Do You Know The Answers To These Important Questions?
Where does your water come from? Do you use city or well water? If you use a well, you should know how to access the well. If you use city water, you should have a general idea of where the main pipes are in your yard.
Do you use sewer or septic waste system? If you have a septic tank, you should know where it is located on your property. No matter which waste system you use, you should know where the clean-out plugs are and make sure they are accessible.
Do all faucets have an accessible shut-off valve? Every sink, shower, toilet and water-driven appliance (including water heaters) should ideally have their own shut off valve. This ensures that, if there is a leak in one, you still have access to water in other parts of the house. If there is not a shut-off valve for each, you might consider having a Green Apple Plumbing & Mechanical plumber install one. Be sure you know where each shut-off valve is and how to use it.
What types of pipes do you have? Plumbing pipes could be PVC, copper or PEX. Knowing what type you have can make our plumber’s job that much easier.
What your pipes look like. Most of us don’t know whether the pipes are right or not. But if you routinely make a visual inspection of your pipes, you are likely to spot a problem before it becomes an emergency. Look for rust, buckling or drops of water. If you see any of these, it is time to call a Green Apple Plumbing & Mechanical plumber.
Green Apple Plumbing & Mechanical New Jersey 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 plumbing or HVAC needs call toll-free @888-315-5564
Keep The Air Flowing In Your HVAC
Change the Filter Regularly
Maintaining a central air conditioning unit is all about maintaining airflow. That is why it is important to regularly change the air filter on the system.
Filter packages usually state a recommended schedule for replacement (i.e. every 90 days or so) but it really depends more on how much the unit is running and how dirty the air is.
During hot months, it may be beneficial to change the air filter more frequently. The process is often as simple as sliding the old filter out and sliding in the new one.
According to air conditioner manufacturers,
…regular cleaning/changing of your filter will ensure the best filtration, increase the life of your machine, and give you peace of mind that you’re breathing easier.
Do Not Close Any Registers Completely
With a two-story house the upper level is often warmer than the lower level even with the central air running. This is the case with our home, and knowing that hot air rises and cool air falls I figured I could easily balance the air temperature by adjusting the register (air vent) openings.
The mistake:
It is true that closing some registers on the cooler lower level forces more air out of the registers upstairs. The cooler air then works its way downstairs and the air temperature becomes more even throughout the house. However, by doing this the air conditioning unit may completely shut off!
In fact, when level registers are totally closed, the coils in the unit froze and the A/C quit functioning. Luckily, by shutting off the entire cooling system and giving the coils time to thaw, the A/C was up and running again within a few hours.
The lesson:
Do not completely close registers. To balance the air temperature, registers can be slightly closed, but do not close them completely. Additionally, make sure supply vents are not blocked. Green Apple Plumbing & 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 toll-free @888-315-5564
Your Plumbing May Be Trying To Tell You Something
WHAT CAUSES YOUR FAUCET TO DRIP?
There may be several reasons why your faucet is dripping. Below we review some of the most common causes of a leaky faucet.
PROBLEM IN THE O RING:
A stem screw is used to hold the handle of a faucet in place. This stem screw includes a small disc attached to it, known as the O ring. This is an integral place where dripping can occur. The O ring can become loose or wear out over regular use, causing the faucet to drip near the handle. Replacing the damaged O ring will fix it if this is the issue. This problem occurs specifically in cartridge faucets.
CORRODED VALVE SEAT:
A valve seat serves as a connection between the faucet and the spout in the compression mechanism. Accumulation of water sediments can cause the valve seat to corrode, causing leakage around the spout area. Make sure that you clean the valve seat regularly with the help of a professional Green Apple Plumbing & Mechanical plumber.
WORN OUT WASHER:
This is one of the most common causes behind a dripping faucet. During each use, the washer is forced against the valve seat, and this constant friction causes it to wear out. As a result, dripping is noticed around the spout. Dripping caused by worn-out rubber washers can be mended by replacing the washer. This type of leak is found in a compression faucet.
IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF WASHER:
Often, if the washer is not installed properly or is not the right size, it can cause a leaky faucet. We suggest hiring a professional Green Apple Mechanical NJ plumber to help you install the washer properly, allowing you to say goodbye to your leak. Green Apple Plumbing & 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 priorities. If you have any questions or concerns regarding any of your HVAC or plumbing needs call toll-free @888-315-5564
How To Keep An Eye On Your Water Pressure
Keep an Eye on Your Water Pressure
Most people think that the higher their water pressure is, the better. It’s true that getting into a shower with low pressure isn’t the best way to start the day. And a sudden drop in pressure could mean you’ve got a clogged pipe somewhere. But too much water pressure can be a bad thing.
When your water pressure is too high, your entire plumbing system is under constant stress. Over time, those pipes and joints that keep everything flowing can start to break down. But how do you know if you have too much pressure?
If it seems abnormally high, you can go out and get a pressure gauge from a hardware or home improvement store. These gauges just screw right onto an outside faucet or the draw-off next to your water main for an instant reading.
Your water pressure should be between 40 and 80 psi (45 is actually the standard). Anything above that and you’re exposing your pipes to unneeded wear and tear. You can fix this by having your Green Apple plumber install a reducer valve on the water main. This will regulate the pressure of the water coming into your home.
Consider an Annual Checkup
Your home’s plumbing network is a lot like your car, your body or your teeth. Nothing works better to maintain health and longevity like regular, preventative maintenance.
Most plumbing companies offer annual maintenance. They’ll check your plumbing network from top to bottom, going over all the things mentioned here and more. Toilets, faucets, drains, water pressure and the health of your pipes will all be checked by a seasoned Green Apple plumbing professional.
If they find any issues, they’ll advise you on the next steps to take to insure your home’s plumbing system can get back to optimal health. It’ll also give you some records to show your insurance company if you’re ever struck by a water disaster in the future.
Green Apple Plumbing & Mechanical NJ are the experts you can trust. 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 @888-315-5564
Be Careful Not To Overlook Your AC This Fall
Fall is officially here, and it’s almost time for AC systems to go on their annual break. People often go into post-summer months with an “out of sight, out of mind” mentality. They incorrectly assume that air cooling services in NJ are only important when the weather is hot.
If you have an older system or you’ve neglected annual maintenance, you may want to consider upgrading to a new HVAC system. Fall is one of the best times of the year to make a change in your heating and cooling units, and the following are three reasons why.
Best Service
The fall season is an off-peak time of operations for HVAC companies. Upgrading during this downtime has a lot of advantages when it comes to the service you are getting. The technicians have much less work on their schedule. With fewer time constraints, they are more likely to spend extra time helping you understand your needs best.
Green Apple will take ductwork and airflow calculations to ensure you are getting an appropriate AC unit. During the summer, it’s challenging to get additional assistance sometimes.
Time to Save
When your HVAC system goes out on a 90-degree summer day, there is only one thing on your mind: get it back on as soon as possible. This buying method puts more stress on you.
In the fall, decreased demand tends to lead to significant price drops and sales. Additionally, you are not in a rush to replace your unit. The lack of urgency gives you time to research what type of system is best for you. You can cross-reference efficiency ratings, output, and costs to see what the best deal is.
Heat Pumping
Many AC units also act as a heat pump during the winter. If your AC was struggling in the summer, then it will have a hard time with heat when the winter comes. Heating issues tend to be harder to notice because they will make continue to make noise and sound like they’re operating while not efficiently heating your space.
They are often referred to as “zombie” heat pumps due to their deceiving ability to seem alive and running. One thing you will notice is that a dying heater will cause your electric bill to spike. Most systems have inefficient backup heaters that kick in when the primary system isn’t getting the job done. You can avoid these costly spikes by getting ahead of the problem with a replacement.
Don’t get stuck with a bad HVAC unit that it dies mid-summer. Take note of a struggling or older system and replace it during the off-season to get better service, a better system, and increased savings.
Green Apple Plumbing & 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 toll-free @888-315-5564
Fall Is Inspection Season
In order to prevent unwelcome interruptions to your season, we recommend servicing your furnace at least once a year. Every HVAC company recommends annual inspections. However, many individuals omit this critical step due to forgetfulness or cost issues. Taking this preventative measure will save you hassle and money in the future. Here’s why servicing your furnace is recommended:
1. Ensure safety
A large portion of accidents involving furnaces are caused by faulty or malfunctioning parts. While cranking up the heat during fall seems innocent, there have been fatal accidents. Harmful poisoning can occur when your furnace emits too much carbon monoxide for a certain space.
Another safety concern is the potential of a house fire. House fires are the most common result of furnace issues. When natural gas builds up in the home, an explosion can occur because of the volatile nature of gas. Regardless of the likelihood of an explosion, even the presence of natural gas in the air can cause extreme sickness, headaches, nausea, vomiting, and dizziness.
Having a Green Apple Plumbing & Mechanical professional inspect your furnace will guarantee a safe environment for you and your family. Carbon Monoxide is the last issue you’ll want to deal with this season. Green Apple Plumbing & Mechanical NJ professionals will also perform a thorough inspection for flammable dirt and debris.
2. Increase Efficiency
One of the advantages of having your unit checked annually is increased efficiency. As you probably know, fuel for heating is very costly. A technician can analyze the efficiency of your system to see that your HVAC system is burning fuel at an economical rate.
3. Invest in the Future
Although it may seem like a headache now, employing the knowledge of a professional Green Apple technician will lead to lower bills and less fuel consumption. Spending a small amount of money on prevention will save you large bills in the colder months. Make sure that yearly service is performed before winter to confirm the reliability of it during the cold winter months.
There are specifically outlined steps for a technician to follow while inspecting your furnace that will ensure a worry-free cold season. Although it may seem unnecessary, it’s like going to the dentist. You may not think you need it until something goes wrong. Invest in a happy season with a furnace inspection. You’ll thank yourself later! Always remember that Green Apple Plumbing & Mechanical is available for any of your furnace needs. Call toll-free @888-315-5564
Tips That Will Make Your HVAC Switch To Fall Easier
Use Fans and Open Windows
Now that the weather is starting to mellow out, you can at least turn the air conditioning unit to a lower setting. Once you do that, start using your ceiling fans a little bit more and opening windows. Not only does it take some of the burdens off of your air conditioner, but it also allows your house to air out and stay fresh.
Close the Blinds
Although this is a great summer tactic to take the strain off of your air conditioner, it works for just about any season. Approximately 25% of your home’s hot and cold air is lost through small cracks and holes, which means curtains and blinds are great energy savers. They not only keep the sun and heat out in the summer, but they also keep cool in when you need them to.
Turn the AC Off at Night
Not only is the weather during the day getting milder, but the nights are also becoming even cooler. This is a great time of year to save energy by turning your AC off at night. Open a window and leave a few fans on in the house to circulate the cool night air and you’ll wake up in a home that feels fresh and cool without breaking the bank before autumn fully sets in.
Schedule Maintenance
Though you may not think it, your HVAC services need preventative maintenance at least once a year. This is the perfect transitional time to call Green Apple Plumbing & Mechanical NJ and have your system inspected. Not only should you have your AC inspected, but your furnace needs a checkup as well. It’s just as important to repair any damage done over the summer months as it is to prepare your heating system for the cold of winter.
If you’re not sure where, to begin with transitioning your HVAC system to the autumn months, give Green Apple Plumbing & Mechanical NJ a call and we will be able to answer your questions. 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 toll-free @888-315-5564
Tips For Better HVAC Performance This Fall
- Set thermostat at one temperature. Constant adjusting can cause higher utility costs. If using your thermostat as a setback type, limit the setbacks to twice a day such as when you are at work and when you are sleeping. Only setback the thermostat 6% of desired temperature (approximately five degrees).
- In the heating mode, try not to set the thermostat below 65 degrees or above 75 degrees. Below 65 degrees, a heat pump just won’t put out enough heat, and above 75 degrees, it’s using too much energy. In the cooling mode, try not to set the thermostat below 70 degrees. Besides higher utility costs, this can cause the indoor coil to freeze and cause condensation in the house.
- Don’t stack things on top of the unit. If the fan is on the top of the unit, the air-flow cannot be restricted. Do not put your rolled-up garden hose or landscaping products on the unit. We see this all the time!
- Keep the outdoor condenser coils clean. If they get dirty you can use a heavy-duty degreaser and hose them down. Just turn the unit off first.
- When mowing the lawn, direct the mower away from the unit. A coil blocked with grass clippings and debris drastically reduces efficiency.
- When using a weed whacker be careful near the unit. Debris can damage the coil, flatten the aluminum fins, and cut the thermostat wires; shorting out the transformer. We see this all the time, and it is an expensive repair.
- Green Apple Plumbing & 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 @888-611-7191
The Best Reason To Install Central Air
Central air conditioning is the most effective and simplest way to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home. Compared to conventional air conditioning methods such as window unit air conditioners, central air is by far the best selection for any home or office. Perhaps the biggest benefit of central air conditioning might seem like its ability to cool your entire house in a matter of minutes, but it’s actually the unit’s ability to clean the air and improve your air quality.
Instead of cooling only one room as window units are capable of doing, the central air conditioning cools your entire house by sending cool air through ducts in your home. The air is then released through vents into each room, cooling it almost immediately. Through return air ducts, ambient air is pulled from each room before passing through filters that remove lint, dust, pollen, pet dander and other allergens before releasing this newly clean air into each room of your home via a secondary duct. Even the smallest pollutants in the air are trapped and prevented from being released into your air. The more money you spend on a central air conditioner, the more pollutants it will capture and the better your indoor air quality will become.
Clean air at all times is the biggest benefit of a central air conditioning system. However, it’s not the only benefit of having central air. There are many reasons your air conditioning system should be upgraded to central air.
Green Apple Plumbing & 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 plumbing or HVAC needs call toll-free @888-315-5564
Don’t Get Surprised By Your Plumbing!
DON’T GET SUNK BY SURPRISES!
Sinks, tubs, showers, and toilets should be inspected regularly so that you can spot relatively minor problems and address them before they get out of hand and become much larger issues. Small leaks or cracks typically don’t go away on their own, and eventually, they’ll come back with a vengeance not to mention, wasted water equals wasted money!
Washing machine hoses are one of the top causes of flooding in homes, along with water heaters. Often, you are given little warning before water suddenly starts collecting on the floor of your mechanical or laundry room. A thorough inspection could potentially identify these approaching issues before they occur.
IN THE BATHROOM…
The bathroom is usually not the first room in your home that comes to mind when you think of routine maintenance, but it sure is an important one! Your toilet, for instance, has a shutoff valve, a flush valve, and a drain flapper, all of which are crucial to proper performance and water conservation. The bathtub, shower, and bathroom sink all have drains which should be routinely checked, along with water fixtures that will eventually start to fail with age and regular use. In addition, these fixtures all have ‘heads’ where the water is delivered from, and these can fall prey to mineral deposits, corrosion, and long-term wear.
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE KITCHEN?
In the kitchen, in addition to the standard sink and faucet water hookups, home plumbing systems often include a water line to the refrigerator for an icemaker/water dispenser, connections for the dishwasher, a garbage disposal located in the cabinet below the sink, or possibly a custom faucet accessory. If ignored for extended periods, you can certainly anticipate some sort of leak problem developing, over time. Best to spot a small drip and deal with it, before it has a chance to grow to annoying proportions when you happen to be away from the house.
Green Apple Plumbing & Mechanical NJ are the experts you can trust. We have been serving the NJ area for years with professionalism and expertise for years. 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 888-315-5564