Is Your Thermostat Giving You Problems?

Skylands Energy offers a variety of HVAC services to customers in Raritan and the surrounding regions. Our services include thermostat installation and repairs.

Our friendly and professional NATE-certified technicians have the skills and knowledge to service your air conditioning and heating unit promptly and efficiently. We offer exemplary customer service at reasonable prices. Contact us today to make an appointment.

Some of the services we offer are AC maintenance, heater repairs, HVAC tune-ups, heating and cooling installations, to name a few. Contact us today to get additional information from our team of home comfort specialists.

Many frustrated homeowners give us a call this time of year. In most cases, it is because they are under the impression that the home’s thermostat is malfunctioning. However, below are some tips to help you determine whether or not this is the case:

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Troubleshooting Your Thermostat

A malfunctioning thermostat is one of the most common reasons a person may call an HVAC technician. Homeowners usually do not discover that the HVAC system has problems until the thermostat begins to malfunction.

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Check Points

If you find that your thermostat is malfunctioning, follow the quick and easy tips outlined below:

Check The Battery

Most modern thermostats are battery-operated. Although wires run to the furnace from the thermostat, such connections are typically in place merely to control the actual HVAC unit. They do not control the thermostat. Remove the thermostat’s front panel. If you do not know how to do this, refer to the user’s manual. After removing it, replace the old batteries with new ones.

Find Out If A Brownout Has Occurred

A bottleneck, a “brownout,” or other power impediment is a less common issue that may cause your thermostat to malfunction. It may result from a malfunctioning heating and cooling system. Even Wi-Fi thermostats and smart thermostats may be affected by a brownout. However, before you replace the thermostat, you should contact a technician to make sure this is the actual source of the problem. It may also be an overall power issue in your dwelling, in which case you will need the services of an HVAC specialist.

Check The Settings Of The Thermostat

In areas that experience four seasons throughout the year, it is not uncommon for one member of the household to change the thermostat’s settings without telling anyone else. For example, one member of the home may have set the thermostat to “cool,” causing other members of the house to think the heating unit is malfunctioning.  We once went a serviced a home with an old Honeywell thermostat. The wife had changed the settings and the husband thought that the heater wasn’t working! Therefore, checking the settings saves a lot of time and trouble.

 

Make Sure The Thermostat Is On

Even though this statement may seem oversimplified, it happens more frequently than most people believe. If your thermostat is the type of model that displays the time and outside temperature, it is easy to overlook the fact that it may only be shut off. A good strategy is to follow a checklist when switching from heat to air-conditioning or the other way around. If your thermostat has this capability, you may also be able to set a program on your programmable thermostat.

Fan-Only Mode

Specific HVAC systems come with a “fan-only mode.” Just as its name implies, this setting allows the HVAC system to run the fan by itself. Therefore, even though the sound is the same, the unit may only be circulating room temperature air throughout your home, causing you to think that the air conditioner component is not functioning properly. Fortunately, this situation is fixable by making sure you set the system to “auto,” as opposed to “fan only.” The “auto” setting is also the more energy-efficient option.

Room Temperature Does Not Match Thermostat Setting

Thermostats frequently become dirty and dusty on the inside. When this debris builds up, it can cause inaccurate readings to occur. Therefore, members of the home may think that the temperature is not changing with the thermostat’s current setting. Fortunately, keeping the thermostat clean can resolve this issue.

 

Raritan Thermostat Services

The simple tips listed above can help you troubleshoot thermostat issues and avoid wasting money on repairs that are preventable. If the problem is simple and you can fix it yourself, it is in your best interest to avoid spending money on an unnecessary service call.

However, if you have a specific problem and the suggestions above prove ineffective, a reliable HVAC technician should evaluate the system. Although you may be tempted to work on your system without a technician’s help, professionals warn against this activity. The reason is that you may eventually make the initial problem worse, damage the home, or harm yourself in the process.

Get in touch with Skylands Energy to schedule an appointment with one of our reliable HVAC technicians. We can troubleshoot all problems occurring with your thermostat or install a new one if this is necessary. It is in your best interest upgrade to a smart thermostat if replacement is needed. It will not be difficult to find the perfect thermostat for your home after reading thermostat reviews and speaking to one of our experts. Our technicians will carefully explain all your options so that you are completely satisfied with your selection.

We provide a broad range of cooling and heating services, including heating and cooling repairs, air conditioning installation, HVAC tune-ups and much more. Get in touch with us today for additional information or to schedule an appointment for a free estimate.

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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!

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Tips On Finding The Best Raritan HVAC Company

If you are looking for an HVAC contractor in Raritan NJ and the surrounding area, it may not be as simple as you may think. In fact, choosing the best HVAC contractor is challenging. The most challenging aspect is that when you find a contractor, you may not know how qualified they are. This can make it difficult to choose the best heating and cooling company for the job.

Fortunately, choosing the best HVAC contractor is easy if you understand two fundamental aspects. The first thing that you should find out if the HVAC company hires techs that have the proper HVAC contractor’s license. Next, you should find out how many years experience each tech has in the HVAC industry. It is best to work with a company that hires only seasoned and licensed technicians.

At Skylands Energy, we hire only the best. We take great pride in offering exceptional home comfort services to our customers. If you check out our HVAC contractor reviews, you will see that we have made a name for ourselves by providing high-quality services.

Each of our technicians is NATE certified. They are also extremely friendly and professional. We provide services that are timely and that we charge very reasonable prices. We stand behind our work by offering warranties, guaranteeing your satisfaction.

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We Provide Home Comfort Services

At Skylands Energy, we offer a variety of services. Our specialties include HVAC repairs, installation of heating and cooling systems, AC maintenance, furnace tune-ups, and more. These are just a few of the typical services that we offer. If you want to have a whole house generator installed to prepare your home for a power outage, we can do it. If you need a fuel delivery quickly and at a reasonable price, we can do that as well.

For a free in-home consultation, give us a call today. If you need a second opinion, we will do it for free. Second opinions are great especially if you doubt the initial estimate that another company gave you. We offer all of these services to customers in Raritan NJ and the surrounding areas.

To learn more about energy efficient planting tips for this spring, read on.

Lower Your Energy Costs With Creative Landscaping

If you are like most homeowners who are planning to landscape the area around their home, you probably aren’t thinking much about your air conditioning system. What you likely don’t know is that you can improve the efficiency of your air conditioning system by utilizing the growth of the vegetation in the area. There are plenty of techniques that you can use to maximize your air conditioner’s performance and also to keep your energy bills down. Below are a few suggestions that you should consider implementing this spring.

Shade Trees

There is a good chance that at some point you stood under a tree on a hot sunny day to cool down. This technique will also work with your home. You can plant trees to shield your home from the intense heat of the summer sun. Also, the tree foliage will release moisture around the house which can reduce the indoor temperature by up to 6 degrees.

According to the Department of Energy, if you place trees in the right places around your home, you can save up to $250 on your energy costs each year.

If you are thinking about using shade trees to lower your energy costs, there are a few things that you should keep in mind.

• To achieve the best results possible using shade trees, you should make sure that they are tall enough to cover your windows and your roof. Since the sun’s rays often expose the southern and western sides of your home for the longest time each day, you should put the trees on these sides of the house for the most significant impact.
• When planting your trees, you want to avoid any damage to your roof. Therefore, plant the trees approximately 10 to 20 feet away from the exterior walls of your home. If trees won’t work or if they are impractical, you can go with shrubs or vines.

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Avoid Obstructing Your Condenser

If you are like many homeowners, you are thinking about hiding your air conditioner’s outdoor module with shrubs and bushes. If you consider it an eyesore, shrubs may seem like an obvious solution to the problem. However, doing this is a mistake.

When you plant in the area around the condenser, you could be blocking its air supply. If you want to plant in the general area, you should make sure that you allow 2 to 3 feet of space around the condenser. This space will keep it from sucking in leaves and other debris. Also, it allows the appropriate amount of airflow so that your AC can perform well.

You should also make it a point to clean the space around the condenser. You want to be sure that it is free of leaves, branches, and other natural debris. If you do not clean the area regularly, it can hurt the unit’s performance. When cutting the grass in the area, be sure to turn the unit off. Finally, you should make sure that there are no trees or bushes that will make it difficult for local HVAC contractors to access your cooling unit for regular tune-ups and maintenance.

Ground Cover Strategies

If you plant vines, shrubs, and bushes strategically, it will provide shade to the ground. Strategic planting can not only help your air conditioner work more efficiently, but it will also boost your home’s curb appeal. The best places to plant is around the driveway, the sidewalks, and other paved areas. When these areas have shade, it will reduce the amount of heat that reflects on your home. It is best to use plants that require little maintenance and little water. You also want to choose plants that will grow quickly and spread throughout the area that you are hoping to cover.

Consider A Rooftop Garden

While surrounding your home with vines, shrubs, and shade trees are effective strategies, planting a green roof is also an effective option. A rooftop garden will make the most significant difference in air conditioner’s efficiency level.

A garden rooftop is what it sounds like. It is a layer of vegetation that grows on the roof. Not only will the plants absorb the sun’s heat, but they will also provide insulation to your home. Overall, a green roof can reduce your heating and cooling costs by up to 50 percent.

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Raritan HVAC Contractor

Spring is the best time to start working on your energy efficient landscape. If you implement your landscape design correctly, you can make your heating and cooling systems work more efficiently, which can increase the lifespan of the appliances. Regardless of how effective your energy efficient landscape is, you still need to schedule an appointment to have your HVAC tuned up by a reputable contractor every year. You know that your car needs regular care to run correctly and your HVAC system is the same. Your air conditioner also requires routine maintenance to run successfully.

Before implementing any of the energy efficient landscape ideas in your home, you should have your system checked by a reputable contractor. Look for “HVAC contractors near me” and find the most reputable company in your area.

It is best to schedule an appointment in the spring, before the beginning of the cooling season. When your system is running efficiently, it will keep your home cool without needing to work too hard. Not only with this extend the life of your HVAC system, but it will also save you money on your energy costs.

To hire the best HVAC contractor in the area, contact Skylands Energy. We provide HVAC maintenance and repairs that will be done right the first time. Our heating and cooling techs have the knowledge and the experience to make sure that your HVAC is ready to keep your home comfortable all summer long. Give us a call today to schedule an appointment.

Call Now: (908) 707-1776

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!

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How To Get The Most Out Of Your Fuel Oil Delivery Service

Keep Your Home Safe By Maintaining Excellent Indoor Air Quality

Clean indoor air is essential for improving and maintaining your health and quality of living. Skylands Energy focuses on the implementation of the most accurate and timely strategies that will improve the indoor air quality for residents in Edison NJ and the surrounding areas. As experts in home comfort and HVAC, we are your partners in ensuring that your home is a comfortable and energy-efficient haven.

All the HVAC services that we offer are performed by experienced and NATE certified HVAC technicians. You can feel confident that the technicians that we send to your home have undergone constant education and training to keep their skills and knowledge up to date. They are knowledgeable in the latest trends and information in the industry.

Our services include repairs and the proper maintenance of the ventilation system in your home to keep the indoor air quality at its optimum. Our technicians have an excellent understanding of the processes required to maintain indoor air healthy. We know how important it is for every home to prevent health issues caused by poor indoor air quality.

Skylands Energy offers an expansive range of HVAC services that include air conditioner and heater maintenance, installations, and HVAC repairs. Our in-home consultations are free, and we can provide a second opinion at no cost to you. Schedule your home visit today by calling our office.

Schedule An Appointment: (908) 707-1776

Understanding Indoor Pollution

Most homeowners do not equate their home with pollution. Air pollution is just not something that happens inside the house. Homeowners who have excellent hygiene and cleaning habits would never imagine that their home may present an issue like this. However, air pollution is not just the gray-brown haze that hangs overhead.

Indoor air pollution can find its way into your home. In fact, some studies show that the air indoors can be as much as five times as polluted as the air outdoors. It may seem unbelievable, but that is what studies have discovered. It is a sobering fact indeed to know that the air inside your home could be more dangerous for your health compared to the air outdoors.

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Causes of Air Pollution Indoors

Although most air pollutants outside could float into a house, the poor quality of air indoors can also be caused by:

VOCs

VOCs or volatile organic compounds are chemical fumes emitted by paints, solvents, turpentine, and varnishes when they begin to dry. They can cause headaches, dizziness, and nausea.

Combustion Byproducts

The appliances inside your home can emit toxic gases. Fuel-burning appliances such as gas stoves, space heaters, and fireplaces produce nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide. The production of these gases occurs when fuel burns at very high temperatures. In homes with poor ventilation, these gases can pose a higher health risk.

Cleaning Products

You may not know it, but you may be using products to keep your home clean with potentially harmful substances. Products that contain ammonia, petroleum-based solvents, and chlorine are notorious for causing headaches, and skin and eye irritations.

Asbestos

The use of asbestos is against the law and has been for many years, but you can still find it in many old homes. It contains tiny fibers that can lead to cancer and significant respiratory diseases when inhaled.

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Minimizing Air Pollution Indoors

There is no perfect way to eliminate causes of indoor air pollution in your home. However, there are ways to improve indoor air quality and reduce health risks significantly. You merely have to take stock of your facilities and take action. The EPA, for example, offers excellent resources on indoor air quality facts and ways to improve your indoor air quality standards. Here are some necessary steps to follow:

Change Air Filters on a Regular Basis

Air filters trap air pollutants and prevent them from entering your home. Air filters, however, do become saturated and must be cleaned or replaced regularly to keep them efficient and effective. It is also essential to use high-quality filters that meet safety standards. High-quality filters are far more effective in trapping different sizes of particulates than low-quality air filtration screens.

Use Hoods or Exhaust Fans

Bathrooms and kitchens are two places in every home where particulates and potentially harmful substances are present. These are also areas that encourage humidity, which in turn promotes the growth of molds and mildew. Exhaust fans help circulate air, promote evaporation, and regulating moisture levels.

Buy An HRV

An HRV or heat recovery ventilator improves indoor air circulation and prevents stale air by bringing in fresh air from outdoors. It also helps prevent mold growth and is one of the best indoor air quality products on the market.

Bring Nature In

Plants such as aloe, English ivy, and bamboo, and palm are not only aesthetically pleasing. They are also great for keeping air indoors fresh and safe by absorbing harmful gases.

Keep the HVAC System Running Smooth

No matter how efficient your HVAC system is, it is bound to fail and malfunction without proper use and maintenance. Have your system serviced by a professional based on manufacturer’s recommendations to keep it at its peak form.

A well-maintained HVAC system is an efficient system that eliminates potentially harmful substances in your home while keeping a comfortable environment. Without proper maintenance, the system will start to fail and become susceptible to issues that will later turn out to be costly and problematic.

To keep the HVAC system at its optimum performance, perform regular cleaning and maintenance, particularly before the summer and winter months. Be sure to have the unit serviced professionally to detect potential issues. Lastly, make sure the system is checked by a trained HVAC professional periodically to help prevent costly problems. Unless you have the proper skills and knowledge, we do not recommend that you attempt any repairs on your own.

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Indoor Air Quality Edison NJ

Indoor air quality should not be an option in your home – it should be compulsory. As a homeowner, maintaining good air quality indoors should be a top priority. Now that you know the factors that lead to indoor air problems and the ways to prevent them, you have the proper knowledge about what to do to keep your home safe.

Skylands Energy is your partner in ensuring that your indoor air quality meets the safety and comfort standards. We are equipped with the know-how, experience, and tools to make the proper diagnosis of the problem and find the best solutions to keep you and your home healthy. Talk to us today about indoor air quality testing and the best steps you need to take for your health and the safety of your home.

Call Now: (908) 707-1776

Some of the areas we service include Edison, Fords, New Brunswick, Somerset, South Plainfield and these zip codes: 08817, 08863, 08901, 08873, 07080 as well as all surrounding areas in Middlesex County, New Jersey.

Contact us today or give us a call at (908) 707-1776 if you have any questions.

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