A properly running HVAC system is an important part of your home. A lot of people spend quite a bit to fix things when they don’t work right, but could have avoided such issues if they had maintained them properly. The following article will educate you about proper HVAC systems and tell you how to keep them running efficiently to avoid paying for expensive issues.
If your HVAC system is acting up, take a tour of the house prior to calling a professional. Figure out which rooms feel hot and which feel cold. That way, the contractor will have an easier time diagnosing the problem and repairing it fast.
Know what you need before you select an HVAC contractor. It will be difficult for an HVAC contractor to give you with an estimate on the phone without knowing what your current system. It will be more difficult for him to assist you can’t figure out what they need to do.
Before you hire an HVAC contractor, have some sort of idea of the work that needs to be done. This is necessary so that they can give you a quote before doing any work. It can be harder if you don’t know what’s wrong. It’s a good idea to learn this information in advance.
Clean the debris on your condenser unit. You never know when things can pile up, like right after it’s windy or rains, and that can throw a wrench in your system. It can cause it to overheat.
To make sure your condenser fan works properly, keep the fan blades and the coils clean. Shut off power before working or cleaning your system. Clean the outside of your condenser unit regularly.
Don’t get grass clippings pile up against your outdoor condenser. Aim the grass cuttings in a direction from your unit. This also applies when you are taking care of the leaves in the yard.
Be sure to clean external condenser units regularly. Excess debris can really affect your system’s quality. Overheating may be the result if you don’t.
Your outdoor HVAC units might suffer when your trees start to lose leaves. Make sure you clean out your fan grill is cleaned frequently when the leaves begin to fall. The fan needs to have an unobstructed path for air to enter the unit, and if debris is blocking this air flow, you will have to contend with problems.
Don’t let your outdoor HVAC units get smothered with clippings anytime you mow the yard. Make sure the grass does not get in your unit. Make sure you move around the unit and blow the leaves away from it while blowing your leaves.
Have the HVAC serviced twice per year. This should be checked often for debris and again in the spring.
If trees are losing leaves around your home, this can impact your HVAC unit. When the leaves fall from nearby trees, clean the grill of your fan often. Because the fan requires a clear path for air to enter, you may encounter issues with your system if the fan gets blocked up.
Turn off your outdoor condensers you have when it becomes cold out. This should turn it off to prevent damage if the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This can keep the system running and can save you money on repairs.
If your condenser comes with oil ports, you should lubricate it yearly. These ports are typically covered with caps made of metal or rubber. Put about ten drops or less of a good non-detergent SAE 20 oil into each port.
During the visit, the serviceman will inspect the unit’s motor, oil the moving parts and check the freon levels in the system. These easy to do things are going to allow your system.
Place your HVAC unit in the shade to boost efficiency. This will help ensure that the AC is pulling in cooler air, reducing the amount of work it has to do and saving you money.
Don’t ever let your house get dangerously high. An air conditioning unit is really only able to reduce the temperature by twenty degrees in a fair time. If your home happens to get near 100 degrees Fahrenheit, you’ll only cool down to still above 80. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
One way to save some money with A/C is by having a programmable thermostat installed. With this device installed, it can help you save money on your energy bills by you having the power to regulate the temperature throughout the day. Also, you can find a thermostat that is controllable from a computer or smart phone.
Research the companies before hiring them. Check with the best one for reviews of potential companies online.These simple steps are going to help to ensure your decision is a wise one.
In order to keep energy costs down, make sure heating and cooling systems are services at least once per year. During service the technician will check the motor and refill the system fluids. Your unit will last longer this way.
Look for calculators online to truly understand what size of unit you need for your home. Look in the manual to determine the recommended size for this information.
Do not allow your home to reach excessive levels of heat during the summer. Air conditioners can only really cool your home down 20 degrees or so within a reasonable time period. So if your home is 100ºF, you’ll only get the temperature down to about 80. While it depends on the humidity, this is not safe for a human to sleep in to recover from the heat of the summer.
Companies that are well established have track records that haven’t been. It is riskier to hire a long history.
Ask around so you can find a reputable HVAC contractor. You should be able to find someone that has had a good experience. This will also help you avoid bad companies.
There are now different online sites you can check out. This is an excellent method of finding people that you are interested in dealing with as well as those that you want to avoid.
To improve the efficiency of your HVAC system, think about placing a radiant barrier in your attic. It keeps heat blocked from inside to the outside, and that lowers how much energy it takes to keep your home cool. If you do it right, you may be able to expand your living space into your attic.
Think about having a radiant barrier installed in your attic so your HVAC system. It will make sure you won’t have to use more energy to keep your home cool when it’s hot outside. You may even use the attic as part of your living space more effectively.
If you HVAC unit is clicking, immediately check for any type of obstruction. Sometimes there is debris that gets in the fan’s way. Simply clear away the debris or remove any foreign objects and your problem is solved. Always check for yourself before getting someone out to repair the unit.
Check for duct leaks if you you feel your unit seems to not up to snuff. When these leaks are fixed, the tests will pay for themselves.
To keep your HVAC unit running at full capacity, you should have quality doors and windows installed that are efficient. Be sure that they seal tightly so that no interior air seeps out or exterior air gets inside. Call a professional to come over to check how good you home is sealed up.
Figure out which direction your home faces in order to make your HVAC system can work better. The less amount of heat inside of your home, the less time that the AC has to work.
Measuring the space you want to cool is the first step to figure how large of an air conditioner you need. You will need about 20 BTU per square footage of the room. Just measure your rooms and tally up the total square footage.
If you hear clicking inside your HVAC unit, check immediately for any debris that may have accumulated in it. Often the issue is some sort of debris hitting fans in the cooling system. Take a look for yourself before calling a technician out.
The very least you should be doing to care for your HVAC system is making sure to change out the old filter, and replacing it with a new one every single month. This is such a simple thing that takes little time, and it can save you money by helping to keep your system running longer. These filters are only a couple dollars.
Measure the living area you wish to cool before buying a unit. You can usually substitute 20 BTU per square foot in the area to be cooled. If you are cooling more than one room, make sure to add the square footage together.
Only hire a contractor to install or repair your HVAC system if they offer a 24-hour hotline for emergencies. You want a company that will be there when you need them.
Replace the air filter monthly to keep your HVAC system every month. This will maximize the simplest thing that you can do to keep your HVAC.
The estimate needs to state exactly what is included. The contractors can overcharge later for items like material and fee costs and charges. Ensure your contract is solid to avoid any problems.
Ask any potential contractor about their experience prior to hiring them. You need to verify they have done the sort of experience needed to work you require.
Sometimes an HVAC specialist will offer references for other professionals. You should still do the necessary research to clear the name first. You may be horrified by what you find. It just takes a couple of minutes to contact someone to check people out, so take your time with it.
Always make sure to get some references from a contractor.
Opt for a programmable thermostat when getting your HVAC. You will realize real savings when the system is allowed to rest at night while you are asleep.
There are contractors out there that will try to overcharge you. Having a written contract will help you avoid any issues like this.
Believe it or not, approximately 66 percent of all homes have leaking ducts! These can add 25 percent to your heating and cooling costs. Luckily, it is an easy fix and you should see a difference in your power bill almost immediately.
Always follow up on any references that you receive for an HVAC contractor.
When you clean heat ducts in the HVAC system regularly, you’ll have fresher, cleaner air and heating will be more efficient. Don’t forget to have a good look in the depths of the ducts too, to be sure there’s nothing in there that doesn’t belong, nor has any damage been done. Damaged or obstructed ducts will raise your utility bill, because much of the warm air generated is wasted.
Consider have a programmable thermostat. This can save you a great deal on your energy bills because when you adjust the temperature to sync with your settings to ensure optimal performance.
Be sure to protect your condenser as the weather turns colder. One way to do this is by laying a thick cover on it. Also, make sure you don’t use the condenser unit when the temperature is in the 50s and below.
These units are qualified energy products that meet strict guidelines set for efficiency. These guidelines are put together by the US. They are called the environment and human health. Taking time to fully research various units may help you get long-term savings on energy costs.
Try to get an estimate before purchasing an HVAC. You need to get these estimates written down for you. A verifiable estimate is an important aspect of doing good business. This ensures that you receive good service. Compare them fairly, such as labor costs or parts. Avoid hiring the lowest bidder, as this may be an indication of low quality work.
As you read in the preceding article, a well-functioning HVAC system is a vital feature of your home. These simple tips that you have read above can save loads of money on expensive repairs. But, you need to need them in order to prevent the need to spend lots of extra money.
