Tag Archives: Furnace

Are You Ready for Spring Allergies?

Ah, Spring. The birds are chirping, the flowers are blooming, and the allergy sufferers are flocking to the drug stores and buying out all the antihistamines on the shelves. As much as we are ready to welcome winter’s end, those of us with allergies are dreading the yearly plague of itchy noses, watery eyes, and sneezing! There are a few things we can do to prepare, but eliminating our exposure to pollen is essentially impossible.

Air Duct Cleaning in Central NJ

Here are a few things you can do:

  •  As tempting as it may be to crack open all the windows and leave the doors open, don’t do it!  Keep them closed to minimize exposure to allergens.
  • Be sure to vacuum your home frequently! Vacuuming floors, rugs, furniture, even your mattresses and pillows with a HEPA filtered vacuum is recommended.
  • Pollen sticks to fabric like velcro. To avoid spreading it through your home, change your clothes as soon as you get inside. You may even want to bag the clothes before bringing them to the laundry area depending on the severity of your allergies. Also, leave shoes in the foyer so you do not track the pollen onto your floors and rugs.
  • If you typically shower in the morning, try switching it up and showering before bed to avoid transferring pollen to your blankets and pillows.
  • Be sure to change furnace filters frequently. Use a pleated filter with a high MERV rating. Spending a little more on a high quality filter it worth it.
  • Do mold inspections because mold can set off allergies as well.  The top places to uncover mold is in bathrooms, kitchens, basements or anywhere there may be leaks, or propensity for humid conditions.
  • Remember to clean and shut off the humidifier if you have one attached to your furnace.
  • Limit outdoor activity when the pollen count is at a high. (Typically between 5:00 AM – 10:00 AM) Pollen counts are always high on windy days, and hot dry days have a higher pollen count as well.
  • Check the local weather app or weather station for an air quality report before planning your day.
  • Schedule an appointment to have your air ducts cleaned and sanitized.  This will remove pollen, dust, dust mites, mold spores and other allergens from your air ducts.

Looking a Great Company for Air Duct Cleaning in Central NJ?

DRX Duct Cleaning has been in business for over 10 years proudly serving the greater NJ area. Our staff has combined over 75 years of experience in the air duct cleaning and HVAC industry. Additionally, not only are we NADCA members, but we guarantee an NADCA certified technician on site at every job, every time, no exceptions! For more information or to schedule an appointment with the most exclusive air duct cleaners in NJ, contact us at (908) 755-2950 today.

NJ Air Duct Cleaning Home Page

New Furnace, Clean Ducts!

New Furnace, Clean Ducts!

Duct Cleaning

Air Duct Cleaning Comes with Serious Benefits Across Multiple Areas.

The average homeowner replaces their furnace about every 10-15 years. Most times the last time the furnace was replaced was also the last time an air duct cleaning was done.
According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), you should see about having an air duct cleaning if:

  1. If you can visibly see mold growth inside air ducts or other parts of the system, such as the vents.
  2. The air ducts are riddled with insects or rodents.
  3. Dust and debris are clogging the ducts while being released into your home.

Most times you cannot see dust and debris that is being blown into your home with the bare eye. When a contractor comes in and replaces the furnace, he is not replacing any of the ductwork, therefore anything that was captured inside will remain inside. Another thing to keep in mind is that the new furnace might blow out air differently than the old one, forcefully pushing air and debris when it is turned on for the first time, which is why you should clean the air ducts prior to turning the new furnace on.

Benefits of Air Duct Cleaning NJ

According to NADCA, pollutants in our home are recycled throughout the HVAC system and are distributed back into the home up to 7 times per day. Because of this, an accumulation of contamination materializes in the ducts. Having dirty ducts does not automatically mean that the air in your home is unhealthy. However, it can contribute to irritating allergies, cause serious problems for individuals who have respiratory health issues, or autoimmune disorders.

The average American spends around 90% of their time indoors. To reduce dust and improve the air quality in your home be sure to have an air duct cleaning as necessary.

Plus, as a report by the US Department of Energy up to 30% of the energy used to run the HVAC system is wasted. Pollutants in the HVAC system can cause the system to not run properly and can even shorten the life of the system as well. A clean system will maintain your desired temperature with ease.

Things to Expect from an Air Duct Cleaning Service Provider

If you decide on getting your air ducts clean, your service provider should:

  • Stay in compliance with the NADCA standards.
  • Handle the ductwork with care. (Reinsulated and seal any access holes that were made at the time of service.)
  • Preserve the carpets and furniture in your home.
  • Use a high-efficiency particle air (HEPA) vacuum.

One last thing: Do not forget to clean your dryer vent! A dryer vent cleaning will clear out any lint or dirt that gets trapped inside over time. Although it is often overlooked, it is a crucial step in the maintenance of your home.

Do I Have To Clean My Hot Water and Furnace Chimney?

Every year around the time the temperatures begin to drop, we all start to think about getting our fireplace, wood stove and furnace chimney inspected and cleaned. There’s more than one chimney that we need to be aware of, though. The truth is, a clogged hot water or furnace chimney can be extremely dangerous. Properly venting any fuel burning appliance is something to take very seriously.

How To Check For Clogs

Do I have To Clean My Hot Water and Furnace Chimney?

Do I Have To Clean My Hot Water and Furnace Chimney? Find Out Below!

If heat is bellowing out from the bottom of the smoke pipe on your hot water heater, it can mean there is a clog in the flue to the roof. If it feels unusually hot, call in your heating professional right away.

Place your hand in front of the burner section of your furnace. The excessive heat felt in this area can also be an indicator of a problem in the chimney. Newer furnaces have updated safety mechanisms that shut down the furnace. However, blocked chimneys in older heaters can cause a buildup of carbon monoxide. This is a deadly gas that is colorless, and odorless. It is very dangerous.

Inspect at the ground level to be sure your chimney caps are intact. Over time, caps can rot and a decent gust of wind can even blow them away. This is an important part of the cooling system in a metal chimney. Additionally, it prevents animals from seeking shelter in its warmth and serves to keep the weather out. A cap on a masonry chimney will also prevent animals and keep the weather out.

If your furnace has a masonry chimney, it should also be checked. Water vapor is a by-product of the combustion of natural gas. This water vapor can saturate the masonry inside the chimney. Over time, the acids in the water can damage the mortar.

It’s a good idea to make checking and cleaning your water and furnace chimney a part of your routine home maintenance procedures. Call DRX Duct Cleaning at (908) 755-2950 to set up your inspection and water or chimney cleaning today! And remember, if you suspect a problem with your hot water heater, call your plumber immediately. If you feel there may be an issue with your furnace, contact your HVAC professional. It’s better to be safe than sorry!