Rebuilding Infrastructure: Help for Haiti

Momentarilly setting aside our business focus, another value near and dear to us is rebuilding our world. The concept of heartfelt generosity ranks high on the top of our list. We've joined efforts to raise money for the victims of the Haiti Earthquake, so that the country's infrastructure can be rebuilt. We're New Jersey folks-neighbors and friends- just like you.......We hope you'll participate in some way as well!

The Chilling Cost of Inefficiency in Heating your New Jersey Home

Controlling the weather in New Jersey is something we just can't do. But, there are ways to control your utility costs and keep your home warmer and certainly more energy efficient. Here are some helpful hints we often share with our customers.

Insulation:

• Check your attic space. If there is no insulation, install some. If it's in a deteriorated condition, it may be time to have it replaced. Insulating your attic is key in keeping the warmth you are paying for in your home.
• Is the insulation adequate in outside walls of your home? If you're planning on any signficant remodeling it may be wise to verify that.

Doors and Windows:

• Gaps in the wood trim and cracks between the wood and the glass should be caulked properly.
• Use weather stripping to stop drafts on window and door frames.
• If you have older windows and doors you may also have storm windows and doors. Be sure they're being used. If you don't have storm windows create a plastic shield to be used temporarily during frigid weather. Be sure to watch for condensation as to not ruin the finish on your painting and/or the wood trim.
• Now may be the time to consider replacing the olders windows in your home with more efficient models. Federal Tax Credits may apply.

Heating System:

• Be sure you replace the disposable filters in your furnace monthly. If you have filters that are permanant, clean them regularly as well. Restricted filters will reduce the air flow from ducted systems.
• Be sure your heating equipment is serviced regularly by a professional. Efficiency can be compromised if your system is not running at peak performance.
• Consider a digital programmable thermostat to adjust your temperature when the house is not occupied and late at night.

Referring back to our August 2009 Article, here are some other useful tips. Need Service for your New Jersey Heating System? Contact Us Today!

Stay Warm!

How to Avoid Frozen Pipes in N.J.

New Jersey winters can be brutal. In full disclosure we are Contractors serving Residential and Commercial customers in Northern and North Central New Jersey. Each and every year we receive a phone call from one of our customers who has returned from a vacation only to find a disaster in their home. If you’re planning on leaving your New Jersey home for a short period of time during the winter we caution you to do some prep work before you depart….

· Have your heating system checked by a professional contractor before you leave. While this is not a guarantee that you won’t experience a problem, it can bring to your attention an impending situation that could otherwise cause the heat to fail and therefore pipes to freeze.

· Be sure your thermostat is not set below 60 degrees to ensure adequate temperatures are maintained

· If you have pipes that are run in exterior walls in your kitchen or bathroom, leave the vanity or cabinet doors open so that the warmer room air can circulate around them. Be mindful of pets in the event that you store chemicals in these cabinets.

· Turn on a faucet on the upper level of your home so that it drips slightly to prevent the still water from freezing and bursting. If you keep the water flow small you will ensure that water circulates through the pipes that may run through colder spots in your home.

· Arrange for a family member or friend to stop by and check your home to be sure the heat has not failed. Be sure this individual knows the location of the main water shutoff valve.

· Check the water meter to be sure it’s running. This will alert you to the possibility of a frozen pipe. A frozen pipe today becomes a burst pipe tomorrow. No one wants to return to an indoor winter wonderland of icicles.

· If you’re going to be away for a very long period of time, you may wish to turn off the water to your home at the main shutoff valve. This may not necessarily prevent a frozen pipe but it will minimize water damage.

As a permanent measure you may wish to add low temperature sensors if you have a central station alarm system. These sensors should be located throughout your home.

More On Steam Heating and Maintenance

It seems that everything old is new again. In full disclosure we are Heating Contractors in New Jersey. In our continuing effort to bring you valuable information about your heating equipment we've stumbled across an article written by New York Time's reporter Edward R. Lipinski on February 18, 1996. While nothing has changed in the maintenance of steam systems, we felt compelled to share this article with you. While it's true that many consumers like new modern technologies, you can't ignore the fact that there's nothing like a steam system that works well.

NJ Residents, need service or maintenance on your steam boiler? Contact us. You can also refer back to our featured article at Best of NJ.com on the History of Steam Heat as well as an article we've written and published on Steam Heat Maintenance.

Don't Neglect The Pumps In Your Home

We're homeowners, business owners, professionals, employees, volunteers, stay-at-home mothers and fathers, students, commuters, and we all wear many hats. It's surely a busy time of year, and while we try to remember to take care of all our personal or business errands, checking off our 'to-do'lists as we go, we are often too busy to remember to give a little attention to the devices in our home that work silently, unattended, and provide protection from the elements. We're talking about PUMPS. The sometimes so silent items in our home that never come to mind, until they fail. We thought it important enough to remind you by re-posting this article from September of this year. Check out your pump today before it let's you know your attention is needed!

In Today's Competitive Environment, How Do You Find The Right Contractor?

Tough times today, no doubt. Dozens of contractors are vying for your business. Let us help shed some light on what today's savvy consumer should look for in selecting a contractor to work in your home or business. One of our earliest posts may be a helpful tool. In full disclosure we are NJ Contractors servicing Residential, Industrial and Commercial customers in the Northern and North Central part of our state. We handle anything from a simple drippy faucet to repiping your home or business, and service and install gas fired heating systems as well as central air conditioning. We hope our hints are helpful. If we can be of help to you, contact us.

Ready To Install Solar In NJ? Funding Available As New Budget Approved

The Alternative Press reports: The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) today approved a budget with $269 million in new funding to promote and deliver renewable energy and energy efficiency solutions to the state’s municipal, residential, non-profits, commercial and industrial ratepayers through New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program (NJCEP). Enhancements to current programs and new programs were also approved to assist small businesses, schools, municipalities and others increase energy savings, save money and protect the environment.

"The BPU is looking forward to helping more New Jerseyans save energy and money in 2010 through the Clean Energy Program, as well as continuing the fight against climate change through energy efficiency and renewable energy," said BPU President Jeanne M. Fox.

The 2010 Clean Energy Program will continue to pursue New Jersey’s Energy Master Plan goals of reducing projected energy use 20 percent by 2020 with strategies that encourage residents, non-profits, businesses and local governments to integrate energy management, renewable energy and energy efficiency throughout their homes, schools and facilities. Budgets for all the whole building programs (Home Performance with Energy Star for Homeowners, Direct Install for Small Businesses, Pay for Performance for Large Businesses and Local Government Energy Audit) have been increased significantly to assist in meeting this goal. READ MORE

NJ Business and Homeowners contact us for more information on installing Solar today.