Cold Weather

All Of Your Questions And Concerns

Here at Green Apple Mechanical NJ we are here to make sure that all of your questions and concerns are answered. We have years of experience and expertise in HVAC maintenance and repair. Remember that fall is the perfect time to make your annual furnace maintenance appointment. If you have any questions or concerns regarding any of your HVAC needs please feel free to call your friends at Green Apple Mechanical toll-free at 888-611-7191

Changing Furnace Filters

Changing your furnace filters is very important when it comes to the health and efficiency of your HVAC system. Make sure your furnace is working to it’s full potential. Fall is the perfect time to schedule your annual HVAC inspection. If you have any questions or concerns regarding any of your HVAC needs feel free to call your friends at Green Apple Mechanical NJ toll-free at 888-611-7191

Is Your Furnace Ready?

Is your furnace ready for the impending cold season? As people are transitioning from using their central air units to their furnaces you want to make sure that your furnace will be up for the challenge. Green Apple Mechanical can do your annual furnace inspection for you. Fall is the perfect time to have this done before the winter rush. If you have any questions or concerns regarding any of your HVAC needs please feel free to call your friends at Green Apple Mechanical NJ toll free at 888-611-7191

Green Apple Mechanical Is Here For You

Green Apple Mechanical New Jersey is here for you. Through every season and it’s each unique circumstances they bring, Green Apple Mechanical NJ is here for you and your family. So as the colder weather will soon be upon us don’t hesitate to call us with your questions and concerns toll free at 888-611-7191

Why Is An Annual Furnace Inspection So Important?

Prevent problems with an annual inspection and maintenance visit.

Your furnace system controls the temperature and moves air throughout your home to keep it comfortable while also filtering out dust and allergens. A yearly preventative maintenance inspection by a qualified Green Apple Mechanical NJ service technician can keep your HVAC functioning at peak efficiency by identifying problems from thermal stress, movement, or dust. Common problems can be:

• Duct work loosened due to normal thermal expansion and contraction;
• Blower motor bearings in need of lubrication;
• Replacing of air filter and cleaning of dust from blower fan blades and AC condensing coil.

An inspection can also find and repair less than obvious problems like:

• Loose blower belt
• Improperly firing burners
• Blocked condensate drain
• Loose wiring harnesses
• Slowly leaking coolant from the AC system

The best way to keep your furnace efficient and reliable is to have it inspected before you really need it. Before cold weather strikes, set up an appointment to have your heating system inspected by an expert. Yearly fall maintenance can save you time, frustration, and money when it’s done right. Our technicians perform a comprehensive diagnostic check to ensure that your furnace is operating safely, efficiently and to manufacturer’s specifications.
From performing a safety test for carbon monoxide (CO) to checking the unit’s safe operating temperature, what’s most important is that when we leave your house we’re confident that we have done all of the checks to ensure your equipment is running safely and as efficiently as possible and to the specifications of the manufacturer.

What Can I Do Between Annual Maintenance Visits To Ensure My Furnace Continues to Run Efficiently?

Next to having your furnace checked annually by a Green Apple Mechanical NJ professional, changing your filter is the most important thing to do in between those visits to ensure your furnace and air conditioner? longevity and performance. One of the biggest culprits behind equipment issues are dirty filters which can:

• Restrict airflow, which puts additional strain on the fan motor that after time can make your motor burn out, your system overheat or your equipment fail.
• Force your fan motor to overwork which uses more energy, can cause damage to your system and significantly raise your utility bill.
• Drastically reduce your indoor air quality which can aggravate allergies, asthma and other illnesses.
• Clog ductwork with debris which can decrease your equipment’s life span and lead to costly repair or replacement expenses.

How often should I change my furnace filter?

Manufacturers typically recommend that furnace filters be changed every three months. However, we suggest you check your furnace filters on a monthly basis to see if they are filled with dirt and other debris. Homes with smokers or pets will likely need to change their filters more regularly than other households. So our advice is to be prepared to replace your furnace filter every 3 months, however, check the filter every month and replace more frequently if required.
Often a service technician can tell you common minor issues about your furnace make and model that you can solve yourself in the future. Plus, they’ll perform a multi-point safety check to verify your system’s safe operation.
A yearly maintenance inspection keeps your HVAC running like new and improves your energy savings. And by monitoring your HVAC’s performance and condition, you’ll enjoy its longer life and lower chances for an expensive break down.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding any of your plumbing or HVAC needs please feel free to call your friends at Green Apple Mechanical NJ toll free at 888-611-7191

Today Is The First Day Of Fall! Check On Your Furnace

3 Good Reasons Why You Should Schedule An Annual Checkup (For Your Furnace)

Getting Your Home Ready For Fall

It may be only September, but here in New Jersey you can already feel the first hints of fall. This has us all thinking about all the things we need to do around the house to get ready before the cold weather settles in. You will benefit from preparing for the winter weather that is only a few months away.

1. CLEAN OUT THE GUTTERS

All the leaves and grime that you neglected while you were out swimming, hiking, or riding your bicycle this summer have built up in your gutters. If left full of debris, clogged gutters and drains can form ice dams that prevent your drainage systems from working properly. This can lead to water seeping into your home and can lead to all sorts of issues and extra energy costs. Save yourself the hassle of repairing a leak by simply cleaning your gutters and drains now. When you do, run water through the gutters to check for alignments that are off and could also cause water damage.

2. KEEP THE OUTSIDE AIR OUT AND THE INSIDE AIR IN

We talk about this a lot, but it is hugely important for your energy savings to ensure there are no air leaks in your home. Warm air will escape out of any cracks and can make your heating system work harder and cost you more to heat your home.  Use caulk to seal cracks and openings between stationary house components like a door frame and weatherstripping to seal components that move like an operable window.

3. SHOW SOME TLC TO YOUR FURNACE

Your furnace may be a distant memory since you last powered it on, but before the cold weather descends and you must reluctantly switch it on, give it some TLC. Clean your furnace  annually each autumn. Sediment build-up can cause your system to work less efficiently or potentially become a fire-hazard. Cleaning your system and getting it inspected will reduce the risks.
During the winter try to change your filter regularly; a dirty filter will decrease air flow and energy-efficiency. And if your furnace is ready to be replaced, buy an energy-efficient model. It will save you money and energy each month!

4. GET YOUR DUCTS IN A ROW

Your ducts are often times out of sight, out of mind, tucked away in the attic or basement, but a home with central heating can lose about 20% of the air that moves through the duct system. Make sure your ducts are in order by properly sealing and insulating them. Tightly sealed and insulated ducts can potentially reduce your annual energy bills by $120 or more!

5. LIGHT THE WAY

The fall and winter months mean less daylight. I know we are all keen on saving energy, but we don’t want any falls while you enter your home. Luckily, you can still use your outdoor lights without wasting money and energy. Because outdoor lights are typically left on for long periods of time, buying ENERGY SAVER products and bulbs to light your outdoor pathways or porches can save a lot of energy. ENERGY STAR even makes CFL and LED flood lights that can withstand snow and rain. As an extra energy-saving effort, look for ENERGY STAR products that come with automatic daylight shut-off and motion sensors. And be sure to decorate with LED holiday lights to reduce the cost of decorating your home for the winter holidays.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding any of your HVAC needs please feel free to call your friends at Green Apple Mechanical NJ toll free at 888-611-7191

BEST WAY TO PROTECT YOUR CENTRAL AIR THIS SUMMER

Who wants cool air indoors on hot days this spring and summer?
You do?
Good, then you’re in the right place.
The last thing you want is your AC to break down on a hot, sweltering day.
To prevent that, do these 4 things:
1) Check the air filter monthly
The air filter is supposed to protect your heating and cooling system from dust and other particles. But if the filter it gets too dirty, it can cause costly damage.
Here’s how.
When running, your AC is constantly pulling in air via the return grille (where the air filter is located).
But if the air filter is dirty, it acts like a barrier, reducing airflow over the evaporator coil (the part that cools the air) causing it to freeze. Operating your AC like this for too long can destroy the outdoor unit’s compressor.
If the compressor breaks and it’s not under warranty, you want to consider buying a new outdoor unit. The compressor is the main component of your AC system and very expensive.
Check the air filter once a month.
2) Clean the outside air conditioning unit
Your central air conditioner has 2 units: the inside and outside unit. If you don’t clean the outside unit, your air conditioner will run inefficiently—and possibly break down.
How?
Well, it helps to know how an AC works.
But here’s what you need to know in a nutshell:
Your air conditioner’s indoor unit absorbs heat from the indoor air (making it cool) using refrigerant. That refrigerant travels to the outside unit where it releases heat with the help of the compressor and fan.
But here’s the problem: If dirt, grass, dust, leaves or limbs are covering the outside unit, it has a trouble dispersing the heat from the refrigerant. That means your AC will work longer to cool your home because it’s struggling to meet your home’s temperature.
A blower running full speed, 24/7 increases the chance that it’ll break down.
Solution: Have an AC professional clean your coils with specially designed coil cleaner chemicals.
3) Don’t close air vents
You may think that closing vents in unused rooms saves you money, but it actually increases energy bills and can cause damage to the AC.
Here’s how.
Closing air vents increases pressure in your air duct system. That’s bad new for your system’s blower, which is designed to deliver air against a particular pressure. Closing vents will force the blower to move less air, decreasing airflow over the evaporator coil.
So it’s kind of like having a dirty air filter: the reduced airflow will cause the compressor to break.
So keep those air vents open!
4) Get professional preventative maintenance
Your air conditioner needs professional maintenance just like your car does.
Maintenance helps catch small problems before they become larger—more expensive— problems.
According to ENERGY STAR, you need to, “Maintain your equipment to prevent future problems and unwanted costs. Keep your cooling and heating system at peak performance by having a contractor do annual pre-season check-ups.”
By “pre-season” they mean spring for air conditioners and fall for furnaces.
If your air conditioner has not had maintenance in a year or more, schedule an air conditioner maintenance visit with the professionals at Green Apple Mechanical NJ toll free at 888-611-7191

Safety Concerns With Old Furnaces

While many furnaces continue to perform well into the double-digit years, it’s important to pay attention to the operation and “behavior” of your system as it ages. Old furnaces often send signals that indicate a reduction in efficiency that should not be ignored.

Warning Signs Given By Old Furnaces

 
Here are some warning signs that your system may need repair or replacement. Watch for these signs with all systems, but especially if your furnace is more than 15-20 years old.

Age

 
If your furnace is more than 15 years old, consider beginning research on a replacement. Technology is moving at warp speed and you may be amazed to learn of the available options today’s equipment can offer. Also, it’s far better to plan for an expenditure like a new furnace, rather than require a panic replacement as a result of sudden failure in the midst of a bad winter storm.

Rising Gas and Electric Bills

 
While increases in the cost of supply and delivery of energy for our homes will always be with us, pricing is not the only reason for higher bills. Have your gas and electric bills risen steeply? If so, it could be the result of an old furnace that has lost efficiency.
Furnaces often lose their efficiency as they age, especially if they have not been properly maintained. Running times may increase in order to reach a comfortable temperature, which always results in higher bills. Remember, these extra costs should be factored in when considering the price of a new furnace — you may recoup the difference in just a matter of months.

Frequent Repair Fees

 
In some ways, furnaces are like cars. As they age, you often find yourself replacing one part only to find that something else has broken in the meantime. Expenditures of $500 or more can easily occur when trying to keep a tired or malfunctioning system alive.
Like all machines, furnaces break down most frequently as they approach the end of their service life. Parts not only become more scarce, but also more expensive. Who wants to wait for days for a repair when you’re freezing? Keep a record of your furnace’s maintenance costs. As the numbers begin to rise, it’s time to start shopping for a replacement.

Uneven Heat Distribution

 
Is heat being evenly distributed throughout your home by that old furnace? Are you finding that 
some rooms are too cold while others are too hot? Does your thermostat require constant tinkering or attention? If so, this is a sign that your current furnace lacks the ability to properly distribute heat throughout your home.

Signs of a Carbon Monoxide Leak

 
When inspecting your system, check your burner flame. 
A yellow or flickering flame may indicate that carbon monoxide could be leaking from your furnace. Other potential signs of carbon monoxide include:

• Streaks of soot around the furnace;
• The absence of an upward draft in your chimney;
• Excess moisture found on windows, walls, or other cold surfaces;
• Unusual rusting on flue pipes, other pipe connections, or appliance jacks;
• Small amounts of water leaking from the base of the chimney, vent, or flue pipe
• Visible rust on the portion of the vent pipe visible from the outside.

If you do experience any of these issues, call a service professional immediately.

Unusual Noises

 
Things that go bump in the night can alert you to problems with your furnace. Tired, old 
furnaces can make some unexpected and unusual noises as they age. Have you heard any banging, popping, rattling, or squealing noises? Does the blower run excessively? Is it turning on and off too frequently? Does it sometimes send out cold air? These are all clear indications that your furnace may need to be replaced.

Home Occupant Health Issues

 
How’s your health? Aging furnaces run the risk of developing cracks within the heat exchanger. Carbon monoxide, if present, could potentially leak into the living spaces of your home, causing frequent headaches, a burning feeling in the nose or eyes, nausea, disorientation, or even flu-like symptoms.
If any of these issues are present, air out your house, open a window to the furnace room and call a service technician. Carbon monoxide poisoning is dangerous and potentially deadly. Don’t wait to seek help — doing so could be life-threatening.

Old Furnaces Affect the Health of Your Entire Home

 
The above list describes just some of the signs to watch for when considering the health of your current furnace. Remember, the high performance quality of a new furnace could make all the difference in your comfort and peace of mind.
If you have any questions or concerns feel free to call your friends at Green Apple Mechanical NJ toll free at 888-611-7191

Your spring “to-do” checklist for home maintenance

Following a consistent schedule throughout the season to ensure you stay on top of your home maintenance and repairs can help prevent potential problems before they occur.
Consider these helpful tips for your spring maintenance plan:

• Test all ground fault circuit interrupters in your washrooms, kitchens, outside receptacles and on the electrical panel

• Replace your furnace filters and have a technician inspect the furnace fan belt

• Inspect the roof visually from the ground if possible – if you have to go onto the roof, wear a safety harness or hire a contractor.

• Clean gutters and down-pipes, and make sure downspouts and splash pads drain away from walls and foundation

• Inspect caulking inside and out, and touch-up or replace where needed with products designed for the job

• Clean windows and window tracks, and make sure weep holes are not blocked (including sliding door tracks – lubricate openers and track rollers with silicone spray).

• Review flashing for damage or staining

• Turn on the interior water supply to hose bibs and exterior faucets, and check for leaks

Remember to always put safety first. Many home maintenance tasks are better left to the professionals so be sure to hire a contractor or technician if you are not able to handle the task on your own.
If you have any questions or concerns about your furnace maintenance or repairs feel free to call your friends at Green Apple Mechanical NJ toll free at 888-611-7191