Answers to Some of Our Most Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, the replacement or installation of appliances (furnace, boiler, AC, water heater, generator, solar panels, etc.) requires permits from your town, municipality or local authority. Contractors are responsible for applying for permits. Permits are required regardless of who does the work. These permits are a safeguard to ensure all work performed is inspected and meets applicable local codes.

NJR Home Services will submit all paperwork required for permits to the local authority. The customer is responsible for all permit fees and scheduling required inspections within 30 days of completion of the work.

A standard installation includes all labor and materials involved with:

• Disconnecting, removing and discarding the old unit
• Installing the new natural gas or electric water heater
• Two feet of gas pipe connections
• Two feet of water pipe connections

Water heater sizes range from 30-gallon to 75-gallon, including “shorties” for hard-to-fit locations. NJR Home Services also installs direct vent water heaters, which do not require a traditional chimney, and tankless water heaters. In addition to natural gas, we also install electric water heaters.

The generator should be installed outside your home, on a level surface. For an easier and less expensive installation, choose a location for your generator that is as close as possible to your electric panel and gas line. Most towns require zoning approval prior to installation.

When the unit is running, it produces about the same level of noise as a central air conditioner.

A backup generator system can run on either natural gas or propane.

The actual size of the generator varies, depending on the model.  In general, the dimensions are 48” x 24” x 30” (L x W x H). This is approximately the same size as a central air conditioner. The unit weighs approximately 500 lbs.

The standard limited warranty on a Generac generator is five years for parts, three years for the engine and two years for labor.   For more information, contact NJR Home Services at 877-466-3657.

The unit tests itself every week for approximately 12 minutes to recharge the batteries and keep the engine lubricated.

No, the test is done automatically at the day and time specified by the customer. The technician sets this time when the unit is installed.

Yes, NJR Home Services offers a variety of financing options.

There is a limited warranty on service work labor for 30 days.

No, an NJR Home Services service contract does not cover replacement of the equipment.

Service plans cover one of each piece of equipment included in the plan. If there is more than one natural gas furnace or boiler, electric central air conditioner or water heater in the residence, a separate service plan must be purchased for each unit you want covered. If there is more than one of the same appliance and only one contract for that appliance type, the contract will apply to the equipment servicing the first floor or main living area.

You were sent a confirmation letter when you signed up for your service plan(s). In this letter, we also included the renewal date of your contract. For your convenience, and to ensure your home is continually covered, your contract will renew automatically at the end of each one-year period. If you wish to change your service contract coverage, please call us at 877-466-3657.

• Listen to your breaker. A breaker that trips immediately after it is reset indicates an electrical problem.
• Know your electrical panel. Each circuit should be clearly labeled on the inside of the breaker panel door (i.e. “living room” or “air-conditioner”). This will make it easy to know which breakers control each room or hard-wired appliance should you need to turn them off.
• Keep an eye on the lights. Flickering lights could mean you have a wiring issue, need to repair or replace your electrical panel or have too many appliances plugged into one circuit. Don’t ignore this sign.
• Feel your outlets. Warm or hot outlets signal an electrical issue.
• Replace any two-pronged outlets with newer, grounded three-pronged outlets. Also ensure any outlet near water is a code-correct GFCI outlet.
• If you switch to LED bulbs, you may need an LED-compatible dimmer. Dimmer switches specifically designed for standard incandescent bulbs may cause LEDs to buzz, hum or flicker.

Whether you need an electrical repair or want to safeguard your home with an electrical service contract, you can rely on NJR Home Services for your home electrical services. For more information, request a quote online or call NJR Home Services today at 877-466-3657.

• Go outside and clear away any debris surrounding your outdoor AC unit.
• Back indoors, vacuum the registers and air vents throughout your home and make sure they’re not blocked by furniture or drapes.
• Replace or clean the filter in your furnace or air handler once a month (even in summer) to prevent a strain on airflow and help save energy.

As soon as the outside temperature is over 65 degrees, test your AC system.

1. Turn the emergency switch to “on.”
2. Switch the thermostat to “cool.”
3. Set the temperature five degrees lower than the current room temperature. You should feel cool air coming from the registers in about five minutes.

Spend a few minutes early in the season to be prepared for hot weather. If you’ve followed these steps, and your AC system is not working properly, call NJR Home Services at 877-466-3657 to schedule a service call.

The best time to check your system is right after Labor Day. To test your heating system, set your thermostat above room temperature and to “heat.”

If you have a furnace (forced air):

• Check the air filter and clean or replace if necessary.
• Make sure the blower door panel is properly closed.
• Make sure the furnace power switch is turned on.

If you have a boiler (baseboard/hot water/steam):

• Remove the covers from baseboard heaters and vacuum dust and debris.
• Check the gauge to make sure the water is at the proper level.
• The final step is to set your thermostat above room temperature and to “heat.”

If your heating system doesn’t start, be sure to check the emergency switch, fuses and circuit breakers. If you’re still without heat, call NJR Home Services at 877-466-3657 for a service appointment.

• Make sure the caulking around your windows and doors is intact. A well-insulated home keeps the cold out and the heat in.
• Use a programmable or smart thermostat to regulate the temperature of your home when you are away. NJR Home Services can replace an old thermostat with an automatic one. Give us a call at 877-466-3657.
• Replace or clean your filters on a regular basis. A clean filter will increase your system’s efficiency.
• In the cooler months, open your drapes and blinds on sunny days. Passive heat through a sunny, thermal window can make a room more comfortable. In the warmer months, close the house early in the morning while it is still cool and close the drapes whenever possible to keep out the sun’s hot rays.
• Use a fan to keep air moving in hot weather. You will use less energy and feel cooler at the same temperature.

• Heating: Your hot water takes longer to warm up than it used to.
• Temperature: You need to adjust the tap frequently to keep water hot.
• Leaks: Drips, moisture or a trail of rusty water are noticeable around or under the unit.
• Rust: Older systems may corrode on the outside of your unit, or leave rust in your water. Corrosion reduces the efficiency of your system.
• Sediment: Your cold water runs clear, but your hot water has a rusty brown color or white flecks.

Know the age of your water heater. The first four numbers of the serial number on the water heater are the month and year it was manufactured. If it’s more than ten years old, it may be time to replace your water heater.

Know where your main water shut-off valve is located in case of a leak. If it’s in a dark, hidden or hard-to-reach place, gather any tools you’ll need — like a flashlight and shut-off key — and store them nearby.

While most water heaters are designed to last about 10 years, you shouldn’t wait for it to stop working. If you experience any of these issues, contact us online  or call NJR Home Services for a free, no-obligation quote at 877-466-3657.

All plumbing services will be subcontracted to NJR Plumbing Services, Inc., Edward B. Glashan, Licensed Master Plumber, Plumbing Lic. # 36B100969200.

Test them on a routine basis. Many homeowners check them when the time changes in the spring and the fall.

• Change the batteries in your fire and CO detectors on an annual basis or according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Make sure your children recognize the sound of both the fire and CO detector and know how to respond accordingly.

• Check to see that the output and return registers are open and free from obstacles like furniture.
• Make sure the emergency switch is in the “on” position.
• Check to see if any of the circuit breakers are off or have tripped.
• Make sure the doors to the filter or other parts of the heating/blower assembly system are fully closed.
• Hot water heating systems do not have or need filters.
• During the winter, be certain the thermostat is set to the heating mode. In the summer, check to see that it has been set to the cooling mode.
• A leaking hot water or steam boiler should be repaired right away.
• Never pile any flammables around your heating unit or water heater.
• Soot is a sign of serious problems. You should schedule a service call.

All natural gas appliances need an adequate supply of air for proper combustion. Make sure there is proper exhaustion and that the flue is straight and attached. Harmful gases like carbon monoxide can form from lack of proper ventilation.

During the summer months, if it is very hot outside, be patient. You may be encountering a practical limit of cooling to only about 20 degrees below the outside air temperature. Remember if it is 95 degrees outside, the house may only be able to be cooled to 75 degrees. This may be a limitation of the air conditioning unit and not necessarily a problem.

Humidity is the amount of moisture in the air. Improper humidity levels can make your home uncomfortable to live in and may cause damage to both the inside and outside of your home. The right humidity levels will help your home feel cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

Winter Humidification

Turning on your forced hot air heating system in the winter removes even more moisture from the air, which can make your home dry and uncomfortable. One way to alleviate this problem is to install a whole-house humidifier, which works in unison with your HVAC system to disperse moisture throughout your home.

A whole house humidifier:

• Can help save on energy bills – you’ll feel more comfortable at a lower temperature
• Reduces dryness
• Helps eliminate static cling and electricity

Summer Dehumidification

During the summer, hot and hazy air can increase the amount of humidity inside your home. To improve dehumidification, make sure your home is properly ventilated and your AC system is sized correctly. Removing unwanted moisture in your home is one of the primary functions of your home’s air conditioning system. However, sometimes your air conditioning system alone may not be enough to remove the excess moisture that comes into your home. You may want to consider purchasing a dehumidifier.

The levels of relative humidity in the air can affect your home comfort, as well as the proper functioning of your heating and cooling system. Managing ideal indoor humidity should be a consideration for every homeowner, especially when it comes to tailoring your heating and cooling preferences to meet your personal home needs. Having the right level of moisture indoors will help your heating and cooling system work more efficiently for you. The addition of moisture (humidification) may be required during the winter season and the removal of moisture (dehumidification) may be required during the summer months.