Marshall Mechanical, your Richmond HVAC -- cooling, heating and plumbing partner

Our Marshall Mechanical blog has MOVED!

2009-08-09T14:50:00.001-04:00

Our blog has moved to our website so you can now find it at:

http://blog.marshallmechanical.com

See you there!

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

2009-07-12T12:09:00.005-04:00

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.

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

2009-07-04T10:13:00.005-04:00

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.

Want to learn more about energy efficient heat pumps, including solar?

2009-07-03T13:12:00.007-04:00

We often receive questions about energy efficient products, particularly heat pumps. As you know, the Richmond summers can be scorchingly hot and extremely humid so it's important to keep your home cool and comfortable all year long with the right heat pump for Richmond area homes.

It's also important that you have the right products that fit your home size and give you the desired energy efficiency. A list of Energy Star qualified heat pumps are found on our website, including the first integrated solar-assisted residential heating and cooling system -- the Lennox XPG20 SunSource™ Comfort System.

If you want to know more about the Dave Lennox Signature® Collection XPG20 SunSource™ Comfort System, here are the energy efficiency specifications:

Efficiency ratings of up to 18.20** SEER and 9.70** HSPF—can save you hundreds of dollars a year, compared to a standard heat pump
Single solar panel—provides freely available renewable energy to offset the electric usage of the heating and cooling system
ENERGY STAR® qualified—meets or exceeds EPA guidelines for energy efficiency
This product qualifies for a tax credit under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.***

You can even download the full consumer brochure.

If you have any specific questions about the technical specifications or the energy efficiency of heat pumps, please call the Marshall Mechanical office at 804.323.0189. We would be happy to take your call and, if you'd like, set up an appointment to provide you with an analysis of your current HVAC system compared to newer, more energy efficient products, both from the standpoint of energy and cost reduction.

We're here to help you reduce your carbon footprint as well as to save you money each month on energy costs on your Richmond area home.

$28 million in Stimulus provides RVA Homeowners with Energy Efficiency Rebate of up to $2,000; Federal Tax Credits of 30% of purchases

2009-06-29T11:33:00.018-04:00

If you caught NBC WWBT 12's new story this morning, you already know that Virginia is receiving $28 million from the Federal government to help homeowners become more energy efficient in the form of an energy rebate of up to $2,000. According to the news story by Laura Geller, if the stimulus program is successful, Virginia is apt to receive another $35 million.

These Virginia state rebates are in addition to the Federal Tax Credits we told you about earlier this year.

If you own an existing home, you can qualify for Federal Tax Credits of 30% of the cost, up to $1,500, in 2009 and 2010, for replacement windows and doors, insulation, roofs, HVAC, water heaters (non-solar) and biomass stoves. For HVAC, this means energy efficient air conditioners, heat pumps, climate controls or programmable thermostats, etc. Sure, up to $1,500 credit is really good but listen up.

Here's the unbelievable news... If you are a homeowner of an existing home OR if you are building a new home, Federal tax credits are available at 30% of the cost, WITH NO UPPER LIMIT for the following: Geothermal Heat Pumps, Solar Heat Panels, Solar Water Heaters, as well as small wind energy systems and fuel cells.

This is in addition to the Virginia State rebate on energy efficiency just announced, of up to $2,000. As soon as the details of the stimulus rebate are posted on the VA Stimulus website, we will post again to give you that link.

Marshall Mechanical is experienced in installing Geothermal Heat Pumps by Wa t erFurnace and is a WaterFurnace HVAC dealer right here in Richmond VA. WaterFurnace has helpful information on their website to educate the home owner about using the 30% tax credits.

Like to know more about what the U.S. Department of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy has to say about the Return on Investment of Geothermal Heat Pumps? You can read the full article right here. What you need to know is that while the installation price is of a geothermal unit is higher than that of traditional air-source systems of the same heating and cooling capacity, the additional costs are returned to the homeowner in energy savings in as little as 5-10 years. System life is estimated at 25 years for the inside components and 50+ years for the ground loop.

At Marshall Mechanical, we are your Richmond VA Green Home and Energy Efficiency experts. We will help you navigate through the Virginia State Stimulus Rebate for Energy Efficiency and we will help you get the paperwork right to apply for the Federal Tax Credits. Most of all, we will work with you one-on-one to take the time to answer all your questions about what HVAC units or programmable thermostats are best for your home. We can even give you a estimated calculation of Geothermal heat pump monthly savings for your home in just minutes.

Your Richmond area home is an investment. Let us help you maximize it. Call Sean Cantrell or Mike Smith at 804.323.0189 today to help you take advantage of the Virginia energy efficiency stimulus rebates and Federal tax credits. And then enjoy your comfortable home and your energy savings for years to come.

You can’t control the Richmond VA summer heat but you CAN control your energy costs.

2009-06-22T12:49:00.008-04:00

With temperatures rising and energy costs continuing to soar, there are a variety of steps you can take to cut the expenses of cooling your home this summer.

"Cooling and heating equipment use more energy than any other appliance. This inevitably shows up every month on the energy bill, but it’s important to remember that energy costs can be controlled," said Sean Cantrell, owner of Marshall Mechanical.

Annual Maintenance

One step to control energy costs is to schedule annual maintenance checks to make sure your unit is running efficiently. Most cooling systems require very little owner maintenance. However, operating dirty cooling equipment can result in an unnecessary loss of efficiency and can damage the furnace. You play a vital role in making sure your cooling system continues to operate at peak performance.

High Efficiency Cooling Equipment

If you’re in the market for a new cooling unit, consider purchasing a high efficiency model. They can help reduce your energy costs as well as conserve our natural resources. When selecting an air conditioner or heat pump, pay close attention to the SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio). This is a measure of cooling efficiency for air conditioners. The higher the SEER, the higher the savings. The minimum SEER rating is 13.

Zoning

Zoning can drastically lower your heating costs. With zoning, you no longer have to pay to heat or cool areas of your home that are rarely used. You won’t have to heat or cool the whole house just to make one room comfortable. Zoning divides your home into separate comfort areas, which are heated or cooled based on your needs.

Programmable Thermostats

Programmable or setback thermostats can make a big difference in energy consumption. These thermostats deliver maximum comfort, efficiency, and energy savings. Setback thermostats are used to achieve the temperatures you want throughout your home. For example, if you’re going to be away, you can set the whole house at an energy-saving temperature to avoid heating an empty house. If you have setback thermostats, you can program them to have your living areas comfortable when you arrive home.

To find out more about reducing your Richmond VA cooling costs, call Sean Cantrell or Mike Smith at Marshall Mechanical today at 804.323.0189.

Is it too hot and your air conditioning isn't working? Or got a water leak and need a Richmond plumber? Are you remodeling your kitchen or bath?

2009-06-13T19:59:00.019-04:00

No matter what the Richmond summer brings you as far as air conditioning or plumbing problems or service needs, Marshall Mechanical has the answers. We're available 24/7 for HVAC or plumbing emergencies and we offer same day water heater replacement and guaranteed next day HVAC service in the RVA and surrounding counties of Hanover, Henrico and Chesterfield.

At Marshall Mechanical, we're dedicated to solving your Richmond air conditioning or plumbing problems, quickly and easily. When you're having trouble with any of your HVAC systems or need a Richmond plumber in a hurry, our technicians will assess the situation and walk you through what is necessary to fix the problem as soon as possible. And we often will give you a temporary solution, like a window air conditioning unit for your bedroom, to help you stay comfortable while we take the time to fix the problem right.

If you require a new HVAC system, an additional system, or if you're planning to remodel, a member of our sales team will come out to your home or business for an on-site consultation at your convenience, offering you options for high-efficiency and high-value systems that will save you money each month on both your cooling as well as heating bills.

We even have options such as the industry's first solar assisted heat pump by Lennox and we're installing the first one in the Central Virginia area, which is one family's first step toward living off the grid!

Or we can explain the benefits of the WaterFurnace geothermal energy heat pump, which is "The World's Greenest Heating and Cooling Systems."

And we'll explain how you can may qualify for Energy Efficiency Federal tax credits too.

And our expert plumbing team, led by master Richmond plumbers, will replace hot water heaters, upgrade faucets, fixtures and toilets, clean drains, even install gas lines and appliances. And you can call us for big jobs, like water line and sewer line replacements too. We are here to service all your Richmond cooling and plumbing needs throughout the summer.

So for all your Richmond Plumber and HVAC needs both now and year round, please call Mike Smith at 804.323.0189 to schedule a service appointment today. Remember, we're available 24/7 for any cooling or plumbing emergencies so you can easily protect the investment you've made in your home or business.

And, yes, we service commercial HVAC design, build and maintenance clients too.

Be a part of the Music for Massey event! Sam Bush Band, The Waybacks & More! Get tix for June 11th!

2009-06-05T08:45:00.003-04:00

Want to have fun on June 11th and do something wonderful for charity at the same time? Then come to the Music for Massey event on Thursday, June 11th, at the Science Museum of Virginia's outdoor Garner Pavilion! Gates will open at 6pm and the concert begins at 7pm.

Marshall Mechanical is sponsoring this event and we know you'll have fun listening to the Sam Bush Band, The Waybacks and more. If you want to see some sample videos, go to the http://www.musicformassey.com/ web page. And you can order your tickets right here. General admission is just $20 and proceeds benefit a great cause for the VCU Massey Cancer Center.

Join us in helping our community and the people we serve.

Richmond HVAC Engineer Talks Twitter at Virginia Council of CEOs Luncheon.

2009-05-23T22:31:00.004-04:00

Sean Cantrell, owner of Marshall Mechanical, gets the opportunity to share the stage with Dave Saunders, president of Madison & Main, at last Thursday's Virginia Council of CEOs luncheon.

Sean tells his peers how social networking, blogging, key website changes and SEO/PPC ads have all positively impacted his business in just the last few months.

"Much of the new residential business Marshall Mechanical has received recently has been from new customers finding our company online, reading our blog, following us on Twitter or checking out our LinkedIn profile," Sean says.

And there's more helpful information coming on the website and the blog for both residential customers as well as commercial. Just today, Sean announced he'd match the residential Lennox rebates dollar-for-dollar thru the Lennox June 12th spring offer period, up to $1,200.

In addition to providing Richmond HVAC and plumbing services, Sean is available for speaking engagements or panel discussions on social networking or engineering design and solutions. Please call the Marshall Mechanical office at 804.323.0189 for more information.

Worried about cooling your home properly in the RVA summer heat? Double the Lennox rebate savings and more thru June 12th!

2009-05-23T08:17:00.010-04:00

Are you worried about your home staying cool and comfortable all summer long in the Richmond VA heat and humidity? Is your Richmond HVAC system outdated and not as energy-efficient as you'd like it to be? Would you like to purchase a new HVAC system when the savings opportunity is significant both at time of installation and on your energy bills every month, and also qualify for 2009 Federal tax credits?

Marshall Mechanical is in it's final days of the Lennox Spring Rebate program. As you may know, rebates are available for any Lennox full HVAC system installed by June 12, 2009. Now, to save you even more money, Marshall Mechanical will match, dollar for dollar, any Lennox heating and air conditioning rebate you qualify for within their Spring program.

What does this mean for the RVA homeowner? It means there's no better time to replace your Richmond HVAC system than right now. Here are all the ways in which you can save:

The 2009 Lennox Spring promotion allows Marshall Mechanical to customize an HVAC system based on your home's specific requirements. We can pick a Lennox system from a range of qualifying products from their outdoor, indoor, healthy climate and controls lines and the homeowner will be eligible for a rebate of up to $1,200 for buying one in each category. The rebate includes up to $1,200 for a system purchased and installed by June 12, 2009.
As a special Memorial Day offer effective today, May 23rd, Marshall Mechanical will now match whatever Lennox HVAC rebate the homeowner qualifies for, dollar for dollar in savings. This amount will be deducted from your estimate. This means the homeowner can qualify for up to an additional $1,200 in savings. This offer will be good for HVAC systems installed by June 12, 2009.
And the homeowner can still qualify for up to $1,500 in Federal tax credits which are available on HVAC and non-solar water heaters for those installed in 2009 & 2010 in existing homes. This gives you YET ANOTHER way to save.
And all this is IN ADDITION to the savings you'll get each month by having a new more energy-efficient unit installed in your home for true comfort all year round. This could add up to hundreds of dollars in savings each year.

There's truly no better time to replace your Richmond HVAC / heating and air conditioning system than right now. At Marshall Mechanical, we really mean it when we say "your home is an investment and we help you maximize it!"

For an immediate estimate on replacing your Richmond HVAC unit with Lennox products and to take advantage of all of the savings opportunities we mentioned above, please call Sean Cantrell or Mike Smith at 804.323.0189. CALL TODAY!

Once we visit your home and write up an estimate, we can review the details of the HVAC products with you over the phone and show you the products' exact specifications with our new Lennox online system on our website, giving you all the information you need and more. And we can also show you how much money you'd save on your monthly cooling and heating bills. We aim to be the most helpful, creative and solutions-oriented Richmond HVAC service provider in the area! (And Richmond plumber too!)

Problem with Air Conditioning in Richmond VA? Need expert troubleshooting or Richmond Air Conditioning repair service?

2009-04-27T21:42:00.007-04:00

Marshall Mechanical is your Richmond VA air conditioning, heating and plumbing service partner and is available 24/7/365 at 804.323.0189 to answer your HVAC questions, provide expert advice, help you troubleshoot your heat pump or air conditioning system and get your cooling unit in top working order right away while the Richmond area heat index increases throughout the spring and summer months.

We'll even loan you a window air conditioning unit to keep your home cool temporarily until we can get your system working or replaced if needed. This gives our homeowners and valued customers time to work with us to make a good decision on an HVAC unit that best fits their home and budget, as there are many options to choose from -- and a customized heating and cooling system is often best for energy efficiency and to keep cooling and heating bills to a minimum in peak season summer and winter months. Immediate price discounts on heat pumps or air conditioning units are often not the long-term solution, especially when central air conditioning or A/C units should last over 10 years in your home.

Don't stress over the making a quick decision to buy. At Marshall Mechanical, we never want to pressure you into buying a unit at a time when you need your home cooled quickly for comfort or health reasons. In fact, the simplest solution may be proper trouble shooting and repair of your current unit, with a simple replacement part. And adding an energy efficient, programmable thermostat might help to you to manage and lower your air cooling and heating costs all year round saving you hundreds of dollars per year.

As far as saving money, we can show you many ways to reduce your cooling and air conditioning costs with rebates, Federal tax credits, financing options, payments plans and promotional discounts. Several of our most recent and money-saving promotions can be found on our website special offers web page or on other blog posts here on the Marshall Mechanical blog.

So if you have a problem with your air conditioning unit, you think the air conditioning requires service, or if your heat pump is not working properly, just give us a call at 804.323.0189 and we'll be glad to put you at ease by giving you the best solutions and take the time to answer any questions you have -- for your home, office building or small business. We service both residential and commercial customers and are a certified HVAC engineer with all proper certifications and insurance.

Just ask for details and we'll be happy to provide you with proof as well as customer references and testimonials. As always, written quotes are given to our customers with full service and labor fees, along with product descriptions -- as long as we are given the chance to fully inspect and properly evaluate the current system and talk to the homeowner about any problems they've been experiencing with their HVAC unit so that a new unit will be the best fit for their home, their comfort and their budget.

At Marshall Mechanical, we know your home is an investment and our goal is to help you maximize it. Call Sean Cantrell or Mike Smith at 804.323.0189.

Air conditioning unit not working in the RVA heat? Don't panic. We have value-based solutions!

2009-04-27T12:21:00.006-04:00

With the heat index in the Richmond, VA, area at high levels and temperatures running into the 90s, many people are turning on their air conditioning and cooling units for the first time and finding that they are not working properly. Most homeowners complain that either the air conditioning unit doesn't turn on or that it runs constantly but doesn't cool. When this happens and the temperatures are in the 90s, many people panic and want their air conditioning system replaced immediately without proper evaluation and discussion, and often a homeowner simply shops based on price alone.

DON'T CATCH YOURSELF IN THIS SITUATION! Turn to trained professionals who will help you solve your immediate problem and perform a thorough evaluation on your HVAC system BEFORE you replace it. Why? First, replacing is not always the answer. Often A/C units just need a simple service repair to get them up and running efficiently again. Second, a thorough evaluation should be completed before determining if the system needs to be replaced and, if so, what are the best options for the home and environment.

We strive to solve the immediate problem quickly, either by fixing the current unit and/or by installing a window air conditioning unit in the bedroom or main area of the home while we conduct the evaluation. The homeowner or buying consumer should not be in a panic mode while purchasing an HVAC unit that will be in their home for years to come. And certainly, buying on price alone is not the answer. Homeowners should buy on a number of factors including price, value, energy efficiency, brand, manufacturer's rebates, Federal tax credits, size of home, number of floors, placement of A/C unit or units (i.e. basement), etc.

At Marshall Mechanical, we aim to build relationships with our customers for years to come. We want you to be happy with both our service approach as well as our recommendations, if new products are necessary. Sometimes a simple fix is all that is needed but if your home requires more, then we want you to get the best value your money can buy.

So stay both cool and calm! If you or a family member is experiencing problems with the home's air conditioning / cooling unit, please call your Richmond heating, cooling and plumbing partner at 804.323.0189. You'll be glad you did.

Celebrate Earth Day and save over $150 by installing a Lennox programmable thermostat in your home!

2009-04-21T16:13:00.007-04:00

In celebration of Earth Day, Marshall Mechanical is making it very easy for you to do your part to not only save energy but also save money for years to come.

From now until April 30, 2009, you can purchase the Lennox® ComfortSense(TM) 5000 Series Touchscreen energy-saving Thermostat for $25 off the retail price with free installation! That's right, for just $199 installed, you can have an effortless and efficient temperature control that automatically controls your energy cost all year round. This is a savings of $150 off our regular price!

We can help you calculate your specific savings by using the EPA's Energy Star Lifecycle cost estimate worksheet for a quality programmable thermostat. What you need to know is that an average home can save up to $269 per year every year, compared to a regular thermostat.

Summary of Benefits for 1 Programmable Thermostat(s)* Heating Energy Cost with Energy Star T-stat:

Heating Savings: $210 yr
Cooling Savings: $59 yr
Life cycle savings 15yrs: $2,989
Life Cycle energy saved (MBTU)-includes both Heating and Cooling: 195
Simple payback of additional cost (years): 0.3
Life cycle air pollution reduction (lbs of CO2): 27,287
Air pollution reduction equivalence (number of cars removed from the road for a year): 2
Air pollution reduction equivalence (acres of forest): 3

So get a great Earth Day deal -- save money now with our free installation offer, begin saving both money and energy immediately after installation and reduce your carbon footprint for years to come!

This is yet another way Marshall Mechanical is your full service Richmond heating, cooling and plumbing partner. We know your home is an investment and we help you maximize it. And we help you give back to the environment at the same time.

But hurry, this Earth Day offer expires April 30th, 2009*. Call or email Sean Cantrell or Mike Smith today at 804.323.0189.

*This offer is for the Lennox brand of 5000 series thermostat. If customer prefers, certain models of the Honeywell brand of thermostats can be installed in place of Lennox. Call Mike Smith for details.

Are you an age 60+ homeowner? Or do you have a parent or grandparent who is?

2009-04-19T17:12:00.000-04:00

Marshall Mechanical offers homeowners age 60+ a 15% discount off our HVAC and Plumbing labor fees for service or installations. It's that simple. This is just another way we serve our community and provide extra savings for those in need.

Sean Cantrell or Mike Smith will be happy to answer any questions you have and give you the best advice based on our years of experience. Please email or call Mike to schedule an appointment at 804.323.0189.

Missed the $300 Early Bird Special? You can still get Lennox rebates of up to $1,200 on a new HVAC system thru 6/12! With Fed tax credits too!

2009-04-16T09:30:00.000-04:00

Still looking to save money and keep your home energy efficient and comfortable through the Richmond summer? Are you getting a tax refund check this year and want to invest it back into your home and save on monthly bills year round?

Lennox's early bird $300 bonus savings offer is coming to a close as HVAC systems have to be installed by tomorrow, 4/17. But you can still take advantage of Spring Special rebates up to $1,200 -- or choose a 90-day same-as-cash financing offer if you prefer. The Lennox Spring Special is good for all HVAC systems installed by or before June 12, 2009.

The Lennox rebates (or financing offer) is in addition to being able to take advantage of Federal tax credits for existing homes.

By switching your home's heating and air conditioning unit to the Lennox brand of high efficiency units, you can not only save with rebates and tax credits, but you'll save every month on your heating and cooling bills. We can show you how.

Our website will be updated in the next two days to remove the Early Bird offer and to reflect the ongoing Spring special. In addition, you'll soon be able to reference the product section of our site that will have all the information you'd ever want to know about Lennox's products and energy efficiency, including consumer brochures. A great new resource coming your way through Lennox's API system, brought to you by your Richmond area heating, cooling and plumbing partner!

To set up an appointment for an in-home review of your current heating and cooling system, please call Sean Cantrell or Mike Smith at 804.323.0189 today. We'll get your system installed quickly so you can begin saving money on your heating and cooling bills right away. Once again, Marshall Mechanical helps you find ways to protect and maximize the investment you've made in your home.

How to GREEN UP your next Easter: great suggestions on how to reduce your environmental impact!

2009-04-12T10:25:00.000-04:00

Low Impact Living » Blog Archive » How To Make Your Easter Green

Yep, even us HVAC guys love this article from Low Impact Living because of all the creative suggestions on how you can reduce your environmental impact and still have a great time celebrating the Easter holiday. Everything to make your spring celebration eco-friendly -- from eggs, candy, food and even the egg hunt -- and teach your children to be "Green" in the process. Chances are, your kids will have a few ideas of their own.

You can buy organic eggs, use natural food dyes, use reusable and biodegradeable wicker baskets. You can even grow your own grass inside your easter basket which then doubles as a great springtime decoration. Using fair trade, organic chocolate is pretty cool too.

And even for the holiday meal, you can check out a local organic farmer or farmer's market, or maybe consider a vegetarian feast (ok, maybe not for us HVAC guys but we do like to eat healthy when we can).

Bridgette Steffen, who posted the article, also went so far as to talk about how Easter is a time of the celebration of regrowth, renewal and life. And what better time to reduce your environmental impact by growing new plants, cleaning up the neighborhood, using more national ingredients.

This article is just filled with tips and links to help you have a greener Easter and Spring season. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

At Marshall Mechanical, we're here to help you keep your home green and healthy all year long. Don't forget to hit the tell-a-friend button and bookmark this article for future use!

If you're employed by one of these firms, you're eligible for 10% labor discount!

2009-04-04T13:46:00.001-04:00

We are formalizing our corporate partner program as it has been expanding since its inception. Therefore, if you are a homeowner and an employee of any one of these companies or organizations, you are eligible to receive 10% discount off labor/residential service from Marshall Mechanical.

Here are the names of the approved companies:

Baskervill
CapTech Ventures
Carytown Bikes
Chesterfield Police, Fire & EMS
Dovetail Construction
Franco LaFratta Construction
Hanover Police, Fire & EMS
Henrico Police, Fire & EMS
Richmond Police, Fire & EMS
Royall & Co.
Steward School
The Martin Agency
VCU
VCU Brandcenter
VMI Alumni

Be sure to let our office know the name of your employer when you call in for service. If your corporation or organization would like to apply for residential HVAC and Plumbing employee discounts, please call Mike Smith at 804.323.0189 today. Great employee benefit program that is free to employers!

10% applies to service/labor fees only and does not include discount off product. One discount per customer; multiple discounts cannot be combined. For more information, please contact Marshall Mechanical.

Spring Lennox HVAC promotion with rebates for Homeowners up to $1,500 thru April 17th, 2009!

2009-03-30T14:39:00.000-04:00

We're thrilled to announce our partnership with the Lennox brand of Home Comfort Systems. There are many reasons why we are moving to this premier brand but the most important is to offer our customers great value right from the start of our relationship.

The 2009 Lennox Spring promotion allows Marshall Mechanical to customize an HVAC system based on your home's specific requirements. We can pick a Lennox system from a range of qualifying products from their outdoor, indoor, healthy climate and controls lines and the homeowner will be eligible for a rebate of up to $1,500 for buying one in each category. The rebate includes up to $1,200 for a system purchased and installed by June 12, 2009, with a $300 Early Bird bonus rebate if system is purchased and installed by April 17, 2009.

Or you can get 90-day no payment, deferred interest financing, available for qualified applicants.

Many of you have heard that the stimulus plan has provided for Federal tax credits on energy-efficient products. The homeowner can qualify for tax credits in addition to the Lennox rebate program. Please refer to our separate blog post regarding tax credit details but what you need to know is:

Tax credits of 30% up to $1,500 are available on HVAC and non-solar water heaters for those installed in 2009 & 2010 in existing homes.
Tax credits for up to 30% with no upper limit are also available for geothermal heat pumps and solar water heaters through 2016 for existing homes and new construction.

The bottom line is that if you replace your HVAC system before April 17th with a Lennox Comfort Care system, you can now qualify for product rebates, an early bird bonus rebate and Federal tax credits. And all that is in addition to the savings you'll get each month by having a new more energy efficient unit installed in your home for true comfort all year round.

Don't wait to take advantage of this offer. Please call your Richmond HVAC guys at Marshall Mechanical today at 804.323.0189. Sean and Mike will 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 summer heat and humidity that the Richmond area is known for. Now there are even more ways to both protect and maximize the investment you've made in your home!

P.S. Additional details will be on our website soon but we wanted to get this information to you asap as the Lennox Spring promotion started last Monday and is in full swing! And please remember to TELL A FRIEND USING THE BUTTON BELOW!!

A big thanks to Doug Lucy, AdLinea

2009-03-29T20:09:00.000-04:00

Just happened to be reviewing the Google analytics results for this Marshall Mechanical blog yesterday when I noticed a hit coming through from Adlinea's blog. So I checked out the blog only to find Doug Lucy had written a post about...Marshall Mechanical and me!

Yep, we keep busy here on all fronts and we're "never too busy to use the internet!" Geez, no. In fact, we spend a few moments when we can on the social networks, twittering and blogging and now we're planning some website changes to go along with our new Lennox partnership. That's right, Richmond HVAC guys moving to web 3.0. We have a ways to go but definitely making progress. We feel more in touch with our homeowners that way.

So, back at you Doug! Doug's one of the smartest guys I know, a great internet marketer...hope you'll check out his blog and his linkedin profile. Now let's see how long it takes him to discover I wrote this blog post.

You've got to see this: The 2009 HGTV Green Home!

2009-03-24T19:08:00.000-04:00

The Grandest Green Giveaway Ever : Special : Home & Garden Television

You've gotta see HGTV's Carter Can explore every room in this eco-friendly home that will be awarded to one lucky viewer.

Starting April 17, you can enter once a day for your chance to win the 2009 HGTV Green Home Giveaway — a grand prize package worth $750,000.

The grand prize includes:
- A custom-built "green home" in Tradition Port St. Lucie, FL.
- A 2009 GMC® Sierra Hybrid
- Eco-friendly appliances and furnishings

Find out details about how to enter, the show's sponsors as well as airing dates right here. Good Luck!

Right-sized HVAC units and Geothermal or Solar Heat/AC options for your home.

2009-03-22T10:36:00.000-04:00

News : Trends : Heating and Cooling Go Green : HGTVPro.com

Right-sizing of HVAC system

I heard a story through a friend of a friend that a homeowner in Chesterfield had to replace his HVAC unit. The house was about 14 years old and, from what I understand, the unit just wore out. The homeowner had four HVAC contractors give him an estimate for the replacement and all four of them said the original HVAC unit that the builder installed in the home was definitely too small for the square footage of the home.

In fact, one of the HVAC contractors was from the company that originally put the unit in the home for the builder. So when the contractor told him that the unit was too small, the homeowner asked him why his company installed it that way. The HVAC contractor swore that there was no way they would have put that unit in that sized house but the homeowner had the original paperwork to prove it. The HVAC contractor then said it must have been installed prior to the time he was personally working for the company.

Mis-sizing of heating and cooling equipment is an all-too-common occurance, especially if homeowners are buying spec houses in which the builder wanted to save money. Or perhaps his builder didn't order accurate load calculations from the original contractor. In addition, it is tempting for homeowners to purchase replacement systems that are too small because they cost less. On the flip side, sometimes both builders and homeowners can install units that are too large for the home. Since recent technology has improved, new smaller units can often be more energy efficient and therefore the appropriate solution. In this article from HGTVPro, writer Rob Fanjoy clearly states how the right-sized HVAC equipment can save homeowners money and can create a more energy-efficient and comfortable home. An excellent write-up that all homeowners should read.

Geothermal heat pumps: Digging deep for green

The HGTVPro article goes on to talk about the benefits of using the new geothermal HVAC units. While more expensive at retail cost than a non-geo unit, they come with energy tax credits up to 30% with no limit and "they have the biggest upside in terms of energy savings and environmental consciousness. They use the earth's natural below-surface temperature of about 55 degrees to provide heating or cooling to spaces above ground." The article goes on to say that the EPA "estimates annual heating savings of as much as 70% and cooling savings of close to 50%." These are significant savings for the homeowner, especially when annualized over the life of the unit.

Need assistance?

If you're a homeowner in the Central Virginia area, specifically Richmond, and you find yourself in the position of having to replace your HVAC unit, please call us to discuss your needs. First, we'll make sure that your unit requires replacement -- that may not be the only solution. Second, if it is determined that your unit does need to be replaced, we'll make sure that you not only get the right-sized unit for your home but that you also are presented with options including geothermal units and even the new Lennox solar-assisted units. These may not only make your home more energy-efficient and "green" but also more appealing to a home buyer in case you need to sell your home in the future.

I am a licensed professional mechanical engineer and started Marshall Mechanical in 2005 to service both residential and commercial clients. Previous to starting Marshall Mechanical, I worked for 15 years at the premier architecture firm in Richmond, designing HVAC systems for some of Richmond's largest companies, including the Dominion Energy Trading Floor, MCV's Gateway Building and Owens & Minor.

You deserve to call someone you can trust to help you make the right decisions to protect the investment you've made in your home. Call or tweet us anytime -- even if you just have a simple question about heating, cooling, plumbing, air filtration or moisture control. We're here for you and we pledge never to forget that.

- Sean Cantrell, 804.323.0189. You can find both me and Mike Smith on Twitter and LinkedIn

Alternative Energy Revival by Stimulus

2009-03-21T11:05:00.000-04:00

Stimulus Appears to Be Sparking Alt-Energy Revival: Scientific American

Excellent article from Scientific American technology section about how President Obama's stimulus plan is sparking an alternative energy revival.

It starts out with...

"NEW YORK—There are signs that the federal stimulus might be pumping a little life into the alternative-energy industry.

Financiers and law firms specializing in renewable energy say they see growing interest in reviving moribund projects and breaking ground on new deals. And while big banks that have braced the industry's backbone are still on the fence, some hedge funds and private equity and venture capital firms are cautiously looking to take advantage of stimulus provisions that temporarily eliminate the need for tax equity financing, which has long been a mainstay for renewable energy projects."

Excellent read for anyone wanting more information and resources on renewable and alterative energy. If you have any specific questions relating to residential or commercial energy consumption, please call Sean Cantrell or Mike Smith at 804.323.0189.

Indoor Air Quality: An often-overlooked danger and what you can do about it.

2009-03-17T07:34:00.000-04:00

The Environmental Protection Agency has a great resource on educating yourself about the quality level of your indoor air. It's called "The Inside Story: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality" and it covers all aspects including causes, identifying problems and measuring pollutant levels. It also provides a complete reference guide for certain types of pollutants such as radon, tobacco smoke and formaldehyde, as well as certain types of stoves and heaters.

Another article chocked full of explanations and references about indoor air quality is one that appeared on MSN Green recently by Barbara Card Atkinson entitled "Sweet Green Air." In the article, she sums up information published by the American Lung Association about how typical household products such as cleaning solutions, pesticides and paints contribute to having toxins in our living spaces. Trichloroethylene (TCE), benzene and formaldehyde seem to be the ones lurking most often in common products or building materials.

In the same article, Atkinson also lists the top 10 houseplants that naturally help fight off formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon monoxide from the air. They are:

Pot Mum -- Chrysantheium morifolium
Bamboo Palm -- Chamaedorea Seifritzii
Chinese Evergreen -- Aglaonema Modestum
English Ivy -- Hedera Helix
Gerbera Warneckii -- Dracaena "Warneckii"
Daisy -- Gerbera Jamesonii
Peace Lily -- Spathiphyllum
Janet Craig -- Dracaena "Janet Craig"
Marginata -- Dracaena Marginata
Mass Cane/Corn Plant -- Dracaena Massangeana

Marshall Mechanical can also help you improve your indoor air quality by taking simple measures of regularly cleaning air ducts, providing recommendations on the right air cleaner for your home's size, and ensuring that your heating and air conditioning systems are set up for optimum performance. It's yet another reason why scheduling regular preventive maintenance on your HVAC systems makes good sense.

If you believe you are experiencing problems with your indoor air quality, please contact Sean or Mike at 804.323.0189. We'll be happy to answer any questions you have and/or schedule an inspection visit at a time convenient for you.

Homeowners: Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency

2009-03-06T19:51:00.000-05:00

On March 3, Energy Star updated their listing of Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency due to the changes approved through the signing of the stimulus bill (The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act).

What does this mean for homeowners like yourself?

Tax credits of 30% up to $1,500 are available on HVAC and non-solar water heaters for those installed in 2009 & 2010 in existing homes.

Tax credits for up to 30% with no upper limit are also available for geothermal heat pumps and solar water heaters through 2016 for existing homes and new construction.

Details of Energy Star's changes for Energy Efficiency can be found on their website at EnergyStar.gov.

If you need help navigating the details, understanding the tax credit chart or knowing what system would be best to protect the investment you've made in your home, please call Sean Cantrell or Mike Smith at Marshall Mechanical at 804.323.0189. We'll be happy to answer your questions and help you decide on the best system to meet your needs.

Regular maintenance of your heating system will protect your investment

2009-03-05T21:11:00.000-05:00

The best way to take care of your heat pump or gas furnace is through biannual maintenance - in the spring before hot weather hits and in the fall before cold weather has us turning up the heat again.

What can you expect from a maintenance service call? A Marshall Mechanical Service Technician will arrive at your home and ask you a few general questions about your system such as:

Do any of your rooms feel too hot or too cold?
Does your system seem excessively noisy?
Do you feel the temperature is too difficult to control?

Next, our Technician will take a base level temperature and pressure reading on your system. Then the system will be cleaned to include the fan motor, the coil and the outdoor unit. All parts and hoses will be inspected. Finally the temperature and pressure will be checked again and any further adjustments made.

You can expect a routine maintenance to take 2-3 hours from start to finish. It might seem like a long time, but it will allow us to catch problems before they become costly and will ensure your system runs efficiently which saves you money down the line.

If you have any questions about the benefits of bi-annual preventative maintenance on your heating system -- or about the service call itself, please call Sean Cantrell at 804.323.0189. It is not too early to schedule your Spring maintenance.

Munchkin Boiler and Rinnai water heater

2008-01-28T23:26:00.000-05:00

Here is one of our latest projects. We removed an old oil fired boiler and installed a new 90% efficient gas boiler and a Rinnai instantanious water heater.

New Boiler and Water Heater
New water heater
Inside of old boiler

Ross checking out old boiler

This project also involved getting a new gas service to the customer

The cost of OIL

2008-01-21T20:00:00.000-05:00

Just talked to a friend of mine who just purchased 250 gallons of heating oil for $3.19/gallon. WOW!!! That's more than a gallon of gasoline here in Richmond. Looks like our faithful friend the oil company is, well not a faithful friend anymore. Yes, oil is great source of heat--I've had oil heat for years. But is oil heat convienent? Think about it-you have to call or set up an account with an oil company to have oil delivered. It smells, it's dirty, sometimes the oil company forgets or mis calculates the amount of oil you need and you're out of heat for a day or so. Just ask the folks up the street who ran out on Christmas day....where was their faithful friend the oil company then? I had to get two 5 gallon cans of diesel to carry them through until they could get a fill up. Yes, oil will heat your house for $700/month and you get to smell diesel after they fill your tank and if the boiler or furnace isn't properly maintained you get to spend $500 to $1000 to have it cleaned every couple of years.

What's the alternative--you ask? Simple, it's gas or electric. Think about the simplicity of either of those, you don't have to call and get a refill or wonder if the oil company came or not. You get a monthly bill and you're done. Better yet, the prices of gas and electricity stay constant for a year unlike oil whose prices change daily.

To me the proof is in the numbers--a typical household that heats with oil will spend $1300/yr on heating oil. Now a yearly gas bill for a household with a 90% gas furnace is $600 or less. That's a $700.00 savings!!! Just by going with gas. Now you ask-how much does it cost to convert from oil to gas....we'll call 323-0189 to find out.

We do Drain Cleaning

2007-09-18T10:24:00.000-04:00

Ross our plumber getting ready to clean a drain on a Libbie Ave home.
This drain cleaning machine will clear up to 6" drain lines.
Obstruction removed!!! This was a so called "flushable wipe".

What does it look like when we install a system?

2007-09-15T10:52:00.001-04:00

This is a time lapse video of a 1 1/2 ton heat pump change out. This is a straight system replacement with little ductwork modifications, it will show you all the steps we take to install a system. We take care in preping our solder joints, pressure testing the system, sealing the ductwork and starting the system. This took 3 men 5 hrs to complete.

16 SEER Heat Pump

2007-09-15T10:26:00.000-04:00

We've had a busy summer this year, the heat and humidity had us all jumping. Looking back at some jobs we did this summer I'd like to share some pictures of 16 SEER heat pump with an Accu Clean Air Filtration System we installed. The original system was 15 yrs old and used ductboard for the ductwork. We removed the old ductboard and installed new sealed and insulated metal ducwork. Take a look at the old ductboard, if you have ductwork that looks like this, consider giving us a call it may have some growth on the inside too.

Look at the growth on the inside of this ductboard.

This is what ductboard looks like installed

The old air handler.

Here is the new air handler. Note the insulated and sealed ductwork on the left. The Accu Clean Filtration system is on the right. See the yellow wire with the black switch, that's a safety switch in the emergency drain pan. This will shut down the unit in case the unit should leak water.

Fall Savings

2007-09-15T10:00:00.000-04:00

Check out our fall special!!! American Standard has teamed up with Marshall Mechanical to offer the following Fall Special. Check back next week to see how much you can save from oil to either gas or a heat pump!

Dual Fuel System 16 SEER 90% Gas furnace

2007-05-25T21:16:00.000-04:00

These are pictures of our most recent replacement HVAC system. This was a 4 year old home in Richmond, VA which had a ductboard air distribution system, a 10 SEER AC with 80% gas furnace system. The first floor system failed due to an incorrectly sized ductwork system. We removed all the ductboard ductwork and installed new insulated metal ductwork along with installing a new dual fuel system which consisted of a 16 SEER American Standard 2 stage heat pump, a 90% variable speed 2 stage gas furnace and a Honeywell IAQ thermostat.

New insulated metal ductwork in crawl space
Poor installation before removing fiberous ductboard in attic
Corrected Installation with insulated metal ductwork in attic

Undersized ductboard air distribution system in crawl space
New 90% 2 stage variable speed gas furnace American Standard

New 16 SEER American Standard Heat pump next to 10 SEER AC unit

How big is your Carbon Foot Print?

2007-05-23T21:58:00.000-04:00

Carbon Foot Print-what is that you may ask? It is a representation of the effect human activities have on the climate in terms of the total amount of greenhouse gases produced (measured in units of carbon dioxide). In laymens terms--the amount of carbon dioxide a person or household produces by the use of electricity, fuel oil, natural gas, and gasoline. Some things that contribute to "your" carbon footprint are;

Driving a vehicle
Turning on lights
Using any electrical appliance
Cooling and heating your home

So, why does the size of your carbon footprint matter to you or anyone else? Well, greenhouse gases are contributing to the changes in our earths atmosphere. Did you notice how warm this past January was, perhaps your children notice there wasn't any snow at all this winter. Maybe you remember how hot last summer was or the increase number of hurricanes over the past couple of years. There are plenty of published scientific reports stating why the climate is changing and just as many saying the climate is not changing. There is a plethara of information on the subject of global warming that one can peruse. Since there has been so much published on global warming and climate change perhaps we should pay attention to our carbon footprint.

Think about it, what could it hurt if we paid attention to our carbon footprint? Nothing, we might actually save some money by not driving as much, keeping our lights turned off when we aren't in room being used, and keeping our thermostats a degree warmer in the summer and a degree cooler in the winter.

Come back for more tips on what you can do to reduce your carbon foot print.

Marshall Mechanical

2007-04-27T23:25:00.000-04:00

Marshall Mechanical, LLC is a full service HVAC and plumbing company located in Richmond, VA. We specialize in residential repair and replacement and commercial service for heating air conditioning and plumbing systems.

Marshall Mechanical offers residential and commercial maintenance agreements, duct cleaning, HVAC and plumbing repair and replacement and design services.

Our staff:

Sean Cantrell, PE is a registered professional engineer who has 17 years of experience in commercial and residential HVAC and plumbing design. He can provide whole house solutions to any problems you may have.

Richard Texler, Master HVAC and Electrician is head of field operations. He has over 30 years experience with residential and commercial electrical, HVAC, oil boilers, furnaces, heat pumps and air conditioners.

Ross Herring, Master Plumber has 15 years experience in residential and commercial plumbing service. He has a wealth of experience in older fan homes as well as new construction.

Mark McDanial, Master Plumber has 20 years of experience in residential service and construction pluming. He has extensive knowledge in fire restoration, bathroom and kitchen remodeling.

Shawn Hooper, HVAC Service Technician/Lead Installer has 10 years of experience in servicing and installing HVAC systems. He will install your system to your exact specifications as well as service your system after it has been installed.

Jason Carter, Service Technician has 6 years of experience in residential service and installation. He will service your system with the utmost of care.

Travis Griffith, HVAC installer has successfully completed his first year of trade school. His attention to detail ensures your property is left spotless.

Casey Spolen, HVAC installer has an associates degree in HVAC service. He is starting out in installation to learn the trade from the ground up.

Greg Bowman, HVAC apprentice has 3 yrs of experience in replacement and retrofit of residential systems. He has started his first year of trade school this year.

Terry Van Peppen, Office Manager/Customer service keeps our office running. She will be able to answer any questions you may have regarding our services.

Billie Southworth, Accounts Payable/Receivable. She can answer all your questions regarding billing.

Keep checking back as we will have posts on "Green HVAC and Plumbing", "What we do", and "Learn the trades with Marshall Mechanical"

If you have any questions or need to schedule a service call please call us at 804-323-0189