Outside Plumbing

Ways To Help Your Furnace During A Nor’ easter

CHANGE THE FILTER SEASONALLY

The filter is what collects dust, debris, and prevents these airborne irritants from circulating throughout the home. Gradually over time, all of that dust and debris will accumulate and clog up the filter, which can place excess pressure on your furnace and force it to work even harder to maintain the right temperature. That’s why it’s important to change the filter at least every season to keep it working properly.

ANNUAL INSPECTION

To ensure that your furnace is running properly and efficiently, an annual inspection is always recommended. A trained technician will inspect it and clean out internal components, perform fine-tuning and will be able to detect if there are any potential safety concerns that should be dealt with. A furnace is an expensive investment, so having it inspected frequently is the best way to extend its lifespan and get the most bang for your buck.

AUTOMATE YOUR THERMOSTAT

Automating your thermostat can also help to reduce your usage by automatically adjusting the temperature. For example, when you and the family head out for the day, you can set it so the furnace isn’t working so hard to heat up your home. And then once you’re heading back home, you can automate it to kick on just in time to warm up the house before you get in. This can help keep your monthly bill nice and low.
If you can have any questions or concerns please call us toll-free at 888-611-7191

2 Ways To Care For Kitchen & Bathroom Plumbing

Proper use of the garbage disposal is very important for preventing clogs. When using your garbage disposal, you should turn the water on before running the disposal and leave the water running for a good 15 seconds afterward to help rinse the debris through to the main line. You should also avoid putting certain foods in the disposal, including fibrous foods like banana peels and celery, as well as foods that are difficult to process, like potato peels and cucumber peels.
In the bathroom, you should reduce your use of bath oils and avoid using chemical clog removal products. You should also avoid flushing anything other than human waste and toilet paper down the toilet. Things like tampons, diapers, and other garbage items will quickly cause a clog if you try to flush them.
We are the experts you can trust. We have been serving the NJ area for years with professionalism and expertise. Customer service and care are always our number one priority. If you have any questions or concerns regarding any of your HVAC or plumbing needs, please feel free to call your friends at Green Apple Mechanical NJ toll-free at 888-611-7191

What You Should Do With Your Furnace This Spring

Get your system inspected. You should do this at least once per year. If you do it in the fall, it may not be necessary to do it again in the spring.
However, spring is an ideal time to attend to this task. This way you won’t freeze if it turns out that there is something wrong or if a part needs replacing. Few things are worse than waiting until the first cold snap of autumn to turn on the furnace, only to discover that it’s not working, and now you’re stuck with no heat while you wait for a new part to be ordered and installed.
For the same reasons, springtime is a great time to replace an old furnace or HVAC with a new one. Replacing a furnace usually takes some time, anywhere from days to weeks. Doing it in spring means you won’t go without heat and air conditioning during other times of the year when you really need it.
Green Apple are the experts you can trust. We have been serving the New Jersey area for years with professionalism and expertise. Customer service and care are always our number one priority. If you have any questions or concerns regarding any of your HVAC or plumbing needs please call your friends at Green Apple Mechanical NJ toll-free at 888-611-7191

Things You Should Know About Your Plumbing

Know your water pressure.
A small pressure gauge is always a good investment – and they’re not even that expensive. Ideally, the water pressure should be no more than 80psi; stronger than this and your pipes and fixtures can get damaged.
Know where your waste goes and where the clean-out plugs are.
Some homes have septic tanks, others are connected to the sewers. Either way, there are clean-out plugs that can help you in case of a clog or a backflow.
Know your equipment.
You don’t have to be an expert on plumbing fixtures but it is important that you know how old your fixtures, pipes, and heaters are. If your plumbing is older than 10 years, you have to figure out whether it is more efficient to do preventive maintenance or to invest in new ones altogether.
Keep an eye on your heater.
Your leaking heater is as good as a dead one so have it replaced at once before it floods your basement/garage. A pan underneath the heater is always a wise investment too.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding any of your HVAC or plumbing needs please feel free to call your friends at Green Apple Mechanical NJ toll-free at 888-611-7191

Furnace Noises That Should Cause Concern

Loud Bang or Pop When the Furnace Turns On

Here are two common reasons for the loud banging or popping coming from your furnace:

• Dirty furnace burners – the dirt on the furnace burners delay the burners from igniting, causing an excess of gas to build up. So when the gas does finally ignite, you’ll hear a loud bang. You should never ignore this noise because these small explosions could crack the heat exchanger (which is expensive to repair). Regular furnace maintenance can help prevent this issue before the heating season even starts.
• Expanding and contracting air ducts – this is a common noise for homeowners with metal ducts. The ducts expand and contract as the blower turns off and on. This could be a sign of undersized ducts, closed vents, flimsy ducts, or a clogged air filter.

Squealing or Whining Noise

A high-pitched squealing noise is caused by:

• Loose, slipping, or fraying blower belt (should be adjusted by a Green Apple Mechanical NJ technician or replaced if fraying)
• Shaft bearings that need oil (a technician needs to apply lightweight oil to the lubrication port at each end of the shaft)
• Malfunctioning blower motor (needs to be fixed or replaced)

This squealing or whining noise isn’t as big of a deal as the others listed above, but it’s best to get it fixed before it causes any further troubles inside your furnace. If you have any questions or concerns regarding any of your HVAC or plumbing needs call us toll-free at 888-611-7191

Best Way To Keep Your Garbage Disposal Running

What NOT to Put in Your Garbage Disposal
Even the highest-quality garbage disposals are designed to handle a restricted range of food products. The list of items they should not be asked to grind up include the following:

• Large animal bones
• Grease or cooking oil
• Fruit pits
• High-fiber foods (lettuce, artichokes, onion skins, celery, etc.)
• Potato or banana peels
• Pasta, rice, beans and other foods that absorb water
• Coffee grounds

These food items can clog drain pipes, jam or dull cutting blades, strain disposal motors, and create unpleasant but persistent odors. While you may not realize it, you’ll be shortening the lifespan of your disposal every time you ask it to process any of these substances.
If you have any questions or concerns about your garbage disposal or any of your HVAC or plumbing needs call your friends at Green Apple Mechanical NJ toll-free at 888-611-7191

Prepare For Your Spring HVAC Checklist

1. Buy a better filter if you haven’t already. The new high-efficiency pleated filters have an electrostatic charge that works like a magnet to grab the tiniest particles — even those that carry bacteria.
2. Replace the filter at least every 90 days. But check it monthly. If it looks dark and clogged, go ahead and change it. If you have pets, you’ll probably need to change every month.
3. Make sure there are at least two feet of clearance around outdoor air conditioning units and heat pumps.
4. Remove debris, such as leaves, pollen, and twigs weekly during spring, summer, and fall from top and sides of outdoor air-conditioning units and heat pumps. Don’t allow the lawn mower to discharge grass clippings onto the unit.
5. Monthly, inspect insulation on refrigerant lines leading into the house. Replace if missing or damaged.
6. Make sure unit is level. Annually, ensure that outdoor air-conditioning units and heat pumps are on firm and level ground or pads.
Most importantly remember that Green Apple Mechanical NJ are the experts you can trust. We have been serving the NJ area for years with professionalism and expertise. Customer service and care are always our number one priority. If you have any questions or concerns regarding any of your HVAC or plumbing needs call us toll-free at 888-611-7191

Yesterday Was World Plumbing Day

World Plumbing Day is an international event, initiated by the World Plumbing Council, held on the 11th of March each year to recognize the important role plumbing plays in societal health and amenity.
The WPC, through its member countries and its partnerships with bodies like the World Health Organisation, works all year round to promote the benefits of safe plumbing, but in 2010 it decided to launch the concept of embedding a single day on the world’s calendar dedicated to plumbing.
The idea was that on March 11 each year people all over the world would pause to reflect on the vital role plumbing plays in preserving their health and way of life – in the case of countries like ours – or in building sustainable disease free futures for millions in the developing world.
And so World Plumbing Day was born, and it is big and getting bigger all the time.
Plumbing is a vitally important job and you don’t want to trust just anyone with such an important task. Green Apple Mechanical NJ are the experts you can trust.We have been serving the New Jersey area for years with professionalism and expertise. Customer service and care are always our number one priority. Call us toll-free at 888-611-7191

Experiencing Any Of These Common Furnace Problems?

1. Malfunctioning thermostat: A faulty thermostat can lead to problems with the fan or comfort levels.
2. The furnace doesn’t heat at all: A furnace that doesn’t perform its main task may have problems with the thermostat setting, power, gas or the pilot light.
3. The furnace doesn’t heat enough: In addition to a clogged filter, a furnace may not produce enough heat if it’s the wrong size for the space.
4. Frequent cycling: Cycling between the “On” and “Off” modes may indicate a clogged filter, improper airflow or a bad thermostat setting.
5. The blower continuously runs: Blower issues may indicate a problem with the limit switch, which a Green Apple Mechanical NJ professional may need to replace.
6. The furnace is too noisy: Rumbling, squeaking, and rattles aren’t normal. The sounds may indicate a mechanical problem, airflow reductions or a clogged burner.
7. If you have any questions or concerns regarding any of your HVAC or plumbing needs, please feel free to call your friends at Green Apple Mechanical NJ toll-free at 888-611-7191

With No Electricity Pipes Are In Danger Of Freezing

Keep garage doors closed, especially if there are water supply lines in the garage.
Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. (If you have small children, be sure to remove any harmful cleaners and household chemicals.)
Let the cold water drip from a faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe—even at a trickle—helps prevent pipes from freezing.
Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature during day and night. Again, during a cold snap is not the time to set back the thermostat at night to save a few bucks on your heating bill.
For the long-term, add insulation to attics, basements, and crawl spaces. Insulation will maintain higher temperatures in those areas. And to prevent drafts, seal cracks and openings around windows, doors, and at sill plates, where the house rests on its foundation.
If you are experiencing any problems with your HVAC system or trouble with your plumbing give us a call here at Green Apple Mechanical NJ toll-free at 888-611-7191