Service Experts' 2009 Earth Day Promotion FAQs
About the Campaign
What is 2009 Earth Day Free Thermostat campaign from Service Experts?
Saving The Planet One Thermostat At A Time! As the largest HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) service provider in North America,
Service Experts LLC, and its nearly 120 locations are participating in Earth Day 2009 with an
educational and promotional campaign that will make a difference to every participating household and to the entire planet.
Service Experts’ goal is to provide a free Lennox programmable thermostat to homeowners who schedule a heating or cooling tune-up in April. The actual tune-up and installation can take place in future months, as long as it’s scheduled by April 30th. Thermostat manufacturers in the United States and in Canada and government agencies in Canada estimate that up to 75% of North American homes, many of them in the 15- to 25-year old range still have an inefficient mercury-based thermostat.
Service Experts also will accept mercury-based thermostats from any consumer who would like to ensure proper disposal. Consumers can simply bring them in to a Service Experts location or to a Service Experts vehicle, if one happens to be in the neighborhood providing service to another homeowner. Mercury-based thermostats, if improperly handled or disposed, are toxic to individuals and wildlife. Even the small mercury levels in a home thermostat can pose a significant threat to our environment. In the U.S., 45 states have issued mercury advisories, warning citizens to restrict their fish intake due to mercury contamination.
Why is Service Experts giving away free programmable thermostats?
As an
EPA/DOE ENERGY STAR® Retail Partner, Service Experts and its employee network in nearly 120 sales and service locations feel strongly about not only taking steps as a company to protect and improve the environment but also want to empower customers to individually make a difference. In commemoration of Earth Day 2009, this campaign is taking place in the United States and Canada with a goal to help our worldwide environment for the long-term.
Service Experts wants to ensure that homeowners understand the benefits and energy savings of regular
tune-ups and the installation and proper use of modern digital/programmable thermostats.
What is the cost of the tune-up?
Service Experts locations across North America are offering tune-ups in the range of $79 to $149 in the U.S. and $95-$179 in Canada, depending on type of equipment and market. The programmable thermostat installation and mercury-based thermostat disposal are free of charge during this Service Experts
Earth Day promotion.
Are the thermostat and installation really free?
Customers will pay the market rate for the tune-up. However, there is absolutely no charge for the programmable thermostat or its installation. There is a limit of one installed programmable thermostat per paid tune-up.
Do I need to have the tune-up completed by April 30th to take advantage of the free thermostat?
No, homeowners only need to call and schedule their tune-up appointment before April 30th to set a later date/to schedule their tune-up.
Are all applicable SEI locations in North America participating in the promotion?
Yes, considering the unique opportunity for nearly 120 Service Expert locations to participate in this corporate social responsibility as well as empower individual consumers all across North America to improve our environment.
What type of thermostat is included in this promotion?
Service Experts will provide high quality Lennox programmable thermostats that are ENERGY STAR® approved (approved by the U.S. EPA and DOE). The thermostat will provide controlled comfort for a “daily” program and then additional control schedule for a “weekend” program. In some applications, an alternative thermostat manufactured by Honeywell may be required. Both thermostats are top quality and will provide the desired programmable comfort control to the home. The thermostat alone is a $175 value.
Will this new thermostat work with my system?
Yes, in almost all cases, as Service Experts has selected a range of Lennox and Honeywell programmable thermostat models that will work with nearly all residential heating and cooling systems.
How will I know how to use/program this thermostat?
Service Experts
NATE-certified Technicians will provide in-home instructions and demonstrate the operation of the thermostat with every homeowner who signs up for the Earth Day tune-up and programmable thermostat. In addition, SEI will provide a user-friendly manual.
What is the warranty on this thermostat?
One year.
If I recently had a tune-up (on either a furnace or air conditioner) from a Service Experts location, can I still receive a free programmable thermostat?
We will be happy to provide you a free programmable thermostat with your next tune-up, simply
schedule your next tune-up by April 30th. If you are a
PLUS Maintenance Agreement customer, we will be happy to provide you with a free programmable thermostat upon renewal of your PLUS Maintenance Agreement.
Why is Service Experts offering to dispose of old mercury style thermostats for any consumer in North America?
Because of its toxicity to humans and to the environment, Service Experts wants to be certain to assist consumers all over North America in the correct methods of handling these mercury-based thermostats. Service Experts knows the right channels to safely dispose of old mercury-style thermostats. We will ensure they are properly handled and recycled.
Where can I find a Service Experts location?
Click here to find a Service Experts location near you.
Benefits to Consumers and to the Planet
What is the environmental impact of one household installing a programmable thermostat?
This Service Experts Earth Day program will create the same environmental effect as planting 14 trees for every single homeowner who makes this small household change. If Service Experts were to replace old thermostats and provide a tune-up to 10,000 homes, U.S. and Canadian consumers will reduce carbon emissions by nearly 40,000 metric tons each year – the energy equivalent of taking 7,000 cars off the road for a full year.
How much energy or money can I save with a programmable thermostat?
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (
EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (
DOE) state that proper use of a programmable thermostat can save homeowners approximately $80 in Canada and $150 in the U.S, each year in energy costs. Add improved efficiency from regular heating and cooling tune-ups to that and the savings can increase even further.
How much energy or money can I save with an air conditioner tune-up alone?
Savings will vary, but regular tune-ups will keep your air conditioner operating at peak efficiency. SEI and other experts estimate regular tune-ups could save an additional 20–30% on your utility bills.
Why has Service Experts undertaken this Earth Day campaign?
The free thermostat in conjunction with a paid tune-up, celebrates the 39th annual Earth Day, intended to raise awareness and action of the environmental benefits of tune-ups and newer, safer, energy saving thermostats.
Service Experts has a long commitment to energy
conservation, heating and cooling efficiency and serving as a corporate role model for the industry. Service Experts has been an ENERGY STAR® Retail Partner since 2005. We have provided education directly to our customers as well as to the general public throughout North America on energy efficiency, energy savings and mitigating harmful emissions. We believe each educated consumer who takes action in his/her own home does make a worldwide difference.
How much is inefficient heating or cooling affecting a homeowner in North America?
North Carolina Alternative Energy Corporation field studies have shown that most heating and cooling systems do not perform to manufacturers' specifications. Of the systems tested, 90% were found to have efficiency problems; 60% had inadequate airflow; and more than 80% were operating in adverse conditions, resulting in excessive energy consumption and early mechanical failures.
Heating and cooling can account for more than half of a home’s energy costs. When equipment is not sized or installed correctly, this percentage can be even higher. Improper installation can also increase the on-off cycling of the equipment, which can compromise comfort and increase wear and tear.
In cases like these, a Service Experts 23-point Heating and 19-point Air Conditioning
Precision Tune-up can help correct problems before they become costly emergencies.
Programmable Thermostats and Mercury-Based Thermostats
How many North American homes have mercury-based thermostats compared to households with programmable thermostats?
Thermostat manufacturers, such as Lennox, White-Rodger and Honeywell estimate only 25-30% of homes in North America already have programmable thermostats. That leaves up to 75% of homes in the U.S. and Canada in need of a new, energy-efficient and environmentally safe programmable thermostat. Many of these homes are in the range of 15-25 years old, built before these newer, environmentally friendly thermostats were made.
What is a programmable thermostat?
A programmable thermostat is designed to automatically adjust the temperature according to a series of programmed settings that take effect at different times of the day. Programmable thermostats may also be called setback thermostats or clock thermostats and allow you to save energy while you're away or sleeping.
How do I get the most/best cost savings from a programmable thermostat?
Keep the temperature set at its energy savings set-points for long periods of time (at least eight hours), for example, during the day, when no one is at home, and through the night.
All thermostats let you temporarily make an area warmer or cooler, without erasing the pre-set programming. This override is canceled automatically at the next program period. You use more energy (and end up paying more on energy bills) if you consistently “hold” or over-ride the pre-programmed settings.
How do I know if my old thermostat contains mercury?
For the U.S. alone and with similar numbers in Canada, up to 75% of all homes use mercury as part of the switching mechanism. According to the National Electrical Manufacturer's Association (NEMA), there are more than 50 million mercury-switch thermostats in homes across the United States. In most cases, if you remove the cover of the thermostat you will see a sealed glass bulb with a silver liquid. The silver liquid is mercury.
Why should I be concerned about old mercury thermostats?
Mercury is highly toxic, endangering the health of people and wildlife if exposed, and should never be disposed of in landfills. Even the small mercury levels in a home thermostat can pose a significant threat to our environment. The U.S. government estimates there are 230 tons of mercury contained within old-style mercury thermostats in homes in America today. In the U.S., 45 states have issued mercury advisories, warning citizens to restrict their fish intake due to mercury contamination.
Is my old thermostat safe?
Mercury-containing thermostats are safe with normal use in the home, as the homeowner wouldn’t typically come in contact with the mercury itself, which is encased in a durable glass bulb. It is still prudent to handle these thermostats with care and absolutely essential to not dispose of them through regular trash/waste disposal services or methods. Proper disposal requires handling by an expert as the mercury is toxic to both humans and the environment, including waterways and our land.
If I replace my thermostat myself, what should I do with the old thermostat?
Do not dispose of the thermostat in your normal household trash. Take it or send it to one of our
Service Experts locations for proper recycling. We will take care of it for you, totally free of charge to you. Also, if you see our vans, you can provide the thermostat to one of our certified Technicians. They will know how to handle it and where to take it for recycling.
What does Service Experts do with the old style mercury thermostats?
Service Experts safely forwards the thermostats to a facility where the mercury is safely recycled and not disposed into the environment.
Cooling and Heating Tune-ups
Why do I need a regular tune-up of either a heating or cooling system in my home?
More than likely, your heating and cooling system is the most expensive piece of equipment you have in your home. By keeping it tuned up, just like your car, you are protecting your investment. Regular tune-ups help prevent breakdowns, which means fewer repairs, improved comfort and longer equipment life. Ask a Service Experts professional near you to perform a heating or cooling Precision Tune-up. That way, you'll have peace of mind knowing your system is working efficiently to keep you comfortable inside, no matter what the weather's like outside.
Not sure your system needs a tune-up?
Field surveys conducted by North Carolina Alternative Energy Corp. have shown that most heating and cooling systems do not perform to manufacturers' specifications. Of the systems tested, 90% were found to have efficiency problems; 60% had inadequate airflow; and more than 80% were operating in adverse conditions, resulting in excessive energy consumption and early mechanical failures.
In cases like these, a Precision Tune-up can help correct problems before they become costly emergencies. We'll also check to make sure everything was installed correctly for the best performance and efficiency.
Why is a Service Experts Precision Tune-up the best choice?
Service Experts, which has more NATE-certified Technicians than any other HVAC service provider in North America, provides a
comprehensive tune-up, backed by a
100% satisfaction guarantee and
Five Standards of Excellence.
Posted: 15/04/2009 4:32:25 PM by Sam