Why is your furnace blowing cold air?

Sometimes, your furnace might be working perfectly fine except for the cold air coming out of the vents. This raises a lot of concerns, especially when the weather is chilly. There are many issues associated with a furnace blowing cold air. It is recommended that an expert inspect the furnace before taking any step. Below are some of the problems with the furnace causing cold air.

Damage in the pilot light

The pilot light is usually designed to ignite the furnace burners and ensure that the entire system can heat. If the furnace is blowing cold air, it is advisable to check the pilot light in the gas system even more if your furnace is old. You can use the instructions kit and follow the steps on relighting the pilot. In old furnaces, there is a possibility that the pilot light has run out. Use the instruction manual and try to ignite it on your own, or call an expert if you cannot do it. Relight the pilot and give it some minutes. If it goes out, then it is the issue causing cold air.

Less gas supplied

Furnaces automatically switch off for safety reasons. This happens when less gas is supplied and not able to deliver warm air. The manufacturers have designed a furnace to stop working or deactivate when it is not getting enough gas to carry out its normal heating process. If this is the issue, you will need a professional to work on the furnace to fix the problem.

Clogged condensate lines

Furnaces come with condensate drain lines which function to help remove any moisture. Whenever there is clogging in these lines, this will hinder the burners from working, thus resulting in the furnace blowing cold air.

Damage in the duct

The ductwork might have holes and thus causing the cold air experienced. The holes allow the cold air to flow into the ducts from the attic. 

Dirty filters

The furnace filters are supposed to eliminate any dirt and contaminants present in the flowing air. However, if they are covered by dirt, soot, or dust, their functions are impaired. The soil blocks the incoming air from the furnace. As a result, you will experience overheating, which in turn cause the heater to release cold air. To fix the issue and restore the flow of warm air into your home, the best thing to do is replace the filters by getting new ones. 

Thermostat settings

A thermostat should be set on auto for the furnace to work correctly. When you experience cold air, try checking the thermostat setting before doing anything else. This is because someone might have set the thermostat to On instead of auto. As it sounds, the On option in the thermostat option keeps the furnace running all the time. As a result, the furnace will run the entire day without stopping, even when no heat is produced. The best thing to do is set the thermostat to standard auto settings so that the furnace will only run during the heating process.

Furnace not working as it should? Call the team at North NJ HVAC on (908) 845-8496

Top 5 problems with home furnaces

When it comes to heating your home, there are many options. You can use a gas furnace which is the most common option, or you could also go for an electric one. These two types of furnaces have their pros and cons, but they both work well in heating your home from the inside. There is something that these two do not do, though, and that keeps you cool! That’s why more homeowners are turning to air conditioners for cooling their houses in the summertime. Air conditioning provides consistent indoor temperatures year-round, so when it starts getting hot outside, all you need to do is turn on those AC units and enjoy comfy indoor temps. Homeowners looking at switching to air conditioning should be sure that they’re going with an efficient unit.

Got a problem with your furnace – go here

In this blog post, we’ll discuss 5 of the most common problems homeowners experience with their furnaces:

The blower never shuts off

One of the most common problems with furnaces is that their fans will not shut off and are constantly running. This can be a sign that there is something wrong with your thermostat or wiring. When this happens, it can cause your furnace to overheat, resulting in a malfunction or even complete failure of your furnace. Not only does it waste energy, but it also wastes money. If you have any issues with your blower not shutting on/off, contact a technician as soon as possible.

Side Burner Will Not Light

The side burner on some furnaces works by electricity which means the burner runs when the switch is engaged. The problem arises when the ignitor does not work correctly and will not light the gas. This can be frustrating, especially on cold nights when you just want to turn on your side burner after a long, hard day at work. Check for any maintenance issues with the ignitor, and if it still is giving you issues, there may be an issue with the electrical charge of your furnace. Like with its main burners, if this is causing you problems, contact a technician as soon as possible because failure to do so could cause damage to your whole furnace.

Burner Nozzles Are Knocked Off

The burners on a home furnace are what heats the air going through your ducts, making sure that your house stays warm during those frigid winter days. When they are not appropriately installed on the furnace or if the connection falls off, you may experience lower heat, and your whole system could be damaged. This is easily spotted by examining your burners after using them. If you notice that they are crooked or have fallen apart, please contact a technician as soon as possible because this can cause damage to your furnace.

Water Leaks Are Forming On The Inside Of A Home

As water leaks through the cracks of the wall, it will run down onto any furnaces found next to it, causing damage to them. While there are fixes for superficial leaks, they should be done immediately because a leak in your home’s walls can lead to bigger problems such as mold, which can cause structural issues in your home. It is essential to contact a furnace technician if you experience any water leaks because this is a sign of a larger problem with the overall structure.

Sensors Are Not Working

Some furnaces will have sensors for different purposes, such as detecting the pilot light and thermal pressure. Over time, these sensors can become worn out or broken, therefore not allowing certain parts of your furnace to work properly. If one of these sensors is bad, it could mean that your burner does not ignite or that excessive gas is coming through, which could be causing dangerous conditions inside your home. This should always be easily identifiable by simply checking how certain parts are working. If there appears to be an issue with the sensor itself, furnace technicians can repair or replace that part.

Many people don’t know how to maintain a home furnace properly, resulting in higher bills, poor performance, or even potential safety hazards like carbon monoxide leaks. Your furnace is a big investment, so it’s essential to keep your home comfortable for the long term. 

Experiencing these problems with your furnace? Call the team at North NJ HVAC today on (908) 845-8496

Questions to ask your tech after furnace repair

So, you finished repairing your furnace? Asking questions is a good idea to ensure the furnace works as intended. Here are the best questions you need to ask your service tech after a furnace repair to ensure an excellent performance from beginning to end. 

Ask questions of your HVAC technician

Why did the problem occur?

Knowing what caused the damage to your furnace is a sure-fire way to prevent costly future repairs. Is the cause preventable? Is taking quick action to seek help created a huge difference. Or, is there anything you could have done to prevent further devastation? These are the kind of questions you need to ask your service tech, especially if you want to avoid more problems from occurring in the future. 

Is the repair short or long term?

Sometimes, furnace repairs can be just a quick fix. This is especially true when you need a replacement, and maybe you are tight on budget. Thus, the need for short-term solutions. So, asking your service tech how long the solution can stay will help you prepare yourself for a replacement. 

What was the source of the problem?

A furnace is made up of many components. So, make sure to ask where the issue originates. Don’t fear asking into details where the problem occurred. Even better, you can ask your service tech to walk around showing you the particular source. 

When do you need to service your system again?

It is one of the crucial questions you need to ask before your service tech walks away. Some furnaces need a technician to come back sooner to ensure it is working perfectly. An in-person appointment or scheduling a follow-up call will work fine. 

How can I know I need a technician back?

Ask your service tech to explain the sign your furnace will show, which signal you need them to come back again for a repair. Also, remember to master the name of the technician you have worked with. Yes, because you may need them back again for extra repair. 

What measures do I need to follow to ensure furnace maintenance is top-notch?

Maintaining your furnace can increase its lifespan. But, this depends on the age of your system and the problems it has experienced. So, ask your service provider the preventive measures you need to take that give you peace of mind. 

How long can my unit last?

Another crucial question to ask relates to the lifespan of your furnace unit. The truth is, none of the furnaces you own can last forever. A well-maintained furnace is expected to last about fifteen to eighteen years. So, ask for an estimate of how long your unit will stay and see what your technician anticipates. 

How can I maintain my unit to the best?

Ask about ultimate tips on how you can maintain your unit. Yes, because a dirty furnace can cost you energy and money. You can also schedule a maintenance schedule with your service provider. 

Is your furnace unreliable? Get it repaired and serviced by North NJ HVAC by calling (908) 845-8496

The furnace went out, now what?

A burning furnace is an important component of the HVAC system in a home, especially during the cold season. The furnace provides warmth in the houses during the cold seasons or at night when the cold is at an optimum level and the house gets uncomfortable. Nevertheless, it becomes disheartening when you find out the furnace went out during this time. After realizing this, most individuals would prefer to get a heating technician to fix the problem. However, this article outlines what you can do after realizing your furnace went out.

Check the thermostat

When the furnace goes off, the main problem might be the thermostat. The thermostat controls the heat settings of the HVAC systems. Firstly you need to check to ensure you’ve set the furnace to heat but not to cool. It’ll be good to set the temperature five degrees higher than the room temperature to see if it picks up. Additionally, check if the thermostat wires leading to the furnace have any breakages. If you notice any breakages, you can repair them by taping them using electrical tape. Lastly, it’ll also be good to open and dust the thermostat and attach it when it’s dust-free, also ensure there are no loose wires.

Ensure the gas and furnace valves are on

Sometimes you might think the furnace went out due to breakages, but the cause may be because you hadn’t put it on for a longer time. This scenario mostly happens during the warmer months or after a repair. Thus, you’ll need to look for a wall switch around the furnace to keep it back on. More so, it’ll be important to ensure your gas valve is always on. Remember, when you switch off the gas valve, there will be no gas for the furnace to burn.

Shutting the blower motor panel

The furnace may have issues if you haven’t completely shut the blower motor. You may have forgotten to shut the blower motor completely after repairs on the furnace. It may be the main reason for your furnace going off. As part of a safety feature, the furnace won’t run when you haven’t securely fastened the motor panel. Thus, to securely shut the panel, you’ll need to press in the panel. Your furnace might pick up and start working after shutting it well.

Check and make replacements for the air filter

The main reason for the furnace to go off is a lot of dirt accumulating in the filters and blocking the airflow. The dirt clogging the filter causes the furnace to run for long and overheats, thus leading to the furnace shutting down. If your furnace went out, you can switch the furnace and thermostat off, then inspect the filters. After finding dirt or dust clogging or blocking the filters, you can replace the air filters to allow the furnace to start working.

Inspecting the air ducts

When you realize your furnace has stopped working, the problem might be the air ducts. It’ll be important to check the air ducts. When checking the air ducts, you need to open the dampers that control the airflow completely. In addition, you need to check if the ducts have gaps or leaks, which may be allowing the warm air to escape from the furnace. You can replace the air ducts if you notice any leaks or gaps.

Final thoughts

Having a furnace that’s not working in cold seasons can be quite stressful. However, when you switch on and find the furnace went off, you don’t need to worry or call the heating technician. There may be some common cause of the problem, which you can use the tips above to correct.

Furnace not working as it should? Call the team at North NJ HVAC on (908) 845-8496

How often should I get my furnace serviced

Before the cold weather starts, the professionals recommend that you service the furnace. This will keep it in good condition to work and prevent it from breaking down in the near future. Normally, you can service the furnace once a year by utilizing the services of experts. These individuals will inspect the furnace, thus ensuring that its lifespan is prolonged, energy is saved, and other health risks associated with a breaking furnace are avoided. All the sides need to be inspected separately and at least once a year. During spring, the furnace is serviced for air conditioning, and during fall, the system is serviced to generate heat. HVAC makes the annual servicing care a requirement for all their products since a lack of maintenance causes most breakdowns. 

Lennox furnace

Importance of servicing a furnace

Some people have no idea why they need servicing, especially when their unit is working well at the time. According to experts, about 75% of calls received during winter related to no heat are caused by a lack of maintenance. If you leave your furnace unserviced, there is a possibility that it can stop running suddenly hence leaving your home for cold. 

Moreover, experts confirm that checking up your furnace can reveal the existence of carbon monoxide leaks that could cause health hazards. Detecting the presence of this gas can be difficult since it is odorless and colorless. The gas can result in severe headaches, nausea, dizziness, and eventually death. About 500 people die, with many more taken to emergency rooms from this gas every year. If you maintain the furnace, you will be protecting your family and the surrounding from health hazards. 

Cost

If you are concerned about the cost of servicing the furnaces, you should know that companies doing the inspection will require a trip charge or service fee to inspect your furnace. On average, you will need a minimum of $60 and a maximum of $85 to clean your furnace. If you hire a technician, they will make sure to check everything and leave the furnace safe, efficient, and running at its peak.

What to expect when servicing the furnace

Annual cleaning of the furnace involves several things that technicians must check. These elements are important in making sure that the furnace runs efficiently. As the owner and user of the furnace, during the inspection and cleaning, here are some of the things you should expect.

The thermostat settings are checked to ensure that the furnace is working properly. Also, the technician will check the electrical connections and test the voltage, thus preventing any future failure resulting from it. The moving parts are lubricated, and lastly, the drain is inspected. Although most companies will assure you that they can do all of these, you need to find the right professional for the job. If you are not sure, you can check with the city’s local licensing to be sure whether the company working on your furnace is licensed and insured. Alternatively, you can ask for references from the people who have used the services before. 

Having problems with your furnace? Call North NJ HVAC on (908) 845-8496

10 Furnace Safety Tips

Are you looking for ways to upgrade or repair your HVAC system? Dealing with enclosed structures to heat materials like in a furnace can be challenging or dangerous; therefore, you need proper care. To help you handle the situation, this article has filtered the top 10 furnace safety tips.

Skip this list and get your furnace repaired by the experts

1. Embrace Maintenance

Staying on top of maintenance should be a key if you don’t want to regret it. To stay on top of maintenance, examine and attend to any damages or wear out. For example, rust can be one of the signs that your furnace is under threat. Or you will know your furnace is under something affecting it if you hear noises like propping, rattling, or banging. 

2. Regular room lighting check-up

Checking up on the lighting system in your room can be a good idea that you should always consider. If you find broken, functionless, dim light bulbs, repair or replace them as they can pose safety hazards. As well, ensure you keep flashlights for inspections or in case of emergencies.

3. Ensure there is the proper installation of ventilation

It is essential to ensure your furnace has ventilation located in a proper area. In other words, your furnace should be free from large obstacles such as furniture and boxes or old furnace filters. Keeping your furnace free from objects will help its vents to intake air freely and make repair emergencies easy.

4. Keep away dangerous products from the furnace

Flammable materials are one of the dangerous products which you should always store away from the furnace. Other dangerous products that can harm furnaces include paint thinners, ammonia products, and gasoline. For more safety, ensure you clean around the furnace to remove debris and dust. If there are questionable products stored around the furnace, remember to keep them in airtight conditions and kept far a bit.

5. New keep laundry around the furnace

Ensure there is no laundry near the furnace for your safety, as it can lead to a fire outbreak.

6. Install detecting devices for carbon monoxide

These are devices that can save your life to a more considerable portion. Ensure you install them in floors, bedrooms, and all corners of your home for the alert. As some use batteries when they get used up, replace, or recharge. Also, you should keep updating these devices.

7. Don’t forget for yearly maintenance

For better working efficiency of your furnace, ensure it doesn’t skip the annual maintenance. This will ensure your furnace has no running problems as well as becoming cost-effective.

8. Make sure your furnace is far from pets and kids

For this safety measure, always ensure animals and children are kept away from the furnace as they can damage it or get harmed.

9. Ensure there is proper installation

If you want to be away from troubles of unhealthy furnace issues, ensure no improper furnace installation.

10. Ensure furnace tune-ups schedule

Setting up a scheduled tune-up for your furnace can be a great deal to control and monitor your system. If your furnace has no scheduled tune-ups, reach out to a technician for installation.

Conclusion

Handling a furnace can be a complicated situation if you don’t know how it should be attended to. But with the above ideas, you will always be free from unhealthy furnace handling.

Struggling to repair and maintain your furnace? Call the team at North NJ HVAC on (908) 845-8496

Why is your AC blowing warm air?

Keeping your home cool is essential for comfort and ensuring that your belongings inside the house are protected from humid weather. Unfortunately, air conditioners suffer various issues that might result in them not delivering as required. Some users feel warm air coming from the air conditioner vents, which raises many questions. The continued flow of warm air indicates a problem within the system that needs to be addressed as fast as possible. Below are some of the common reasons why you are experiencing warm air from your air conditioner system.

Low level of refrigerant

Usually, refrigerants are supposed to last for a lifetime. However, with simple wear and tear, damages can be directed towards the air conditioner, thus causing leaks that will reduce the levels of refrigerants over time. If the conditioner lacks adequate refrigerant, it will not complete the evaporation process required for cold air creation. You can call a professional to inspect the air conditioner and fix the lines of the refrigerant causing the leakage. After the repair is done and complete, you should add more refrigerant to help the conditioner work as required. 

Leakages in the duct

The ductwork can, over time, develop leaks such as tears and holes. These holes allow a lot of cooled air to escape before it reaches the vents and flows inside the home. Since the duct is usually located in places such as the ceiling or the house walls where you cannot easily reach, it is essential to call professional contractors to inspect and point out where the leak is located. The best thing to do is repair the duct, replace or close the hole or tear to enable the air conditioner to cool the home and not warm. 

Dirty or clogged filters

The air conditioner works by ensuring the flow of cool air through the vents to the outside. However, if this is reduced, it means that the cooling operation of the AC is hindered. Although it may seem strange, warm air has to flow over the coils for an air conditioner to work efficiently and effectively. The filters are designed to eliminate any dust or contaminants from the air flowing through the system. If your filter is dirty from the dust, this can block the air from flowing well and entering the system. As a result, the coils that are supposed to remove heat stop working, and the heat is blown back to the house. If you are experiencing a problem with your conditioner expelling warm air, try inspecting your filter and fix the problem by replacing it if need be.

Thermostat

This is something most people will not think of when their air conditioner is blowing warm air. But the truth is the thermostat should be your first go-to thing to think about. The AC may be blowing warm air because the thermostat was incorrectly set to heat. If you find out that this is the problem, all you have to do is set the thermostat to cooling. Set the thermostat to cool and ensure that the temperatures are correct. If there is a need to replace batteries, get others to make the whole process easy and effective. It is usually recommended that you set the thermostat to 78 degrees and 10 degrees higher when you are not around home.

Is your AC blowing warm air? Call North NJ HVAC on (908) 845-8496

How can you tell if you have low refrigerant levels

If your air conditioning runs low on refrigerant, then you’ll pay for it. There are high chances of your AC unit breaking down and also increasing your monthly electricity bills. The refrigerant is probably the most crucial thing in your AC system. If it runs too low, your home won’t be adequately cooled. However, sometimes it’s not easy to detect if your air conditioning unit requires refrigerant. There are some signs that can help you address the issue as follows:

High monthly electricity bills

This is probably the easiest way to determine when your refrigerant is low. When there are high energy bills and no changes in temperature levels, there might be a refrigerant leak. The major role of a refrigerant is picking up heat and taking it outside. Low refrigerant levels will make your AC unit run longer to change the temperatures in your premises, thus translating to high energy bills. However, if you’re experiencing increased bills, it’s also essential to note that sometimes the cause might be different such as a dirty air filter or old system.

Increased humidity levels

One major duty of an AC unit is to extract humidity and cool your home. When your unit has low refrigerant levels, the evaporator coil gets affected such that condensing water vapor becomes a challenge. Therefore, the increased humidity levels from inside and outside your home make it difficult for your unit to eliminate humidity. In this case, the humidity levels will keep on rising.

Ice buildup

The presence of ice buildup in your air conditioning unit is a sign of low refrigerant levels. This results due to the decreased temperature levels on the refrigerant. You’ll notice ice buildup on both the evaporator coil and refrigerant lines. Before you conclude that the cause of ice buildup is low refrigerant levels, it’s essential to ensure your air filter isn’t dirty, and the vents are closed.

Vents blowing warm air

If your vents start blowing warm air, your AC unit might be developing some problems. However, the most common problem might be low refrigerant levels. This makes your AC unit unable to absorb heat properly in each cycle, thus blowing lukewarm air from its vents. However, before you conclude that there are low refrigerant levels, ensure the air filters are in good condition. Sometimes clogged air filters can be the cause of your system blowing less cool air.

Bubbling or hissing noise

A bubbling or hissing notice that comes from your air conditioning unit signifies that there’s a leak where the refrigerant escapes through in liquid or gaseous form. There are no other possible causes of this kind of noise in your AC unit. Therefore, any unfamiliar sound is a sign of low refrigerant levels.

Long cooling cycles

If you notice that your AC unit is taking too long to cool your home, there are high chances of low refrigerant levels. When temperatures are pretty high, your AC system will overwork, thereby causing increased bills.

In conclusion, these are signs of low refrigerant levels in your air conditioning unit. When you observe any of these signs, call a professional to inspect your AC and fix the issue

Having problems with your AC? Call North NJ HVAC on (908) 845-8496

Should you repair or replace your air conditioning system?

One of the most popular questions posed to our North NJ HVAC technicians is whether or not a customer should continue with repairs and maintenance for their system or invest in a replacement. The fact remains that if you do replace your system, you still have to properly maintain and keep up with repairs. Here are some general questions to consider when thinking about ac repair versus a new hvac system.

How Old Is Your HVAC System?

If your system is more than 10 years old, then it is probably in your best interest to get a replacement. Even if it runs properly and is relatively dependably, it’s way behind the times. HVAC systems have dramatically improved over the years, and why not improve the quality of the air in your home.

What Is The Air Comfort Level In Your Home?

Depending on the age or the quality of your last HVAC service you may have an oversized air conditioning unit. If your HVAC system is larger than necessary then it will cycle on and off too fast, this could leave your home more humid than cool. If you find that your home has hot spots in the summer and cold spots in the winter then your system is undersized and not able to properly vent throughout the home. It could also indicate possible leaks in ducts. You want to make sure that all rooms within your home are cooling properly.

Do You Have Large Energy Bills?

Another sign of an old or inefficient system is the amount of electricity it needs to produce the same amount of cooling or heating in areas of your home. Sometimes this means just replacing filters, other times it requires a replacement. Our customers have reported a 40-60% decrease in their energy bill following the installation of a new air conditioning.

Is There More Dust In Your Home Than Usual?

If you’re noticing an increase in dust, then you may have ducts that are no properly installed, or have rips and tears in them. This can pull particles from an attic or other areas and blow them throughout the home. We examine ducts for possible leaks and in many cases we can seal them without the need for full-duct replacement.

Does Your System Break Down Regularly?

Depending on the age of your system you could be looking at costly repairs each year in high usage seasons. Older systems break down frequently; it’s worth it to replace your system if this is occurring.

Interested in rebates, tax incentives, and financing options?

North NJ HVAC Services offers several financing options in order to serve your needs better. We will help you understand the current rebates and tax incentives available to you and your family. To take full advantage of this rebates and tax incentives you will need to purchase a new system, but depending on the age of yours it is worth it.

We serve the following areas: Bergen County NJ, Morris County NJ, Hudson County NJ, Essex County NJ, Passaic County NJ, Union County NJ