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.

Do Your Part For The Environment...Be Green

In a constant effort to bring our opinions into your New Jersey homes we've found a simple graphic created by The Department of Energy. Their Energy Tips show you the way to be Green and make every day "Earth Day" as well as how small changes can bring results in both financial savings and environmentally friendly results! Do your part!

Home Heating System Maintenance Guidelines From The US Department of Energy

The folks at the US Department of Energy are concerned not only with the amount of energy we as consumers generate, but the efficiency of our heating systems and our comfort as well. It is the opinion of the Depahertment of Energy that the following should be performed annually by a profeSssional heating cvontractor.

All Systems:

• Check the condition of your vent connection pipe and chimney.
  Parts of the venting system may have deteriorated over time. Chimney problems can be expensive to repair, and may help justify installing new heating equipment that won't use the existing chimney.
• Check the physical integrity of the heat exchanger. Leaky boiler heat exchangers leak water and are easy to spot. Furnace heat exchangers mix combustion gases with house air when they leak—an important safety reason to have them inspected.
• Adjust the controls on the boiler or furnace to provide optimum water and air temperature settings for both efficiency and comfort.
  

If you're considering replacing or retrofitting your existing heating system, have the technician perform a combustion-efficiency test.

Forced Air Systems:

• Test the combustion chamber for cracks.
• Test for carbon monoxide (CO) and remedy if found.
• Adjust blower control and supply air temperature.
• Clean and oil the blower.
• Remove dirt, soot or corrosion from the furnace.
• Check fuel input and flame characteristics, adjust if necessary.
• Seal connections between the furnace and main ducts.

Hot Water Systems:

• Test pressure-relief valve.
• Test high-limit control.
• Inspect pressure tank, which should be filled with air, to be sure it's not filled with water.
• Clean the heat exchanger.

Steam Systems:

• Drain some water from the boiler to remove sediments. This improves the heat exchanger efficiency.
• Test low-water cutoff safey control and high-limit safety control.
• Drain the float chamber to remove sediments. This prevents the low water-cutoff control from sediment clogs.
• Analyze boiler water and add chemicals as needed to control mineral deposits and corrosion.
• Clean the heat exchanger.

NJ residents visit our website for more information. Our previous blog post will give you more details on Steam Heating Systems

Mercury Thermostats Cause Environmental Concern

We care about the environment and you should, too! Did you know that older thermostats contain mercury which is dangerous if not handled properly? Be sure your contractor recycles if your thermostat is replaced!

Mercury is a toxic metal that, when released into the environment can leach into our groundwater and contaminate fish and other plant and wildlife. According to industry estimates, the average mercury switch thermostat contains nearly 4 grams of mercury, which is more than one thousand times the amount contained in a CF light bulb. Be sure that your Heating/Air Conditioning contractor partners with The Thermostat Recylcing Corporation and properly recycles these thermostats when they remove them or replace them for you so that they are not discarded into the waste stream. Local NJ Residents contact us for safe disposal of your old thermostat and replacement of an energy efficient thermostat.