The Absolute Best Ways To Protect Your Plumbing
- Cover your drains. The best AND easiest way to keep your drains clog-free is to keep everything but water out in the first place. By placing mesh screens over all of your drains, you’ll be able to catch and remove hair, food particles, and other debris.
- Pro Tip: Don’t want mesh screens to clash with your décor? Mesh screens can easily be installed under your shower drain cover, so you’ll still be able to catch debris without having to look at the buildup.
- Minimize shower shedding. It’s impossible to shower without losing some hair to the drain, but you can easily minimize hair-induced clogs by brushing or combing your hair right before you step into the shower. By doing this the majority of your loose hairs will end up in your brush rather than your drain!
- Bathe your pets outside. Weather permitting, washing your pets outside will keep loads of hair out of your drain. And during colder months when pets need to be bathed inside, you can block the drain with a washcloth to keep their fur out of your pipes OR opt to bathe them in a wash tub you can empty outside rather than in your bathtub.
- Give your garbage disposal a break. The more you compost, the less opportunity you’ll have to clog your garbage disposal. On top of that, using your garbage disposal less will also conserve water and energy!
- 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
When Should I Start Thinking About Replacing My Central Air?
1. Frequent Repairs. Schedule maintenance is important to ensure your unit is running efficiently, but when the HVAC technician knows you and your dog by name, it might be time to consider a new AC unit. A simple, occasional repair will keep your unit running, but continuous repairs are expensive and a sign of decline.
2. Temperature Fluctuations. A well-functioning AC unit can keep up with changing outdoor conditions and maintain a comfortable, steady temperature at the right humidity levels. If your central AC unit used to keep your home consistently comfortable, but stopped doing so, it’s time for an upgrade.
3. Rising Energy Bills. Air conditioning units that are starting to fail may consume more energy than they did when they functioned properly. This usually happens because the AC unit now needs to run longer or more frequently to maintain a consistent temperature. If your energy bills are on the rise, your AC unit may be the culprit.
4. Poor Operation. If your central air conditioning unit is making banging, grinding, or clanging noises, it may be on its last legs. Units that turn off and on frequently are also indicative of poor operation.
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
Most Important Way To Care For Your HVAC System
Replace the Air Filter
Replacing the air filter in your HVAC unit is one of the most effective ways you can improve its performance and your home’s air quality. As you would expect, a filter prevents debris and pollution from harming the entire system, and an old, dirty filter isn’t much use. In fact, a filter in need of replacing will slow air flow and increases your energy bill as the system works harder to heat or cool your home.
With these reasons in mind, be sure to replace your air filter frequently. As far as how frequently, this depends on the quality of your current filter, how much you use the furnace or air conditioning, and whether or not you own pets. Generally, the average suburban household should replace the air filter every 90 days. If allergies are a factor, or if you own several indoor pets, you may consider changing the filter every month. Here are a few other items to keep in mind:
- High-quality air filters save time and money. Contact your HVAC manufacturer and see what the professionals recommend.
- Extra use may cause dirt and grime to build up more quickly. Check the filter regularly to make sure it’s not clogged.
- Be prepared. Once you know what filter to buy, purchase several at a time to avoid putting it off when the time comes.
- Call Green Apple Mechanical NJ toll-free at 888-611-7191
How Storms And Floods Can Affect Your Plumbing
- Clogged toilets – During the warmer seasons of the year, school is out, and this can contribute to more toilet clogs. Having some kids in the house can mean more trips to the toilet and using too much toilet paper which results in clogs.
- Sewer line backups – Summers are typically the time for multiple thunderstorms and heavy rains. Although these are usually for the warmer months, this can cause problems with your sewer line.
- Water sprinkler problems – The time you use your water sprinkler the most is during the summer months. Keeping your lawn watered can contribute to having issues with this system.
- 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 please feel free to call us toll-free at 888-611-7191
Experiencing Poor Air Flow?
Poor Air Flow
If you are noticing weak or little air flow through your AC vents, the unit’s compressor may be failing. In case your areas or rooms in your home are getting cold air while others are not, then the trouble might be with your ductwork and it’s a sign that your AC system needs urgent repair.
Over time, debris can get stuck in your air conditioning vents. Not only this obstructs airflow, but it also presents a health risk to you and your family. Having your air conditioner’s ducts cleaned is a great way to restore airflow and ensure that your AC system is working well when you need it most.
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 feel free to call Green Apple Mechanical NJ toll-free at 888-611-7191
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