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Archive for the ‘Residential’ Category

How to determine if you should replace your heating and air conditioning system

Saturday, March 13th, 2010

It’s not always easy to determine if you need to replace your home’s heating and air conditioning system. A professional HVAC engineer can work with you to determine whether fixing or replacing it is the best option.

But here are the some points to help you make your decision if you are considering replacing your HVAC system:

❏ 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.

❏ 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.

❏ 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.

The professional HVAC engineers and technicians at Marshall Mechanical can help you determine what’s best for you, your family’s comfort and your home. Simply call us at 804.323.0189 today.

Source: “A Guide to Energy-Efficient Heating and Cooling,” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

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Tags: Air Conditioning, Cooling, Heating, heating and air, heating and air conditioning, hvac, HVAC Repair, HVAC replacement, hvac system
Posted in Air Conditioning, Cooling, Heating System, Residential, hvac | Comments Off

The Marshall Stimulus Plan: Rock bottom prices on new HVAC equipment!

Monday, March 8th, 2010

Is your HVAC system more than 10 years old? You can now purchase a brand new system with a full warranty at prices you won’t believe! We are stacked to the ceiling and we need to move this product so call now for Marshall’s real stimulus deals!

Look at some of these LOW PRICES!

95% Efficient Gas Furnace 90,000 BTU (Qualifies for 30% Federal Tax Credit) $999.00*
80% Efficient Gas Furnace 75,000 BTU $599.00*
13 SEER Air Conditioner 2 Ton R410a $949.00*
Indoor Cooling Coil 2 Ton w/R410a Valve $399.00*
13 SEER Heat Pump 2 Ton Outdoor Unit R410a $999.00*
Heat Pump Air Handler 2 Ton, R410a Valve and 10KW backup heater $679.00*

(R410a is the environmentally safe refrigerant that replaced freon)

*Pricing is for cash, check, Visa, MasterCard. FREE delivery within 20 miles of our warehouse.

Installation available, free estimate upon home site inspection after equipment purchase.

Call us at 804.323.0189 today for best savings and product availability. These prices won’t last!

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Tags: Best HVAC Pricing, HVAC Equipment Sale, HVAC Sale
Posted in Air Conditioning, Best Prices, Discount Program, Residential, hvac | Comments Off

The Marshall Stimulus Plan: Full HVAC Maintenance Service for as low as $79

Monday, March 8th, 2010

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.

Call Jennifer right now at 804-323-0189 or send her an email today at info@marshallmechanical.com.

*Includes only heat pumps or gas furnaces with air conditioning. All other system types are subject to additional charges. Filters are not included.

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Tags: air conditioning maintenance, air conditioning service, heating maintenance, heating service, HVAC Maintenance, HVAC Service, HVAC System service
Posted in Best Prices, Preventive Maintenance, Regular HVAC Maintenance, Residential, Save Money, Service Call | Comments Off

7 Things to Look for in a Home Heating and Air Conditioning System

Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010

Purchasing a new home heating and air conditioning system is often more important than people recognize. Not only does your HVAC system need to keep you warm in the winter and cool in the hot Richmond summer months, it needs to run at high efficiency to save you money, have noise reduction features for quiet operations and both balance air flow and keep it at the right moisture level.

In this way, you’ll enjoy a comfortable home all year long and for many years to come. It is truly an investment in your home that you should not rush into purchasing, just like any other investment. Take your time, check the facts and ask questions of your HVAC contractor.

To help you make the best decisions in purchasing your new HVAC system, here are 7 things to consider:

Reliability. Chances are, your heating and cooling system is one of the most expensive pieces of equipment you will purchase for your home. That’s why it’s important to choose proven products from a reputable manufacturer.
Efficiency. A new ENERGY STAR®-labeled system, when properly sized and installed, can save you up to 20% on your annual heating and cooling costs. Plus, it may qualify you for utility rebates and tax credits.*
Quiet operation. The sound of a standard furnace can be as loud as 100 decibels, comparable to the sound of a kitchen garbage disposal! Air conditioners can produce sounds as high as 80 decibels. Look for technologies and features that help keep operating sound at a comfortable level.
Consistent temperatures. With a typical furnace or single-speed air conditioner, indoor temperature can vary as much as seven degrees from the thermostat setting. Variable speed and/or two-stage systems give you the assurance of precise temperature control.
Balanced humidity. To maintain proper moisture levels in your home, choose a thermostat that controls both temperature and humidity. You might also consider a variable speed and/or two-stage comfort system and dehumidifier.
Proper Airflow. A typical furnace motor runs at one speed and circulates a constant volume of air, so it responds to changing comfort demands by repeatedly cycling on and off. This frequent cycling increases air stratification and stagnation. For optimal air circulation, choose a variable speed model.
Healthy air. One of the best ways to combat indoor pollution is to attach an air cleaner to your furnace or air handler. That way, you can have peace of mind knowing your system is working to capture small contaminants in every room of your home.

Here at Marshall Mechanical, we partner with Lennox because of their superior heating and air conditioning equipment and because they are the innovation leaders in high efficiency technology. Their products are superior in many ways. But we will always talk with our customers to find out exactly how they use their HVAC system and take into consideration their home specifications to make the best choice for each individual family and home.

For a free consultation on what heating and air conditioning system is the best choice for you and your Richmond-area home, please call the HVAC professionals at Marshall Mechanical at 804.323.0189 today.

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Tags: a/c, Air Conditioning, air conditioning system, Cooling, Heating, heating and air conditioning, hvac, hvac system, HVAC system replacement
Posted in Air Conditioning, Cooling, Energy Efficiency, Heating System, Humidity Control, Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), Lennox, Residential, hvac | 1 Comment »

Your Spring Home Heating and Air Conditioning Maintenance Checklist by Lennox

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.

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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

How your Heating & Cooling System can help clean the air in your home

Wednesday, February 17th, 2010

Ever go over to someone’s house and it just smells …. bad? Ever been somewhere that made the back of your throat scratchy, made your eyes water, made you start sneezing, or gave you a headache? What if you had to live there? Would you be sick all the time?

Indoor air can get pretty funky – especially in the Winter when you keep all the doors and windows closed to keep out the cold. If you do open the windows to change the air, your heating system has to play catch-up. Sometimes it is worth it, though. The EPA estimates that indoor air is two to five times more polluted than the air outside. Let’s face it, people need to breathe clean air because bad air can literally make us sick!

What are the main reasons there could be “bad air” in your home?

1.         Temperature & Humidity problems
2.         Small particles like Pet Dander & Pollen
3.         Odors & Chemicals
4.         Bacteria & Mold

These contaminants, either from inside or outside the home, combined with poor ventilation can cause bad air quality. High humidity only makes it worse. Irritants like mold and mildew can cause a number of health problems. These can include: making allergies or asthma worse, dizziness, headaches, fatigue and nasal congestion.

Do you experience any of these symptoms when you are at home? Do they get better when you leave? If so, you may need to work on improving the air quality in your home.

In addition to impacting your health, bad air quality can damage your house and cause you to be uncomfortable. Air that is too dry can cause walls to crack and make wood flooring separate. Air that is too wet, or high in humidity, can make the temperature inside your home feel hotter than it really is and become a breeding ground for powdery mildew or black mold which can ruin wallpaper, draperies, and furniture.

So how can you make sure the air you and your family breathe inside your home is clean, good air? Clean regularly to prevent mold and mildew – just make sure to use cleaning products which do not irritate you in any way. Also, make sure the humidity in your home is properly balanced. You may need a dehumidifier or a humidifier depending on your situation.

But in addition to regular cleaning and proper ventilation, the answer can lie with your heating and cooling system. Lennox has a wonderful product line called Healthy Climate Solutions. These products address all the causes of “bad air” in your home, that reduce your indoor air quality.

The Lennox Healthy Climate Solutions product line includes:

Humidity Control
Germicidal Lights
Ventilation
Air Cleaners/Filtration

These products control humidity, insure good ventilation, filter out up to 95% of small particles and irritants, and actually clean the air by zapping bacteria and mold before they circulate all through your home. As an authorized Lennox dealer, Marshall Mechanical can install any of these air quality systems in your Richmond area home.

Simply call us at 804.323.0189 today for more information about these high quality Lennox air quality products and how they can help ensure the air inside your home is “good air” – so you and your family can breathe easier.

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Tags: air cleaners, air filtration, air purification, Air Purification Systems, bad indoor air, Germicidal Lights, Home Humidity Control, home mold and mildew, Home Ventilation, improve indoor air quality, indoor air contaminants, indoor air quality, Lennox Healthy Climate Solutions
Posted in Air Purification Systems, Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), Lennox, Marshall Mechanical, Residential | Comments Off

Hurry! Lennox 2010 Winter HVAC Rebate Promotion ends soon! Save up to $2,500.

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.

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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

Time to Consider A Barrier-Free Bathroom?

Saturday, February 6th, 2010

The American Disabilities Act was signed in 1990.

Back in 1990, President Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act ( ADA ) into law. The ADA was enacted to provide civil rights protection to disabled persons.

Disability was defined as “a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity.” It was a broad sweeping set of regulations which required retail businesses and offices to provide certain standards as to accessibility for those of us who are disabled. This led to everything from handicapped-marked parking spaces, to curb ramps, extra wide entrance doors and exits, and the ADA regulation height toilet.

Sounds like a good idea, doesn’t it? However, ADA applies to public spaces, not residential spaces. Plus, there are some handicap accessibility situations where ADA guidelines make no specification. What if you need to modify your bathroom for an elderly parent or for someone who has had an injury, or is recovering from surgery? That’s where the Barrier-Free concept comes into play.

Barrier-Free is defined by our dear friends at Wikipedia as:

“Barrier-free (バリアフリー bariafurii^?) building modification consists of modifying buildings or facilities so that they can be used by the physically disadvantaged or disabled. The term is used primarily in Japan and non-English speaking countries (e.g. German: Barrierefreiheit; Finnish: Esteettömän rakentamisen), while in English-speaking countries, terms such as “accessibility” and “handicapped accessible” dominate in regular everyday use.

“An example of barrier-free design would be installing a ramp for wheelchairs alongside or in place of steps. In the case of new buildings, however, the idea of barrier free modification has largely been superseded by the concept of universal design, which seeks to design things from the outset to support easy access.”

Freewill® barrier-free wheelchair shower module from Kohler

Let’s face it, we’re all getting older. Even if you don’t have a need now for things like grab bars, walk-in showers, or higher, elongated toilets, etc…. just throw your back out once and you’ll find out pretty fast how handy all those things can be in the bathroom. We’d call bathing and going to the bathroom “major life activities”, wouldn’t you?

But where to start? Many products will say things like “ADA approved,” but like we said before, it doesn’t really cover everything.

Starting to think about making your bathroom more accessible? It is important that you realize that a certified plumber who is trained in ADA compliancy – like Marshall Mechanical right here in Richmond – should be contacted for your specific needs and specifications.

For a safer, more accessible bathroom, things like grab bars, higher toilets or a walk-in shower — even one that is wheelchair accessible — can make a huge difference for an elderly person or other loved one in your life. Simply call us at 804.323.0189. Our expert Master Plumber, Ross Herring, will be happy to answer your questions about how to achieve a barrier-free bathroom in your home.

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Tags: ADA Compliant, Barrier Free Bathroom, Retrofit Plumbing, Universal Design, Walk-in shower, Wheelchair accessible home
Posted in ADA Compliant Home, Plumber, Residential, plumbing | Comments Off

Top 10 ways to enjoy a cleaner home, and cleaner air

Sunday, January 31st, 2010

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.

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Tags: Air Purification Systems, air quality problems, Allergies, Clean Air, Clean Home, Germicidal Lights, Preventing Alergy Symptoms, Whole Home Dehumidifiers
Posted in Air Purification Systems, Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), Lennox, Regular HVAC Maintenance, Residential | Comments Off

Snow and cold is forecast for this weekend. Call us if you have emergency heating or plumbing problems.

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010

Well, just when we thought our Richmond temperatures were fairly mild for January, along comes a winter storm just to remind us that it truly is Winter. While we should have a nice day on Thursday, Friday night brings much colder temperatures and snow is in the forecast for the weekend. There are even flood warnings in Chesterfield and Henrico so be careful out there.

If you have any problems with your home’s furnace, boiler or other heating system, don’t forget that the team at Marshall Mechanical is available to you by phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year. The emergency phone number for heating or plumbing problems, service and repair is the same as our regular number. Simply call 804.323.0189 whenever you need emergency assistance.

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Tags: Emergency Service, Home Heating System Problem, HVAC Repair, Winter Storm
Posted in Bad Weather, Emergency Service, Heating System, Plumbing Repair, Repair Service, Residential, Service Call, Winter Storm | Comments Off

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Archive for the ‘Residential’ Category

How to determine if you should replace your heating and air conditioning system

The Marshall Stimulus Plan: Rock bottom prices on new HVAC equipment!

The Marshall Stimulus Plan: Full HVAC Maintenance Service for as low as $79

7 Things to Look for in a Home Heating and Air Conditioning System

Your Spring Home Heating and Air Conditioning Maintenance Checklist by Lennox

How your Heating & Cooling System can help clean the air in your home

Hurry! Lennox 2010 Winter HVAC Rebate Promotion ends soon! Save up to $2,500.

Time to Consider A Barrier-Free Bathroom?

Top 10 ways to enjoy a cleaner home, and cleaner air

Snow and cold is forecast for this weekend. Call us if you have emergency heating or plumbing problems.

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