Anyone that has a HVAC unit in their house knows how it important it is to have it properly maintained. A poorly functioning HVAC system can cost a lot of money. This article offers you tips to keep your HVAC unit in optimal condition.
Go through your home before you call HVAC professional. Pay attention to which areas of the house are warm and which ones are cool. You can then relay this information to the technician so that they can more easily figure out what the problem is.
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 more hard if you over the phone without the information readily available.
Cleaning the blades and coils will help the system run better. Shut off power before working or cleaning your system. Also, be sure to clear leaves and debris from your condenser unit.
Clean your fan blades and coils when the weather begins to warm. Clean off any leaves or debris from your condenser unit regularly.
When you are cutting the grass, be sure not to cover your outdoor units with clippings. Direct the clippings away from the equipment. The same should happen if you are blowing leaves, so be especially careful when you are going by your exterior HVAC devices whenever you are moving debris.
Turn the power off first so you don’t get hurt or break something. Then, pop off its grills, pull the blades out, and gently clean them as well as the unit itself.
Fall is a hard time on HVAC units. When you notice your trees shedding, frequently clean your unit’s fan grill. A blocked unit can quickly become a broken unit.
Don’t let grass clippings on your outside unit. Aim your grass cuttings in a different direction away from the unit. This applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in debris.
If your fan condenser has oil ports, you must lubricate it once per year. These are usually covered with rubber or metal caps. 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.
Have the HVAC system serviced twice a year. This should happen in the fall and malfunctions.
For maximum efficiency, place outdoor units in a shady spot. If your air conditioner is able to constantly suck in cool air, it won’t have to work overtime to cool your space, which can in turn save you money on your electricity bills.
Turn off any outdoor condenser units when weather turns cold. This means that you should be done when the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit. This can ensure your system remain in good working order.
Your HVAC system should be checked a few times a year. This should happen in the fall and the spring. Whether you know of problems or not, good maintenance will help you to avoid future issues.
It is always a good idea to replace single-paned windows with ones that have double panes. This also helps keep it warm in the colder months.
Turn off your outdoor condenser when it’s getting cold. If the outside temp is under 60 degrees, turn the unit off to prevent damage. This will allow your system to work well every year, and that saves you quite a bit on making repairs.
A programmable thermostat can help you out when it comes to your power bills. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from your smart phone or computer.
A programmable thermostat can help you save money on your air conditioning bill. In fact, you can save as much as 10 percent on both heating and cooling when you turn your thermostat by by 10-15 percent for at least 8 hours daily. Some can even be controlled from a computer.
During the service check, they will inspect the motor of the system, oil the moving parts and check the freon levels in the system. This will keep your system performing at maximum efficiency.
Do not let your house get dangerously hot. Air conditioners really can only cool a home down about 20 degrees Fahrenheit within a reasonable amount of time. If you have your home at above 100 degrees then you can only get it to about 80 or above. This can still be way too warm for you.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line might also freeze up.If you notice this, put the fan on to shut the compressor off. You should call a pro to fix this problem, but switching to the fan setting should start to melt the ice.
To help you pick a good HVAC contractor, be sure to research a number of different companies. It is a good idea to check with the BBB and look for reviews from prior clients. When done in advance you can be sure of making a sound decision.
Companies that are well established have track records typically provide better service. It is riskier to hire someone who does not have a contractor with little experience.
Occasionally, air conditioners ice up. Drain lines can also suffer an occasional freeze, and these are sometimes mistaken for plumbing leak issues. Turn your unit to the fan setting to turn off the compressor. Once you know the problem, contact a local HVAC professional and let them know what’s going on in your system.
Many online review sites permit customers to let others know about their experiences with various services and contractors. This is useful for finding people that you wish to work with and those you need to make the best hiring decisions.
Check reviews online to find professional help. A simple search should yield a number of sites with informative reviews. Read through them and figure out who you want to try out.
Contractors charge different rates, so make sure to get multiple quotes. You can save tons of money when you call different companies for many quotes. You want to get quotes from at least a handful of contractors in order to know what reasonable rates are.
To increase the efficiency of your HVAC unit, determine the direction that your home faces. You can help keep your home cool with the strategic placement of trees. The less your home is heated, the less you’ll have to use your air conditioner to cool things off.
Think about getting a radiant barrier in your attic so support the efficient functioning of your HVAC system. It ensures that your home cool when it’s hot outside. You could even use the attic space more effectively.
Measure the area that needs cooling before buying a unit. The calculation to determine the size of the unit is typically 20 BTU for every square foot of area. When several rooms must be cooled, determine the square footage of each room and then add the numbers together.
Do you need a quality HVAC? There are a number of things you should consider. Systems get rated according to the total area they can effectively cool and heat. You are better off purchasing a unit that is slightly too large for your needs than purchasing one that is a smaller one.
Pick HVAC companies that know what they’re doing and can work quickly. Many reliable companies ensure techs keep their appointments to stay on schedule. A professional can also perform a quick diagnosis on a faulty machine to locate the problem. After they know what the problem is, it’s just a matter of time before they have it back and running properly.
If you hear a clicking in the HVAC unit at home, look for blockages right away. Often it is being caused by debris that’s hitting the fans in your cooling system. Look at the system before you call up a service technician.
When deciding where to place your AC, condition the direction of air flow. For a corner location, check for a unit that has the ability to direct the air flow in a different direction from the wall.
Pick HVAC business that know what they’re doing and can work quickly. The best companies make sure their technicians stay on schedule and keep appointments. A licensed technician will also have no problem diagnosing any problems with your HVAC unit quickly. After they know what the problem is, they should then know how to deal with the problem.
Find out how much experience a given contractor has before you hire him or her. You want to make sure that they have experience with the type of work you need done. While a worker with less experience may be capable of doing a good job, you will be taking a risk.
Ask any potential contractor about their experience prior to hiring them. You need to verify they have done the type of experience needed to work you require.
Be sure you know what goes into what you’re about to pay for the HVAC work if you’re paying a contractor. Some contractors will attempt to overcharge you after the work is complete for fuel or extra material. Getting a contract that’s written and solid can assist you because you’ll avoid these kinds of issues.
Any HVAC contractor you hire should have an emergency hotline. They should be there when you need them, even if when the weather gets to be extreme.
Cover your condenser when the weather becomes less than optimal. This extends the lifespan of your condenser. If the temperature outside is lower than sixty, do not use the compressor. Do this by simply turn on the fan so that you don’t cause the unit unnecessary strain.
Some contractors attempt to overcharge you after the work is complete for fuel charges. Having a good written contract will help you avoid issues like this.
Before you hire an HVAC contractor, research their references. Don’t assume that references given are automatically legitimate. Never hesitate to spend a few moments making calls to check out someone.
Always check out any references provided to you by a prospective HVAC contractor.
Make sure that any contractor that provides you with a quote also performs a heat-loss calculation. This needs to be factored in when figuring out the best sized unit for your home. There are several factors involved, including your insulation and how many outside windows and doors you have.
These qualified energy devices are known to meet very strict efficiency guidelines. These guidelines have been set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. They are called the environment and human health. Taking the time to look into these units may help you save a significant amount of money.
You can save money by choosing an Energy Star approved HVAC unit. These products are held to a high standard of efficiency. The rules are created by the U.S. Choosing to invest in such a unit can help you save on your energy bills in the long-term. Investing in a search for the most energy efficient unit will pay off in considerable long-term savings on utility bills.
After reading the above article dedicated to HVAC units, there should be no reason why you can’t keep your system running smoothly well into the future. Regular maintenance will make sure your operating costs are lower in the long term. Keep reviewing these tips to make sure that you are upgrading and maintaining your home HVAC for a long while.
Clean the heating ducts on your HVAC system periodically in order to allow efficient heating and have clean, fresh air. Check out the ducts every so often to make sure they are not damaged in any way. If there is damage to ducts, warm air is wasted and your heating bills are likely to rise.
