Author: GreenApple

Hot! Hot! Hot! Furnace Facts

If you have or are looking at purchasing a gas furnace, there are five standard types

• Horizontal gas furnace
• Package gas furnace: also comes with an air conditioner
• Upflow gas furnace: airflow enters the bottom, and the heated air exits the top
• Downflow gas furnace: opposite of the upflow, airflow enters the top, and the heated air exits the bottom
• Lowboy gas furnace: shorter units designed for tight spaces

If your home has a gas furnace…you are not alone

Gas furnaces are the most common heating units found in homes across America. This is primarily due to the fact that they have such high-efficiency ratings and can be used in rural or remote locations. They can operate off of natural gas (if it’s available in the area) or propane, which makes them very convenient for homes with no natural gas lines.

 You should always look at what’s covered in the policy

Contrary to popular belief, not every component of a furnace is covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. In fact, it’s common for the more expensive parts to not be covered by the warranty. Make sure you do your research and read the fine print before making any purchase.

 Never store things around your furnace

Heating units are typically located in the basement where many families keep seasonal items between uses. This is a bad idea for several reasons. If you need to get to your furnace in an emergency quickly, you have no quick route to access it. And if you have a gas unit that uses a burner, you could have a potential fire hazard on your hands.

 Always, always commit to preventative maintenance.

If nothing else, preventative maintenance can help you spot small problems before they become significant problems. But regular maintenance on your furnace can also help prolong the lifespan of the unit and keep your energy costs down. In fact, most manufacturers require annual maintenance to maintain warranties. Make sure you add an annual check-up to your maintenance list, especially after the 5-year mark.

If you notice your furnace beginning to make strange noises or not performing as well as it should contact a Green Apple Plumbing & Mechanical NJ professional so they can also help you set up a preventative maintenance schedule so your system stays in tip-top shape and keeps your family warm for many years. 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 @888-315-5564

How To Tell If Your Furnace Is Overworking

You manually adjust temperatures frequently

When it gets too cold, you turn the thermostat up, and when it’s hotter than you’d like, you lower temperatures or shut the furnace off. This may seem logical and like an efficient way to run the furnace only when you need it, but this simply isn’t the case.

Your furnace is designed to run in balanced cycles in order to keep temperatures just where they need to be. When you manually turn the thermostat on and off, you wear down the components quickly. Rather than turn the furnace up high and then lowering temperatures dramatically, it makes more sense to find a reasonable temperature and keep it there, letting the furnace run in its usual cycles.

You don’t change the air filter

Neglecting to change the air filter might not seem like a big deal to you, especially if you don’t have active allergies. But it’s not just there to clean the air. A dirty filter can actually harm a furnace (or air conditioner) because it blocks the flow of air through the system.

The blower fan has to work harder to try to suck in air through a dirty and clogged filter. Parts wear down, but what’s worse is that your furnace can overheat and shut off completely.

You don’t use a programmable or smart thermostat

Older thermostats tend to work just fine even with some brand new equipment. Many people don’t upgrade their thermostats when they replace a heating system, but we think this is a mistake. The wrong thermostat can easily overwork your furnace even if it’s working just fine.

You’ve probably left the heat on high by accident before leaving the home many a time. But a smart thermostat helps you prevent this. If you need to make an adjustment after you’ve left the home, all you have to do is open up an app on your smartphone.

You shut the vents

When you shut a vent in an unoccupied room in the home, you might think you are saving energy. After all, no one is using the room, and it only makes sense to keep from paying for that extra heat. However, closing the vent actually creates more work for your heater.

A furnace is designed and sized specifically to heat the amount of space in your home. Closing off space can lead to overheating or short cycling as the furnace may have to start and stop more often than it is meant to. 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

How Prevention Is Key When It Comes To Plumbing

How to Prevent Frozen Pipes

While we can’t control the weather, there are things we can do to prevent pipes from freezing. To prevent pipes from freezing and causing major damage, follow these steps:

• Drain water from pipes that are likely to freeze. This includes your swimming pool and sprinkler water supply lines.
• Disconnect any hoses from the outside of your home, drain the hoses and store them in the garage. Make sure to close the indoor valves supplying these outdoor access points.
• Insulate the area around vents and light fixtures. This helps prevent heat from escaping into the attic.
• Seal any wall cracks. Be sure to pay careful attention to the areas around utility service lines.
• Open kitchen cabinets. This allows the warm air to circulate around the pipes.
• Keep the garage doors closed to protect water lines.
• Allow your faucets to drip cold water on the coldest days. The movement will make it harder for the water to freeze.
• Keep your thermostat at the same temperature day and night. Never let it fall below 55 degrees Fahrenheit when you leave your home.
• Ensure you have proper seals on all doors and windows.
• Place a 60-watt bulb in areas where you’re concerned about pipes freezing. Make sure there are no combustible materials near the bulb.

Protection from Frozen Water Pipes

Frozen water pipes and the damage they can cause are a reality for thousands of people each year. That’s especially the case when you are at below-freezing temperatures for an extended period of time.

The Insurance Institute says a burst pipe can cause more than $5,000 in water damage. That’s because the damage can be extensive.

Prevention is key when it comes to protecting your plumbing. 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 toll-free @888-315-5564

How To Ensure Your Furnace Is Working Efficiently

Your furnace works hard to warm your New Jersey home, and you can help. Here are five ways to make sure your furnace is working efficiently this cold season.

Run Ceiling Fans in Reverse

Warm air rises, and turning your ceiling fans on reverse forces the warm air back down where you want it, ensuring your home reaches a comfortable temperature quickly. This gives your furnace a bit of help when it comes to keeping your home comfortable.

Use Your Programmable Thermostat

There’s no reason to have your furnace heating your home when you aren’t there to enjoy it. Use your programmable thermostat to lower the heat in your house while you’re away, and heat it back up to a comfortable temperature just before you come home.

Clear the Area Around Your Air Vents

When your air vents are obstructed by furniture and curtains, your furnace can’t get the air it needs to work properly. Clear the area around your air vents, and vacuum or sweep around air vents regularly during the winter months to keep dust from gathering.

Check and Replace Furnace Filters

When your furnace’s air filter becomes clogged with dust particles, it causes your furnace to work harder than usual to draw air in. Replace or clean your filters every month to ensure your furnace can get the air it needs. Mark on your calendar when to change your filter so you don’t forget this very important task.

Schedule a Furnace Inspection

Lastly, an annual inspection is important to keep your furnace running efficiently because it gives our Green Apple technician a chance to clean dust and debris from the furnace’s interior and replace worn parts. Inspecting your furnace annually also prolongs the life of the unit and can prevent costly breakdowns.

Helping your furnace heat your home efficiently saves energy and saves you money on heating costs. Green Apple Plumbing & Mechanical NJ  can help, with programmable thermostats, annual furnace inspection, and energy-efficient furnaces. 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 & The Cold Weather

When it comes to preparing your plumbing for cold weather, you don’t want to be left out in the cold. At Green Apple Plumbing & Mechanical we can help you with all your seasonal plumbing maintenance needs. Below are five quick and easy ways to get your plumbing ready for cold months.

1. Check for Leaks

Now is the time to look for any plumbing leaks around your home. Check faucets and showerheads and take note of any low water pressure. If you see any leaks, call a Green Apple Plumbing & Mechanical professional to repair them right away. Even small leaks add up quickly, wasting precious water as well as money.

2. Disconnect Your Outdoor Hose

When the temperature drops, hoses are the first victims. One of the most important plumbing maintenance tasks this time of year is disconnecting and storing any outdoor hoses to prevent freezing. This also helps protect pipes inside your home. Try to do this ahead of time so your hose is safely stored before the first wave of cold temperatures. Also during the freezing temperatures, it is a good idea to locate the shutoff valves for outside faucets and turn those off.

3. Have Your Pipes Inspected

If you’ve never inspected your pipes before, a professional can check them to make sure that they are in tiptop shape for the winter months. They can also prevent pipes from bursting by insulating them to protect your home and replacing them if they are faulty. Bursting pipes can be devastating to a homeowner.

4. Keep Your Home Warm

This tip may seem simple, but cool indoor temperatures can be the biggest cause of pipes bursting in the home. Check to see that your thermostat is set and activated, and make sure that the temperature in your home does not drop below 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

5. Take Care of Your Sinks

Using a sink as a garbage disposal can be problematic. Particularly during winter, oils and fats poured down the drain can freeze once temperatures drop. This can clog your drains and cause more problems. Be sure to dispose of grease properly to keep your pipes clear and be ready for the big chill.

If you want a hand with your plumbing maintenance tasks this year, the experts at Green Apple Plumbing & Mechanical are happy to help. Contact the team today to schedule an appointment with one of our many professionals. Green Apple Plumbing & Mechanical NJ are the experts you can trust. Customer service and care are always our number priority. If you have any questions or concerns regarding any of your HVAC or plumbing needs call toll-free @888-315-5564

2 Things You Need To Be Aware Of With Your Furnace

Rumbling, squeaking, and rattles aren’t normal. The sounds may indicate a mechanical problem, airflow reductions or a clogged burner.

Sometimes a furnace may be running fine, but loudly. If you can tell the noise is a result of the air running through the ductwork, one solution may be to insulate your ductwork to cut down on the noise.

If the actual furnace system is making odd noises, this can occur when the pilot light is improperly adjusted or the blower motor lubrication ports need oiling. There may also be an issue with the belts or even the burner.

What are the different noises coming from your furnace?

a. Pinging or popping sounds – could be thermal expansion- the ductwork expanding and contracting as it heats and cools.

b. Rattling noises – loose panels may need to be tightened.

c. Squealing noises – could be a belt that connects the motor to the fan slipped. Or the belt needs replacement.

d. Grinding sounds – probably time to call a furnace repair technician. The motor bearings need repair.

Clean Leaves and Debris from Heat Pumps or Intake and Exhaust Vents

When Is The Right Time To Replace Your Toilet?

3 Silent Signs You Have A Problem With Plumbing

Bubbling Ceiling or Wall Paint

If the paint on a wall or ceiling suddenly begin to bubble or peel off, it’s most often a sign of moisture. The most common cause of this headache is a leak in either the roof or plumbing system. Should you see paint bubbling or blistering, or brown spots appearing on a ceiling or wall, it’s time to begin the investigative process to find out what’s wrong.

Spiking Water Bills

A sudden jump in your water bill is more than just a pain in the wallet. It’s also a sign that something has changed in your plumbing system. If you haven’t done anything to justify an increase in water usage (such as filling up a pool or watering your lawn more than usual) you should begin troubleshooting to find out if you have a leak. The most common source of the water bill jump is a running toilet. Many homeowners don’t appreciate how much water a toilet uses; the toilet valve is essentially a garden hose going at full blast, and it’s not unusual for a single running toilet to waste hundreds of dollars of water.

No Water in Winter

If your water pressure suddenly drops or completely ceases in the middle of winter, there’s a chance that your pipes have frozen. This is a major issue and needs to be dealt with immediately.

An especially common problem in homes where the supply lines run through an attic, crawlspace, or other unheated space, frozen pipes hold the biggest danger once they thaw. That ice is acting as a plug, holding back the water from rushing out any splits that may have occurred. If you think you might be dealing with this issue, step through the troubleshooting carefully, and prepare to deal with a leak. If you get lucky enough to have the frozen pipes thaw without issue (copper pipes can expand slightly without bursting), don’t count on being that lucky the next time. Take the steps immediately to fix the situation.

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

How Cleaning Can Preserve Your Furnace

Do you need your furnace to keep working all winter?

Easy Ways To Avoid Plumbing Mistakes

A Leaky Faucet Isn’t a Cause for Concern  

This is by far the most problematic home plumbing myth out there. The leak which results in costing you a huge amount of money the average leakage rate per faucet stands at around 10,000 liters globally. That’s 270 laundry loads, give or take.

The EPA also gives some unflattering facts as to the extent of damage leaky faucets can cause, including the fact that you can save almost 10 percent on your water bill, simply by fixing a leaky faucet.

Save money, and help the planet by fixing that leaky faucet as soon as possible.

If Everything is Going Down the Drain, There’s No Problem!  

Another no to this. There are many problems that may be lurking inside the drainage system which aren’t immediately visible, but they might cause huge problems later.

Out of sight, out of mind doesn’t really apply to the plumbing world. Even if you can’t see it, food like pasta and rice will bloat in pipes causing clogs, blocking the passage for other waste to peacefully pass through the pipes. Without the proper amount of water to rinse it down, waste builds up in the pipes and makes drainage inefficient.

Most Plumbing Fixes are D-I-Y Jobs

This statement is most commonly made by people who end up adding the plumber to speed dial after an out-of-control plumbing situation. Do not fall for this myth.

A certified plumber is essential to most non-trivial plumbing tasks. While fixing a leaky faucet or cleaning the pipes is not that hard to get right, anything more does require at least professional oversight if not professional skills.

Always consult a trustworthy and qualified Green Apple Plumbing & Mechanical plumber before going in for any repairs yourself. You’ll save yourself a whole lot of trouble before getting into situations you neither have the tools nor the skills, to get yourself out of.

Water Flushes in The Opposite Direction in The Southern Hemisphere

As much as you might have heard about the Coriolis Effect, the toilets do not flush in the other direction in the southern hemisphere. The Coriolis Effect is responsible for cyclones rotating in opposite directions in the Northern and Southern hemispheres however, this effect is only applicable to larger water bodies. There is simply not enough water in the toilets for the effect to appear in the first place.

Also, the direction of water in the toilet is determined by the water jets, which are common across the world exceptions always exist, however.

Putting a Brick in the Toilet Tank Saves Water

The origins of this frankly ridiculous myth are unknown, nor is there any proof to back this up. There are many, many ways to save water in toilets using water-saver flushes and faucets, fixing leaky flushes and faucets, and many more ways. This, however, does nothing to better the water situation in your toilet.

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 @888-315-5564