Top 5 Signs You Must Call A Plumber
1. Dripping Faucet
While in most cases you may be able to easily tighten a leaky faucet, not all faucets are quick fixes. A small leak may not seem like a big deal, but a leaky faucet dripping at the rate of one drop per second can waste up to 3,000 gallons in one year—the equivalent of 174 showers. It’ll likely cost you much more to let the faucet leak than it would to call a plumber.
2. Poor/Inconsistent Water Pressure
Whether it’s poor water pressure from a single faucet or a common issue across your entire home, it’s best to call a Green Apple plumber if you’re having water pressure issues. While it may be as simple as cleaning out a single fixture or unclogging a pipe, there may be bigger issues with your water supply that need to be resolved.
3. Frozen Pipes
Trying to thaw frozen pipes on your own could result in cracked pipes or even worse, full bursts. To save yourself from a huge mess, call a water damage restoration specialist.
4. Water Heater Issues
If your water isn’t getting hot enough or water temperature is inconsistent, it’s likely you have water heater issues that need to be looked at by a professional. If your water heater isn’t getting hot enough, it can become a cesspool for bacteria. And nobody likes sudden bursts of scalding water in the shower. Tinkering with a flammable, pressurized water heater on your own can be dangerous so leave it to the pros.
5. Home Renovation Projects
If you’re doing home renovations that involve plumbing in any way, it’s best to seek out the services of a plumber. They can ensure that all proper permits have been acquired and that all work is up to code.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding any of your HVAC or plumbing needs call us toll-free at 888-611-7191
How Central Air Works
Outdoor unit
The outdoor unit of your central air conditioning system, usually located at the side or back of your house, contains the compressor, condenser coil, a fan and various electrical components.
The heated refrigerant vapor from inside your house moves through the compressor, which heats the refrigerant to an even higher temperature. The higher the temperature of the refrigerant, the faster heat is transferred to the outdoor air. The highly pressurized and heated refrigerant moves to the condenser coil and a fan blows air over it, cooling the coil, and the heat from inside your house disperses into the atmosphere.
As the refrigerant in the condenser coil cools, it returns to its original liquid form and is pumped back into your house as the cycle repeats.
The refrigeration cycle summarized
When the temperature in your house rises above the temperature you’ve programmed into the thermostat, the thermostat turns on the central air conditioning system.
A fan in the system draws warm air from the rooms of your house to the evaporator in the inside unit. The liquid refrigerant is pumped from the outside unit to the evaporator, where the refrigerant vaporizes as it absorbs and removes the heat pumped from the rooms of your house.
The cooled air is pumped back into your house, and the heated, vaporized refrigerant moves heat to the outside unit for dispersal into the atmosphere.
Green Apple 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
Central Air Equals Cleaner Air
Filtered air
One of the many benefits of a central air system is the air pushed through the ducts is filtered. The air quality of your home will improve, which means fewer allergens and potentially harmful gases.
However, this benefit requires maintaining and changing the filter regularly. Modern units have filter indicators that’ll tell you when you need to change your filter.
If you live in an area with high levels of humidity, filtering the air also means lowering the humidity level. This increases the comfort level of your home, too.
Green Apple 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.
3 Powerful Plumbing Myths
1) LEMON PEELS WILL MAKE MY SINK SMELL GOOD.
This is true, but we don’t recommend it unless you have a very powerful garbage disposal. We recommend a homemade mixture of vinegar and a bit of baking soda, completely dissolved, being poured down the drain to keep it fresh smelling.
2) FLUSHABLE WIPES CAN BE FLUSHED DOWN THE TOILET.
Wow – this is a tough one! They can be, but we do not encourage their use. They can cause major clogging issues. It is true they are more biodegradable than say a wet sock, but not much better. Flushable wipes have the potential to back up your entire system. Don’t waste your money.
3) A SLOW LEAKING FAUCET IS NOT A PROBLEM.
FALSE! Anytime there is a dripping that won’t stop you are hiking up your water bill, wasting water, and causing wear and tear on your faucet and plumbing fixtures. If you can’t fix a leak yourself, call in a professional Green Apple plumber and the reinforcements to tend to it. Don’t wait!
Green Apple 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 toll-free at 888-611-7191
How To Get The Cleanest Air With Central Air
How Can You Protect Yourself Against AC Air Pollution?
- Check the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning or changing your unit’s air filters.
- Open the windows as much as you can. Allow fresh air to circulate in your home and flush out pollutants.
- Have a Green Apple HVAC technician perform annual maintenance checks.
- Turn the temperature up, or turn the unit off altogether, at night or when the house is empty.
- Try using the fan-only mode on your AC unit.
- Don’t forget about the AC unit in your car. Be sure to change your cabin air filters after a few years to ensure a clean ride.
There are many small steps you can take to protect yourself and your family against air contamination caused by a dirty air conditioning unit.
Green Apple 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
Best Ways To Keep Your Plumbing Clean
Do-It-Yourself
1. Bathroom sinks and tubs usually become clogged and slow for different reasons than kitchen sinks, so you have to deal with them in different ways. For cleaning bathroom drains, ordinary table salt can be a very effective ingredient in your toolbox. Pour at least one tablespoon of salt into your bathroom drain followed by 1⁄4 cup of plain white vinegar, and let it sit for an hour. Then, run HOT water to clear out the all of the loosened substances from the drain. For best results do this a second time.
2. Maintain Your Sinks
To keep your drain clear after you clean it out in this manner, from time to time pour a little bleach into the sink. Let it sit overnight or for at least an hour before you run water down the drain again.
3. Ditch the Grease
Grease build-up in your kitchen sink drain can be remedied with liquid dish detergent and a large volume of boiling water. Put a big pot of water on the stove and bring it to a boil. Squirt a generous amount of dish liquid (at least a tablespoon) directly into your drain and pour the boiling water into the drain, a little at a time. The rapidly boiling water will melt grease deposits while the detergent helps to dissolve grease and oil and allow the boiling water to flush it away. You may want to repeat this process two to three times if the grease build-up is substantial.
Green Apple 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 toll-free at 888-611-7191
How Often Should I Clean My HVAC System?
For your air conditioning to work efficiently, it must be able to transfer heat from inside your home to the outside effectively. A coating of dirt, dust and other debris on the A/C coils can prevent this, by insulating the coils from the surrounding air and reducing the efficiency of the heat transfer process. To minimize energy usage and reduce utility costs, the A/C coils should be cleaned at least once a year.
The Importance of Clean A/C Coils
It is estimated that dirty evaporator and condenser coils can increase the usage of energy by your air conditioning system by over 30 percent. Additionally, reduced heat transfer efficiency can cause other problems, such as poor cooling performance, frozen evaporator coils, and compressor overheating.
Green Apple Mechanical 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 toll-free at 888-611-7191
3 Important Reasons Not To Use Liquid Drain Cleaners
1. The chemicals found in the cleaners can actually damage your pipes.
The hydrochloric acid and other acidic ingredients in the cleaner can “eat away” at your pipes as it sits in your drain. In fact, older pipes are more susceptible to this kind of erosion. Even if you think your safe with copper pipes, think again! Liquid drain cleaner can damage any pipe material over time.
2. The combination of chemicals in the liquid drain cleaners is bad for you.
Certain chemical combinations found in the cleaners are dangerous to inhale and can be harmful to your skin if you don’t wear gloves or take precautions. A recent health-related article states that the fumes from drain cleaners can sting and irritate your nose and eyes as well! In fact, the fumes can linger long after the chemical was used.
3. It could potentially be a temporary fix.
There are many reasons why a drain could clog. You could have a backed up sewer line, broken pipe, or even something that isn’t dissolvable lodged deep into your drain. Liquid drain cleaner won’t be able to clear or fix any of these issues, which is why it’s always best to call a Green Apple Mechanical professional.
Green Apple Mechanical 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 toll-free at 888-611-7191
2 Easy Ways To Reduce Your Electric Bill With Central Air
Increase Shade Indoors and Outdoors
Shading your home and your central air unit lowers your electric bill by reducing how much and how hard the unit has to work. Plant shade trees near the condenser to keep it out of direct sunlight, as well as along the east and west of your property, keeping your house cooler naturally during the summer. Inside your home, use energy efficient blinds and window treatments — and keep these closed during the day to keep hot air out.
Reduce Use of Heat Generating Items
A lot of focus is placed on keeping the hot air from the outside from getting into your home; however, what you do inside the home can also increase the temperature, thus forcing the air conditioner to work harder. Over the summer, cook outside as much as possible and line or air-dry clothing to avoid using the oven and dryer, two of the biggest heat generators in a home. Replace the bulbs in your home with compact fluorescents, which generate less heat than incandescent bulbs, and always turn the lights off when you aren’t in the room or at home to limit the extra heat.
Green Apple 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 toll-free at 888-611-7191
3 Signs You Need To Call A Plumber
2. A Pipe Is Leaking A Little Bit
Leaky pipes are also annoyances that many people just accept, especially if the leak is small. After all, if the water leaking is small in its volume, it doesn’t seem like it should be that big of a cause for concern. However, any leaky pipe poses a big risk to the home. Not only are leaky pipes more prone to break or burst, but these little leaks can really drive up the cost of your water bill over time.
3. Your Family Is Just Used To Short Showers
Unless you knowingly purchased a very small or highly economical water heater, no single-family home should be a place where people have to race to be the first one to use the hot water. Any modern water heater should be able to adequately provide a family with a sufficient amount of water for everyone to use comfortably. If your hot water isn’t doing its job, call a Green Apple plumber. You might not need a new unit if the one you already have can be repaired.
5. Your Bathtub Takes A Long Time To Drain
If your bathtub or shower takes forever to drain, your instinct might be to clean out the top and pour some liquid drain clogging solutions inside. While this will occasionally work, most drains that have accumulated over time require professional intervention. A bathtub or shower should drain out almost instantaneously. If they don’t it might be time to call a Green Apple plumber.
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 call us toll-free at 888-611-7191