window and door seals and weatherstripping. Reseal if needed.
- Move furniture a few inches away from the inside of exterior walls to increase air circulation.
- Check windows for condensation and walls for water stains, which are signs of too much humidity.
- Keep your home’s relative humidity between 30 – 50%. A humidity control system such as Humiditrol® can safely control humidity.
Take control of home energy costs
- Reduce air leaks in your home by caulking, sealing and weatherstripping around doors and windows.
- Use exhaust fans to reduce moisture in the kitchen or bath, but turn them off when they’re no longer needed.
- Make sure your refrigerator’s seals are airtight. Test by closing the door over a dollar bill. If you can pull the dollar out easily, the seal may need to be adjusted.
- Wash only full loads in your dishwasher and clothes washer.
- Turn off lights you don’t need to save energy and reduce extra heat in your home.
- If it’s time to replace your air conditioner, choose an energy-efficient model with two-stage cooling, such as the XC-21. Two levels of operation allow you to rely on the low setting most of the time and it runs at low speed 80% of the time, which means lower operating costs, more consistent comfort and better humidity control.
- Prepare dinner on your outdoor grill to help reduce your air conditioner’s load.
- Check ducts for air leaks, including holes or separated sections.
After having such a cold and snowy winter here in the Greater Richmond area, I think we’re all be glad that Spring is not too far around the corner. Remember, Marshall Mechanical is uniquely qualified to handle all your HVAC maintenance needs and we can help you protect your equipment and the investment you’ve made in your home. To schedule your Spring HVAC check-up, simply call our office at 804.323.0189 to schedule your appointment today.
*These tips are brought to you by Lennox International Inc. and Marshall Mechanical as an authorized dealer. © 2010 Lennox with all rights reserved.
Tags: A/C maintenance, Air Conditioning, air conditioning repair, air conditioning system, heating and air conditioning, Heating System, Home Humidity Control, Humidity Control, HVAC Maintenance, Lennox Consumer Tips, Lennox Spring, Preventive Maintenance, Reduce Humidity, Richmond HVAC, Spring HVAC checklist, Spring HVAC Maintenance
Posted in Air Conditioning, Cooling, Heating System, Humidity Control, Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), Lennox, Preventive Maintenance, Regular HVAC Maintenance, Residential, hvac | Comments Off
Monday, February 15th, 2010
Lennox Indoor Comfort Systems. Innovation never felt so good.
UPDATE 4/1/2010: If you’re looking for the most recent Lennox Rebate for Spring 2010, please click here: Lennox 2010 Spring Rebate offer from Marshall Mechanical
Thinking of replacing your heating and air conditioning system or heat pump? Want to save money on your Richmond area monthly energy bills? Want to increase energy-efficiency in your home?
Then you have just about one week left to take advantage of the Lennox Winter Rebate Promotion as it ends on February 26th, 2010. And your new HVAC system including an energy-efficient heat pump must be installed by that date to qualify.
The details on the promotion are featured on the Marshall Mechanical website but you can save up to $2,500 by qualifying for a Lennox rebate of up to $1,000 buy purchasing a qualifying Lennox home comfort system and then also qualify for a Federal tax credit of up to $1,500. This is in addition to the hundreds of dollars you’ll save every year in energy costs by having a much more energy efficient HVAC system installed in your home, especially if your heating and air conditioning system is more than 10 years old.
What should you do to take advantage of this offer? Simply call Marshall Mechanical at 804.323.0189 today for a free, no-obligation HVAC assessment.
Tags: Energy Cost Savings, Energy Efficiency, Heat Pump, heating and air conditioning, HVAC system replacement, Lennox Home Comfort HVAC System, Lennox Promotion, Lennox Rebate, residential HVAC
Posted in 2010 Lennox Rebate Offers, Air Conditioning, Heat Pump, Heating System, Lennox, Residential, Tax Credits, hvac | Comments Off
Monday, January 18th, 2010
Is the air quality and temperature in your Richmond home or office less than you would like it to be? Lennox, one of our trusted manufacturers of heating, cooling, and air purification systems, offers the following information to help you improve your air — and save money doing it.
If you’re experiencing any of the problems on this checklist, you might want to consider making a change. Take a look:
- Some of your rooms are too hot or cold. Duct problems, inadequate air sealing or insulation could be the cause. No matter how efficient your heating and cooling system is, if your home is not properly sealed and insulated against air leakage, you will not be as comfortable and your system will have to work harder.
- Your home has humidity problems and/or excessive dust. Poorly operating or improperly sized equipment could be to blame. Leaky ductwork can also cause these problems, so having it sealed may be a solution. Monthly maintenance of your heating and cooling equipment’s filters may also help.
- Your cooling system is noisy. Your duct system could be improperly sized or there may be a problem with the indoor coil of your cooling equipment.
- Your equipment needs frequent repairs and your energy bills are going up. In addition to the rise in energy costs, the age and condition of your heating and cooling equipment may have caused it to become less efficient.
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- Dave Lennox Signature® Collection XP19 Heat Pump, the most quiet and efficient heat pump you can buy
Your air conditioner or heat pump is more than 12 years old. Consider replacing it with newer, more efficient equipment. And, remember, high efficiency levels begin with ENERGY STAR.
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Your furnace or boiler is more than 15 years old. Consider replacing it with ENERGY STAR® qualified equipment. ENERGY STAR has set high efficiency guidelines for both types of heating systems.
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You leave your thermostat set at one constant temperature. You could be missing a great energy-saving opportunity. A programmable thermostat adjusts your home’s temperature at times when you’re regularly away or sleeping, and then brings it back to your preferred temperature for times that you are awake and doing things in the house.
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Your score on the ENERGY STAR Home Energy Yardstick is below five. That means you’re using more energy at home than most Americans and probably paying more than you need to on energy bills. Get personalized recommendations to improve your home and/or heating and cooling system. Find the Home Energy Yardstick at
www.energystar.gov. Click on Home Energy Analysis.
If any of these apply to you, consider calling us for a consultation with one of our certified HVAC experts today at 804.323.0189. Marshall Mechanical is a certified dealer of Lennox and our experts can help you find exactly the right solution for your home or commercial building.
Tags: air conditioning problems, air quality problems, Furnace Repair, heat pump service, Heating System, How to know you may need HVAC repair or service, Lennox Consumer Tips, Replace HVAC
Posted in Air Conditioning, Energy Efficiency, Heating System, Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), Lennox, Regular HVAC Maintenance, Repair Service, Residential, Service Call | Comments Off
Saturday, September 12th, 2009
Fall is a great time to get your home ready and more energy efficient for Winter.
During this tough economic situation we’re facing, Marshall Mechanical continues to bring you the absolute best prices on residential heating and air conditioning products to keep you warm in the winter, cool in the summer and your home’s energy bills low all year long.
Affordability is an important concern for all of our customers these days. We offer many ways to make your HVAC system or replacement heat pump a great buy, especially right now before the Holidays.
Consider all the ways you can save money by replacing your home’s heating and air conditioning system:
- Lennox manufacturer’s rebates up to $1,200 with installations before September 27th and $1,000 before November 30th, 2009.
- Zero % financing for 12-months – yes, 12-months same-as-cash financing on many Lennox products (this is an option instead of the manufacturer’s rebate)
- Best prices on geothermal heat pumps as well from WaterFurnace
- Federal Tax Credits up to $1,500 on qualified energy efficient products installed in existing residential properties.
And then there’s the savings you can expect from the reduction of your home’s heating and air conditioning bills each and every month that really add up year after year. Many of our customers are saving hundreds each month and thousands annually, making a new residential HVAC system an all-around smart decision.
Upfront savings on purchase, tax rebates to reduce your 2009 Federal tax obligation, financing options, carbon footprint reduction, monthly savings on your energy bills. Now that’s smart!
Call us at 804.323.0189 immediately for blowout sale pricing on all our residential heating and air conditioning products, including heat pumps, air purification systems, home generators, programmable thermostats including some Honeywell products, and more.
As always, Marshall Mechanical gives our homeowners free price estimates as well as calculations on how much you can save on your monthly energy bills compared to what you’re currently paying.
This is just another way to say that we know your home is an investment. And we help you maximize it! Call us today!
Posted in Air Conditioning, Best Prices, Cooling, Energy Efficiency, Heating System, Lennox, Marshall Mechanical, Residential, Save Money, Tax Credits | Comments Off
Tuesday, September 1st, 2009
Lennox Indoor Comfort Systems. Innovation never felt so good.
Today’s cooler temperatures means it’s perfect timing to kick off the 2009 Lennox Fall heating and air conditioning consumer rebate promotion!
Lennox has given us the ability to customize a heating and air conditioning system based on your personal home comfort requirements. Which means we can create a Lennox HVAC system from a range of qualifying products from Lennox’s outdoor, indoor, healthy climate and temperature control lines and the homeowner will be then eligible for a rebate of up to $1,200 for buying one qualifying product in each category.
The rebate includes up to $1,000 for select systems purchased and installed by November 30, 2009, with a $200 Early Bird bonus rebate if system is purchased and installed by September 27th, 2009.
Or, as an option, you can choose the 12-month, no payment, deferred interest financing through GE Money – available for qualified applicants.*
As you probably know, the stimulus plan has provided for Federal tax credits on energy-efficient products. This means that homeowners can qualify for tax credits in addition to the Lennox rebate program. In addition to either the up to $1,200 in rebates OR the 12-months zero percent financing options, you can also receive Federal Tax Credits of up to $1,500, for all qualifying HVAC equipment installed in 2009 and 2010 in existing homes.
So if you replace your HVAC system with a Lennox Comfort System before September 27th, you can be eligible to receive:
- Up to $1,200 in Lennox product rebates OR 12-months same-as-cash financing, AND
- Up to $1,500 in Federal Tax Rebates.
Which gives you a total savings of up to $2,700! Early bird offer expires September 27th!
And what’s more is that you continue to save on your heating and air conditioning bills each and every month with a new, more energy-efficient HVAC system that will provide you with comfort all year long. We can show you how much you’d save compared to your current system with a simple savings calculator.
So don’t wait to take advantage of the 2009 Lennox Fall Rebate offer. Please call your Richmond heating and air conditioning professionals at Marshall Mechanical today at 804.323.0189. For more details, you can click on our website’s home page — see “home” button above.
Tags: consumer rebate, Fall HVAC Offer, Federal Tax Credits, Heating, hvac, Lennox Promotion, Lennox Rebate, Savings
Posted in Air Conditioning, Cooling, Energy Efficiency, Heating System, Lennox, Marshall Mechanical, Residential, Save Money, Stimulus Energy Efficiency Rebate, Tax Credits | 1 Comment »
Sunday, August 23rd, 2009
- Marshall Mechanical, Richmond Virginia, is now a SWaM Certified Small Business for HVAC and Plumbing and Electrical services.
We’re proud to announce that we’ve been officially certified by the Virginia Department of Minority Business Enterprise (aka DMBE) as a Certified SWaM business owner serving City of Richmond, Hanover, Henrico and Chesterfield counties and surrounding areas.
SWaM stands for “Small, Women and Minority-Owned” business and the goal is to assist the Commonwealth of Virginia with supplier diversity.
The mission of the DMBE is to promote access to the Commonwealth of Virginia’s contracting opportunities and ensure fairness in the procurement process. DMBE has two key goals: (1) increase the number of certified businesses in the Commonwealth, and (2) increase the total dollars allocated to SWaM vendors as a percentage of all discretionary spend or contract dollars.
Marshall Mechanical’s SWaM certification number is 680427. We’re listed in the directory of SWaM certified small businesses right here (just type in Marshall Mechanical in the search box). As always, we’re pleased to serve both our residential and commercial customers for heating, air conditioning, plumbing and electrical services. If you have any questions about our SWaM certification, please call Marshall Mechanical owner, president & professional engineer, Sean Cantrell, at 804.323.0189.
Tags: SWaM Certification
Posted in Air Conditioning, Commercial, GeoThermal, Green Home, Marshall Mechanical, Plumbing Repair | 2 Comments »
Friday, July 3rd, 2009
We often receive questions about energy efficient products, particularly heat pumps. As you know, the Richmond summers can be scorchingly hot and extremely humid so it’s important to keep your home cool and comfortable all year long with the right heat pump for Richmond area homes.
It’s also important that you have the right products that fit your home size and give you the desired energy efficiency. A list of Energy Star qualified heat pumps are found on our website, including the first integrated solar-assisted residential heating and cooling system — the Lennox XPG20 SunSource™ Comfort System.
If you want to know more about the Dave Lennox Signature® Collection XPG20 SunSource™ Comfort System, here are the energy efficiency specifications:
- Efficiency ratings of up to 18.20** and 9.70** —can save you hundreds of dollars a year, compared to a standard heat pump
- Single solar panel—provides freely available renewable energy to offset the electric usage of the heating and cooling system
- ENERGY STAR® qualified—meets or exceeds EPA guidelines for energy efficiency
- This product qualifies for a tax credit under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.***
You can even download the full consumer brochure.
If you have any specific questions about the technical specifications or the energy efficiency of heat pumps, please call the Marshall Mechanical office at 804.323.0189. We would be happy to take your call and, if you’d like, set up an appointment to provide you with an analysis of your current HVAC system compared to newer, more energy efficient products, both from the standpoint of energy and cost reduction.
We’re here to help you reduce your carbon footprint as well as to save you money each month on energy costs on your Richmond area home.
Posted in Air Conditioning, Cooling, Energy Efficiency, Green Home, Lennox, Save Money, Tax Credits | Comments Off
Monday, June 22nd, 2009
With temperatures rising and energy costs continuing to soar, there are a variety of steps you can take to cut the expenses of cooling your home this summer.
“Cooling and heating equipment use more energy than any other appliance. This inevitably shows up every month on the energy bill, but it’s important to remember that energy costs can be controlled,” said Sean Cantrell, owner of Marshall Mechanical.
Annual Maintenance
One step to control energy costs is to schedule annual maintenance checks to make sure your unit is running efficiently. Most cooling systems require very little owner maintenance. However, operating dirty cooling equipment can result in an unnecessary loss of efficiency and can damage the furnace. You play a vital role in making sure your cooling system continues to operate at peak performance.
High Efficiency Cooling Equipment
If you’re in the market for a new cooling unit, consider purchasing a high efficiency model. They can help reduce your energy costs as well as conserve our natural resources. When selecting an air conditioner or heat pump, pay close attention to the SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio). This is a measure of cooling efficiency for air conditioners. The higher the SEER, the higher the savings. The minimum SEER rating is 13.
Zoning
Zoning can drastically lower your heating costs. With zoning, you no longer have to pay to heat or cool areas of your home that are rarely used. You won’t have to heat or cool the whole house just to make one room comfortable. Zoning divides your home into separate comfort areas, which are heated or cooled based on your needs.
Programmable Thermostats
Programmable or setback thermostats can make a big difference in energy consumption. These thermostats deliver maximum comfort, efficiency, and energy savings. Setback thermostats are used to achieve the temperatures you want throughout your home. For example, if you’re going to be away, you can set the whole house at an energy-saving temperature to avoid heating an empty house. If you have setback thermostats, you can program them to have your living areas comfortable when you arrive home.
To find out more about reducing your Richmond VA cooling costs, call Sean Cantrell or Mike Smith at Marshall Mechanical today at 804.323.0189.
Posted in Air Conditioning, Cooling, Energy Efficiency, Preventive Maintenance | Comments Off
