Prevent Drafts And Air Leaks In Your Home This Winter

All homeowners like their homes to be comfortable all year round and, especially, during the colder months. Unfortunately enough, it often proves difficult for many homes to maintain a stable and warm indoor temperature during the wintry season. Many homeowners compensate by setting their thermostat to a higher temperature. Raising the temperature works as a temporary solution. However, it isn’t long before they notice a steep increase in their energy bills and the lessening in the overall energy efficiency of your home.

The good news is that there is an alternative which is healthier, more cost-effective, and permanent. We will go into some of these preventive methods later in this article. However, beforehand, one needs to understand that air leaks and drafts are one of the main culprits that reduce energy efficiency.

With this being said, proper detection and plugging up of these drafts and air leaks in your Raritan NJ home will increase it’s energy efficiency. This is an effective preventive, air-sealing solution that we highly recommend. In this article, we will discuss some of the best methods to make your home air-sealed and free from drafts and leaks.

Learn More About Our Heating Services

Air Leak Prevention Tips

There is little doubt of the veracity of the old adage ‘prevention is better than cure’. This saying holds just as much truth when it comes to the proper insulation of a drafty home. To begin with, you need to do some through inspecting. This is true, especially in certain sections of the house where drafts and leaks commonly occur.

Once you have found most of the sources…

which contribute to the biggest energy drains in your house, then you can set about sealing up those leaks by applying the proper methods.

How To Go About It

Typically, the biggest and the most expensive leaks are found in the attics and basements of a house. So, naturally, it stands to reason that we must begin with those areas. Once you have found the sources of the leaks, you ought to properly seal those leaks with squirt foam. It is important that you spend an adequate amount of time to find all the leaks in your attic and especially, in the basement. Don’t dismiss small or thin leaks. Even these will impact your home heating costs.

Run Air Leak Tests

To obtain more foolproof results…

you may consider hiring a contractor who, with the help of advanced air leak detector tools, can help you find even the smallest and hair-thin leaks throughout all the rooms in your house. A contractor will also offer proper suggestions on how to seal those leaks and other ways to increase the energy efficiency of your home.

This is great way to decrease your energy costs throughout the winter. Many homeowners are surprised to find out how much energy loss occurs in their home after they have had an energy assessment with a professional.

Do It Yourself

However, even without hiring a specialist, you can do a pretty good job of making your home air-sealed as long as you have the proper air sealing techniques. Some of the most common culprits, when it comes to air leaks, are door and window frames, gaps around the flues, chimneys, and recessed lights. For recessed lights, you can do one of two things:

1. Purchase ‘insulation contact and air tight’ (ICAT) labeled lights
2. Use an airtight baffle to seal the existing lights

As for doors, window frames, as well as gaps around the edges of the flues and chimneys, make sure to carefully caulk all those gaps. All these will make a big impact. The good news is that all of the material needed to perform these tasks should only cost you about 20 dollars or so.

Doing this increases your home’s energy efficiency. Your heater will work less and, therefore, it won’t feel the unnecessary stress that overworked heaters experience. This helps your system last longer. Also, you will see a reduction in your energy bills and repair bills.

Get A Heater Tune-Up

Last, but not the least, a properly functioning heating system also contributes (in a big way) towards making your home more energy efficient.

Make sure to schedule an annual heater tune-up with a reputable HVAC contractor.

A maintained heater works efficiently and therefore, it will consume less energy. Additional benefits that come with proper heater maintenance include reduced repair costs, improved indoor air quality, a higher level of comfort, and a system that lasts longer.

Call To Schedule Heater Service

 

Air Leaks Raritan NJ

Home maintenance may often come off as a challenge for many homeowners. However, as long as you stay on top of potential issues, you will deal with it more easily. This is true in terms of your time and finances. But if it still happens that you are not able to deal with some problems all by yourself, you can always seek the assistance of experienced and knowledgeable HVAC experts and technicians.

For professional heating services, contact Skylands Energy. Our NATE certified technicians can tune up your heater to ensure it performs optimally throughout the winter season. This will help reduce your home heating costs and increase the energy efficiency of your home. Also, our contractors can suggest methods that will improve the energy efficiency of your home. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

Schedule An Appointment

Some of the areas we service include: Bridgewater, Flagtown, Raritan, Somerville and these zip codes: 08807, 08821, 08869, 08876 as well as all surrounding areas in Somerset County, New Jersey.

Contact us now at (908) 707-1776 to find out more!

The post Prevent Drafts And Air Leaks In Your Home This Winter appeared first on Skylands Energy.

from Skylands Energy https://skylandsenergy.com/heating/air-leaks-raritan-nj-prevent-drafts-home-winter/
via IFTTT

How To Get Cleaner Air In Your Home This Winter

Often, during the summertime, many people do not think too much about about the quality of air that circulates throughout their home. It is easy to vent a home through open windows when it is warm out. However, fresh air tends to disappear during the colder months. This is because windows are usually closed since the outside temperature is much lower. It is during this time that homeowners primarily focus on keeping their home at a comfortable temperature instead of keeping their indoor air quality clean.

When it is cold outside…

lower indoor air quality begins to circulate inside of a house. The trade-off begins between being warm and higher indoor air quality standards. However, any person, using a simple series of steps, can improve such a situation. Being warm and having excellent air to breathe are both possible! This article will provide trusted techniques to improve indoor air quality in your Raritan, New Jersey home this winter.

Explore Our Heating Services

Keep Registers And HVAC Vents Clean

Regardless of when you cleaned the vents last, there is always dust circulating through the heating unit. It does not mean that you have a dirty home. All ducts and vents inside of your home naturally have residue buildup. However, most vacuum cleaners have a wand attachment that can reach down inside of the vent to help remove the dust with its suction power. Studies that discuss indoor air quality facts claim that by regularly cleaning each vent, you can improve your air quality indoors.

Humidifier Usage

Heated air is dry. In fact, many people turn up their heat because dry air does not feel as warm as moist air. By adding a humidifier to your home, you can help keep the air moist. It will give your home a warmer feeling. The price of these devices and the cost to run them is affordable for nearly any budget.

Call To Schedule Heater Service

Changing Out Filters

You should always check your air filters…

for debris and excess dust. Replace them when they become dirty. For the best results, check the filter monthly. If you have pets or if you are doing some remodeling, change the filters more regularly.

While it is always a good idea to clean or change air filters through the entire year, it is especially essential during the winter months. The absence of fresh airflow means that the air filter will clog more easily. When you have a dirty air filter, it circulates around unclean air for you to breathe. The importance of cleaning the air filters in your heating system cannot be overstated.

Slightly Open A Window

It does help to open a window now and again to let clean air into your home. Keeping your home airtight is not the best solution for clean air. Even during the cold months, a slightly open window makes a huge difference. By adding in some fresh air, it significantly improves the air quality in your home. Only open your windows for a short period of time in order to prevent the furnace from working too hard.

Get Some Houseplants

Green houseplants help remove harmful carbon monoxide and benzene from the interior of your house. Therefore, adding some plants will improve the air that you are breathing.

The plants that you add will have two purposes. The first is that they look great and provide more flair to a room. The second is that the air is cleaner and it may help reduce your personal stress. Plants are generally easy to take care of regardless if you were born with a green thumb or not.

 

Regular Heater Maintenance And Servicing As Important

Homeowners do not always keep up with the maintenance on their heating devices. However, even during months, when a furnace is not in use, debris, dirt, allergens, and other forms of indoor air pollution sources still accumulate in the unit.

A professional tune-up helps prevent…

the premature breakdown of components. Also, it helps improve indoor air quality. When contaminants are removed, the risks associated with breathing dirty air are eliminated.

A proper inspection of your furnace means that your system will run the way that it should. There are many advantages that emerge from a heating system tune-up. You can rely on your heater when you need it to keep you warm. It will operate more effectively and efficiently, reducing home heating costs. Your home will feel much more comfortable. A tune-up prevents expensive repairs and breakdowns. It also promotes a longer lifespan. It is much more expensive to buy a new furnace than to service an older one.

Learn More About Our Heating System Tune-ups

Indoor Air Quality Raritan NJ

Do not settle for dirty air inside of your home during the winter. When you work with a professional HVAC company, you receive many benefits. You will spend your time enjoying your home, breathing clean air, paying less for your energy bill, and feel peace of mind knowing that your system won’t fail on the coldest day of the year.

For all heating system services including ways to improve your indoor air quality, contact Skylands Energy. Our Nate certified contractors have the knowledge and experience to make your home more comfortable and energy efficient, all while making your indoor air healthier! Don’t suffer through the winter this year. Instead, get your system running properly with the help of Skylands Energy. Be sure to contact us today to schedule an appointment.

Schedule An Appointment

Some of the areas we service include: Bridgewater, Flagtown, Raritan, Somerville and these zip codes: 08807, 08821, 08869, 08876 as well as all surrounding areas in Somerset County, New Jersey.

Contact us now at (908) 707-1776 to find out more!

The post How To Get Cleaner Air In Your Home This Winter appeared first on Skylands Energy.

from Skylands Energy https://skylandsenergy.com/indoor-air-quality/indoor-air-quality-raritan-nj-cleaner-air-home-winter/
via IFTTT

Why Your Heater’s Size Is Important During An Installation

When you’re installing a new furnace in your home, it’s important to choose the right size regardless of whether you have forced air or a boiler heating system. You also need to find a good installation company who offers great financing options. It is important to spend some time thinking about the type of heating system.

The heater that you invest in has a major impact on…

the comfort inside of your home and on how much you’ll pay for heat throughout the cold winter months. Of course, you also don’t want to make such a decision without consulting a professional first. Make sure you consult and work with an experienced heating contractor. This will allow you to make the right decision so you can rest assured that you invested in the best heating system for house. It also ensures that you have a successful heating installation. Raritan NJ homeowners can contact the professional services of Skylands Energy. We offer free estimates and in-home consultations.

Your HVAC contractor will measure your home’s total floor area. This will help him decide the amount of heating power that your home needs. He’ll also look at the number of windows, what type of insulation your home has, and many other factors. Elements such as these play a big role in the decision to find the best home heating options for your home. Only after he takes these things into consideration can he recommend a selection of heating systems. There are a few reasons why this is so important.

Learn More About Our Heating Services

Improved Energy-Efficiency

Furnaces with a higher heating power than your home needs will turn off and on quite often. This occurs because it only takes a heater a few minutes to warm your entire home before turning itself off again. After a short while, your furnace will turn itself on again. This rapid cycling reduces your furnace’s energy-efficiency. When your HVAC technician installs an over-sized furnace in your home, it will consume more power with this overcycling than if it was actually running continually. This actually results in higher energy bills. For this reason, you really do need to find the most efficient heating system for your home. You can only do this by ensuring that your heater is the right size for your home.

Extending Your Furnace’s Lifespan

Furnaces that have a low heating power are overworked. When this happens, they don’t meet your heating needs. Small heaters force the furnace to wear out quickly resulting in a shorter lifespan. Additionally, your home will constantly stay at a lower temperature than you want.

On the other hand, when you have a furnace with a higher than necessary heating power, it will over-cycle. This means that your furnace will rapidly turn itself off and on. This results in a lot of wear and tear on the parts inside of your furnace. When this happens, your furnace will have a shorter life expectancy.

You can increase your furnace’s lifespan…

by installing the correct size in your home. Failure to do so will result in you paying more for your energy bills throughout the cold winter months.

Call Now: (908) 707-1776

Improving Your Comfort At Home

With a properly sized furnace, your home will heat properly because your furnace is working efficiently. This ensures that you’re always warm and comfortable inside your home. It also ensures that the temperature is evenly distributed throughout your home.

Getting The Best Value For Your Money

You may already realize that the price of a furnace typically increases with the more power it generates. When you buy a furnace that has a higher heating power than your home actually needs, you’ll pay more money for it than necessary. However, if you buy a furnace that has a lower heating power than your home actually needs, you’ll have to invest in a new furnace prematurely. This is because the furnace is unable to meet your home’s heating needs. With this in mind, you’ll want to get the best value for your money and this starts with hiring a competent HVAC company.

A good HVAC company will decide what the right size of furnace for your home is. They’ll offer a home heating systems comparison which allows you to find one that meets your comfort level needs while also being energy-efficient. Once they make this determination, they’ll install a furnace that meets all of your home’s heating needs.

Heating Installation Raritan NJ

Not just any furnace will work in your home.

You must find the one that’s the correct size so that it keeps you comfortable while also operating energy-efficiently.

Making this decision is just as important as having your furnace properly installed. With this in mind, make sure you call the reliable NATE certified HVAC contractors at Skylands Energy for all of your heating needs.  Their experience and knowledge allows them to understand which furnace size will meet all of your home’s needs. They will match your home with a heating system that improves energy efficiency and the comfort levels of your home. Give us a call today to schedule your free consultation.

 

Schedule An Appointment

Some of the areas we service include: Bridgewater, Flagtown, Raritan, Somerville and these zip codes: 08807, 08821, 08869, 08876 as well as all surrounding areas in Somerset County, New Jersey.

Skylands Energy partners with high quality heating equipment manufacturers like Thermo Pride, Heil, and Mitsubishi. These brands are some of the highest rated HVAC equipment in the entire industry. By being an authorized dealer for such reputable brands like these, you can rest assured, that by working with our NATE certified contractors, you are employing some of the best heating and cooling contractors in your area. To learn more about Thermo Pride, click here. To learn more about Heil, click here. Learn more about our Mitsubishi product line by clicking here.

Contact us now at (908) 707-1776 to find out more!

The post Why Your Heater’s Size Is Important During An Installation appeared first on Skylands Energy.

from Skylands Energy https://skylandsenergy.com/heating-systems/heating-installation-raritan-nj-heater-size-important/
via IFTTT

Steps To Take During A Heater Malfunction

During the winter months, your heater becomes one of your home’s most prized possessions. It helps you and your family stay comfortable when the temperature gets cold outside. To keep your heating system working properly throughout the cold weather, it is vital that you have it serviced regularly by a professional HVAC contractor. You can boost the performance of your furnace and keep it from breaking down when you need it most, just by having it routinely maintained. Of course, it is important to remember that your heating system always has the potential for malfunctioning at any time and for, what seems like, no reason.

When your furnace malfunctions…

always be prepared to handle the situation. It is entirely out of the question trying to fix your heater on your own. You can make the situation worse or hurt yourself. In this article, we will share some steps that you can take if your heater does stop working during the winter.

Learn More About Our Heating Services

Shut The Doors To Rooms That You Don’t Use

Any time your heating system stops working, it is important to keep as much heat indoors as possible. The first thing to do is shut all the doors leading to rooms you are not currently using. This prevents the escape of heat into rooms that are not being used. You can stay in the rooms with the most warmth for a couple of hours while waiting for the arrival of your HVAC professional.

Cook

Any time your heater stops working, take advantage of this time to do some cooking. What you will be doing is generating some heat and adding humidity to the air. Stews, soups and other foods that are cooking on the stove not only gives you something warm to eat, but also helps heat the room you are in.

Exercise

Whenever the heat goes out…

be sure to limit your activities to just one room. This minimizes heat loss. However, there are other things you can do to stay warm. Consider exercising to warm up the body naturally. Heat is a by-product of burning calories during exercise, so warm up by moving.

Layer On Some Clothing

It is true that shutting doors and remaining in one room helps to prevent loss of heat, but you should also maintain body heat by layering on some clothing. You will remain more comfortable while waiting for an emergency visit from your heating company.

Call Now: (908) 707-1776

Be On The Lookout For Any Foul Odors

Heating unit failures create an uncomfortable environment. However, it can be unsafe as well. Let professionals do the fixing regardless of the lateness of the hour. The majority of HVAC companies offer emergency repair services.

While waiting for an HVAC technician to arrive at your home…

spend time checking your home for any foul odors. What you are checking for mostly is the smell of rotten eggs since this can indicate a gas leak. If this odor is present, call the fire department as well. Vacate the home to keep your family safe.

 

Heating Repair Raritan NJ

For the best and finest in reliable heating system repair service, get in touch with Skylands Energy. Our technicians are all NATE certified which means that they have the knowledge and experience to properly diagnose any problems that you are going through with your heater. You can count on us to offer the appropriate repair solutions. Our services are fast, affordable, and friendly. Call our office today to schedule an appointment. We will be happy to help you get your furnace in tip top condition.

Explore Our Emergency Heating Services

Some of the areas we service include: Bridgewater, Flagtown, Raritan, Somerville and these zip codes: 08807, 08821, 08869, 08876 as well as all surrounding areas in Somerset County, New Jersey.

Contact us now at (908) 707-1776 to find out more!

The post Steps To Take During A Heater Malfunction appeared first on Skylands Energy.

from Skylands Energy https://skylandsenergy.com/heating-systems/heating-repair-raritan-nj-stay-warm-heater-malfunction/
via IFTTT