Read This Before Starting Your Furnace
Do Some Basic Maintenance
Maintaining your furnace is essential, so at the very least, you need to change the filter, to ensure that dust and debris don’t gum up your furnace’s inner workings. Once that’s done, turn the furnace up to a comfortable level and make sure that it’ll heat up the whole house. If you notice that your furnace is blowing cold air even after many minutes of running, call a heating and cooling specialist from Green Apple immediately to get it looked at.
Watch for Warning Signs
When the furnace is running, take a listen for any unfamiliar noises, any strange sounds in the blower, or any odd smells coming through the registers. Warning signs are often subtle, but they can give you the crucial warning you need to fix a problem before it becomes an expensive ordeal.
Do it Early
The biggest mistake most people make is waiting until the last second to test out their furnace for the winter. It’s understandable that you would not want to waste money running a heater that you don’t need, but it’s crucial that you diagnose any problems early.
For a comprehensive checkup that will ensure that your furnace is well-suited to the harsh demands of the season, Call toll-free at 888-611-7191
Experiencing Rust In Your Hot Water?
If you’ve ever turned on your tub to run yourself a hot bath and you noticed rust in the tub, this is a sign you’ll need a new hot water heater soon. Hot water heaters work by a flame heating a metal tank filled with water. Over time, the expanding and contracting of the metal from heat causes wear on the tank and the constant presence of water can cause rust to develop. When you begin to see it in your hot water, it is a sign that the wear has become significant.
You may begin to notice other issues with your hot water heater as it begins to age. You may notice you’re getting less and less hot water and it takes longer to heat the water up. You may begin to hear popping sounds from the heating element of your heater. This is a sign that sediment within the heater is reacting to the heat. You may also notice water around the base of the heater. You may notice a little moisture or a small puddle. This indicates that there is, in fact, a leak within your heater and it will need to be replaced.
A quality water heater can last 8-10 years or longer. It is important to regularly have your heater serviced to expand its lifespan. If you have any questions or concerns regarding any of your HVAC or plumbing needs call Green Apple Mechanical NJ toll-free at 888-611-7191
Running The Air Conditioner During The Fall
By switching off your air conditioner at night, the temperature in your home gradually rises while you’re sleeping and by the time it hits mid-day, your home’s internal temperature without the A/C turned on will hit the point where you’re starting to feel the warmth. Once you turn your air conditioner back on it takes more energy to cool your home than it would have, had you left your air conditioner on the entire time.
To combat this problem we suggest that you leave your thermostat at a temperature you find bearable during the day and using ceiling fans to circulate the cool air throughout your home. If you don’t have ceiling fans, oscillating fans work great too. By doing this you’re cutting the cost on the amount of energy it takes to run your air conditioner at maximum performance to cool your home. Now all you have to do is sit back, relax, and enjoy that cool air brought to you by Green Apple Mechanical NJ.
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 concerns please feel free to call toll-free at 888-611-7191
Are You Experiencing Any Of These Plumbing Issues?
The toilet overflows. You hit the handle too many times and water spilled over, or it’s been too cold outside. If the toilet has a mechanical problem, wrap an old towel around the base of the toilet for easy clean-up. Turn off the toilet water supply line by locating the line’s valve near the bottom of the bowl. Turn it counterclockwise to stop water flow from the toilet.
How To Manage Your Central Air This Fall
With the temperatures rising during the day, you naturally want to keep your home cool and while temperatures drop at night, nature takes care of that for you. We know it’s tempting to turn your air conditioning unit off at night since you don’t need it to keep cool, but you might actually be using more energy to cool your home the next day than you thought.
By switching off your air conditioner at night, the temperature in your home gradually rises while you’re sleeping and by the time it hits mid-day, your home’s internal temperature without the A/C turned on will hit the point where you’re starting to feel the warmth. Once you turn your air conditioner back on it takes more energy to cool your home than it would have, had you left your air conditioner on the entire time.
To combat this problem we suggest that you leave your thermostat at a temperature you find bearable during the day and using ceiling fans to circulate the cool air throughout your home. If you don’t have ceiling fans, oscillating fans work great too. By doing this you’re cutting the cost on the amount of energy it takes to run your air conditioner at maximum performance to cool your home. Now all you have to do is sit back, relax, and enjoy that cool air brought to you.
Green Apple are the professionals 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 call toll-free at 888-611-7191
Liquid Plumbers- A Cautionary Tale
Repeatedly using liquid plumbers on drains that clog frequently can deteriorate your pipes and do more damage in the long run. If you experience repeat clogs in the same drains, nix the use of liquid plumbers and call in the Green Apple professionals instead. It will save you time and money in the long run.
Liquid plumbers are corrosive and can cause injury if handled or used improperly. Always observe the safety precautions on the container and never combine them with other ingredients. If you have used a liquid plumber in your drain and later call in a plumber, show them the container and tell him you have used it in the drain. If your Green Apple plumber is unaware and uses an industrial cleaner in the drain, the chemicals may interact causing an explosion or releasing dangerous gases.
Green Apple Mechanical NJ are the professionals 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
Everyday Ways To Maintain Your Plumbing
In the Kitchen
Kitchen drains often clog due to debris or wastes going down the sink that shouldn’t. To prevent clogged drains in this room, never put grease or oils down the sink. This includes cooking oils and fats, such as butter, that can congeal in the pipes, blocking water flow.
Improper use of the garbage disposal is another common reason for clogged kitchen drains. Follow this kitchen plumbing maintenance checklist to help you avoid this problem:
- Always turn your water and disposal on before adding food.
- Never put fibrous or stringy food wastes down the disposal. These include banana peels, celery, potato peels, and other foods that are difficult to grind up.
- Always allow the cold water to run for at least 15 seconds after using the disposal. This ensures food wastes are flushed down the main line.
- Run your dishwasher at night to conserve hot water and maintain good water pressure throughout the day.
In the Bathroom
The bathroom is another room where drains often become clogged. You can reduce clogs and even prevent them by following this plumbing maintenance checklist:
- Keep shower and sink drains flowing freely by reducing your use of bath oils and installing screens over drains to prevent hair from going down the drain.
- Avoid toilet clogs by not using it as a trash can. Ideally, only human waste and toilet paper should be flushed. While tampons and some wipes are labeled as flushable, it is better not to do so.
- Wait about 10 minutes between showers to help maintain proper water pressure and hot water throughout the day. Maintaining proper water pressure helps prevent unwanted stress on your home plumbing system.
- Avoid using chemical clog removal products that can cause more harm than good. These products can corrode your pipes!
Think of all the products you use to wash, moisturize and condition. They are often oily or greasy in order to provide moisture for your skin and hair. Once they make their way down your drain, however, they can cling to pipes, attract other debris and cause blockages.
If you have any questions or concerns call toll-free at 888-611-7191
Save Yourself Time And Money By Installing This Fall
- Save Yourself Money – By replacing your system in the fall, you put time on your side. Time to research the type of equipment that would be best for your situation instead of just replicating whatever you had before. Fall replacements also give you time to search for the best HVAC system. Since most contractors are in between the cooling and heating seasons, they will be much more available and willing to spend time with you to help you figure out the best ways to solve your cooling problems. Since investments in new HVAC systems can be significant, this time also allows you to plan. You might even consider covering it under a home equity loan, thus saving on financing costs.
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 to call Green Apple Mechanical NJ toll-free at 888-611-7191
Fall Plumbing Hazards
Blocked Drainage
If you notice that your plumbing has been giving you problems lately, check your yards. Those beautiful orange leaves can be the biggest culprits here. This is primarily because a lot of leaves fall and accumulate in one location during the season. They can easily be blown into your drainage system and block everything. Winds, rain and sometimes even traffic are the factors which play a big part in pushing those leaves in your drainage system.
Fortunately, this problem can also be handled easily by a professional Green Apple plumber. Let them have a thorough check on the system. They might replace your drain cover so that this problem does not reoccur. Many covers are manufactured to fit a particular drain; hence it’s crucial to get them properly measured and fitted by a professional only.
We really hope that you understand the importance of a professional Green Apple plumber. Save yourself from all the drama of “trial & fix error” and hire a professional Green Apple plumber. It costs more money to fix the damage caused inadequately than with a professional expert. We have insight, deep knowledge and troubleshooting plans to tackle all plumbing related problems.
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
Why The Fall Is An Excellent Time To Install Central Air
Although the first hint of cool fall weather may have you more focused on your furnace, this is the perfect time to install a new central air conditioning system. By getting the job done now, you’ll save money compared to the summertime costs and you’ll be ready to go with a reliable, energy-efficient cooling system next year.
FIND GREAT DEALS ON NEW A/C SYSTEMS
A new central cooling system is an investment. Even though upgrading to a more efficient air conditioner will lower your cooling bills, it’s still worth it to save as much as you can on upfront purchase costs.
Many homeowners upgrade or install a new central A/C in early summer when they decide not to spend another hot summer without reliable air conditioning. Others are forced to replace their systems in the middle of summer when their existing cooling system breaks down. This keeps A/C system prices high all summer.
Come fall, demand for air conditioners drops off. HVAC equipment sellers who still have plenty of stock left over from summer often discount it to move it out of their inventory before winter. It’s a little like garden furniture going on sale at the end of summer.
IN THE FALL, TECHNICIANS ARE AVAILABLE AND AFFORDABLE
Fall is one of the slowest periods for heating and cooling technicians. Thanks to the mild weather, the start of school and the upcoming holidays, many homeowners forget all about their air conditioners.
That means not only do many HVAC specialists have open spots in their work schedules, but they also offer favorable pricing to encourage customers to call in and fill those spots. Prices for HVAC services are lower in fall than at any other time of year.
Install a new central A/C in fall and not only can you get a good deal on installation work, but you also have a better chance of getting scheduled in with the kind of highly trained, experienced technician you want.
Putting in an air conditioner requires outdoor work, including digging. You might find air conditioners on sale in December, but getting the system installed in New Jersey’s cold, snowy winter weather may not always be possible. Even when it is, heating and cooling technicians usually have their schedules full with furnace installation and repair work.
DITCH THOSE WINDOW UNITS
The window A/C units used in many homes have several drawbacks. Inconvenience is one. They’re usually put in place at the beginning of summer, then removed and put into storage come fall. In addition, window units can be uncomfortably loud, older models aren’t energy efficient, and any unsealed gaps around the units cause air leaks that let in hot, humid outdoor air.
Install a new central A/C this fall and it will be the last time you’ll ever have to pull out those window units and haul them to storage. Next summer, you’ll enjoy cool air in every room without any irritating noise. There’s a good chance your cooling bills will be lower, too.
Keep in mind if your home uses radiators, baseboard heaters or another ductless heating method, you’ll need to have ducts installed along with the new air conditioner. Duct sizing and installation adds time to the system installation job, so start early before the cold weather arrives.
KNOW WHEN TO REPLACE THE A/C
If you already have a central air conditioner, but you’ve been considering upgrading, there are a few clear signs that tell you this fall is the time to do it.
- The system is old – An air conditioner that’s more than 10 years old runs less efficiently than modern systems and is at high risk for component failure no matter how well it seems to be running.
- The A/C has frequent breakdowns – Have you had to call a repair technician this year, last year and the year before that? Take time this fall to buy and install a new central A/C and next summer you’ll spend less time and money on A/C repairs, as well as enjoy lower energy bills and improved cooling performance.
- Cooling bills are rising – If every summer brings cooling bills that are much higher than the last, chances are it’s due to the steady drop in energy efficiency your system experiences as it ages.