Posts Tagged ‘heat pump service’

Heat Pump Fails in Richmond Basement with no Air Flow

Thursday, May 27th, 2010

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.

P.S. If you’d like to know more about the most efficient heat pumps you can buy, including solar units, you can check out the various heat pumps from Lennox on our website:  Lennox Energy Efficient Heat Pumps from Marshall Mechanical, Richmond VA

8 signs that you may need to service or replace your HVAC system

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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.

  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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 804.323.0189Marshall Mechanical is a certified dealer of Lennox and our experts can help you find exactly the right solution for your home or commercial building.