Richardson-based Service Experts giving away programmable thermostats if you get a “tuneup”

by PegNews wire

As the 29th annual Earth Day approaches, the trend has shifted beyond individuals and companies committing themselves just one day each year to becoming greener. Companies such as Dallas-based Service Experts, a heating and air conditioning contractor service and installation company, understand not only their own corporate social responsibility but are also helping their customers recognize they truly can make a difference this Earth Day.

Service Experts has designated this year's Earth Day event theme as Saving The Planet One Thermostat At A Time. Its Earth Day promotional event will create the same environmental effect as planting approximately 14 trees for every single homeowner who makes one small household change. Service Experts will install a free programmable thermostat to every U.S. and Canadian household that schedules a heating or cooling HVAC system tune-up during the month of April.

Thermostat manufacturers such as Lennox who are providing thermostats for this special Earth Day promotion estimate up to 75 percent of North American homes do not have programmable thermostats. Most homes between 15 and 25 years old still use the original mercury-based models, which are toxic if not disposed of properly. Service Experts will remove the home's old thermostat, and properly dispose and recycle it at no charge.

Service Experts is committed to the proper disposal of all mercury-based thermostats and will accept them from any homeowner regardless of whether they book a Service Experts heating or air conditioning tune-up. You can turn in mercury-based thermostats at any Service Experts location, or even to Service Experts technicians performing service in your neighborhood, who in turn will send them for recycling.

"Replacing an old mercury-based thermostat with a programmable thermostat, along with scheduling an air-conditioning system tune-up, are easy ways for anyone to make a positive impact on the environment," says Ian McKeen, Vice President of Marketing for Service Experts. "If we replace 10,000 old thermostats in this Earth Day promotion, and include regular heating and A/C tune-ups, U.S. and Canadian consumers can 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."

As an added benefit, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) say proper use of a programmable thermostat can save homeowners approximately $150 each year in energy costs. Add improved efficiency from regular heating and cooling HVAC tune-ups to that, and the savings can increase even further.

"This Earth Day, Service Experts is educating homeowners on how to help the environment while saving on their energy bills," says McKeen. "Since many homes aren't occupied during the day, a programmable thermostat reduces energy consumption when you're not there - while keeping the house comfortable when you are home."

Service Experts locations across North America are offering tune-ups in the range of $79 to $149, depending on the 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.

Additional Ways Homeowners Can Take Action

The EPA and DOE offer these suggestions to homeowners to increase energy savings and become more environmentally responsible:

-- Change your heating and cooling system's air filter at least every three months and monthly during summer and winter, seasons of heaviest use.

-- Schedule tune-ups for heating and cooling systems.

-- Properly seal heating and cooling ducts, which can improve efficiency up to 20 percent.

-- Look for the ENERGY STAR symbol from service companies and their products, as these qualified products and services meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the EPA and DOE.

Source: Service Experts