Maryland Geothermal Heating and Cooling Systems
By · CommentsI was intrigued by this article in the Washington Post this morning in which the writer, Christopher Gearon, shares his experience having a geothermal heating and cooling system installed in his house. I encourage you to read the article and consider the benefits of geothermal heating. If you would like more information on geothermal HVAC systems, feel free to call us or view the geothermal informational video on our website. Sanford Kramer, Inc. has experience installing geothermal systems, and we would be happy to discuss the process with you. Here are some interesting notes from Gearon’s article:
- Geothermal heating and cooling systems tap the constant temperature below the earth’s surface to heat the home in the winter and cool the home in the summer.
- Gearon’s geothermal system required two 375-foot holes dug into the earth in his yard (the U.S. Capitol is 288 feet tall, so you get an idea how deep those holes are).
- His geothermal system “uses 25 to 50 percent less electricity than a conventional HVAC system.”
- After a 30% Federal Tax Credit, a $2,000 grant from Maryland, and a $5,000 property tax credit from Montgomery County, the net cost of Gearon’s geothermal system was similar in price to a conventional HVAC system.
Sanford Kramer, Inc. Radio Commercial #3
By · CommentsThis this the third blog post out of a series that showcases old Sanford Kramer, Inc. radio commercials. The series features Jake and his mom, and one of the ones we previously posted can be found here. This particular commercial is titled “No Parking”. Just a reminder: the visuals have been added after the fact to accompany the audio.
Earlier this month, Sanford Kramer, Inc. hosted representatives from
several service companies from across the country for a sales training workshop put on by Nexstar Network. Nexstar Network is a best practices association consisting of residential contractors. Representatives from member organizations arrived in Columbia, MD despite the record-setting Blizzard of 2010 to learn about sales strategy and best practices.
The success of the event demonstrates the commitment of Sanford Kramer, Inc.–and fellow Nexstar Network companies–to customer satisfaction. This particular training filled three days, and it was all so that the companies could learn how to better serve customers. Thanks to each of the companies who participated.
If you have a plumbing or heating emergency today, we may be able to help despite the terrible road conditions and large amounts of snow on the ground. We have technicians available (though we may not be able to make it everywhere).
We can make it to your home today if: 1) your street has been plowed; 2) your driveway has been cleared; 3) there is a cleared walkway in to your house; and 4) you have electricity at the moment. If you are in need of plumbing services but do not yet have a way for us to get to your house, feel free to call us anyway as we’d be happy to set up an appointment for tomorrow (or later today if possible).
We hope everyone is having an easy time of digging out. Feel free to call us at (866) DUCK-TRUCK, if you’re in need of plumbing or heating assistance.
As a plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and electrical services company with many duck trucks driving around Maryland at any given time, we rely on cellular phones to stay in touch with our technicians in the field. Over time, the cell phones start to fade, at which time we’ve been taking them out of circulation and–until now–stored them in a box.
We’re so excited to have found a great way to deal with our unused phones. We are donating boxes full of cell phones to an organization called “Cell Phones for Soldiers.” This non-profit sells all donated cell phones that it collects to a cell phone recycler. With the proceeds, Cell Phones for Soldiers purchases prepaid calling cards and then sends them to American troops overseas.
This is an excellent cause and we are proud to participate. When soldiers are able to stay in touch with their families back home, it makes their time overseas much more manageable for them and their families here in the U.S.
Our donation of 93 cell phones will provide American troops with dozens of prepaid hours so that they speak to their families more often.
We encourage everyone to participate in this program. Visit www.CellPhonesForSoldiers.com for more information.
By now you’ve probably noticed that we’ve made a pretty big change online. We have spent several months figuring out ways to improve the online experience of our website’s visitors, and we are proud to present the almost-finished product. Here is a snapshot of the difference we’ve made:
Old Site:
New Site:
We think the new site is much more user-friendly. We’ve provided a section with how-to video tips, like for example, the one on knowing when to Repair Hot Water Heaters. We’ve also provided more and easier ways to contact us in the event that you need–for example–Emergency Plumbing Services. If your heating system needs repair, you could visit our website and find our phone number, a way to schedule service online, a way to chat with a live customer service representative, a way for Google to connect you with us via phone, and ways for you to email us.
Please let us know what you think about the new site. Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments section.
You may remember the Plumbing Techs Who Saved Christmas 2009 blog post. It was a true story about a Howard County, Maryland resident named Joe, who needed emergency plumbing services for his well-pump on Christmas Eve. Joe recently sent us a letter explaining his experience this Christmas. Here is Joe’s recap of the events:
Dear Mr. Kramer,
I simply want to send a note of thanks and appreciation for the outstanding service I received from your team last month. Our well pump decided to die on Christmas Eve 30 minutes before we sat down to dinner. I started calling for help never really expecting that there would be any available given the day and time. Most places didn’t even answer the phone and the one that did was unable to do anything.
Imagine my surprise when I called Sanford Kramer and your dispatcher in a friendly yet matter-of-fact tone said, “We will have someone there in 45 minutes.” It actually took less time than that.
From that point on our experience only got better. Your guys came back on Christmas Day and again the following day. The professionalism, cheerfulness and helpfulness of your team was, frankly, stunning. I have never experienced anything like it.
I couldn’t have been more impressed if my cat has started speaking German or my property taxes were decreased. (The former being more likely than the latter.)
Please give my heartfelt thanks to your team (names escape me). They have made me a customer for life.
Warm Regards and Best Wishes for 2010.
Joe,
Ellicott City, MD
We were tickled when we received this letter because–not only were we proud of the work we did–but the letter was downright funny and truly expressed the satisfaction of a customer. For more information on Sanford Kramer, Inc.’s emergency services, visit our Maryland Plumbing Emergency Services page.
Sanford Kramer, Inc. Happy Customer Review #6
By · CommentsWe proudly present the first happy customer letter blog post for 2010. It is from Howard County resident Lee S., who needed some plumbing services at his home.
I had a service appointment on Tuesday and Jeremy was the “plumber” technician who came to our house. Jeremy is first rate! He was professional and listened to my description of the issues we were having with the plumbing in the house. He went out of the way to fix the problems right. I am very impressed with him and your support staff who took my request and called two days later to see if I was satisfied.
My wife has used another local plumber about two years ago, and there is no comparison. You are so far above the others!
Jeremy followed all of your “guidelines” including the “red carpet” and his booties! You definitely have taken the plumbing service to a new higher level.
Lee S.
Howard County, MD
Thank you for the kind words. We were sure to pass along your praise to Jeremy.
The Plumbing Techs Who Saved Christmas 2009
By · Comments‘Twas the night before Christmas, and Joseph of Ellicott City, MD, realized that he no longer had access to water inside his house. His well-pump, after all, was as dead as a dormouse. Joe started to worry that he would not be able to get a plumber to his home because it was late in the evening on Christmas Eve. However, he remembered that he had been given the name of a reliable plumbing company, Sanford Kramer, Inc., not long before. He decided to give them a call.
Despite it being late on Christmas Eve, Joe found himself speaking with a live customer service representative, Shannon, on the other end of the line, rather than a machine. Shannon assured him that a Sanford Kramer technician would head over to his house right away. At around 8 pm on Christmas Eve, a Sanford Kramer plumber named Mark arrived at Joe’s house. Mark determined that it would be a big task to fix Joe’s well pump and restore water to his house, so he called for some back-up support.
Christmas Day came around and two Sanford Kramer technicians, Erik and Dave, arrived at Joseph’s home to help Mark with the well pump. Mark, Erik, and Dave worked together throughout the day to help the waterless homeowner. Having done the same task many times in the past, the technicians were able to restore water to the home after several hours of hard work.
Christmas was saved for Joe thanks to the hard-working folks at Sanford Kramer Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning & Electric, Inc. From Shannon who received Joe’s initial call, to Mark who responded to the call, to Erik and Dave who helped restore water to Joe’s home, the employees at Sanford Kramer, Inc. were eager and happy to help out someone in need. You can be sure, though, that the Sanford Kramer team’s willingness to help was not just due to Christmas spirit. Instead, all Sanford Kramer employees have a spirit of helping others every day of the year, and we are very proud of them.
Happy Holidays from Sanford Kramer, Inc.
By · CommentsWith the holiday season upon us, the Sanford Kramer, Inc. office has gained a little bit of cheer…
Speaking of the holiday season, we’re expecting large amounts of snow this weekend in Maryland. We hope everyone enjoys the winter wonderland and stays safe and warm.
