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Archive for the ‘Green Home’ Category

Lennox Innovation TV: The World’s Only Solar Powered Energy System

Monday, July 12th, 2010

Ready to save up to 50% on your heating and cooling bill?

Since the beginning of time, the sun has always powered life. Now the sun powers the world’s only solar home energy system, from Lennox Residential.

What once was the natural force that made home energy systems work their hardest, now makes our systems work. This innovation ushers in a new future for the industry.

Lennox Home Comfort Systems with SunSource are not only creating comfort, but they’re also creating energy and contributing to the energy grid.

This TV commercial shows how the Lennox system components are just as much a part of nature now as they are feats of engineering. They’ve developed under the sun and they will thrive from its power. Lennox has really changed the home comfort industry forever.

For more information about Lennox Solar-Ready Home Comfort Systems, call Marshall Mechanical – your local and trusted Lennox dealer – at 804.323.0189. Solar powered heating and air conditioning systems are included in our Lennox Summer Rebate campaign – click for details: With the 2010 Lennox^® Summer Rebate, save up to $2,500 or more when you buy a new heating and air conditioning system.

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Tags: Lennox Industries, Lennox Innovation, Lennox Solar, Lennox TV Commercials, Solar Heat Richmond VA, solar heating and cooling, Solar Power, solar power richmond va
Posted in Energy Efficiency, Green Home, Lennox, Solar Heat, hvac | No Comments »

Kohler’s Save Water America Campaign Helps You Save Money

Saturday, July 3rd, 2010

For most people here in the Richmond, Virginia area, fresh tap water is just a few feet away at the nearest faucet. Whether we get our water from the Richmond city water system or from a well, it’s unlikely that we have to worry about where our next glass is coming from…yet.

The Earth has a finite supply of fresh water — stored underground, on Earth’s surface, and in the atmosphere.

Today, less than 3% of the water on Earth is usable for drinking or farming, and desalinization technology is still too costly and takes too much energy to convert salt water into fresh water.

Even though what we have in Richmond seems like enough for us now, as the population grows there will be more and more demand on our water supply. According to the US Government Accountability Office, 36 states expect to have water shortages by 2013.

Soon, using water-saving technology and adopting water conservation habits will be a necessity for all of us whether we like it or not.

The good news: adopting water-saving plumbing technology now can save the average family hundreds of dollars per year and help increase the supply of water for everyone.

Kohler's Save the Water Campaign is helping homeowners save money, while educating people on water conservation and raising money for Habitat for Humanity.

Kohler’s “Save Water America” Campaign is helping to teach Americans how and why they should save water. Its mission is twofold:

Educate Americans on how to save water, and help raise collective awareness about water scarcity.
Donate water-efficient plumbing products to help Habitat for Humanity

The Save Water America campaign has been in place for about a year and has already donated 1.5 million dollars in water-saving plumbing products for Habitat for Humanity.

In addition, it has begun to raise awareness about the scarcity of potable water, and provided information about simple technologies that can shave hundreds of dollars per year off the average household’s water bill.

The website is also easy to share with your friends on social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook, so you can help spread the word about water conservation.

The Save Water America site also provides links to Kohler’s water-saving plumbing products, such as high-efficiency toilets and faucets that meet guidelines for WaterSense (The Environmental Protection Agency’s water conservation program).

Installing a high-efficiency toilet can save the average family over 16, 500 gallons of water per year over older, less efficient toilets.

The savings can add up quickly, making these plumbing fixtures pay for themselves fast. For more information on Kohler’s Save Water America campaign or its green plumbing products, click here. Don’t forget to share it on social media with your friends!

And for help choosing, installing, replacing, or servicing any plumbing fixtures in the Richmond area, give Marshall Mechanical a call today at 804-323-0189. Ross, our Certified Master Plumber, and his professional plumbing technicians will be glad to assist you. And for more information about our Richmond plumbing services, visit http://marshallmechanical.com/plumbing.

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Tags: Habitat for Humanity, high-efficiency toilet, Kohler plumbing, Kohler plumbing products, plumber richmond, plumbing products, plumbing richmond, richmond plumber, richmond plumbing, Save Water America, toilet installation, water conservation, water conservation program, water-efficient plumbing, water-saving plumbing technology, WaterSense
Posted in Green Building, Green Home, Green Plumbing, Plumber, Plumbing Repair, plumbing | 3 Comments »

Is Geothermal Heating Right for Your Home?

Sunday, March 7th, 2010

Keeping your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer has never been easier — or more environmentally friendly.

By utilizing the free and renewable solar energy stored in the ground, geothermal heating systems offer the finest in home comfort heating and air conditioning. This is a free, renewable, clean and environmentally-friendly source of energy.

So, if it is decreased energy costs, enhanced comfort, safety and reliability that you want out of your heating system, a geothermal heating unit could be the right fit for you.

The experts at WaterFurnace recommend geothermal systems, like the Envision series, which can be easily installed in a wide varity of installations – new or old homes, large or small. Although most systems are simply single units in a forced-air application, they can also be used for other types of installations depending on your home and your heating and cooling needs.

Take a look at how homeowners are now using geothermal energy:

Geothermal units provide hot water for radiant floor applications, by circulating warm water through the tubing encased in the floor. Floors covered in tile, wood, linoleum or stone are kept toasty warm, even on the coldest days. Since the entire floor acts as a giant radiator, you’ll experience a room that is comfortably conditioned with head-to-toe consistent comfort.
Homes with large demands for domestic or potable water heating will benefit from the exceptional efficiency of a WaterFurnace Synergy geothermal system. This unit provides dedicated hot water for heating and domestic use and both heating and cooling furnished through a conventional duct system to condition the air inside the home. The complete system provides the ultimate in savings and comfort with safe, reliable and quiet performance.
Geothermal units can also be utilized to heat water for pools and spas. You’ll find a geothermal heat pump will heat your pool or spa for much less than an ordinary pool heater. And compared to fossil fuel burning heaters, it’s much safer too, without concerns associated with carbon monoxide poisoning.
A geothermal heat pump can keep your sidewalks or driveway free of ice and snow during the cold winter months. Eliminate the hazards of walking on ice-covered sidewalks, and forget the back-breaking effort of shoveling snow.

Geothermal systems operate more efficiently than traditional heating and air-conditioning systems because they deliver four units of energy for every one unit of electrical energy used. By combining stored earth energy with safe electrical power, homeowners may realize savings of up to 70 percent on heating, cooling and hot water costs when they install a geothermal unit.

For more information on installing an energy efficient heating and cooling system, like the Envision Series by WaterFurnace, call your locally-owned Geothermal experts at Marshall Mechanical at 804.323.0189. And if you’d like to read more about geothermal energy, you can find details on our website at this link: Geothermal Heat Pumps.

P.S. Geothermal heat pumps / geothermal systems qualify for 30% Federal tax credits due to their high energy efficiency. Don’t forget to ask about this when you call us at 804.323.0189. Ask for Mike Smith, our Geothermal expert.

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Tags: GeoThermal, Geothermal energy, Geothermal Heat Pump, Geothermal Heat Pumps, Geothermal heating, Geothermal Home, Geothermal Systems, Geothermal unit, Geothermal Units, Green Home, Green Home Technology, Solar Energy
Posted in GeoThermal, Green Home, Heat Pump, Solar Heat, Tax Credits, WaterFurnace | 2 Comments »

Lennox Home Comfort Tip: Can you heat your house with solar power?

Wednesday, February 10th, 2010

Dave Lennox Signature® Collection XPG20 SunSource™ Comfort System

Running your home on the sun’s power is a green dream that can cost a small fortune: $30,000 or more to add a whole-home photovoltaic panel system that won’t provide enough electricity to meet most of your home’s needs. Yet a more modest solution will allow you to take advantage of the sun’s power.

Simple ways to use the sun’s power

Solar tubes or tubular skylights can light small spaces if they’re installed in areas receiving several hours of direct sunlight a day. When you choose a solar-assisted home comfort unit (heat pump), you can pair solar power with energy from your local utility to reduce your carbon footprint and lower your energy bills while staying completely comfortable. The SunSource™ Comfort System available from Lennox^® is the industry’s first integrated solar-assisted heat pump.

Costing far less than complete solar-powered systems, the solar-assisted heat pump can operate in a wide range of sunlight and temperature conditions. It’s a highly reliable system designed to evenly heat and cool your entire home. The SunSource™ Comfort System requires little routine maintenance and can make a positive change in both the world’s environment…and yours.

Marshall Mechanical is your Richmond-area resource for a wide range of green and super energy efficient solutions for heating and cooling your home, including both solar and geothermal too. Simply call our knowledgable and friendly HVAC experts at 804-323-0189 to take advantage of Lennox’s superb Solar home comfort system.

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Tags: Lennox, Lennox Consumer Tips, Lennox SunSource, lower energy bills, reduce carbon footprint, Solar Heat, Solar Heat Richmond VA, Solar Power, Solar tubes, Solar-Assisted Heat Pump, Solar-Assisted home comfort unit, SunSource Comfort System
Posted in Air Conditioning, Carbon Footprint, Cooling, Eco-Friendly, Energy Efficiency, Green Home, Heating System, Lennox, Marshall Mechanical, Solar Heat | Comments Off

Secretary Chu visits WaterFurnace: Geothermal energy is what’s really “green”

Monday, December 21st, 2009

While the Global Warming crowd is partying in Copenhagen this week, let’s celebrate by talking about something really GREEN – Geothermal energy. Basically, there is a constant temperature just underground. In the winter, you use the warmth underground to bring heat into your home. In the summer, you send the heat in your home down to dissipate in the cooler earth. The EPA estimates that homeowners could save up to 70% in heating and cooling costs by utilizing this green technology. So if your heating and cooling bills make you scream, then we’ve probably got your attention now.

Of course, the Obama administration is all over any kind of “green” energy like geothermal. Here is an informative YouTube video showing U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu touring WaterFurnace International – the industry leader in residential geothermal heating and cooling systems, of which Marshall Mechanical is an authorized dealer:

Secretary Chu was there to announce $50 million dollars in government aid to homeowners who convert to a geothermal heating and cooling system. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 a.k.a. “Stimulus Bill”, according to the video, says homeowners who install a geothermal system in their homes will be eligible for a tax credit of 30% total investment. The system must be installed by December 31, 2016 to qualify and additional incentives and/or rebates may be available depending on your area.

One of the reasons we like WaterFurnace products is their efficiency ratings. In fact, one unit has 500% efficiency. So, for every dollar spent on electricity, their system delivers 5 dollars worth of heating. The other benefits of their geothermal systems are:

Least expensive to operate overall (even though cost outlay is higher)
Most quiet (no outdoor unit, no ignition, no vent motor etc.)
Very low to maintain (no outdoor unit, no combustion parts to break, etc.)
Best in indoor air quality

For more information and to use a savings calculator, visit our WaterFurnace Geothermal heat pump page by clicking here.

So, geothermal heating and cooling systems may be very attractive to the “Greenie” who wishes they were in Copenhagen, bicycling around and drinking chocolate milk like the Danes … or to the “Thrifty Crowd” who is sick of being on the verge of a stroke every time they open a heating/cooling bill. It’s something to consider for sure – lower your bills, get a tax credit, reduce your carbon footprint – however you look at it, the technology is definitely appealing.

If you’d like to know how you can benefit from installing geothermal heat pumps in your Richmond area home, simply call Marshall Mechanical’s geothermal expert, Mike Smith, at 804.323.0189 today.

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Posted in Carbon Footprint, Commercial, Eco-Friendly, Energy Efficiency, GeoThermal, Green Home, Residential, Tax Credits, WaterFurnace | Comments Off

HVAC engineers keep you comfortable, no matter the weather.

Tuesday, August 25th, 2009

Staying comfy? Thank an HVAC Engineer.

Just ran across this Washington Post article by Roger K. Lewis, an architect and professor at the University of Maryland, talking about the challenges we go through in order to keep indoor climates safe and comfortable. “Properly conditioning building interiors,” he says, “also means taking care of humidity, unseen condensation, mold and mildew, indoor air quality, acoustics and air drafts, not to mention energy conservation. Thus, sustainability creating comfortable, healthy interiors entails multiple, often contradictory, demands.”

He’s right. Temperature regulation is only one small part of what HVAC (heating, ventilation and cooling) engineers have to worry about. Roger goes on to say, “Beyond regulating temperature and humidity, an effective HVAC system helps achieve favorable, year-round air quality by continuously introducing fresh air while keeping out particulate matter and other toxic pollutants.”

Maintaining humidity levels, filtering air, managing noise from system vibrations, and draft levels are all things us HVAC engineers are concerned about. That’s why when homeowners are in a rush because their air conditioning system isn’t working, for example, we provide an immediate solution like a window air conditioner in order to give us time to take into consideration all the aspects of the environment to engineer and install the right system that will provide lasting comfort for years to come.

This is especially true these days when energy efficiency and green building technology are so critically important. Solar and geothermal heat pumps, for example, are being used much more than ever before because of their ability to not only save on monthly energy costs but significantly reduce the carbon footprint for both homes and commercial buildings.

Designing a home or building and engineering it with the new HVAC energy efficient HVAC technologies requires solar and geothermal expertise. At Marshall Mechanical, we are your Richmond heating & air conditioning contactor and engineering experts. We recently installed the first solar assisted heat pump in central Virginia right here in Richmond and we also successfully completed the geothermal installation for the Caroline Family Practice Health Center in Bowling Green, VA. For all your HVAC engineering needs, both residential and commercial, call professional engineer Sean Cantrell at 804.323.0189.

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Posted in Air Conditioning, Carbon Footprint, Commercial, Energy Efficiency, GeoThermal, Green Building, Green Home, Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), Marshall Mechanical | Comments Off

It’s official. Marshall Mechanical earns SWaM Certification for HVAC & Plumbing small business.

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.

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Tags: SWaM Certification
Posted in Air Conditioning, Commercial, GeoThermal, Green Home, Marshall Mechanical, Plumbing Repair | 2 Comments »

Geothermal for your home: Reduce energy costs and carbon footprint.

Sunday, August 9th, 2009

Geothermal Heat Pumps

Soaring energy costs, renewable energy sources and the human impact on the global environment have been in the news a great deal lately — often topics of controversy.

But when it comes to sustainable, cost-effective home heating and cooling systems, one thing is certain: According the the EPA studies, geothermal heating and cooling, using the renewable solar heat energy stored in the earth, is the most energy-efficient option available.

The experts at WaterFurnace Renewable Energies say it’s also the most plentiful source of renewable energy, and it’s available virtually anywhere in the United States, including right here in Richmond Virginia.

The sustainability and energy-efficiency of geothermal systems comes from the fact that the temperature just a few feet below ground remains almost constant throughout the year, regardless of climate or season. That’s because the ground absorbs, and retains, 47% of the sun’s energy. A geothermal heat pump uses a small-diameter pipe called an earth loop to reach this energy source and provide cooling in the summer and heating in the winter – without burning fossil fuels. Even noise pollution is avoided — the system’s sound level is similar to that of a refrigerator.

It’s the greenest system available in more ways than one: homeowners can reduce both their carbon footprint and their utility bills. The energy savings provided by a WaterFurnace Envision geothermal system, can be as much as 70% compared with a conventional system (natural gas, oil, electricity or propane fuel).

Geothermal systems can also generate free heat or hot water in the summer months and provide tempered water for your water heater the rest of the time. For Richmond area homeowners looking to reduce both energy costs and their carbon footprint, things are looking up because more and more homeowners are looking down — to take advantage of the green, renewable geothermal energy lying right beneath their own yard.

Best of all, geothermal heat pumps qualify for 30% Federal Tax Credits. At Marshall Mechanical, we have some customers getting $5-$12,000 back in tax credits alone. “Everyone thinks geothermal systems are real expensive until they calculate the monthly savings,” says Mike Smith, our Green Home expert. “And with the Federal Tax Credits on geothermal systems, basically the government is reimbursing you for your loop field.” he adds. So it couldn’t be a better time to take advantage of Geothermal heating and cooling systems.

If you’d like to read more, you can download two PDF brochures from WaterFurnace: 1) Federal Tax Credits ExplainedWaterFurnace Residential Product Brochure and 2) WaterFurnace Geothermal products. Then simply call us for a free Geothermal energy savings estimate which we can do for you right over the phone. Call our Marshall Mechanical office today at 804.323.0189 and start saving and reducing your carbon footprint today.

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Tags: Carbon Footprint, GeoThermal, Green Home, Richmond VA
Posted in Carbon Footprint, Cooling, Eco-Friendly, Energy Efficiency, GeoThermal, Green Home, Residential, Save Money, Tax Credits, WaterFurnace | Comments Off

Need a Plumber in the RVA? Professional Plumbing Service starts with a call to Marshall Mechanical.

Sunday, July 12th, 2009

With over 20 years’ plumbing experience helping Richmond homeowners and general contractors, we provide our customers with a wide range of expert advice, quality service and plumbing installation services. We diagnose the work quickly and accurately, making it possible to provide our customers with a reasonable estimate before any plumbing service is performed. And, of course, we’re available 24/7, 365 days a year, for all your plumbing emergencies.

We install and service all types of plumbing faucets and drains, sewer systems, water and gas lines and hot water heaters. We also complete plumbing inspections in both existing homes and new construction.

Sewer Service. Our sewer service includes video inspections, repair and replacement of sewer lines, installation of fail-safe access cleanouts and all household drains, including those for washing machines. Our customers love our video inspections because we are able to give them an informed diagnosis of the problem, which they can see for themselves on the video screen, before we begin work. That way, there’s no waste of time and money spent guessing on what might be the problem – we know up front what needs to be done, whether a pipe is broken, a tree root is in the way, etc.

Remodeling. We install and repair all brands of faucets and we help you with recommendations for upgrades to existing fixtures and make provisions for new water lines for home additions. We provide all the plumbing services required for remodeling your kitchen and bath including installation of faucets, drains, toilets, appliances or other plumbing fixtures.

Water Heaters. We install and repair all brands and types of water heaters, including conventional storage and tankless water heaters. And we assist with upgrades and resizing requirements as needed by the homeowner.

Water/Gas Lines. We find and repair all water and gas line leaks, replace faulty lines, install brand new lines and reroute lines as necessary for home additions or other needs such as installation of pools.

Inspections. We handle all gas inspections for both residential and commercial buildings, as well as attic piping, and interior and exterior drains.

We recommend high efficiency and state-of-the-art Green Home plumbing products by Toto, Delta, Rinnai and Bradford White. We also offer plumbing products by State, Kohler, Moen, Grohe, Hansgrohe, Peerless, Elkay, and Eljer and many others.

Lastly, our uniformed plumbing service technicians are professionals. We use drop cloths on bathroom and kitchen floors and take care to protect your home while plumbing service is being performed.

Call the expert and professional Plumbing team at Marshall Mechanical today at 804.323.0189 for all your Residential and Commercial Richmond VA Plumbing needs.

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Posted in Green Home, Green Plumbing, Plumber, Plumbing Repair, Repair Service, plumbing | 1 Comment »

All new buildings, starting in 2010, to be 30% more energy efficient, according to Alliance to Save Energy.

Saturday, July 4th, 2009

Historic Preservationists are becoming the true pioneers of the green building movement. The Alliance to Save Energy is calling for all new buildings starting in 2010 to be 30% more efficient.

Take a look at this Green Buildings video from the beta site, Clean Skies, The Energy and Environment Network. A great resource. If you can’t play the video above, here’s the link: Green Buildings cleanskies.com

Brought to you by Marshall Mechanical, your Richmond VA Green Building and Energy Efficiency Experts, for all your residential and commercial building HVAC and plumbing needs.

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Posted in Carbon Footprint, Commercial, Eco-Friendly, Energy Efficiency, Green Building, Green Home | Comments Off

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Archive for the ‘Green Home’ Category

Lennox Innovation TV: The World’s Only Solar Powered Energy System

Kohler’s Save Water America Campaign Helps You Save Money

Is Geothermal Heating Right for Your Home?

Lennox Home Comfort Tip: Can you heat your house with solar power?

Secretary Chu visits WaterFurnace: Geothermal energy is what’s really “green”

HVAC engineers keep you comfortable, no matter the weather.

It’s official. Marshall Mechanical earns SWaM Certification for HVAC & Plumbing small business.

Geothermal for your home: Reduce energy costs and carbon footprint.

Need a Plumber in the RVA? Professional Plumbing Service starts with a call to Marshall Mechanical.

All new buildings, starting in 2010, to be 30% more energy efficient, according to Alliance to Save Energy.

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