Especially, in the Phoenix area, our air conditioning units work extra hard as they take on the extreme heat of the desert. Air conditioning is a critical system and significant expense and investment in our homes and offices. Seriously, we cannot survive long without proper air conditioning in the desert. When it’s time to consider the need to repair or replace your air conditioning system, we offer three major factors to consider when it comes to AC replacement.

1. Your Air Conditioner Is More Than 10 Years Old
Is your air conditioner more than ten years old? At and around the 10-year mark, many AC units start their decent into AC troubles and will likely need replacement in the near future. Some units will last a couple of years beyond this. At this age, most AC equipment efficiency is in decline.

With the advancement of technology, new AC models are far ahead of the older ones when it comes to efficiency of operation, saving resources, space, and monthly bills. Not to mention the Smart Home Technology that is available.

2. Too Many AC Repairs Occurring
Something else to note in older AC equipment is that once a unit starts needing repair after repair – it’s time to consult with your professional AC contractor. Beyond ten years of keeping your home comfortable, AC repairs can start mounting up and costing you lots of money. At this point, leaks can occur and parts wear out, and in many AC units, it can become too much to deal with. This is when it becomes time to determine if AC replacement is needed.

3. Energy Bills Continue to Rise
Once you notice a significant increase in your energy bill, pay attention to the AC to be sure it is running properly. After years of operation and especially if there has been little maintenance done, the equipment can lose efficiency and start costing you more money. Rising energy bills is one of the main clues to watch for with older AC units.

Be sure to contact Marlin Services, we’re always glad to help, 602-470-1040.

Spring is in the air in Phoenix and that means the temperature is rising, plants are blooming, and pollen is in the air. With the onset of spring come seasonal allergies and in the U.S. there are approximately 50 million seasonal allergy sufferers. For these people, spring can be a miserable time of year.

Reduce allergens in your home using these 6 tips

• Spend less time outdoors when pollen counts are high – this lessens the amount of pollen allergen you inhale and it reduces symptoms.
• Keep windows closed during pollen season and use central air conditioning
• Use high quality air filters. Change filters monthly, as they help reduce microscopic particles and indoor allergens.
• Vacuum, sweep, and dust areas around the indoor vents to reduce allergens in your system.
• Watch for signs of mold as it thrives in moist and humid areas.
• Spring Air Conditioning Maintenance from a licensed professional contractor is one of the best ways to significantly reduce the airborne allergens in your home and office. This helps eliminate particles like dust mites, pet dander, mold, insect debris, and more. Breathe better with AC Maintenance recommended each spring and fall for your best results.

Have a healthy and happy spring!

Are you ready to make some green lifestyle changes in 2017? This is a great time to develop new habits that can help you and the environment. Below are simple ideas you can implement in the year ahead that can positively impact the earth and your pocketbook as well. Taking action on these items can make a difference both on our planet and on your budget.

• Carry Reusable Bags for groceries, take-out food, and shopping. Do away with the plastic.
• Go Green when you clean. Start cleaning with natural and non-toxic cleaning products for better health and for the environment. Most anything can be cleaned with white vinegar, baking soda, and a few drops of lemon.
• Slow Down on the road and save $$. In general, for each 5 mph you drive above 50 mph is like paying an additional $0.17 per gallon for gas.
• Take Care of your vehicle. Change the air filter and have the engine tuned up regularly. Inflate tires once a month or as needed. A new air filter can improve your miles per gallon by up to 10% and a tune-up can boost miles per gallon by anywhere from 4% to 40%.
• Re-purpose Coffee Grounds. Spread brewed coffee grounds in your garden, compost, and around shrubs and trees as fertilizer.
• Fix Leaks Immediately. Have any leaky faucets repaired right away, as drips leaking once each second can waste more than 8 gallons of water per day – and more than 3,000 gallons per year.
• Save Energy lowering your thermostat in winter and getting into some warm clothes can make a difference in warmth and energy savings.
  

Call the experts at Marlin Services for your Heating,
Air Conditioning, and Plumbing needs: 602 470-1040.

According to ENERGY STAR®, one of the most cost-effective ways to increase your home’s energy efficiency is to improve the building “envelope,” which consists of outer walls, windows, floors, ceiling, and other openings. A residential envelope that is properly sealed and has proper insulation can have a significant effect on your monthly utility costs and energy efficiency. Approximately 20% of air moving through a typical residential AC duct system is wasted due to leaky ducts, and improperly sealed connections.

It’s a good practice to have your air ducts checked and have leaks sealed when your air conditioner is professionally tuned up each year. Insulation can be checked and replenished as needed. It’s also a good practice to have air leaks around windows and doors caulked, and weather-stripped. Check and add insulation as needed to help improve your home comfort

Sealing air leaks and weather stripping can benefit other areas of your home:

• Decreases pollen, dust, and insects from entering the home
• Helps control humidity indoors
• Increases indoor air quality
• Reduces noise from the outdoors
• Helps optimize indoor comfort

In general, most homes in this country have a significant number of air leaks and don’t have enough insulation. The sum of air leaks, holes, and gaps in the typical home envelope is equivalent to leaving your windows open every day.

It’s to your benefit to have your ducts checked and sealed, and to properly insulate your home for keeping it warm in winter and cool in the summer. Stay comfortable!

Image source: US EPA

Marlin Services can help!

Residential & Commercial Air Conditioning, Heating, and Plumbing Services in Metro Phoenix
Marlin Services is here to serve you 24/7, call: 602 470-104 or Schedule Appointments online.

As you make big plans for vacation be sure to also plan for leaving your home in tip top condition for the time you’re away. This will give you peace of mind while you’re off making vacation memories.

HERE ARE SEVERAL HOUSEHOLD TIPS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER WHILE YOU’RE AWAY:

SET YOUR THERMOSTAT ACCORDINGLY
Living in the desert, it’s important to set the AC just cool enough to keep the air circulating, controlling humidity, mold, and saving energy while you’re on summer vacation.

Living in a hot climate like Phoenix, it’s best to have a programmable thermostat. This way you can set the temperature warmer while on vacation – set it as high as 85 degrees. At this temperature, it can still protect appliances, furniture, and other sensitive items from ruin. It’s also the best way to save money and energy while you’re gone. Of course, use your best judgment as to the temperature that feels best for your home and belongings.

TURN OFF OPTIONS FOR YOUR WATER SUPPLY
Better to be safe than sorry when it comes to taking a chance on plumbing leaks while you’re on vacation. There are options for helping prevent leaks. You can turn off your entire home water supply (if you use this option turn off the gas or electricity to the water heater), you can turn off the water supply to toilets and sinks, and/or you can adjust the water heater to ‘vacation mode’. It’s up to you and your comfort level to decide the best option for your home. Your decisions can be based on numerous factors, like the amount of time you’ll be gone, the condition of your plumbing system, and whether you need to supply water for outdoor plants/grass or pool.

CLEAN DRAINS WITH BAKING SODA
Baking soda is a great help around the house and combining it with vinegar can help clear clogs and freshen up your drains.

One recipe for drain cleaning: Pour 1 cup of baking soda down the drain and follow it with 1 cup of vinegar. After 5 minutes you can flush the drain with 2 quarts of hot water to complete the process. If it’s a stubborn clog, you might repeat this process a time or two for best results.

Once you’ve checked these items off your list you can rest easy knowing that you’ve done your part to keep your home safe and sound. This can relieve some stress so you are able to get out and have a great time and enjoy your adventures.

UNPLUG WHILE YOU’RE GONE
You might know the term ‘energy vampires’. This refers to the many electronic devices most of us own and keep plugged in even when we’re not using them. This can be a real drain on your electricity. These energy vampires include TVs, computers, tablets, toasters, microwaves, lamps, etc… Unplugging as many of these items while on vacation can save energy, and it can help prevent an electrical fire.

USE A TIMER
When on vacation, it’s best to have a timer set for your lights so it looks like the home is not empty. Leaving a dark home makes the home an easy target for burglars. Set lights to go on and off at varying times during the night and you might want to have lights turning on and off in different rooms while you’re gone.

STOP YOUR MAIL AND NEWSPAPER
Another way to keep your home looking lived in is to have the mail and newspapers put on vacation hold until you return from your trip. It just makes good sense to avoid any chance of trouble at home while you’re gone. No sense in being obvious that you are gone.

This checklist is meant to remind you of the household items that are not always top of mind when heading out for vacation. Additionally, we’d like you to keep Marlin’s number on hand in case of emergency.

We’re here for your plumbing and air conditioning services 24/7,
and in the case of emergency

Call Marlin Services: 602-470-1040

Because air conditioners tend to run hard during spring and summer in metro Phoenix, we’d like to share a few tips to help lessen the stress put on your AC’s operating system. Air conditioners can overheat when they work too hard and they must overcompensate when too much heat accumulates in the home. You can take action to help reduce the amount of internal heat generated in your home from taxing your AC operations.

LESSEN THE HEAT LOAD ON YOUR AC WITH THESE TIPS

• Check your attic and be sure there is proper insulation to keep your AC running efficiently to cool the home. To keep your home cooler and reduce utility bills, add insulation if needed.
• Keep windows and doors closed during the heat of the season.
• Use window coverings to block the harsh sun from heating the inside of the house.
• Operate electronics, lights, small appliances, stoves, dishwashers, washers and dryers only when you need them and during cooler times of the day. This helps reduce the amount of heat generated inside the home.
• Instead of using the stove all the time, use the outdoor grill instead. It’s a good way to reduce the indoor temperature.
• Commit to regular air conditioning maintenance, and have AC repairs handled quickly, and be sure to change your air filter monthly to keep your home cool and comfortable through the heat of the season.

We Know Comfort For Your Home and Business
Air Conditioning and Plumbing Services

Call Marlin Services 602-470-1040 – or Make Appointments Online

Water is an important resource today, and it is essential to understand the amount of water we use and how much we waste down the drain every day. Here’s an opportunity to learn how to easily save water and save $$ in our own homes every day.

In the United States, an average family spends approximately $1,100 per year on their water bill. The good thing is we can save $350 of this by retrofitting older, less efficient fixtures with WaterSense products and ENERGY STAR® qualified appliances.

Check the graphic below, “The Facts On Leaks” and see the statistics on water use and water leaks. It’s an eye-opener for sure. Now, let’s go out and find ways we can save water and save $$ in our own homes. Earth Day is every day and it’s time we do our share in conserving, recycling, and protecting our environment far into the future.

See this infographic to learn more…

At Your Service With Plumbing Solutions For Your Home and Business

Call Marlin Services 602-470-1040 – or Make Appointments Online

Many homes and buildings can have a temperature variance from room to room. A difference of three degrees is common between rooms. It’s when a room or two become uncomfortably cold or warm that it’s important to have the home or business checked by a professional AC/Heating technician.

Some causes of temperature difference might include:
• Air leaks • Duct leaks • Ineffective duct system design
• Poor insulation • Failing AC/Heating system, etc.

Rooms most likely to be affected by temperature differences:

• Attics  • Basements
• Room additions
• Rooms built above a garage

A qualified Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning professional like Marlin will assess your home or office, and address these issues. As with many repairs, it’s best to have them taken care of as soon as possible for your best comfort and to save money, and equipment efficiency.

MARLIN SERVICES
We know comfort – and there when you need us – 24/7
Residential and Commercial
Call: 602-470-1040

The holiday season is certainly the busiest travel time of the year. Since so many leave home to visit family, friends or take a vacation, we would like to provide helpful tips for keeping your home safe and operating efficiently during your time away.

TIPS FOR YOUR HOME:

HOME AUTOMATION – With a home automation system, your travels can be much easier than in times past, you can save energy too. It is more convenient and efficient to control lighting, AC/heating, door locks, garage door, window coverings, and more – and it’s all at your fingertips. You can have direct control of your home from your smart device. It’s worth checking into a system like this.

LIGHTS ON – An automatic timer or use of a home automation system to turn lights on and off while you’re gone can save energy, and provide an indication that someone is at home.

WATER HEATER – The water heater is often overlooked, and you can save energy by turning it to its lowest setting while gone. Some like to shut off the water at the meter until they return home.

HEATING AND COOLING – When it comes to your heating and cooling system, set your thermostat at 55 f or 85 f, depending on the season, to keep the house maintained. There’s no reason to warm or cool a house when no one is home.

UNPLUG – Walk through your house and unplug all electronics, appliances, and garage door openers that do not need to be on while you’re gone. This will save $$ on your energy bill and help protect against potential fire damage. Avoid the “energy vampires” that zap energy when appliances, lamps, and other electronics are plugged in when they don’t need to be.

These tips can help prevent fire hazards, water damage, help protect your home and valuables – and save on utility costs.

Happy Travels!

From Marlin Services, we wish you a wonderful holiday with family and friends!
Count on us for your residential, commercial, or new construction plumbing services.
Call us anytime at 602-470-1040. We are here for you 24/7.

We all know water is a precious resource and especially in the desert, where we live. Water is essential to our everyday lives. That said, it is important that we do our part in conserving and protecting our water supply. Look at our neighbors in California who are experiencing many hardships due to scarcity of water.

We can make simple changes to our water consumption that can have a great impact on our lives and the environment. Here are ways we all can help our water conservation:

• In Greater Phoenix, outdoor water use accounts for approximately 70% of our household water use.
• Swimming pools can lose up to 15,000 gallons of water every year due to evaporation.
• Cover your pool when it is not in use to save on evaporation.
• Check your pool for leaks and repair them quickly.
• Conserve water with a variable-speed pool pump.

Inside the home, there are numerous ways to save on water usage:

• Careful not to let excess water run from faucets and showers.
• Reuse water from cooking and rinsing.
• Wash fruits and vegetables in a pan of water, rather than running excess water from the tap.
• Water houseplants or outdoor plants with re-purposed water from the kitchen and bath.

In the bathroom: showers, toilets and faucets can waste up to 30% of indoor water. Conserve on the amount of water you run while showering and washing in morning and evenings. It all adds up.

• Install water-efficient faucets, shower heads and toilets.
• Take shorter showers and use less bathwater in the tub.
• You can collect cold bath water or shower water for watering plants.

In the laundry room, older washers can use up to 50 gallons of water, and newer Energy Star washers only use 18-20 gallons per load.

• Adjust water level to the size load for greater efficiency.
• Wash clothes in cold water for energy savings.
• Check washing machine hoses for leaks and replace them immediately.

Now, these water-saving tips are easy enough for us to each go out and make a difference.

Marlin Services
Count on us for your Plumbing Repairs – Call the professionals.
Call: 602-470-1040