Secrets The HVAC Experts Don’t Want You To Know

Not everyone knows a lot about HVAC systems. This can be disturbing when issues arise.

Check the whole house before you call for help. You will be looking to see which of your rooms feel hotter or colder than they should be. This can help contractors quickly figure out the issue and how to fix it easily and quickly.

TIP! Check the whole house before you call for help. Jot down the rooms that are hot and the ones that are cold.

Know what type of your HVAC system you currently have before calling someone to fix it. This will ensure that you to give your new contractor all the information they need.

It is important to have some knowledge of your present system and needs before calling a contractor. If you can’t describe the problem, you may not get an accurate quote. It will be more difficult for him to assist you over the phone without the information readily available. So be aware of this information ahead of time.

TIP! Know what work you want done before you select an HVAC contractor. A contractor cannot give an accurate estimate without looking at your system.

Know what you need before you select an HVAC contractor. It will be hard for a contractor to provide you a price estimate on the phone without knowing what your current setup is. It will be more hard if you can’t figure out what they need to do.

Keep your outdoor units free of debris when your cutting grass. Direct the clippings away from the equipment. This same tip applies when you are blowing fallen leaves around the yard. Grass and leaves pose a serious problem for the internal functioning of your unit.

TIP! Be careful when doing yard work that you do not get debris on or in your unit. Try shooting the clippings away from it.

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.

If trees are losing leaves around your home, this can impact your HVAC unit. Cleaning your unit is very important for its effectiveness. The fan should have a clear path for air to come in. If it is blocked, your system will suffer.

TIP! Leaves and debris can damage your system. Make sure the unit’s fan grill is cleaned frequently when the leaves begin to fall.

Clean the debris off your condenser units. You never know when things can pile up, like right after it’s windy or rains, and that can ruin your system. It could overheat and cause your system to malfunction by overheating.

If you have oil ports as part of the fan condenser, annual lubrication is key. A rubber or metal cap is typically placed over such ports. Put 10 drops of lightweight, non-detergent SAE oil in each port. Be careful not to use too much.

TIP! If the fan on your condenser includes oil ports, they must be lubricated annually. Such ports tend to have coverings made of rubber or metal.

Don’t get grass clippings on your outdoor condenser. Aim the grass cuttings in a different direction away from the unit. This applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in the yard.

Look for shade when placing a compressor outdoors. When the unit sucks in cooler air, then less work is required to cool it further which in turn boosts the units efficiency.

TIP! If you are choosing where to place your outdoor compressor device, try to put it in a place where there is plenty of shade. The unit will operate more efficiently to cool your home if the intake air is cooler to begin with.

10 Drops

To boost the efficiency of your HVAC system, you should put your unit in a shady place. As it brings in cool air to cool, you will save a lot of money.

TIP! For maximum efficiency, place outdoor units in a shady spot. Your air conditioner won’t have to work so hard if the air is sucks in is already cool.

Lubricate the oil ports on your fan condenser at least once each year. These are usually covered by a rubber or metal cap. Use a lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, putting 10 drops in each port.

Check your unit at least twice each year. The ideal thing to do would be to have it checked out in the fall and spring so you’re able to figure out if everything is ready for the cold and hot months. Whether you know of problems or not, good maintenance will help you to avoid future issues.

TIP! Your HVAC system should be checked a few times a year. Most homeowners choose to have their unit inspected during the spring and the fall months.

Put outdoor units in places with shade.

If you can, use double-paned windows instead of single-paned ones. To keep your home cool, investing in double pane windows is a must. It also facilitates heat retention in winter.

TIP! It is always a good idea to swap out single pane windows for double pane ones. Double pane windows can minimize the use of your air conditioner in hot weather since they keep the indoor air cooler.

Turn off your outdoor condenser when the weather gets cold. This should be done when the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit.This will help keep the life of your unit.

Equipping your home with a programmable thermostat can be an excellent way to cut utility costs. You have greater control over the temperature settings with these. Some can even be controlled from a computer.

TIP! Having a programmable thermostat installed is a money saving idea. This will help you to keep the temperature at optimal levels.

A programmable thermostat can help you out when it comes to your air conditioning bill. Some can even be controlled from a PC or other device.

Service your HVAC yearly. This inspection will ensure that your unit is working efficiently, including a freon level and motor check, and oiling moving parts. This will help keep your system performing at maximum efficiency.

TIP! Make sure to have your unit serviced once a year. During your service visit, the serviceman will inspect the unit’s motor, oil the unit’s moving parts and ensure the unit has proper freon levels.

During the service check, professionals can help by inspecting the system’s motor, the moving parts will be oiled and the freon levels will be checked These simple tasks will keep your system running smoothly.

If you are going to be gone during the day or on vacation, turn the temperature up on your air conditioning unit. You may want to turn your unit off if your house will not become extremely hot or cold. When the AC is left running, your power bill will go up quite a bit.

TIP! If nobody is home, turn off the AC. You may want to turn your unit off if your house will not become extremely hot or cold.

Research and check the companies before hiring them. Check with the BBB and online reviews posted by former customers. This is what you to choose a smart decision.

Don’t let your home get overly hot. Air conditioners can only really cool your home down 20 degrees or so within a reasonable time period. So, if your home temp reaches 100 degrees, your air conditioning will only bring that temp down to about 80 degrees. This isn’t a very safe condition for a homeowner to sleep in, especially when the humidity levels are considered.

TIP! Don’t let your home get overly hot. An air conditioning unit is really only able to reduce the temperature by twenty degrees in a short time span.

Companies that are well established have a better record than those that haven’t been. Hiring a contractor comes with an element of risk.

Research the companies that you consider using. Checking with the BBB is a good idea, and so is checking online reviews to see the experiences that other customers have had with a company. Doing these things beforehand will allow you to make a smart decision.

TIP! When you want a HVAC contractor who is reliable, you need to spend some time in researching the background and reputation of several potential companies. You may also want to check with the BBB for information.

There are quite a lot of sites now that let customers to share their experiences with different services. This is useful for finding people that you are interested in dealing with as well as those that you want to avoid.

Ask those you know for the name of a great HVAC technician, should you need one. If they know a good contractor, they will surely guide you right. This will also let you know which companies to stay away from.

TIP! Ask people you know for recommendations if you need to hire a contractor for an HVAC system. Anyone that has previously needed work done on their HVAC unit are more than happy to tell you their experiences.

Think about having a radiant barrier in your attic so your HVAC system can run better. It blocks outside heat from coming in which will make sure you won’t have to use more energy to keep your unit stays hot outside.You may even find that you can use your attic as part of your living space if it is done right.

Do you need a new HVAC system? If so, you must consider a number of things. HVAC systems have a rating to determine how much space you should use it on. It is best to get a bigger unit than you need, instead of a smaller one.

TIP! Are you thinking of getting a cooling and heating system that’s new? You need to think about a few important things. Learn about the size systems need to be for optimal efficiency.

Are you thinking of getting a HVAC system? You could keep a few important things. Systems have a rating based on how effectively they can cool and heat an area well. You are wise to err on the side of a unit that is slightly too large for your needs than a bit too small.

Check for duct leaks if your unit seems to not be working efficiently. Call your utility company if they are leaking to see about getting a test. Once leaks have been fixed, you will save substantial money on heating and cooling costs.

TIP! If your system doesn’t seem to be working efficiently, check your ducts for leaks. A local utility company often performs free duct testing.

Check for duct leaks if your existing system is not up to snuff. When you repair the leaks, you’ll find that the testing paid for itself.

Determining the direction in which your house faces can help make the HVAC system efficient. It’s always a good idea to plant trees in areas that will help block the scorching sun that heats up your home and causes your AC unit to work harder. The cooler your home already is, the less work your AC will have to do.

TIP! Determining the direction in which your house faces can help make the HVAC system efficient. If your home is surrounded by strategically planted trees, they can often block out the morning sunlight.

If there’s a clicking in your HVAC unit, look immediately to see if there is an obstruction. Often the issue is some sort of debris hitting fans in your cooling system. Check it out before calling a repairman.

If your HVAC system is producing any type of clicking sounds, there may be something obstructing it. Often it is being caused by debris hitting fans in your cooling system. All you have to do is get this debris out of there to fix the problem. Check the fan and coil before you waste time contacting a professional.

TIP! If your HVAC system is producing any type of clicking sounds, there may be something obstructing it. It could be that debris has made its way into the system.

Hvac System

When you engage a contractor, request references. Be sure previous customers got the service and value they expected. Checking references helps you avoid scammers.

TIP! Ask any contractor you’re thinking of hiring for references. You must know whether or not their customers have had an issues, and this includes trouble with the quote they were given or workers not showing up on time.

Replace the air filter monthly to keep your HVAC system every month. This is an easy thing that you can do to keep your HVAC system running in tip top shape.

To keep your HVAC unit from having trouble, make sure to give proper protection to the condenser with the help of a cover. It prolongs the lifespan. Also, you shouldn’t use your compressor if the temperature outside drops to below 60 degrees. Instead, just use the fan if need be.

TIP! In the winter, protect the condenser unit with a cover that fits around it. This will help your condenser last longer when not being used.

Some contractors attempt to charge you on material fees and fuel. Having a signed contract can help to avoid issues like this.

Make sure to contact any references you get from prospective contractors. Many people make the mistake of assuming references are legitimate just because they were give up freely, but this is not always the case. Don’t hesitate to call on someone’s references.

TIP! Prior to hiring an HVAC contractor, check out their references. Never assume that just because the contractor gives you references that they will check out well.

Cover your condenser in the winter time. This simple cover keeps the condenser operating longer if it is protected when not in use. Use the fan setting only to avoid straining the condenser unit.

When your install or repair an HVAC system, find out about installing a thermostat that you can program. This thermostat is great because it lets you regulate the temperature in your home all throughout the day and night, which in the end results in lower energy bills.

TIP! Consider having a programmable thermostat installed whenever you have an HVAC system installed, serviced or repaired. You can save money while you sleep by lowering the thermostat and lower your power bill at the same time.

This will tell you how much BTU your new system will need to keep your home comfortable.

Up to 66 percent of homes have ducts that leak. This will kick up your utility costs. You can fix your ducts on your own, plus it’s simple to do and cheap, too.

TIP! About two-thirds of homes have ducts that leak. These can add up to a quarter of the utility costs you have.

Consider a programmable thermostat installed.This device can save you a great deal of money on your bills as it constantly adjusts your system rests while you are comfortably warm asleep in bed.

It’s best to keep an eye open for environmentally friendly professionals who utilize ENERGY STAR certified equipment. These products are high quality and are known for efficiency, as they meet the requirements of the EPA. Products with this label will help you preserve power and money.

TIP! Look for HVAC contractors that use Energy Star equipment and products. Energy Star is not merely a commercial product label, but indicates that the EPA of the United States federal government has verified that a product or service meets certain standards.

You may be surprised to discover that as many as two-thirds of households have ducts that are leaky. These leaky ducts can lead to as much as a quarter of your home’s utility costs. It is not difficult to seal your ducts, and it will save you on your bills every month.

TIP!

Look for an HVAC contractors that use Energy Star products and equipment. This will ensure that the EPA. This will help you can save a bit of money on the bills when it comes to your cooling and heating costs.

TIP!

Dealing with a broken HVAC system is a nightmare every homeowner dreads. That said, a bit of knowledge goes a long way. Having these tricks and tips handy will help a homeowner solve any HVAC issues affordably and promptly.

TIP!