Choosing The Best Filter For Your Furnace
Fiberglass
The most basic type of filter on the market, fiberglass filters check all of the essential boxes. These filters are flat, made with fiberglass, and have a metal structure as support. They don’t offer much in the way of cleaning the air in your home, but they do protect the HVAC system from large particles and some bacteria. Fiberglass filters generally have very low minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) ratings between one and four.
Keep in mind that even basic filters like these won’t be effective if you don’t change them regularly. Most HVAC technicians recommend changing air filters every two to three months for most of the year and replacing them every four weeks during the winter months when you are constantly using the furnace. By changing the air filter as often as possible, you’ll ensure that it helps the HVAC system run as smoothly as possible.
Pleated
A step up from fiberglass, pleated filters are made with polyester. With a pleated format, these filters boast more surface area, which allows them to trap and capture more airborne contaminants. More than just a protective shield for the HVAC system, many pleated filters can also help clean pollen, dust, and mold from your home’s air supply, which contributes to quality indoor air. Most pleated filters have an MERV rating between five and 13, with the higher-ranked models offering superior filtration capabilities. In general, these are a good, affordable option for most furnaces.
Like fiberglass filters, pleated filters must be replaced regularly. Mark, your calendar to change the filter yourself every 60 to 90 days during the off-season and every 30 days during high season. Alternatively, schedule preventative maintenance for your HVAC system to check both filter replacement and system checkup off your list.
High-Efficiency
Air filters that boast high-efficiency ratings look and operate much like pleated filters. Their MERV ratings are even higher, and most have a rating between 14 and 16. These also tend to be expensive, with an average price tag of $100. Before splurging for one of these filters, make sure it will work with your furnace. Some high-efficiency filters are thicker or offer too much air resistance, so they’re not the right choice for every system.
Note that HEPA filters are often considered a top choice for air filtration since they can capture nearly 100 percent of airborne particles. Due to their unique construction, however, HEPA filters won’t work with most HVAC systems which can’t provide the high air pressure that these filters require.
Reusable
Most air filters are disposable, which means that while they might be effective, they’re not always environmentally friendly. When you’re looking for a greener option, consider a reusable air filter, which is made to be removed, washed, and reused regularly. These filters create little waste, but they do require maintenance about once per month.
Most reusable filters offer moderate efficiency, with MERV ratings between six and 10. Keep in mind that many reusable filters have higher price tags, but since they don’t require a replacement, the cost balances out over time.
Electrostatic
Made with self-charging cotton or paper fibers, electrostatic filters are able to trap some of the smallest airborne particles. While most filters can trap medium and large pollutants, electrostatic filters can capture bacteria and odor particles. The ability to trap such small particles makes these filters a good choice for homeowners working hard to manage their indoor air quality.
Electrostatic filters come in both disposable and permanent varieties with mid-range price tags. These filters generally have MERV ratings between eight and 10. While they’re not the most efficient models on the market, they do offer advanced air cleaning properties. Since the permanent filters can be washed and dried, they’re also an environmentally friendly option.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding any of your HVAC or plumbing needs call Green Apple Plumbing & Mechanical NJ toll-free @888-315-5564. 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.
Understanding Your Internal Furnace Parts:
- Thermostat: This device is the control system for your home’s temperature. A temperature-activated switch tells a control board inside the furnace to start the heating cycle by turning on an ignition switch.
- Draft/Hood Fan: Air is pulled into the burners and mixes with natural gas (the most common type of fuel source in NJ) to create combustion. The fan directs the heat from the burners into the heat exchanger where harmful, exhaust gases, like carbon monoxide (CO), are vented outside.
- Burners: Furnace burners are a set of tubes where gas is directed to and then burned. A gas valve, igniter, and flame sensor all work together to control the flames. When your thermostat signals your heater to turn on, the gas valve opens and the mixture is ignited. The flame sensor acts as a safeguard that will shut off incoming gas if the flame isn’t present. Dirty burners and flame sensors are common repairs we often see.
- Heat Exchanger: The burners heat a series of metal tubes in order to warm the air that is being pulled into the furnace. Any damage to the heat exchangers could let gases like CO leak into the house, which is why having a carbon monoxide detector is important to have in your home.
- Blower: The blower fan will direct air that comes from the return ducts into the hot heat exchanger. The heated air is then blown throughout the home’s ductwork.
- Flue: A flue vent collects the combustion gases used to create heat and send them outside of your home.
- Green Apple Plumbing and 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
Replacing Your Air Filters Is Essential
Air filters remove pollen, dust and other particles that would otherwise circulate indoors. Most filters are typically rectangular in shape and about 20 inches by 16 inches, and about 1 inch thick. They slide into the main ductwork near the inside fan unit. The filter should be periodically washed or replaced, depending on the manufacturer’s instructions. A dirty air filter will not only degrade indoor air quality, but it will also strain the motor to work harder to move air through it, increasing energy costs and reducing energy efficiency. The filter should be replaced monthly during heavy use during the cooling seasons. You may need to change the filter more often if the air conditioner is in constant use, if building occupants have respiratory problems, if you have pets with fur, or if dusty conditions are present.
Green Apple Plumbing and 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 at 888-315-5564
Breathe Easy With These HVAC Tips
Heating and air conditioning systems offer improved comfort and air quality when they’re operating at peak efficiency. Without regular annual maintenance, your HVAC system has to work harder or stay on longer to keep your home at the same temperature. Regular maintenance can help your HVAC system save energy and last longer before replacement is necessary. To keep up that efficiency, you should have your HVAC system inspected by a Green Apple professional at least once per year.
Check your air filters once per month and change them at least every three months or as soon as they get dirty. Changing them regularly keeps dust and dirt from building up in your system and leading to expensive problems. Airborne pollutants will also stay in your home as your filter loses its effectiveness. You can even add an air filter monitor that measures air pressure differences in your HVAC system so you can tell exactly when to change your air filter. Some monitors can send a wireless reminder to your smartphone or tablet when it’s time to change your filter.
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 at 888-315-5564
How Moving Furniture Can Make Your Furnace More Effective
Blocking vents with furniture. Sometimes a vent just happens to be in the same location you want to put your couch. But you’ll sacrifice the quality of heating and cooling in the room if you place it there.
You’re more likely to achieve an even distribution of warm air by keeping vents free of obstruction. But if you like your furniture where it is, you may benefit from exploring different heating options. Hydronic heating, which heats rooms with hot water pipes under the floorboards, may be a better fit to keep your design aesthetic from being dictated by vents. Some vents can be closed individually, but depending on your duct system, closing vents may make your furnace less efficient. We recommend consulting a Green Apple Plumbing & Mechanical NJ HVAC professional to determine what’s best for your home.
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 at 888-315-5564
Does Your Furnace Need A Makeover?
The furnace is older than 15 years: A furnace’s age impacts its effectiveness. The average lifespan of a furnace is between 15-20 years. You may want to consider a replacement if your furnace is over 15 years old even if you think it is in good working order.
Energy bills are higher despite usage staying the same: Furnaces that have become inefficient have to work harder to provide proper heating, resulting in more expensive heating bills. Consider spending the money to replace your furnace and enjoy the benefits of a reduced bill during the life of your new appliance.
Rooms in your house are heating unevenly: Changing your thermostat constantly to feel more comfortable could be a sign your furnace is not distributing heat evenly throughout the house. This may mean you have an old or faulty furnace that needs replacing.
The furnace is excessively noisy or develops rattles, buzzes or hums: It’s highly likely that if your appliance is making these noises it has some major mechanical issues and that replacement may be necessary.
The furnace has needed frequent repairs over the past two years: Are you calling for heating service months after your last repair? Your furnace could be reaching its lifespan and needs replacing. Keep in mind that repair costs will eventually outweigh the costs of getting a new unit.
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 at 888-315-5564
Don’t Let The Weather Freeze Out Your Pipes!
- Warm air circulating throughout the home during very cold weather also benefits plumbing below floors and inside walls that may be susceptible to freezing. Maintain interior temperatures of at least 55 degrees, and open cabinets under sinks and close to exterior walls to transmit household heat to the pipes.
- Vents that admit outdoor air to the crawl space should be shut. This allows heat in the living space to get into the crawl space and provide some protection against freezing in any pipes routed through that zone. Also, keep the exterior garage door closed if any plumbing is installed there.
- Just as it helps lessen heat loss from your home insulation can keep your pipes from losing those last few degrees of heat energy. Exposed pipes—both cold water and hot water—in areas like a crawl space, basement or attic can be covered with foam pipe insulation sleeves or wrapped with pipe insulation tape. Electrical heat tape can be applied to short spans of pipe in areas that may be particularly prone to freezing.
- 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 1 priority. If you have any questions or concerns regarding any of your HVAC or plumbing needs call toll-free @ 888-315-5564
Is Your Furnace Making Any Of These Sounds?
Furnaces tend to make some noise when they turn on and off, but if those noises start to get progressively louder, it may be time to replace your unit. These sounds may come in the form of popping, banging, humming, or screeching. This could be a telltale sign that you may need to replace a furnace or some parts within the furnace. The reason for some of these sounds could be:
- Rattling: Unsecured ductwork, loose screws or sheet metal can be the cause of this sound. It may also mean the lower motor is not properly balanced.
- Popping: This sound can happen when parts within your furnace warm and cool in response to temperature changes within your system.
- Humming: Your fan motor may produce electrical humming sounds, but the fan should never be loud or disruptive. If it is, your inducer motor or blower fan motor could be starting to fail.
- Screeching or Squealing: These noises are a sign there is an overall issue with your blower motor or inducer motor. Possible issues could be a loose bearing, deteriorating belt, or an issue with the pulley that holds the belt.
- If you have any questions or concerns regarding any of your plumbing or HVAC needs call Green Apple toll-free at 888-315-5564
How To Avoid Costly And Damaging Bursting Pipes
THE DANGER ZONE: WHEN AND WHY PIPES FREEZE
Especially in places that typically see cold winter weather, like New Jersey, well-constructed modern homes are built to protect pipes against freezing. In older homes, however, or during unusually cold temperatures, pipes that are most at risk of freezing are
- Exposed pipes in unheated areas of the home,
- Pipes located in exterior walls, and
- Any plumbing on the exterior of the home.
Exposed pipes in the basement are usually warm enough that they aren’t in danger of freezing. But exposed plumbing in areas such as crawl spaces, attics, and garages may be at risk. Tests of residential water systems showed that for uninsulated pipes installed in an unheated attic, freezing began when the outside temperature fell to 20° F or below. Surprisingly, both hot and cold pipes can be at risk. As water freezes, it expands and can increase the pressure in your plumbing system; too much pressure can cause pipes to burst or crack.
Many homeowners don’t take appropriate precautions to protect plumbing that is connected to the outside of the home, such as outdoor kitchen plumbing, exterior spigots, or even a garden hose. Water expanding in a frozen garden hose can increase pressure throughout your home’s plumbing enough to burst an interior pipe.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding any of your HVAC or Plumbing needs call toll-free at 888-315-5564
Is An Annual Furnace Inspection Really Essential?
Uphold Your System’s Warranty
Many warranties provided on heating systems have a clause that void the warranty if furnace inspections or maintenance are not completed at regular intervals. These warranties may also be voided if someone other than a professional has worked on the system.
Keep Your System Running Efficiently
A furnace inspection will ensure that your furnace is running efficiently; this can save you a lot of money on energy costs over the cold months.
Minimize Breakdowns
Having your furnace inspected before winter sets in can save you from experiencing an emergency, such as your furnace breaking down on the coldest night of the year.
Keep Your System Operating Safely
By having a professional inspect your furnace, you can ensure that your furnace is safe to use. Furnaces that have leaks or obstructions can cause fires and potentially devastating damage to your home.
Evenly & Comfortably Heat Your Home
Regular furnace inspections and tune-ups can make sure that your home is heated evenly, as dirty filters and obstructions can leave one room boiling hot and another freezing cold.
Extend the Life of Your Furnace
By having your furnace inspected each year, you may be able to extend the life of your furnace. Many furnaces will last up to 20 years, however, if your furnace is not taken care of, the lifespan can be much shorter.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding any of your HVAC or plumbing needs call Green Apple Plumbing & Mechanical NJ toll-free at 888-315-5564