Lots of folks want HVAC systems placed in their homes. An HVAC is something that helps people keep your home’s temperature that’s comfortable. You will likely need to hire a professional to install and maintain it. Keep reading for great tips on keeping an HVAC tips.
Before making that repair phone call, make sure you know the specifics about your particular system. Know what the manufacturer’s name is, which particular model you have and what’s gone on with the unit in the past. This will let you know that you’re able to give the contractor the information that can help them.
Know what type of system before calling someone to fix it. This will enable you know that you’re able to give your chosen contractor any information that can help them.
Go through your home before you call HVAC professional. Note which rooms are hot and which are cold. Figuring this out will the contractor to diagnose the issues and quickly get to work on fixing it.
If you are having issues with your HVAC, tour your home before calling a technician. This will help the repairman determine what the problem is and how to fix it.
Before you choose an HVAC contractor, have an idea in your mind of what needs to be done. It is going to be hard to get a price estimate on the phone if the current system isn’t something they’ve seen. Being unable to explain what has been already done will make it even harder. This is information that you should have prepared in advance.
Know what you want done before you select an HVAC contractor. It will be difficult for a contractor to provide you a price estimate on the phone if they have not seen your current system. It will be way more hard if you over the phone without the information readily available.
If you have units that are condensers outside of the home, keep them free of debris. After a wind or rain storm things may pile up, causing problems with your HVAC system. The whole thing can overheat, causing major problems and possibly an enormous expense for you.
Clean the fan blades and coils each spring to ensure that your condenser fan operates at it’s best. Clean off any leaves or debris from your condenser unit regularly.
Each spring, clean the fan blades and coils on your condenser. First, turn off the power so that nothing will move as you are working on it. Then take off the grill, take the blades out, and gently clean them.
Don’t get grass clippings on your outdoor condenser. Aim your grass cuttings in a direction away from the unit. This applies when you are taking care of the leaves in debris.
Cover your unit when you are mowing the lawn. Make certain the debris goes away from it. The same goes for when you blow leaves, so make sure your are careful when moving any debris in the vicinity of your HVAC devices.
Your HVAC units might suffer when your trees lose their leaves. Make sure the fan’s grill is cleaned often during the leaves begin to fall. The fan must stay clear in order to function, and if it is clogged, you will have to contend with problems.
If your fan condenser has oil ports, you must lubricate it once per year. Most of these ports have some sort of protective cap covering them. Look for an oil that is lightweight and then put about 10 drops inside the port. You don’t want to put in too much.
Put your outdoor unit in the shade if you are installing them.
A programmable thermostat can really help you out when it comes to your power bills. You have greater control over the temperature settings with these. Some newer programmable thermostats have computerized controls you can access from your personal computer, laptop or mobile media device.
Have the HVAC serviced at least yearly. This should be done in the fall and the spring.
To cut energy costs, you should service your cooling and heating system once a year at least. The contractor should oil the parts that move and check the motor and freon levels. Your unit will last longer this way.
Turn off outdoor condenser when weather turns cold. This should turn it off to prevent damage if the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This simple tip will help keep it in good condition for many years.
When you are away from home, adjust your thermostat to a money saving temperature. Your home will become somewhat warmer during this time. Obviously, if you leave your air conditioning set at a low temperature all day long even if you’re not home, you’ll be paying to maintain that low temperature.
It is a good idea to replace single-paned windows for double panes. This same effect also keeps warm in during the winter months.
Shop around before hiring an HVAC contractor. It can be helpful to check out the online reviews of previous customers and it is always wise to check their reputation as listed on a Better Business Bureau website. Doing this can help you make a better decision.
Research the reputation of companies that you consider using. Check with the BBB and look for reviews posted by former customers. These simple steps can help ensure you make the smartest and most informed choice.
Look for calculators online to help you determine the size of unit you need for your home. A unit that is bigger than you need simply isn’t efficient. Check the manufacturer’s handbook to see what amount of space the unit can effectively cool.
Air conditioners tend to ice up.The drain line may also freeze over. If this is something you notice, put the fan on to shut the compressor off. If this doesn’t work, call in help.
Ask your friends, relatives, and coworkers about their experiences with HVAC contractors in your area. If a person had a good experience with a company, they are likely to share it. You will also find out who NOT to use!
Companies that are well established have a better record than those that can help you decide if they’re worth your money and time. Hiring a newer contractor who is just starting out can be risky.
Search online for reviews to find an HVAC customer you can trust. Many Internet sites let customers discuss experiences with certain companies. You will be able to make a more informed choice if you do this.
Contractors are responsible for their own charges and fees, so make sure that you acquire multiple estimates. You can save tons of cash simply by asking for many quotes. You want to get quotes from at least a handful of contractors in order to know what you should be paying.
Each contractor establishes his own fees, so before you hire one, obtain a few estimates. If you call people before you work on hiring one person, you can save some money overall. Call around 5 contractors so that you can get the best deal possible.
Check for duct leaks if your existing system is not up to snuff. Once leaks have been fixed, the savings will be more than worth the hassle.
You need to check your windows and outside doors to make certain your HVAC runs well. Make sure seals are tight to avoid exterior air seeping in and interior air seeping out. A good professional can test this for you, and they might even do it for free.
Figure out which direction your home is facing so your HVAC system more efficient. If there’s less heat inside your home, then the HVAC will require less work to actually cool the home.
When thinking of what kind of air conditioner you should get, you should measure the area that you need to cool. You can usually substitute 20 BTU for each square foot in the area to be cooled. Calculate the total square footage of all rooms if you will use the air conditioner to cool more than one room.
If you hear clicking inside your HVAC unit, see if there is any debris in it. Sometimes debris interferes with the fan’s way. Check this out before you waste time contacting a repairman.
If there’s only one thing that you do in terms of HVAC maintenance monthly, it should be to replace your air filter. This is the easiest step to take to ensure that your unit remains in good operating condition. Filters cost only a few dollars, so it’s a small monthly price to pay.
Square Footage
Check in on the references for your contractor. It helps to find out whether prior customers were satisfied with their overall experience. Checking references helps you avoid scammers.
Measure the area you wish to cool before going air conditioning. You generally need 20 BTU per square footage of the room. If multiple rooms need cooling, combine their square footage in your calculations.
Only hire a contractor to install or repair your HVAC system if they offer a 24-hour hotline for emergencies. You should have the ability to get them out to your home, whether it is the midst of a horrible heat wave or a snow storm.
Replace the air filter to keep your HVAC system every month. This represents an easy way to keep your HVAC system running well.
Always check any references that you receive for an HVAC contractor. Many people make the mistake of assuming references are legitimate just because they were give up freely, but this is not always the case. This will not take a lot of your time.
If it must be in a corner, get one with moving vents.
Make sure any quote you get has a heat-loss calculation included. This factors in the amount of BTU your heating system will consume when regulating the temperature in your house. There are several factors involved, including your insulation and how many outside windows and doors you have.
Ask any potential contractor about their experience prior to hiring them. You need to know that they have the sort of work on your particular system.
Look for an HVAC system that is rated as Energy Star compliant, as that will save you the most amount of money. These energy devices are guaranteed to meet very strict efficiency guidelines. These guidelines are determined by the United States government. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). By taking the extra time to look into this information could help with long-term energy and money savings.
Some contractors will attempt to charge you later for fuel or extra material. Having a solid written contract will help you avoid these types of issues.
Energy Star units are the best choice when purchasing a new unit. Products with the Energy Star symbol meet energy guidelines set by the EPA. Which means lower cooling and heating bills for you!
There are several things you need to know when you’re dealing with heating and cooling systems. You want to make sure this unit is installed, maintained and works as it should. Use these tips and you’ll make a smarter, more efficient choice in HVAC specialists and HVAC units.
Keep your system running efficiently by cleaning the heating ducts. Look at the ducts regularly so you can make sure they are in good shape. Damaged ducts waste warm air, raising your heating costs.
