Presidents' Day Special:
posted by Woodfin @ 8:58am, Thursday, February 16th, 2012.
(and Why You Need a Tune-up at Your House)
In honor of Presidents' Day - and in anticipation of cooling season - we thought we'd present some interesting information about air conditioning in the White House, courtesy of Carrier Corp.
In 1909, President William Howard Taft attempted the installation of a cooling system in the White House. It consisted of electric fans blowing over great bins of ice in the attic and cooling the air, which was forced through the air ducts of the heating system. It never worked and was soon abandoned. It seemed as though the nation's capital would never find a solution to the summer heat.
But in the late 1920s, Washington got its wish thanks to Carrier. In 1928, the Chamber of the House of Representatives was air conditioned. A Carrier indoor weather system was officially inaugurated on the opening of the short session of the U.S. House of Representatives in December 1928. Shortly after, in 1929, the Senate was air conditioned.
In 1930, the West Wing of the White House was reconstructed due to the extensive damage of a Christmas Eve fire in 1929. The reconstruction included a central air conditioning system installed by Carrier. The Executive Office Building and the Department of Commerce also received air conditioning systems that year. When President Franklin D. Roosevelt and his staff experienced their first warm season at the White House in 1933, air conditioning units were added to the private quarters on the second floor, to no doubt ease the pain of the polio-stricken Commander-in-Chief.
Cooling season is approaching fast - and you know how uncomfortable it can be without a properly functioning air conditioner in our neck of the woods! That's why you need a Woodfin Precision Tune-up.
Your air conditioner requires annual maintenance to run effectively, cost-efficiently and reliably. You may not realize it, but a neglected air conditioning system loses between 5-10% of its efficiency each year it operates without maintenance - even more when a system is low on refrigerant or has other problems that are routinely spotted during an annual maintenance call. That's why it's so important for you to call us ASAP for your 15-point Precision A/C Tune-up and System Evaluation.
Our tune-up is so much more than the low-cost "cleanings" some of our competitors offer. It is a comprehensive inspection where we inform you about the entire condition of the system, alert you to possible problems and offer you helpful energy conservation advice.
If you are enrolled in Woodfin's A/C Comfort Protection Plan, your tune-up is included - and there are so many other benefits to enrolling:
Worry-free service and appointment scheduling 25% discount on parts and labor on all repairs Priority emergency service Complete system allowances when systems are upgraded Earn valuable Woodfin Paw Points in our Woodfin Faithful Friends Customer Rewards ProgramCall 804-730-5000 today for your A/C tune-up appointment or contact us online. For more information on our expert cooling services, click here.
Give Your Sweetheart an Air Conditioner for Valentine's Day
posted by Woodfin @ 9:06am, Wednesday, February 15th, 2012.
Valentine’s Day is coming. But instead of chocolates or flowers or jewelry, why not give the gift of comfort – a new energy-efficient central air conditioner.
Woodfin is the cooling expert in the Richmond, Virginia area. We install and service the top ACs in the business – and our customers rave about how much energy and money they save with a new air conditioning system.
New cooling systems have the power to save you energy and money – all the more reason for you to upgrade!
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, today’s central air conditioners use 30% to 50% less energy to produce the same amount of cooling as air conditioners made in the mid 1970s. Even if your air conditioner is only 10 years old, you may save 20% to 40% of your cooling energy costs by replacing it with a newer, more efficient model.
How do you know if an air conditioner has a high efficiency? Look for its seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) – a number indicating the relative amount of energy needed to provide a specific cooling output. Many older systems have SEER ratings of 6 or less. The minimum SEER allowed today is 13. Look for the ENERGY STAR® label for central air conditioners with SEER ratings of 13 or greater, but consider using air conditioning equipment with higher SEER ratings for greater savings. For instance, the Carrier models we sell have efficiencies as high as 21. We also carry high-efficiency units from American Standard and Amana.
New A/Cs are also more environmentally-friendly. As of 2010, all air conditioners are required to have eco-friendly R410A (“Puron”) coolant and all R-22 (“Freon”) coolant, believed to be linked to global warming, has been phased out of production.
1. It isn't producing cool air, even after the filter and coils have been cleaned.
2. It's producing loud noises, especially a squealing or grinding sound.
3. There are pools of water forming outside near the base, which could be a sign of a broken drain tube or condensation pump.
Mini-split ductless air conditioning systems are gaining popularity, especially in homes without ductwork, retrofits and home additions, and for installations in compact spaces. Many homeowners are ditching their ugly window and wall units for these slim, compact systems that can be installed high up on a wall or attached to the ceiling (and look nothing like typical air conditioners).
Call or contact us today – we’ll help you choose a new cooling system that’s right for you!
Woodfin Employees Come Together to Help Their Neighbors in Need
posted by Woodfin @ 9:02am, Wednesday, February 15th, 2012.
In an unprecedented show of support, Woodfin team members have donated over $5,000 to help local families enjoy a cozy, comfy, warm winter. Thus far, they've helped four Richmond area families pay their fuel bills.
Jack Woodfin, the company's CEO, has matched his employees' contributions dollar-for-dollar. In addition, WTVR CBS-6 and other local companies donated money toward this very worthy cause.
We salute the kindness and generosity of our amazing team members. Thank you very much!