Monday, December 17, 2018

Fixing Hot And Cold Spots In Your Home

temperature issues during the winterThe ideal for every homeowner is to have a house with a nice even temperature throughout it.

However, that is not always the case. Most homeowners have areas of the home that are warmer and cooler than the rest of the house. This problem can lead to comfort issues for household members. For example, one bedroom may feel sweltering hot while, across the house, another room feels ice cold.

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Branchburg Furnace Repair: Best Ways To Prevent Hot & Cold Spots In Your Home

During winter, many homeowners complain about the upstairs feeling overwhelmingly hot and the downstairs feeling significantly cooler. These hot and cold spots can be a feature of any home, but they can usually be detected and dealt with easily enough.

Why Homes Have Hot And Cold Spots

broken heating systemThese are not necessarily bad things to have in a home, especially as they may be part of the actual design. Some rooms may have been designed to capture more sunlight while others were intended to have a little more shade, such as storerooms. There may also be flaws in the construction, such as inadequate insulation in walls or around windows. Ductwork that was designed or implemented poorly can also be a part of the problem as well, especially as it can create flow problems with the HVAC system. Keep in mind that you want to deal with these issues before it becomes a more severe issue.

How Temperature Issues Can Be Eliminated

First, identify the different hot and cold spots. Second, look for any of a wide range of potential problems. There is no question that hot and cold spots can be frustrating, especially if they make some rooms of the home too uncomfortable to work or spend time in. There are some things you can check to determine if outside help is necessary.

What Homeowners Can Do To Help Resolve Temperature Issues

  • Check the vents for possible blockage: Something as simple as a piece of furniture blocking a vent can cause problems: With something in the way, the vent may not be able to deliver air to the room. Also, check the vents for dust and any other type of debris or blockage.
  • Try to determine if there are any drafts: An obvious sign that you may have a draft is if the room is much colder than the rest of the house. Check all around doors and windows in the room to see if the seals have been broken. DIY insulation kits may be the best solution; they are extremely cost-effective and easy to install. The insulation is also easy to uninstall and then reinstall the next winter. You can also put something on the floor if the draft is coming from under the door to keep out the cold air.
  • Inspect your insulation: Insulation is made to either keep the outside temperatures from coming inside and inside air from escaping outside. Older homes may have insufficient insulation or some of it may need to be replaced. It may take an expert to determine if the insulation is failing or inadequate to complete its intended task. Either they, you can deal with the problem as needed.

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What An HVAC Professional Can Do To Help You

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  • Cleaning ducts: Dirty air ducts can also be a cause of hot and cold spots. If the ducts are not free of dust, dirt, and other forms of debris, the air will not be able to circulate freely. Thus, your heating system will not be able to heat your house all that effectively. Cleaning the ducts every two to five years is sufficient to keep the ducts cleans. Keep in mind that if you have pets, especially furry ones, or live in a dusty area, then you may want to do more frequently.
  • Need to install multi-zone heating: Multi-zone heating implies that each area or zone in your home has its own thermostat. A multi-zone system allows for maximum control over the temperature in the house. You may find it more cost-efficient to establish different temperature zones in your home, such as keeping little-used rooms colder than the rest of the home during the winter. It can also be used to compensate for flaws in ductwork and insulation.
  • Keep the furnace properly maintained: You should schedule your furnace for a maintenance check before every season. If any issues could create hot and cold spots, then the technician should be able to spot and repair them well before the weather changes. Furthermore, proper maintenance also helps reduce energy costs and increase comfort.

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Conclusion

Skylands Energy offers superior HVAC services throughout Somerset County, Hunterdon County, Middlesex County, Morris County, and Union County, New Jersey.

We specialize a full line of home comfort services including heater repairs, AC installations, HVAC tune-ups, and more. If you are experiencing temperature imbalances in your home, our experienced NATE-certified technicians can help find the best and most practical solutions to fix the issues.

Our services ensure that your HVAC system is giving you the best possible comfort at the highest efficiency. By working with us, you will find that we have some of the most competitive prices in the area. Call Skylands Energy today to set up a free estimate.

Schedule A Free In-Home Estimate

Some of the areas that we service in Branchburg Township include Flagtown, Neshanic Station, Readington, Three Bridges and these zip codes 08821, 08853, 08870, 08887 as well as all surrounding areas in Somerset County, New Jersey.

Click here to contact us today or give us a call at (908) 707-1776 if you have any questions.

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Monday, December 10, 2018

Common Wintertime Plumbing Problems

house in winterWinter temperatures usually drop below freezing in many parts of the country. Therefore, homeowners are advised to always prepare for the cold season in advance.

This will help to ensure they enjoy optimal home comfort throughout the year. For instance, they need to check their water heaters to ensure they will have a reliable supply of hot water for bathing, washing, and cooking throughout the cold winter months.

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Raritan Plumbing Services: Common Wintertime Plumbing Problems

It is important to note that there are some plumbing problems that are much more prevalent during the cold winter months than other seasons of the year. Below is a list of the most common wintertime plumbing problems:

Frozen & Burst Plumbing Pipes

frozen plumbing pipesWhen temperatures drop below freezing, the water flowing inside water pipes in your home will freeze. This will cause two problems. For starters, you will not get water from your faucets and showers. You will also not have any hot water if the water inlet pipe has frozen. To restore both hot and water supply in your home, therefore, you have to call in an experienced plumber to thaw the pipes. Once the pipes have thawed, water will start flowing smoothly to your faucets, water heater, toilet, showers and all other water points in your home.

The second problem that frozen pipes will cause is water leaks. When water freezes or solidifies, it increases in volume. Since there is no room for expansion inside water pipes, the increase in volume will lead to bursting of water pipes. When the frozen pipes are thawed, therefore, you will be left with a major water leak. A competent plumber can carry out effective repairs after thawing the pipes. Your plumber can recommend a number of measures you can take to prevent your water pipes from freezing again.

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Water Heater Issues In Winter

water heaterDuring the cold winter months, water heaters usually work overtime to ensure you have an uninterrupted hot water supply for domestic use. This can put a lot of strain on the heater. As a result, the unit can easily break down. While regular servicing can help to minimize the frequency of breakdowns, there is a decent chance that your heater will malfunction during winter. Fortunately, there are many emergency plumbers who are always on standby to offer emergency hot water heater repairs. That said, water heater problems are some of the most common complaints reported by homeowners during wintertime.

Avoid Failing Sump Pumps

As the weather transitions from the extreme heat of summer to the freezing cold of winter, you may come to discover that your sump pump may not work properly. Since there is usually a lot of melting ice and snow as well as rainfall in the wintertime, a faulty sump pump can lead to flooding in the basement. The resulting water damage can be extremely costly to repair. If you discover your sump pump is not working properly, be sure to hire a competent plumber to service the unit.

Clogged Toilets During The Winter

It is normal for people to spend most of their time indoors during winter. This is because the weather is not conducive for outdoor activities. Since most families usually get together in the wintertime, it is not unusual for toilets to get clogged. To prevent this from happening, consider having a toilet bowl upgrade. Be sure to also clean your drains before winter. Any clogs should be cleared by a competent plumber as taking a DIY approach can cause bigger problems.

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Broken Or Malfunctioning Garbage Disposal Units

As people spend more time indoors during winter, there is usually a lot of cooking going on at home. As a result, there is a lot of waste that needs to be disposed of. This may lead to a breakdown of the garbage disposal unit. Consider upgrading the unit with a more powerful unit this winter.

Conclusion

For top-notch plumbing services, contact Skylands Energy.

We have dependable and friendly plumbing professionals to offer excellent service at affordable prices. When you experience any issues with your system, our experienced plumbers can make the necessary repairs. All of our services are performed in a timely manner. You can call us for installations, maintenance, or repairs. Therefore, when you need plumbing services, be sure to give Skylands Energy a call.

Our company has a significant amount of experience in the field of plumbing and, therefore, can maintain and repair your system to ensure it remains in tip-top shape. Contact us to schedule a free estimate today.

Call Today: (908) 707-1776

Some of the areas we service include Bridgewater, Martinsville, Raritan, Somerville, and these zip codes: 08807, 08836, 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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Monday, December 3, 2018

How To Keep Your Energy Costs Down This Winter

energy billsHeating costs are a significant component of your utility bills, especially if you live in a region that experiences frigid winters.

However, no one wants to spend their hard earned money on their energy costs. Some people go as far as living in a less-than-comfortable environment by keeping their thermostat setting so low; their house is a little on the cold side. Fortunately, there are ways to keep your energy costs down while keeping your interior environment cozy and warm.

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Branchburg HVAC Companies: How to Keep Your Energy Costs Down This Winter

In this article, we will discuss some tips to help you keep your energy costs down this winter.

Adjust Your Thermostat To An Appropriate Setting

thermostatYou can cut your annual heating costs by as much as 10% just by setting your thermostat 10° to 15° lower for eight hours a day during the winter months, says the US Department of Energy (DoE). More specifically, you should set your thermostat to 68°F when your home is occupied and lower when your house is unoccupied. In essence, this will ensure your internal temperature remains lower than the surrounding temperature, preventing heat loss in your home. To make temperature regulation easier, use a programmable thermostat. However, if you have a heat pump, you will need a specially designed thermostat to ensure your heat pump operates efficiently.

Schedule Service for Your Furnace/Boiler

HVAC technicianYour HVAC system requires regular service and maintenance to remain in good working condition. More specifically, you should hire a qualified HVAC technician to inspect your HVAC system and perform any necessary repairs. While at it, the technician should also clean your heating system thoroughly and replace the filter if necessary.

Replacing your filter is important because dust buildup is not only an allergen but dust may also cause your furnace to operate inefficiently, increasing your heating costs. At the same time, ensure no objects, including furniture or rugs, are blocking your system’s vents and radiator. Adequate airflow ensures that the conditioned air circulates freely throughout your home, but also enables your heating system to perform in an energy efficient and safe manner.

Schedule A Heater Tune-Up

Invest In Insulation To Keep The Heat In

Air leaks are one of the main causes of heat loss in your home.

Consequently, to lower your heating costs and make your home warmer and comfortable in the winter months, you should insulate it properly. Be sure to address any of the drafty areas of your home.

Conditioned air can escape from your home through the windows, roof, floors, walls and virtually any other opening in your home’s envelope, including small openings around recessed lights. For an accurate and thorough measure of the air leakage in your home’s envelope, hire a certified HVAC contractor to conduct a complete energy audit.

To locate hard-to-find air leaks, the contractor will perform a blower door test, which will entail depressurizing your home to reveal such leaks. Moreover, an energy audit will reveal the areas in your home that require the most insulation.

Install A High-Efficiency Heating System In Your Home

HVAC contractorIf your furnace is ten years or older, it is likely worn out or inefficient.

If this is the case, you should replace it with a modern high-efficiency model to enjoy energy savings. Remember, while older furnaces have energy efficiencies in the 56% to 70% range, current, conventional HVAC systems, especially the Energy Star certified models, can attain energy efficiencies as high as 98%. They convert almost all the fuel to useful heat for space heating. In fact, according to the DoE, such a furnace can cut your furnace pollution output and fuel bills in half.

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Conclusion

To keep your energy costs down this winter, install a high-efficiency furnace/boiler, insulate your home’s envelope properly, schedule service for your furnace/boiler, and set your thermostat 10° to 15° lower for eight or more hours every day.

Skylands Energy has NATE-certified technicians on staff to help you with all of you HVAC requirements.

Skylands Energy offers the full suite of heating and HVAC solutions for you including repairs and replacements, system maintenance and tune-ups, and new installations. Our techs have the training and experience to service your existing heating equipment. They will ensure that it provides the comfort and efficiency that you expect out of it. With competitive HVAC service prices and guaranteed work, Skylands Energy is the best solution in the area. Don’t wait! Winter is coming! Call today to schedule a free, in-house estimate.

Schedule An Appointment: (908) 707-1776

Some of the areas that we service in Branchburg Township include Flagtown, Neshanic Station, Readington, Three Bridges and these zip codes 08821, 08853, 08870, 08887 as well as all surrounding areas in Somerset County, New Jersey.

Click here to contact us today or give us a call at (908) 707-1776 if you have any questions.

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How to Tell If Your Furnace Is Short-Cycling & What to Do

The chill in the air means that winter is on its way. The freezing temperatures are likely to bring discomfort to your home. Make sure that...