Posts Tagged ‘heating and air conditioning’

East Coast Heat Wave Puts Stress on Power Grids: Virginia No Exception

Thursday, July 8th, 2010

FROM THE TIMES DISPATCH, Richmond, Va. — The eastern United States cooked for another day yesterday as unrelenting heat again sent thermometers past 100 degrees, buckled roads, slowed trains, and pushed utilities toward the limit of the electrical grid’s capacity.

Scattered power outages affected customers — including some in Richmond — along the East Coast, and usage approached record levels.

Temperatures in New York City passed 100 yesterday for the second day in a row, the first back-to-back readings that high since 1999, the National Weather Service reported.

With people cranking up their air conditioners, Valley Forge, Pa.-based PJM Interconnection — which operates the largest electrical grid in the U.S. — instituted emergency procedures to conserve electricity. PJM’s grid covers about 51 million people in 13 states and the District of Columbia.

Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative in Manassas activated its load-management system, which turns off electric water heaters and cycles the air conditioners of about 46,500 subscribers.

Dominion Virginia Power asked about 25 commercial and industrial customers to curtail their service or switch to standby generators. Those customers are on special rate programs in which they receive a credit for reducing their electricity use when the utility requests.

Dominion Virginia Power subscribers were consuming a little more than 18,000 megawatts yesterday afternoon.

“We’re not anticipating setting a record,” company spokesman Jim Norvelle said. And, he noted, usage should be markedly less today, which is expected to be about 10 degrees cooler than yesterday.

On Tuesday, Dominion Virginia Power customers’ demand peaked at 18,983 megawatts. The company’s record demand was 19,688 megawatts on Aug. 8, 2007.

Dominion Virginia Power is the state’s largest electric utility with more than 2.3 million customers.  About 2,900 customers in the Lakeside area of Richmond lost power for a short time yesterday afternoon.  The outage affecting four circuits occurred when a transformer failed during maintenance, according to Dominion Virginia Power.

In the Washington area, nearly 1,000 customers were without power yesterday.

Transportation officials cut the speed of commuter trains in suburban Washington and New York when tracks got too hot. Extreme heat can cause welded rails to bend under pressure.

Amtrak trains in Virginia ran late yesterday as a result of reductions in operating speeds because of the heat. “We’re seeing delays of 15 to 30 minutes,” Amtrak spokeswoman Karina Romero said.

Dominion charges customers a higher rate during the high-demand summer months for electric consumption above 800 kilowatt-hours a month.

The bill for a typical residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours a month during the June-September period is $102.16, the company said. During October through May, the same monthly bill is $96.46, or 5.6 percent less.

Richmond TimesDispatch Staff writer Peter Bacqué and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

If you are in the Richmond Virginia area and are experiencing problems with your home’s air conditioning unit, please call Marshall Mechanical for service.  Our HVAC service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year at 804.323.0189.  Plus, we have a number of high energy efficient heating and cooling options for you if you’re looking to depend less on the grid, including geothermal and solar heating and cooling units.

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Posted in Air Conditioning, Summer Hot Temperatures, hvac | No Comments »

A/C Efficiency: 5 Tips to Keep Your Richmond Home Cool in Summer

Thursday, May 20th, 2010

Flowers Spring Richmond VAIt may be “spring” on the calendar, but here in Richmond,  the weather has been providing some early doses of summer recently.   Already,  home air conditioners have been humming throughout the region. 

For many, the sound of that A/C unit outside can be justification, in and of itself, to break out into a cold sweat. After all, the more it runs, the bigger the power bill at the end of the month.

In an effort to calm the nerves and put less strain on your wallet, here are five ways to make your air conditioning unit work better and save money:

  1. The top way to make your A/C unit work better and save money is to replace your filter EVERY MONTH.   Having a clogged filter in your air conditioning system slows down the flow of air, which makes the air unit work harder to cool your home. Clogged filters can even cause costly damage to the system.  Replacing filters will ensure that you have cleaner air at a lower cost, with lower risk of your AC breaking.
  2. Use household fans to help keep the house cool.  When people try to figure out how to make their AC work better to save money they often forget about this.  A fan uses significantly less energy than your AC unit.
  3. Try to pay it forward to your AC unit and protect it from the sun.  If your AC unit was placed in an area where it is in the sun most of the day, try planting shrubs or trees around it.  The cooler the AC unit, the better it will cool your home. Just make sure not to plant too close to the unit – leave enough room for proper ventilation and comfortable servicing.
  4. If you make your home drier by getting rid of humidity you will see a change in comfort right away, because your body’s natural cooling systems work better in low- humidity air.  Your AC unit removes some moisture from the air by itself ( thus, the delightful drip and drainage from the outside unit ). However, if you live in a tropical or subtropical climate with high humidity such as Richmond, a dehumidifier can ease the strain on your AC unit and keep everyone more comfortable at higher temperatures.
  5. By hanging curtains in front of the windows of your home, or thick blinds (not mini-blinds), your home will stay cooler on its own. For many a decorator,  the mere thought of insulated drapes causes a recoil and cringe reaction.  But don’t be so quick to judge. Insulated drapes have come a long way in the past few years. They come in different styles and colors now and should at least be considered if you have South facing windows.  They really do help keep the heat out in summer and the cold out in winter. Draperies keeping the heat out in the hottest part of the day can keep your air conditioning unit from working so hard.

Your heating and cooling specialists at Marshall Mechanical know additional ways to save on cooling costs, and we would be happy to help you if you have any questions. Contact us at  804-323-0189  for more information today.

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Posted in Air Conditioning, Air Purification Systems, Cooling, Energy Efficiency, Humidity Control, Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) | 1 Comment »

Save up to $2,500 when you buy a heating and air conditioning system during the 2010 Lennox Spring HVAC Rebate promotion. Act now!

Thursday, April 1st, 2010
Lennox Spring HVAC Rebate

Call us at 804.323.0189 today.

The Lennox Spring HVAC rebate promotion launched at Marshall Mechanical today. With the Lennox manufacturer rebate of up to $1,000, the Federal tax credits of up to $1,500, and zero percent, 12-months financing offered by Marshall Mechanical, you can save up to $2,500 on a new heating and air conditioning system.

But you must act now to take advantage of these savings as the Lennox rebate ends with equipment being installed by June 30, 2010.

This Lennox rebate promotion allows Marshall Mechanical to customize a heating and air conditioning system — a Lennox Home Comfort System — based on your personal home comfort requirements and your home’s specific needs.

Lennox Spring Rebate — save up to $1,000

We can create a Lennox heating and air conditioning system from a full range of qualifying products from Lennox’s outdoor, indoor, healthy climate and temperature control lines and the homeowner will be then eligible for a manufacturer’s rebate of up to $1,000 for buying one qualifying product in each category of select systems purchased and installed by June 30, 2010. And we’ll help you with the paperwork in order to get your rebate processed. 

Best of all, Marshall Mechanical also offers you 12-month, 0% financing through GE Money — available for qualified applicants.* 

If you purchase and install your heating and air conditioning system with a qualifying Lennox Home Comfort System before June 30th, you can receive:

    1. Up to $1,000 in Lennox product rebates on qualifying home comfort systems
    2. Up to $1,500 in Federal tax credits
    3. 12-months 0% financing from Marshall Mechanical

Therefore, your total savings can run up to $2,500!

And, of course, those savings are in addition to the money you’ll save each and every month by having a new and more energy-efficient heating and air conditioning system installed in your home, further saving you hundreds of dollars each year as you and your family enjoy your new Lennox home comfort system. And that’s a lot of extra cash for you to spend on other things you need each month.

So don’t wait to take advantage of this offer

Please call your Richmond heating and air conditioning professionals at Marshall Mechanical today at 804.323.0189. We’ll be happy to answer your questions and set up an appointment to review your heating and air conditioning needs prior to the arrival of the hot summer temperatures and humidity conditions that the Richmond area is known for.

With Marshall Mechanical and Lennox, now there are even more ways to both protect and maximize the investment you’ve made in your home!

P.S. Call 323.0189 today as the 2010 Lennox Spring Rebate Promotion lasts only until June 30, 2010, with equipment being installed by that date. Lennox rebate requests must be postmarked by 10 days from installation or by July 14th, whichever occurs first. Don’t miss out on these great savings! Call us today at 804.323.0189.

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Posted in 2010 Lennox Rebate Offers, Air Conditioning, Cooling, Energy Efficiency, Heat Pump, Heating System, Lennox, Residential, hvac | Comments Off

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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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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.*
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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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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.

*These tips are brought to you by Lennox International Inc. and Marshall Mechanical as an authorized dealer.  © 2010 Lennox with all rights reserved.

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Posted in Air Conditioning, Cooling, Heating System, Humidity Control, Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), Lennox, Preventive Maintenance, Regular HVAC Maintenance, Residential, hvac | 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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Posted in 2010 Lennox Rebate Offers, Air Conditioning, Heat Pump, Heating System, Lennox, Residential, Tax Credits, hvac | Comments Off

Lennox announces $1,000 Winter HVAC Rebate Promotion through February 26th, 2010

Wednesday, January 20th, 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

Our trusted HVAC and home comfort system manufacturer, Lennox, just announced a special Winter HVAC rebate promotion which means you can save up to $1,000 on a customized heating and air conditioning system based on your personal home comfort requirements.

Marshall Mechanical can create a Lennox heating and air conditioning system from a range of qualifying products from Lennox’s outdoor, indoor, healthy climate and temperature controls lines and the homeowner will be then eligible for a rebate of up to $1,000 for buying one qualifying product in each category of select systems purchased and installed by February 26, 2009. 

There’s even a zero percent financing option — talk to Mike Smith for details.

Want even more savings on your new heating and air conditioning system?  Due to the high efficiency of the Lennox home comfort systems, you’ll also qualify for Federal tax credits of up to $1,500 under the stimulus plan.  

So in addition to the $1,000 in rebates from the Lennox Winter promotion and 12-months zero percent financing, you can still receive Federal tax credits of up to $1,500 for all heating and air conditioning systems installed in 2010 in existing homes.  Therefore, your total savings can run up to $2,500!

And that’s in addition to the saving you’ll receive each and every month by having a new and more energy-efficient heating and air conditioning system installed in your home, further saving you hundreds of dollars each year as you and your family enjoy your new Lennox home comfort system.

So don’t wait to take advantage of this offer. Please call your Richmond heating and air conditioning professionals at Marshall Mechanical today at 804.323.0189.  We’ll be happy to answer your questions and set up an appointment to review your heating and air conditioning needs prior to the arrival of the warmer temperatures and hot, humid conditions that the Richmond area is known for.

With Marshall Mechanical and Lennox, now there are even more ways to both protect and maximize the investment you’ve made in your home!

P.S.  Call Mike Smith today as the 2010 Lennox Winter Rebate Promotion lasts only until February 26th with equipment being installed by that date.  Rebate requests must be postmarked by 10 days from installation or by March 13th, whichever occurs first.  Don’t miss out on these great savings!  Call us today at 804.323.0189.

For more information, visit our special Lennox 2010 Winter Rebate offer page on the Marshall Mechanical website.

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