Bradley Mechanical

Plumbing Emergency? Bradley’s Energy-Savings Agreement Ensures A Quick Response At An Affordable Price

Brad Bradley — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 14:00:21 +0000

There’s never a convenient time to have a home plumbing emergency. Fortunately, with Bradley’s Energy-Savings Agreement, you can benefit from a quick, professional response at an affordable price. The plumbers employed by Bradley Mechanical provide the same outstanding service that our heating and cooling technicians do. We only hire the best residential plumbers around. They are punctual, clean-cut, honest, and overall professionals. These are the qualities you’re already used to from Bradley Mechanical.

Bradley’s Energy-Savings Agreement is something our customers love utilizing on every kind of repair they need. Here are some of the benefits you can expect once you sign up for Bradley’s Energy-Savings Agreement:

15 percent discount on all repairs
24-hour emergency service
No fee for after-hour service calls

If you’re not yet signed up for Bradley’s Energy-Savings Agreement, you can sign up at the time of your first plumbing repair and receive the 15 percent discount along with all the other benefits right away.

Bradley’s Energy-Savings Agreement can be used for residential repairs and installations that include:

Toilet plumbing repair
Sewer pipe replacement
Faucet repair
Underground water issues
Drain cleaning
Water heater repair
Kitchen and bathroom remodeling projects
Home additions
New home construction projects

Trust Bradley Mechanical for all your plumbing, heating, cooling and air-quality needs. We provide services in all these categories plus many more. Contact us todayto learn more about Bradley’s Energy-Savings Agreement and to sign up before your first repair. You can also receive a free quote for your repair or installation needs. We provide residential and commercial services to Richmond and the surrounding area.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about Bradley’s energy-savings agreement and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Bradley Mechanical services Richmond, Chesterfield, Glenn Allen, Petersburg, Hopewell, Colonial Heights and surrounding areas. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!

Energy Savings image via Shutterstock

Protecting Your Septic System: The 4 Things You Should Be Doing

Brad Bradley — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:00:44 +0000

Hidden underground somewhere near your house, your septic tank is out of sight and probably out of mind. Septic tanks are easy to ignore until something goes wrong; then they become impossible to ignore. Take these four simple precautions to protect your septic system and prevent disruptive problems.

Conserve Water

The less water you use, the less water you send to your septic system. Too much water can put a strain on your system and saturate the soil in its drainfield. This affects the soil’s ability to deal with bacteria, toxins and pollutants. You can reduce water use by eliminating leaks, taking shorter showers, and installing low-flow showerheads and low-flush toilets. Also, if you have a dishwasher or washing machine, be sure to load it to capacity every time. This reduces the number of loads and the amount of water used in the long term.

Be Careful What You Flush

Nothing should ever be flushed down your toilet except water, toilet paper and you-know-what. Other items, including cigarette butts, baby wipes, heavier grades of paper, grease and coffee grounds can potentially damage your septic system. Avoid flushing chemicals as well.

Use Your Garbage Disposal Sparingly

Using your garbage disposal adds additional materials to your septic tank that can take years to break down. Use the disposal sparingly, if at all. In addition, the same principle that applies to toilets applies to sink drains: don’t pour things down the drain that don’t belong there. Certain chemicals – including paints, paint thinners, pesticides, acids, solvents and large quantities of bleach and drain cleaner – can be particularly damaging to septic systems because they kill the bacteria that break down organic materials in your septic tank.

Check On Your System

Septic systems must be pumped out every four to six years, and systems more than three years old should be inspected annually by a professionally licensed septic system company.

For more information on septic system repair, inspection and maintenance, contact Bradley Mechanical. We have been serving Central Virginia since 1969, and our certified technicians can take care of all your heating, ventilation and plumbing needs.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about septic systems and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Bradley Mechanical services Richmond, Chesterfield, Glenn Allen, Petersburg, Hopewell, Colonial Heights and surrounding areas. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!

Why NATE Certification Matters When You’re Looking For A Heating And Cooling Contractor

Brad Bradley — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:00:06 +0000

Next to your house and vehicles, your HVAC system may be your largest investment, especially in home comfort. When you need a new system, maintenance or service, choosing technicians with NATE certification assures you that you’re getting the best in the industry.

NATE, the acronym for North American Technician Excellence, is a stringent program, and not all HVAC technicians who enter can achieve certification. Heating and cooling systems are complex, and when you hire technicians who have reached the distinction of a NATE certification, the odds are heavily in favor of you being satisfied with the service.

Once certified, the NATE technicians must continue their education in the ever-changing and improving field of heating, ventilation and air conditioning to maintain the designation. The classes cover a broad range of HVAC topics and provide deeper knowledge for the HVAC specialists.

A study performed by “Decision Analyst” found that homeowners who used NATE technicians rated them better in many ways than non-certified HVAC experts. With your budget and family’s comfort at stake, it makes sense to choose companies that have NATE certification over those who don’t. The study found that consumers benefit when choosing NATE technicians because they experience:

Higher satisfaction. NATE technicians receive a lower rate of customer callbacks and reduced warranty work. It’s important for your family’s health and comfort for your equipment to run dependably, especially during the cold days and nights of winter.
Better energy efficiency. Since these technicians understand HVAC systems in more depth, they can bring your equipment back to factory specifications with greater accuracy and fine-tuning.
More satisfaction with new equipment. NATE-certified technicians must stay on top of changes in the HVAC technology and have current knowledge of the best technology, helping you match new equipment to your family’s heating and cooling needs.

You’ll be happy to hear that Bradley Mechanical technicians enjoy NATE certification. If you need new equipment, maintenance or repair, contact us for more information about how we can help you get more out of your home comfort systems. We have served central Virginia for more than 30 years.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about NATE certified contractors and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Bradley Mechanical services Richmond, Chesterfield, Glenn Allen, Petersburg, Hopewell, Colonial Heights and surrounding areas. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!

Maintenance Man image via Shutterstock

The MERV Filter That’s Best For Your Family’s Health And Your Furnace Efficiency

Brad Bradley — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:00:48 +0000

It isn’t always easy to decide which MERV filter is right for your unique household situation. That being said, it’s a decision most homeowners will at some point need to make, and fortunately, there are some guidelines you can follow to help make it a simpler process.

MERV, which stands for minimum efficiency reporting value, measures the ability of a furnace filter to capture differently sized particles from the air. For residential uses, the MERV scale ranges from 1 to 16, with most residential filters falling somewhere between 4 and 12. The higher the MERV rating of the furnace filter, the more and smaller particles it captures. Without the dust and debris that can collect on furnace components, furnaces can function more energy efficiently, while also keeping your air cleaner. This is why people tend to be attracted to filters higher on the MERV scale.

While furnace efficiency is certainly important, higher MERV filters are typically more expensive, though the investment is well worth it if someone in your household suffers from serious allergies or immune system problems. Otherwise, you’re probably fine using a filter in the 6-10 MERV range. Filters at this efficiency level will still trap all but the smallest particles. Usually, this is enough for the average household.

MERV filters with lower ratings are cheaper to buy, but with better energy efficiency, you can save long-term on energy bills, more than making up for the more expensive cost. Plus, the benefits of cleaner air can’t be underestimated, especially in a home whose occupants are sensitive to allergies and mold in the air.

Take care when purchasing filters with the highest MERV ratings. They’re thicker – sometimes an inch thick – but also tend to restrict air flow, sometimes by as much as 50 percent. That will force your HVAC equipment to work harder to provide comfortable heating and cooling in your home, and eventually lead to breakdowns.

So don’t forget about the MERV scale when you’re considering different furnace filters. For any HVAC needs in the Richmond area, contact us at Bradley Mechanical.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about MERV filters and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Water-Heating Costs: 3 Ways To Ease The Drain On Your Pocketbook

Brad Bradley — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:00:07 +0000

Don’t send any more money down the drain than is necessary to heat your home’s water. Are you surprised to find out that water-heating costs are likely your home’s third-highest energy expense? That’s what the U.S. Department of Energy tells us, along with their recommendations to help lower your utility bills.
Here are three ways to see immediate savings by reducing your water-heating costs:

Repair leaky faucets and pipes. Although this step seems obvious, if a leaky faucet has a slow drip, many people delay repairing the leak. But at a rate of one drip per second, a leaky faucet adds $1 per month to your bill. That doesn’t sound exorbitant, but add more leaky faucets and/or faster drips, and your water bill can become padded with unnecessary charges quickly.
Install low-flow faucets and showerheads. For your highest savings, choose a showerhead with a flow rate of less than 2.5 gpm (gallons per minute). Older showerheads (prior to 1992) had flow rates of up to 5.5 gpm. Choosing a newer fixture can give you a 25 to 60 percent savings. Unscrew your faucet aerators, which are the screens at the ends of your faucets. Take them with you as you go to purchase replacements that do not exceed 1.0 gpm.
Use energy-efficient appliances. Dishwashers and washing machines use the most energy for water-heating costs. Look for the Energy Star logo when you buy appliances such as these, as well as your water heater. You’ll be assured of an energy-efficient investment if you do.

In the Richmond area, don’t get in hot water with excessive water-heating costs. If you have questions about your water heater or how you can save money on your water bills, contact Bradley Mechanical. Our team of trained professionals understands the importance of helping your family save money.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about water-heating costs and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Money Savings image via Shutterstock

Choosing A Heat Pump: 6 Things To Keep In Mind

Brad Bradley — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:00:01 +0000

When chosen and installed properly, heat pumps are designed to maximize heating and cooling efficiency over traditional comfort systems. However, if you don’t match your home’s needs with the correct pump, you won’t save as much money as possible on your energy bills.
Make sure that this important investment earns its keep by using our six-point checklist:

Insulation. Before you purchase your system, insulate overhead and underfoot. When insufficiently insulated, ceilings and floors require that you purchase larger equipment to compensate for heat loss.
Model and Warranty. Look for the Energy Star logo as your assurance of quality and energy efficiency. Five-year warranties on parts and labor are guarantees that you are buying from a reputable supplier.
Size. Experienced contractors should correctly size your system. Undersized systems must work harder, which decreases their efficiency.
Climate. Heat pumps are most efficient in moderate climates, such as in Virginia. Your contractor should make sure your system is suited for your particular region.
Environment. Because Richmond is located in a coastal region, your contractor should check to see if your system needs protection against corrosion.
Installation. Even if you choose the best system for your home’s needs, improper installation can negate all its benefits. Although simple to operate, your heat pump may be the most complicated piece of equipment in your home.

Since 1969, Bradley Mechanical has been serving homeowners in Central Virginia. Please contact us to see how our professional family can answer your family’s questions about increasing your energy efficiency and saving you money. Our team of experts is happy to help you choose the system that is customized to your needs.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about heat pumps and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Considering A Tankless Water Heater? Here’s What You Need To Know

Brad Bradley — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:00:47 +0000

Tankless water heaters, also called demand or instantaneous heaters, heat the water when you turn on the hot-water faucet. This is more energy efficient than keeping a large tank full of water hot and ready for instant use, as is the case with a traditional storage water heater. The tankless water heater uses gas or electricity to heat the water as it travels through the pipes, which can save money and energy over a standard water heater that has to keep water warm even when it’s not being used.
Some benefits of a tankless water heater over a traditional water heater are:

Instantaneous heaters typically last more than 20 years, as opposed to 10 to 15 years for a storage unit.
The operation cost of a tankless heater is lower due to less energy used.
A tankless water heater can provide a continuous supply of hot water, and if it’s sized correctly, will never run out of hot water. This isn’t the case with a storage water heater.

The downside to an instantaneous water heater is that the units cost more than traditional water heaters up front. If you choose a gas unit with a pilot, it may end up costing the same to operate as a traditional heater, since the pilot uses energy. Instead, look for a model with an intermittent ignition device (IID), similar to that found on many gas stoves.

Tankless water heats cost less over the lifetime of the unit, and provide a way to use less energy in your home. But have a skilled technician assess your household needs so that you purchase a unit with sufficient water-heating capacity.

Contact us at Bradley Mechanical for more information on how a tankless water heater can provide a reliable supply of hot water for your Central Virginia home.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about tankless water heaters and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Maintenance Man image via Shutterstock

Your Indoor-Air Quality May Be Suffering Because Of Emissions In Your Garage — Here’s Why

Brad Bradley — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:00:17 +0000

Did you know that your attached garage may be filling your home with unwanted air pollution? If your garage is not sealed off from the rest of your house, harmful chemicals and gasses may enter your home. This pollution can be harmful to your health, especially if members of your family suffer from allergies or asthma. You can improve indoor-air quality by taking the following actions:

Seal all leaks leading from the garage to the house with spray foam insulation. If you garage is not finished, add insulation and drywall to act as a barrier between the house and garage. Seal small leaks with caulk.
Install an exhaust fan in your garage to pull polluted air outside, rather than inside the house. An exhaust fan will lower the air pressure inside your garage, making it less likely that air will suck into your house. Inside a house the air pressure is usually lower than in the garage, so there’s impetus for air to find leaks, holes and cracks to enter your home.
Move any appliances, such as furnaces, water heaters and washers and dryers, out of the garage. These appliances can give off harmful emissions that can pollute your air.
Open the garage door to vent air when working in the garage. Allow the garage door to stay open for several minutes after placing the car inside the garage to allow carbon monoxide and other pollutants to escape. Run the exhaust fan for about 5 to 10 minutes after closing the garage door to suck out any remaining harmful air.
Keep the door leading from the house to the garage closed as much as possible.
Install a carbon monoxide detector near the door leading to the garage from the house to catch any unsafe levels of carbon monoxide before they injure your family.
Store paint, chemicals and cleaning supplies away from the door leading to the house.

For more information on how to improve the indoor-air quality of your Virginian home, contact us at Bradley Mechanical. We provide expert HVAC service and care to Richmond area residents year-round.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about indoor air quality and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

The Energy-Star Yardstick: Find Out How You Measure Up

Brad Bradley — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:00:39 +0000

If you’re like most Americans, you’d agree that energy costs are getting out of control. Comparing energy companies for the best rates only seems to decrease your bills marginally, and persuading the kids to turn off lights is a hopeless cause. Luckily, the Energy Star Yardstick is here to help you.

The Energy Star Program
The program was started because of increased social pressure to do something about skyrocketing energy costs and environmental problems related to the burning of fossil fuels. The U.S. Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency came up with a plan.

Picture the amount of greenhouse gases 33 million cars release into the air in a year. The Energy Star program removed the equivalent amount of greenhouse gas from the air in 2010.
Not only is that good for the environment but it saved Americans $18 million on utility bills over the same span.
You don’t have to be a scientist; the Energy Star label makes it easy for everyone to find efficient, quality products.

The Yardstick
Making the right choices on products and repairs can cut your energy usage by one-third. But how do you know which areas of your home comfort system need improvement?

The first thing you need to do is get these items together:

Your energy bills for the last 12 months.
If you don’t have them, ask your energy provider for your 12-month summary.
A list of the energy sources your home uses (i.e. gas, electricity, propane, etc.).
Your home’s square footage.

From there, all you need to do is follow this link and plug the designated values into the calculator. The calculator will compare your usage to similar homes in the area. If you notice room for improvement, contact a home comfort professional with the tools and knowledge to pinpoint the exact spots that need to be updated or upgraded.

If you’d like some professional help performing the Energy Star Yardstick measurements or you’ve found weaknesses in your current system, contact Bradley Mechanical. Since 1969, we’ve been providing expert home comfort service to Richmond and the surrounding area. We’ll help you find the most effective solutions to save energy and money for years to come.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about energy star yardstick and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Energy star image via Shutterstock

Factors That Will Affect Your Savings With A Solar System

Brad Bradley — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:00:33 +0000

Switching your home’s heating and air conditioning to a solar system is an easy way to make an impact on both the environment and your energy bill. However, several factors can influence how much money solar energy will save you, and these should be carefully considered when planning the installation of your solar system.

Amount of energy your solar energy will displace. The more energy that can be replaced with solar energy, the more money you will save. In order to cut costs the most, use solar energy for heat and hot water in the winter, and air conditioning and hot water in the summer. Solar systems are most cost effective when used in areas that are colder in the winter and receive an adequate amount of sunlight, making Virginia one of the places that can best utilize solar heat.
Direction, angle, and size of solar panels. Solar panels can pick up more sunlight if they are facing south and in areas with little or no shade, thereby allowing you to use more solar energy. If this option is not available for your roof, an east- or west-facing panel is the next best option. The angle of the solar panels also affects their absorption ability. The optimum angle is between 30 and 50 degrees, though anywhere between 20 and 60 degrees is acceptable. If your roof does not fit in this degree range, the panels can be placed on frames designed for the best angle. Finally, the size of the solar panels matters, too. The larger they are, the more energy they can absorb.
Energy efficiency of your home. The more energy efficient your home is, the more money you will save on heating and cooling costs. For tips on how to do this, please visit our post on putting together a long-term plan for energy savings.

Here at Bradley Mechanical, we are dedicated to helping Central Virginians save money on their energy costs. If you have any questions about installing your own solar system, please feel free to contact us.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about solar systems and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.