This spring the U.S. Department of Energy mandated new efficiency standards on water heaters. This means water heaters manufactured after April 16, 2015 may have more sophisticated designs and may potentially be larger than previous models.

The new regulations require a higher energy factor (EF) rating on gas, electric, oil, and tankless water heaters. On a water heater, the energy factor (EF) indicates the overall energy efficiency, based on the amount of hot water produced per unit of fuel consumed in a typical day. The higher the EF, the more efficiently the water heater converts power into hot water while reducing losses… and the more money you save on overall energy costs.

For homeowners the good news is the new water heaters save more energy, increase performance and efficiency over the life of the system, and lower operating costs. Read more here: http://bit.ly/1bbMfs5

MARLIN SERVICES
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Call: 602-470-1040

Your cooling system operates efficiently when the proper AC equipment is used and sized for your building, the ductwork is professionally designed for the space, quality ductwork materials are used, and professional installation is utilized. Efficient airflow is the lifeline of any HVAC system.

Ductwork has three purposes: Supply Air, Return Air, Exhaust Air, and to provide ventilation that promotes healthy indoor air quality and thermal comfort all year long.

Between 400 and 700 cubic feet per minute of conditioned air circulates through the ducts of a typical home. In many homes, up to 30% of that air is wasted and does not even reach the rooms it’s intended for. Inefficiencies in ductwork can be due to duct leaks, thermal loss, and imbalanced pressure that cause air loss in the duct system.

Ductwork design done right is calculated by professionals who use industry software and professional installation. Have your ductwork fabricated using quality materials, and keep duct maintained with periodic checks for leaks.

For best results it is essential that the ductwork be designed for each building at the time of planning and construction. New AC units can be retrofit to your current duct by your professional air conditioning contractor, Marlin Services.

Well designed and installed duct systems operate at their best, and they can save you substantial energy and $$. Remember to periodically have your ducts checked for air leaks and have them repaired quickly.

Stay cool and comfortable this summer!

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

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, 43% of our monthly utility bills goes to heating and air conditioning. We are quickly approaching the warm summer months of Arizona. Which means, we are also approaching the months of our highest utility bills with the usual dread we feel at this time of the year.

What can you do to keep your bill low while staying cool at the same time? Here are some tips for simple steps you can take to help control your utility bill during the summer months:

• Set your programmable thermostat at 78 degrees when you are at home but raise the temperature a few degrees when you are not at home and during the hours you sleep. You can see a 5-15% savings per year.
• During the warm months, skip stove-top or oven cooking to remove an indoor heat source. Use your outdoor BBQ grill or the microwave whenever you can.
• As always, keep your air filters clean by replacing them regularly (once a month is ideal).
• If it’s time to replace your older A/C unit, look for a high-energy-efficiency ratio, or EER, or an Energy Star-qualified unit. Higher EER ratings mean a more efficient air conditioner.
• Run your appliances in the evening. Appliances produce heat, which causes your air conditioner to work harder.
• Only use your ceiling fans when you are home. They circulate the air and are more efficient than your air conditioning, but leaving them running all day while you are not at home does not help cool your home. It only adds to your electric bill.
• Close your drapes and shades during the day when the sun is shining.
• Seal the leaks in your home where cool air may be escaping.
• Clean leaves and debris from the area around your outside unit so that it may run as efficiently as possible.
• Install your air conditioning unit in the shade because it uses more energy when it is in direct sunlight.
• If you are purchasing a new air conditioning system, make sure it is the right size for the space you will be cooling (and heating). A system that is larger than you need will translate into higher utility bills.

As you can see, many of these steps are easy to incorporate into your daily life. These simple steps do not infringe on how comfortable you will be and do not take a tremendous amount of effort.

Stay cool and keep your utility bills low this summer!

For more information on how we can help you save BIG this season, contact us NOW: (602) 470-1040

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We have been speaking about the benefits of using a programmable thermostat for a while now. It just makes good sense to help control the temperature in your house when you and your family are there and also, when you are not at home. Not only can you save energy, you can save money on your utility bills during these very hot summer months and throughout the year.

There are a variety of great programmable thermostats on the market – from products with simple, basic features at the low end, to the capability of controlling your thermostat remotely. Think of how many times in the past, you left the house and realized that you never adjusted the thermostat to a higher temperature when no one is home. Now you can make those changes remotely through your phone, tablet or computer, with some models of thermostats.

Honeywell has taken it one step further with voice recognition cloud technology. You can change the temperature of your home, through simple voice commands. Even in a busy household, their advanced technology can break through the ambient noise and recognize the voice commands.

This voice control thermostat is a combination of their advanced voice recognition technology and their Smart WiFi technology. This makes staying comfortable year round easier than ever, with saving money top of mind.

It’s easy to use. Check out the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAPnUbrZBaA

Go to the Honeywell website to see all the features of the Voice Control Thermostat and learn all about it:
http://www.honeywellstore.com/store/products/wi-fi-smart-thermostat-with-voice-rth9590wf1003u.htm

If you have any questions, give us a call and we can surely help you make the right decision on the best thermostat for your family.

For more information on how we can help you save BIG this season, contact us NOW: (602) 470-1040

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In the hot summer months in Arizona, you will surely be using your air conditioning every day. No one here looks forward to the utility bills that come with every day A/C use but there’s no way to get around using your cooling system throughout the summer on a daily basis. Therefore, in order to keep your utility bills manageable, it’s smart to look at other things you can do to help keep your home as cool as possible without turning your thermostat down so low that it raises your bills.

Looking at your windows and seeing if they are “dressed” well to keep your home cool is a great place to start. It is something very simple but can make a difference for you and you’re A/C use. Do you utilize shades, blinds, curtains and drapes, reflective window films and awnings in your home?

• Shades – Mount them as close to the glass as possible within the window frame, creating a sealed space and keep them drawn all day while at work and school.
• Blinds – According to the Dept. of Energy (DOE), when your blinds are completely closed, highly reflective blinds can reduce heat gain by around 45 percent. There is some flexibility to control light and ventilation by adjusting the slats, although it is more difficult to control heat gain with blinds vs. shades.
• Awnings – According to the DOE, you can reduce solar heat gain by 66%-75% (south-facing windows and west-facing windows, respectively) with window awnings. Light color awnings reflect sunlight best. And in the winter, you can retract the awnings to do the opposite and help gain heat by letting the sunlight in the windows.
• Curtains and drapes – Heat gain can be reduced as much as 33% with medium-colored draperies with white-plastic backings, according to the DOE. As with blinds, hang the curtains as close to the window as possible.
• Reflective window films – This is a great way to allow the light in and keep the heat out. Added benefits are helping to prevent fading of your furnishings, and reducing the harmful UV rays from the sun.

Window coverings combined with other steps – keeping doors closed, using a programmable thermostat and utilizing ceiling fans can all help with reducing energy bills while keeping your home as cool as you like it to be. These are all simple steps and everyone can do it!

For more information on how we can help you save BIG this season, contact us NOW: (602) 470-1040

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Your water heater works hardest in the winter and cooler months. Think about how long you stand outside your shower waiting for the hot water to flow through to you.

During these months, you want to take care to be aware of things you can do to be more efficient. There are simple steps you can take to help with reducing your water bills and saving energy.

Realistically, there are 4 ways to work towards energy efficiency of your water heater:

#1: Reduce your hot water usage and demand.

• Install low-flow showerheads and faucets.
• Repair leaky faucets.
• Take shorter showers and eliminate baths.
• Replace older dishwashers and clothes washers with newer, modern energy-efficient models.

#2: Turn down the thermostat on your water heater.

• Setting the thermostat at 120 can save 6-10% annually on energy costs, while having enough hot water for showers and running the dishwasher.

#3: Insulate your water heater.

• By covering your water heater with a blanket or jacket, you can save 4-9% on energy cost.
• With this extra insulation of your water heater, you can reduce standby heat loss by 25-50%.

#4: Replace your current water heater with a new, more energy-efficient model.

• If you are purchasing a new water heater, look for one that is ENERGY STAR Qualified.

For further information on this subject, check out these websites:

http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/water-heaters/water-heater-energy-saving-tips/
http://www.srpnet.com/energy/powerwise/energysavingstips.aspx#waterheating
http://energy.gov/articles/new-infographic-and-projects-keep-your-energy-bills-out-hot-water
http://homerepair.about.com/od/plumbingrepair/ss/hwh_tips_2save.htm
http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/how-to/intro/0,,20351985,00.html

For more information on how we can help you save BIG this season, contact us NOW: (602) 470-1040

Connect With Us at Marlin Services

We wanted to give you some energy saving tips for all of our homeowners!

• A cooling system is one of the biggest energy guzzlers in your home. If you have an old air conditioning system with a SEER rating of less than 8, it may be worthwhile to consider replacing it with a more energy efficient system. You should be able to recoup the cost in just a few years

• Plant shade trees and shrubs around your house to help reduce the heat of the sun, especially on the west and south sides. This can reduce your cooling costs by up to 30%.

For more information on how you can keep an energy saving home, contact us TODAY!
(602) 470-1040 OR visit: MARLIN SERVICES

Every year… everywhere. March 11^th, is World Plumbing Day. This is a chance to create awareness for the importance of health and safety for people around the world. “The value of the plumbing profession can be seen in the aftermath of devastating events such as the 2010 earthquake in Haiti or several recent tsunamis. When the plumbing infrastructure breaks down, disease moves in. Help advance the industry by supporting this day of awareness, answer calls with a World Plumbing Day greeting, support outreach to the public or schools, or conduct fix a leak week events. Let’s help raise awareness of the plumbing profession and the valuable services and careers that it can provide.  Be sure to also check out how you can get involved in “Fix A Leak Week,” March 18-24, 2013.”

Marlin Services is taking part in the World Plumbing Day, by spreading the word. We want to bring awareness to this very important day. This goes beyond just helping the United States, this is to help the WORLD!

For more information on how you can get involved visit us at:  MARLIN SERVICES

Also, call today: (602) 470-1040