Unless a low-end unit, heat pumps should last between 10 to 20 years, especially with annual maintenance. But a lot of it has to do with other factors like proper ventilation, and where the heat pump has been located — in or outside the home.
This photos is of a 9-year old heat pump unit in a Richmond home that failed because it was installed in a basement with no air flow whatsoever. That’s why most heat pumps are installed outside the home, particularly in a shady area that gets proper air flow and protects them from the sun. Being in the sun makes them have to work harder to keep your home cool and therefore they are less energy efficient and thus end up costing you more.
If you are in the Richmond area, and you have a heat pump installed in a basement, you may end up having to replace it earlier than the typical lifespan of the product. If you haven’t had your heat pump unit checked within the last 12 months, please call us today at 804.323.0189 and we’ll get one of our highly-trained HVAC technicians to inspect the unit and make suggestions on how to keep it running longer and more efficiently.
Many Richmond VA homeowners are looking for low-cost home improvements that can make a difference in your home energy bills.
Dominion Virginia Power has a number of suggestions to manage your Richmond home’s energy costs with a new video featuring Bob Fulton, Dominion’s weatherization specialist, who demonstrates how to include a number of energy saving initiatives, such as:
Adding the proper amount of attic insulation and having the proper attic ventilation
Determining the best time of day to use your dishwasher and other appliances
Using a microwave oven or, better yet, an outdoor grill for cooking and why it makes sense in the summer
This is a short video, with great tips. Marshall Mechanical suggests having your heating and air conditioning unit checked twice a year (Spring and Fall) rather than every three years as Bob indicates. Every three years would be the minimum but to maintain your equipment in good working order and have the HVAC units last longer for you, we suggest two times a year.
Many of our clients have annual maintenance contracts and that prevents problems from happening in the first place.
Also, be sure to change your air conditioning filter once a month or once every three months, depending on the type of filter you’re using. Some don’t have to be replaced but need to be cleaned or vacuumed regularly.
If you have any questions specific to home energy savings particularly with your home’s heating and air conditioning units, or you want to know how to save up to 70% with a geothermal heat pump, simply call our office at 804.323.0189. You’ll learn how to save money each and every month with a simple and free home energy analysis.
If your home’s HVAC system is less than 10 years old, it’s best to change your air filter every 90 days and to have your system serviced at once a year.
We tend to remember to have our car’s oil changed every 3,000 miles, but often we don’t take the same maintenance care on our home’s heating and cooling system.
A dirty heat pump or cooling coils means you’re losing money every time the system runs. And it adds up to a lot of cash each year if you don’t call experienced HVAC technicians for proper maintenance.
At Marshall Mechanical, we have the team to maximize your system and get the most out of every dollar you spend on gas or electricity every month.
For a limited time, we will tune-up, service and inspect up to two HVAC systems in your home for just $99! *
This offer is on a first-come, first-served basis. We will perform this service on your schedule any day between 7AM – 5PM. And, yes, we mean Saturday or Sunday at no additional cost.
Want an even better deal?
You can save even more by simply finding a friend, neighbor or family member within 5 minutes drive of your home and we’ll perform the same great service for ONLY $79 each. You both save an additional twenty bucks. This is a limited-time offer and will end soon so book your appointments today.
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.
Having clean air that’s free of odors, germs, and allergens can make a huge difference in your family’s health. Lennox, one of our preferred vendors for home and commercial ventilation, heating, and cooling systems, offers a list of 10 simple things you can do to help make the air in your home clean.
Add a germicidal light to your HVAC system. Easy to install, these UV-emitting lights help purify your home’s air by reducing growth of mold, bacteria and viruses before they are spread throughout your home. Healthy Climate® UV Germicidal Lights offer the highest UV light intensity on the market.
Take off your shoes when you walk in your front door. A selection of house slippers nearby helps encourage your family to take their shoes off. Most of the dirt in our homes is dust and soil tracked in by family members.
Replace kitchen sponges once a week. The moist environment of a sponge is a breeding ground for bacteria – more than 100,000 bacteria per square inch. Sponges can also be soaked in bleach 15 minutes to help kill bacteria.
Control mold by removing the excess moisture it needs to grow. Adding a whole-home dehumidifier will reduce the opportunity for allergy-triggering mold and mildew to grow.
Wash bedding regularly in hot water. This helps kill dust mites, which trigger allergies. Cover mattresses and pillows with allergy-proof cases.
Use microfiber cloths to dust without chemicals. Once used, they can be tossed in the washer to clean for reuse. Dust high to low surfaces first, and then vacuum last.
Add a multipurpose air-purification system. Choose an indoor air quality system that attacks small particles such as dust and dirt, airborne mold spores and viruses, even odors and chemical vapors.
Get rid of clutter. Keeping your home clean and organized is easier when you put away the knick-knacks where dust collects.
Replace or clean your HVAC system’s filter once a month. You’ll not only remove airborne pollutants, but protect your system’s energy efficiency.
Keep windows closed at night if you have allergies. You’ll help prevent pollen from drifting into your home.
Any questions about improving air quality in your home, changing your filters, or assessing the health / efficiency of your HVAC system? Marshall Mechanical is a certified dealer of Lennox products. We also are a full-service HVAC and plumbing solutions provider. Our trained experts are always happy to help answer your questions. Call Marshall Mechanical at 804-323-0189 today for cleaner air tomorrow.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Freezing temperatures have plagued the Greater Richmond area for more than 10 days now and heating systems across the Commonwealth are running on high. That has fire crews and heating experts worried about malfunctions that could be deadly.
Marshall Mechanical’s HVAC technician Gary Dedrick and owner Sean Cantrell appeared on an NBC12 news segment Sunday on the increased threat of carbon monoxide poisoning during the cold Richmond temperatures and what consumers should watch out for.
Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless, tasteless gas and is highly poisonous.
“Most people don’t even know,” said HVAC technician Gary Dedrick. “They’ll get home after a hard day’s work. They’ll be sitting on their couch, enjoying a little time with their family. They’re feeling tired. They think it’s from the day’s work and it’s not.”
It doesn’t matter what type of system you use to keep your house warm in these chilly temperatures.
To avoid a carbon monoxide leak:
“Don’t ignore your heating systems or your gas-powered appliances,” said HVAC technician Sean Cantrell. “Have them checked out at least once a year.”
In order to help you protect you and your family – and your home – during the cold winter season, Marshall Mechanical is offering a 25% savings of a home carbon monoxide test service and detector.
Normally, this service – along with the detector – is $160 but for a limited time you can save 25%. So for just $120 – a savings of $40 — you can make sure your home is safe all winter long.
Simply mention the NBC12 video when you call 804.323.0189 for your appointment and we’ll quickly set up a time convenient for you to test your home’s carbon monoxide levels and install your CO detector.
A simple call to make sure you and your family are protected from carbon monoxide, often called the silent killer because the gas is invisible, odorless and tasteless yet highly poisonous. Don’t delay – call Marshall Mechanical today at 323.0189 for your appointment and 25% discount. Remember to mention NBC12 when you call.
