Having an HVAC system helps your home from getting too hot or cold. Lots of homes come with this, but others may require installation or repair later on. Knowing what you need in your HVAC system may help with buying the right one.
Know what work you want done before you select an HVAC contractor. A contractor will be hard pressed to provide you with an over-the-phone estimate if unfamiliar with your system. If you don’t have any idea, they will have trouble giving you any sort of quote. It’s a good idea to learn this information in advance.
Know the name and type of system before looking for a repair person. This will let you to give your chosen contractor any information that can help them.
As the leaves are falling off the trees, your HVAC system can really take a hit. Whenever leaves are falling, consistently clean the fan grill. If your fan is obstructed, it can keep your system from working properly.
If your HVAC doesn’t seem to be working properly, take a tour of the house prior to calling a professional. This information will help the repairman determine what the problem is and how to fix it.
If the condenser fan has oil parts, then you need to lubricate it at least once per year. These ports are often covered by a rubber or metal cap. Get an oil that is SAE 20 and put about 10 drops into each port, but don’t overfill it.
Know what work you want done before you hire a contractor. It will be difficult for an HVAC contractor to provide you with an estimate over the phone without knowing what your current setup is. It will be more difficult for him to assist you can’t figure out what they need to do.
Make sure your HVAC unit is in the shade. 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.
Clean your fan blades and coils prior to summertime. Clean the outside of your external condenser unit.
Your system should be checked twice a year. The normally recommended time for HVAC system inspections is once before the peak cooling season when it gets hot and you’ll be using your AC, and once before the peak heating season, during the cold months when you’re likely to be using your heat. Check it out just to be safe even if there is nothing broken.
Turn the power off first so nothing moves. Then, pop off its grills, pull the blades out, and gently clean them as well as the unit itself.
If you own your own home or have permission from your landlord, replace your single pane windows with double paned versions. You can reduce your energy costs from energy leaking out through your windows by installing window that are double-paned. Likewise, in the winter more hot air stays inside during the cold season.
Don’t get grass clippings on your outdoor condenser. Direct the clippings in a direction away from the HVAC unit. This also applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in the yard.
A programmable thermostat is a simple way to help save money on air conditioning costs. A programmable thermostat can save you up to ten percent on your cooling and heating costs by simply turning the thermostat back ten to fifteen percent for eight hours a day. This will save you a lot of money during the year.
Leaves and debris can wreak havoc with your system. Make sure the fan’s grill is cleaned frequently when the fall. The fan must be unobstructed to work properly, and if it is clogged, then your system could suffer.
Never allow your home to get dangerously hot inside. An AC unit will reduce the internal temperature of your home approximately twenty degrees in a fair time. If your house’s interior temperature hits 100 degrees Fahrenheit, you would only be able to cool it down just above 80 degrees. Depending on how humid the environment is, that is not a healthy temperature for the human body when it rests during sleep.
Put your outdoor condensers in places with shade.
Do your homework on a number of HVAC companies before selecting the one that has the best reputation and service record. It is a good idea to check with the BBB and look for reviews from prior clients. Doing this makes it more likely that you choose wisely..
Your HVAC system should be checked a few times per each year. This should happen in the fall and malfunctions.
Problems with an air conditioning unit happen when it ices up. There can be occasional freezes in their drain lines, and these are usually confused with plumbing leaks. If you see this, try switching your thermostat to just the fan so that it disables the compressor. You should call a pro to fix this problem, even if switching it to its fan setting starts making the ice melt.
Turn off any outdoor condenser units when the weather turns cold. This means that you should turn it off to prevent damage if the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This simple tip will help keep your system running efficiently for many years and save you a lot on repairs.
Go to people that you know and ask for recommendations when it is time for you to hire an HVAC contractor. Those who have had a great experience should have no issue giving you this info. You will also find out who NOT to use!
Never allow your home to rise to a dangerously hot inside. Air conditioners cannot sufficiently cool a home down a home by 20 degrees. If the temperature in your home reaches 100 degree Fahrenheit, you will only be able to cool it down to 80. This won’t be a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.
Turn to online reviews if you’re not sure how you should hire to perform HVAC maintenance. There are many sites that other customers can place their reviews. This works both in finding those you want to hire and also with those you want to avoid.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line might also freeze up.If this is something you notice, switch your thermostat to fan only to disable the compressor. You can call a HVAC professional, even if switching it to its fan setting starts making the ice melt.
Each contractor will have their own fee schedule, so make sure you get several different quotes before you hire anybody. You have the potential to save a great deal of money if you make several calls prior to reaching a final decision. Never settle for a price until you’ve called at least five contractors to gain a realistic idea of a fair price.
Look for calculators online to help you determine the size of unit you need for your room or home. Look in the manual to determine the manufacturer website for this information.
Are you thinking about having a new HVAC system installed? You need to know some things first. The rating given to a system tells how much are it can cover. If you are debating the size of the unit, always get one that is just a little bigger rather than one that is a little too small.
Companies with proven track records that can help you decide if they’re worth your money and time. It is always risky to hire a long history.
Pick HVAC companies that know what they’re doing and can work quickly. The best companies will ensure that their technicians will always be on schedule. A knowledgeable technician will also easily diagnose any problems with your HVAC. Once the problem is identified, fixing it should be quick and easy.
There are plenty of sites these days that offer reviews and referrals for HVAC repair and other important service. This is useful for finding people that you wish to work with and those that you want to avoid.
Think about which direction air is going to flow from an air conditioner unit when you pick out where to put it. If you have no choice but to put it in the corner, be sure to buy a unit which allows for the air flow direction to be changed away from the wall.
Check the ducts to find any leaks if your unit seems to not be working efficiently. When these leaks are fixed, you’ll see that the tests paid for themselves.
Find out how much experience a given contractor has before you hire him or her. It is important that you hire someone that has enough background experience to get the work done properly. This doesn’t mean a less experienced person may be bad, but you shouldn’t take any chances with your HVAC.
Figure out the direction your home is facing so your HVAC system more efficient. If there is less heat in the home from sunlight, your AC will work less.
Always make sure to get references from a contractor. You should know that the contractor does exactly what he says he’s going to do, and there are no hidden costs involved. That way, you can avoid scammers more easily.
Pick out an HVAC business that is fast and works quickly to solve the problem. The most reliable companies make sure their technicians will always be on schedule. A licensed technician will also easily diagnose any potential faults with your HVAC unit quickly. After diagnosis, it’s just a matter of time before they have it back and running properly.
Find out what exactly your contractor plans to do. Some contractors attempt to charge you later for items like materials and fuel. Having a signed contract can help to avoid issues like that.
Ask any potential contractor about their experience prior to hiring them. You need to verify they have done the sort of work you require.
Your HVAC will perform better during the winter if you protect the condenser with a cover. Doing this extends the life of your condenser when it is not in use. Also, don’t use the compressor at all if the temperature outside is below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Use the fan.
Always make sure to get references before hiring any contractor.
Make sure to contact any references you get from prospective contractors. Don’t assume that references given are automatically legitimate. It only takes a couple minutes to call to check a person out by calling, so don’t worry about doing that.
There are dishonest contractors that will try to overcharge you later for things like fuel charges and material fees. A written contract will prevent this possible problem.
Take advantage of the opportunity to add a programmable thermostat when you are putting in new heating and air-conditioning or repairing your old system. This can save you a lot on your energy bills and gives you a nice comfortable home.
Always follow up on any references that you receive for an HVAC contractor.
You can save money by choosing an Energy Star approved HVAC unit. These great products help you save on energy because they adhere to efficiency guidelines. The Environmental Protection Agency is what sets these guidelines. These guidelines have been set up by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. By taking the extra time to look into this information could help with long-term energy and money savings.
These energy products are known to meet strict guidelines for efficiency. The rules are established by the EPA. They are called the environment and human health. Taking time to look into these units may help you save a significant amount of money.
Incredibly, two-thirds of homes have ducts that leak! These can add up to a quarter of the utility costs you have. Luckily, it is an easy fix and you should see a difference in your power bill almost immediately.
You might be surprised that as many as two-thirds of households have ducts that are leaky. This equals up your utility costs. Sealing up your ducts is cheap and easy, you can even do it yourself, saving you money on your utility bills every year from then on.
Keep your condenser unit protected in cold weather. 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.
Clean your ducts on a regular basis. Check your ducts at least once per month. Ducts that are damaged can increase your heating bill by wasting the area warm.
Investing in your HVAC is a must. Remember the previous tips when you must get a new system. This advice will make sure you buy a system that will satisfy you.
