Summer 2012
MESSAGE FROM OUR CEO
Giving 110% –
That’s What Great Service from Your Home Team Is About
At Woodfin we try
hard to be Your #1
Faithful Friend – by
making sure we
have the very best
team members to
get the job done.
All of us at Woodfin
dedicate ourselves
daily to your home comfort by
upholding our mission of excellent
customer service while providing you
with the personal touch you will not
find anywhere else.
One of our team members who truly
represents our goal of providing terrific
customer service is Steve Walsh, our
new Service Department Operations
Manager. Steve came to Woodfin in
December 1987 as a lead installer
and service tech, after owning his
own heating and cooling business for
five years. In December 2000 he
became the service manager of a
company Woodfin had acquired, and
in September 2003 he grew to head
the installation department.
Steve believes that Woodfin’s field
technicians have the most impact on
Survey
Drawing
Winner
their customers because they’re in
front of the customer day in and day
out, building rapport and trust with
them. “The customers like to see the
same tech come back every year to
service their equipment,” he says.
“We don’t just sell customers products
if it doesn’t help them,” Steve
explains. “We want to save our
customers money with efficient
equipment and with brands we trust
and have tested over the years to
make sure our customers get the most
bang for their buck.”
“We always have to remember to
give 110% to the customer all the
time,” Steve adds. “Whether it’s a
good situation or bad … whether
we’re trying to fix a problem or offer
all the benefits we can … the ultimate
reason all of us got into this line of
work was to make the customer’s
experience better.”
“And the field technicians know that
if they make their customers aware
ahead of time that their equipment
may need replacing, when that time
does come, customers will be ready
for the replacement and will have
saved up for it.”
When asked why Woodfin has such
loyal customers, his answer is simple:
“the honesty and integrity that
Woodfin has shown all these years.”
We want to thank Steve Walsh, and all
our wonderful team members for
helping to make our customers’
experiences memorable. I personally
owe a debt of gratitude to each and
every one of them.
Sincerely,
Jack Woodfin
Jack Woodfin
G. Hopper of Richmond won dinner for two from Woodfin – just for
completing and returning our equipment installation survey! (This winner
was chosen from a random drawing of completed surveys.) Thank you
for being a valued customer and returning your survey to Woodfin!
SUMP PUMPS 101
Sump pump emergency? Another reason
to consider a generator from Woodfin
PLUMBING SERVICES
If your home has a sump pump, you
know how important it is to keep it in
good working order. When the water
begins to rise, a malfunctioning
pump could mean thousands of
dollars worth of damage.
Our sump pump experts can handle
all the following sump pump needs:
• Sump pump installation
• Sump pump repair
• Sump pump maintenance
• Sump pump battery backup system
A broken sump pump is not something
you should put off – get it fixed now
before the next big Virginia rainstorm.
A sump pump emergency can arise when your home experiences a
power outage with no backup power linked to your sump pump. Serious
consequences can result in these situations that affect your home and
the property inside. That’s why it’s so important to consider purchasing an
emergency backup generator from Woodfin. See our article on page 5.
What does a sump pump do?
A sump pump is a small pump
installed in the lowest part of a
basement or crawlspace. Its job is to
help keep the area under the building
dry and to prevent it from flooding.
Usually, sump pumps are installed in
specially constructed sump pits. Water
flows into the sump pit through drains
or by natural water migration through
the soil. The sump pump’s job is to
pump the water out of the pit and
away from the building so the
basement or crawlspace stays dry.
Be Proactive!
Get Your Fall Tune-Up Now!
Regular tune-ups keep your boiler or furnace running at peak
efficiency, cut annual fuel bills by up to 10% and help prevent
inconvenient breakdowns.
When is the best time to call for an annual tune-up? Believe it or not,
the best time to get a tune-up is not in the fall, as most people think,
but during the summer. Not only will you be able to get a convenient
appointment; if a problem is found, you won’t run the risk of having to go
without heat while your system gets repaired. If you do wait until fall or
winter to call for a tune-up, the demands of the heating season may make
it difficult for Woodfin to accommodate the request right away.
So be proactive, and tune up today. Your heating system will thank you
when those cold winter winds blow.
Also, don’t forget – with the Woodfin Faithful Friends customer rewards
program, you can earn valuable Woodfin Paw Points as a result of your
heating system tune-up.
What kinds of pumps are there?
There are two basic types of pumps.
The first is called a pedestal pump,
which is taller than and not usually as
powerful as a submersible pump.
These are good for occasional uses and
are easily portable. The submersible
pumps are usually more powerful,
heavier and are meant to sit
permanently at the bottom of the
sump hole.
How does the pump turn on?
The pumps have a regulator and when
the water reaches a certain depth, the
pump automatically turns on
(assuming the pump is plugged in and
the electricity is on), and then turns
off automatically when the water level
is low enough again.
How does the water get out?
A series of pipes, usually plastic, or a
hose hooked up to the pump helps
the water escape to the outside.
What are the potential problems?
The biggest one is not having the
pump plugged in when it is needed, or
needing the pump when the power is
out. Pumps can take care of standing
water in a sump hole, but often the
water rises when the electricity is off
since it can’t take care of the water as
it comes.
If You Are Enrolled in a Heating Comfort Protection Plan, Your Tune-Up Is Included
3 If you are enrolled in our Oilheat Maintenance Comfort Protection Plan, your one-time 15-Point Precision Tune-Up & System Evaluation is INCLUDED ANNUALLY.
3 If you are enrolled in our Oilheat or Gas Heat Comfort Protection Plan, your 15-Point Precision Tune-Up & System Evaluation is INCLUDED.
3 If you are enrolled in our Heat Pump Comfort Protection Plan, your 15-Point Precision Tune-Up & System Evaluation is INCLUDED twice yearly.
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Woodfin Comfort &
Energy Solutions Update
Who doesn’t love nice cool indoor
air during the summer, and warm
cozy indoor air during the winter?
But did you know that your cooled
and heated air could be escaping
through cracks in your walls, windows
and doors; exiting your attic; and
going up the chimney? What a
waste of energy and money!
That’s why we highly recommend the
Woodfin Comfort & Energy Solutions
Review. This comprehensive wholehouse energy analysis will help
you prevent costly air leaks, while
significantly lowering your energy
bills and improving your comfort for
years to come.
EARN WOODFIN PAW POINTS FOR ANY
SERVICE SCHEDULED AS A RESULT OF
YOUR WOODFIN COMFORT & ENERGY
SOLUTIONS REVIEW.
Here’s how our Woodfin Comfort &
Energy Solutions Review works:
• Using special equipment, we will
perform a thorough top-to-bottom
review to determine your home’s
energy use and air leakage.
• Based on the review,
you will receive a
comprehensive report
detailing how your home
uses energy. The report
also includes information
on how much energy and
money you could save
by installing a variety of
energy-efficient solutions,
such as replacing your
heating and/or cooling
systems; upgrading
your water heater; and
sealing and insulating
crawlspaces, walls and
attics.
• You can then use this
information to select the
energy efficiency options
that work for you – most
of which your Woodfin
Home Team can quickly,
easily and professionally
complete.
For more information on the
Woodfin Comfort & Energy Solutions
Review, call 804-730-5000.
It’s Humid Out … Woodfin Can Help!
Virginia summers are sticky and icky – and that awful humidity can do a
number on your home. Excess humidity in the air can cause your home
to be smelly, musty and noticeably damp. It can damage furniture and
furnishings, causing wood to swell and fabric to rot. High humidity can
lead to health-threatening conditions too. Any home with relative
humidity regularly above 60% can become the perfect breeding
ground for a variety of pathogens like molds, mildew and fungi.
Woodfin can help you reduce excess humidity with a whole-house
dehumidifier that works with your central air conditioner to extract
up to 90 pints a day from your home’s air. It also optimizes the energy
efficiency of your cooling system.
Want to get rid of the humidity inside your home once
and for all? No sweat! Call the indoor air quality
experts at Woodfin now, at 804-730-5000.
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And Now a Word
from Our Customer
Cynthia Brown
Protect Yourself against
A/C Thefts with
We’re always flattered to get “fan mail” from our
customers – and a recent letter from Ben and
Cynthia Brown of Mechanicsville is one of the
nicest yet!
The letter (which we’ll paraphrase here) relates
the Browns’ “journey” in getting a new heat/air
system for their home. When Mrs. Brown turned
on her air conditioner for the first time this spring,
it made a “terrible sound.” The Browns asked
several companies to visit their home and assess
the situation.
The technician from the first company actually
walked into the home unannounced, which the
Browns thought was inappropriate. This technician
wanted $695 to fix the fan motor; he was asked
to leave. The technician from the second company
quoted the Browns $495 for a fan motor – the
Browns went with this company, only to find that
within 2 weeks their unit was not working. They
were told there was a leak in the coil and that they
needed a new system.
At this point the Browns felt it necessary to get
several bids to understand all of their options.
Woodfin’s technician, Travis Litchford, confirmed
that there was a leak in the coil but did not
immediately suggest a new system. Rather,
he asked Woodfin’s Alex Bruster to visit, who
inquired about the Browns’ comfort level and their
lifestyle. Next, Woodfin’s Chuck Bamman took a
look under the house to find out what was going
on. The Woodfin team thoroughly assessed the
situation and finally presented a bid for work on
the ductwork under the house – something that
no other company had diagnosed. Best of all,
Woodfin’s bid was the lowest.
When the work began, Mrs. Brown was delighted
at how extremely professional, kind and informative
the Woodfin team was. “They were very respectful
of my house and my time,” she wrote. “I knew what
to expect so I could plan accordingly.” She was also
impressed with Woodfin’s thorough follow-up.
The real surprise for the Browns came on the
third day of the job – when they felt air blowing in
rooms that they had never felt before – clearly, the
ductwork was the bigger issue all along. Mr. and
Mrs. Brown were “thrilled with the results” and
looking forward to lower utility bills this summer.
Their letter concludes: “We are believers in Woodfin,
and highly recommend Woodfin and the entire crew
that we worked with for the best quality job at the
best price. No one would regret choosing Woodfin.”
In the last issue of this newsletter, we
reported on the rash of air conditioner
thefts in the Richmond area. Due to the
copper and aluminum contained within
the A/C units, which can be sold for fast
cash, the units are being stolen entirely,
or by unscrewing the top and removing
the guts and leaving behind the metal casing.
Here at All Secure
Watchdog Security, we’ve found a
great product that can put an
end to this problem – The Whip™.
The Whip™ is a professional-grade theft detection device
designed to help protect the exterior unit of an air conditioning
system. It attaches to the service valve of your air conditioner and
connects to your security system. The Whip™ constantly monitors the
pressure inside the copper lines. When the copper line is cut and the
pressure drops below an acceptable level, it activates your security system.
The patent pending tamper-proof design provides excellent theft detection
for air conditioners or heat pumps (including mini-split A/Cs). The Whip™
is compatible with just about every professional electronic
security system.
The Whip™ can be used to connect a single air conditioner to a security
system or to connect multiple air conditioners to a single security system.
It’s perfect for:
• Single family homes
• Industrial facilities
• Vacation homes
• Wherever there is an air
• School buildings
conditioner, heat pump, or
• Apartment complexes
any other pressurized copper
• Strip malls
tubing system that needs to
• Churches
be protected
• Professional offices
Replacing stolen air conditioning equipment can cost
MADE IN
thousands of dollars – and many insurance companies do USA
not cover A/C theft. That is why we strongly urge you to consider
The Whip™. Call All Secure today at 804-765-4539 for details.
Visit livingsocial.com for a unique
limited-time offer from All Secure!
DCJS#11-3359
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Did YOU Lose Power During
June’s Terrible Storms?
Is It Time for that Generator NOW?
Lump Virginia
Blue Crab Salad
Here’s a wonderful and easy salad
to make for any occasion, as an
appetizer, party dish, and light
lunch. And when the crabs come
from Virginia, it tastes even better!
Total Time:
10 min
Prep Time:
10 min
Yield:
2 appetizer servings
In late June, 192,000 people in Greater
Richmond lost power during severe
rainstorms, and several days passed before
electricity was completely restored. Last summer,
374,000 homes in the Richmond area were
without power due to Hurricane Irene.
Do you want to spend even one more hour
without lights, air conditioning and fresh food in
the fridge? We don’t think so!
Do what your neighbors are doing –
and call Woodfin NOW for a backup
generator. We’ll visit your home for a free
consultation – there’s nothing to lose ...
except your power if you don’t get a generator!
Recipe
Corner
Ingredients
ELECTRICAL SERVICE
Fueled by propane or natural gas,
a backup generator automatically
starts itself when the outage begins
and provides emergency power
until main power is restored, then it
shuts off.
We offer generators in a variety
of capacities, depending on the
types of appliances you wish to operate during an outage. We also offer
generator service plans to keep your unit up and running at its very best:
Air Cooled Standby Generator Comfort Protection Plan
• 15-Point Annual Precision Inspection & System Evaluation INCLUDED
• 25% parts & labor allowance on any repairs your system may require
during the year
• Priority emergency service
• 8 ounces lump blue crabmeat
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
•Salt and freshly ground black
pepper
•2 teaspoons chopped fresh
tarragon leaves
•1 plum tomato, seeded and
chopped
•1 avocado, pitted and
chopped, skin reserved
•1 cup mache (also called “corn
lettuce” or “lamb’s lettuce”)
• Chopped chives, for garnish
Directions
In medium non-reactive bowl,
combine all ingredients except
mache and chives, taking care
not to break up the crab as it is
stirred. Mound mache in 2 halves
of hollowed out avocado and top
with crab salad. Garnish with
chopped chives and serve chilled.
Recipe and Photo Source: FoodNetwork.com
Liquid Cooled Standby Generator Comfort Protection Plan
• 18-Point Annual Precision Inspection & System Evaluation INCLUDED
•25% parts & labor allowance on any repairs your system may require
during the year
• Priority emergency service
For more information, call 804-730-5000.
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PRESORTED
STANDARD
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Richmond, VA
Permit No. 1225
P.O. Box 277
Mechanicsville, VA 23111
(804) 730-5000
www.AskWoodfin.com
Woodfin and CBS 6
team up for “Cooling
for the Community”
Thanks to our “A Warmer
Winter” charitable program,
Woodfin and CBS 6 teamed up
this past winter to help some
local families keep warm.
It was such a wonderful campaign that Woodfin and CBS 6 teamed
up again in June to help a deserving family in the Richmond
community enjoy a comfortable summer with a new cooling system
supplied and installed by Woodfin.
After receiving over 100 deserving nominations – thank you! – our
“Cooling for the Community” recipient, announced on June 20th
during the CBS 6 News at 6 p.m., is Sherry Zane of Chesterfield, Virginia.
Woodfin’s technicians removed the Zane family’s broken unit and
installed a brand-new energy-efficient Carrier air conditioner/heat
pump, air purification system and media filter – compliments of Carrier
and installation by Woodfin. Mrs. Zane and her family will now be able
to stay cooler this summer and breathe easier. Congratulations again!
Watch the WTVR-6 “Virginia this Morning” interview with Mrs. Zane and
Jack Woodfin on our website, AskWoodfin.com.
We are continuing to accept donations from our readers to help
fund our “A Warmer Winter” program in the hope of helping more
deserving area families this coming heating season with heating
equipment supplied and installed by Woodfin. Please call our office at
804-730-5000 if you would like to contribute to this worthy cause.
6
Newsletter by
1-800-796-3342 www.primediany.com
How May We Help You?
To receive more information on any of
Woodfin’s products and services, please
complete this form and return it to us. One of
our service representatives will contact you.
Yes, I’d like to know more about:
❑ Heating system upgrades
❑ Cooling system upgrades
❑Heating system tune-up
❑Heating Comfort Protection Plan
❑Woodfin Faithful Friends customer
rewards program
❑ Comfort & Energy Solutions Review
❑ Plumbing services
❑ Electrical services
❑ Backup generator
❑ Home security services
❑ The Whip™
❑ Indoor air quality services
❑ Other: _______________________________________
❑ I’m ready to go electronic (including paperless
billing) ! My e-mail address is:
______________________________@__________________.
Name:
__________________________________
Address:
_________________________________
___________________________________________
Phone:
____________________________________
Please
mail to:
P.O. Box 277
Mechanicsville, VA 23111
(804) 730-5000
Request more information at
www.AskWoodfin.com
5