Anyone who has an HVAC system in their home knows the importance of properly maintaining it. An improperly or inefficiently functioning HVAC system that doesn’t work right is something that costs quite a bit of homeowner money. This article can help you tips to keep your HVAC unit in tip top shape.
Know the name and type of your HVAC system before looking for a repair person. Look for the maintenance history and brand and model. If you have to have someone come out to repair the unit, you will be able to help the contractor understand more about what is going on.
Know what work you need before you hire a contractor. It will be hard for an HVAC contractor to provide you a price estimate over the phone without knowing what your current setup is. It will be more hard if you over the phone without the information readily available.
If you are having issues with your HVAC, do a tour of your house before you call in help. Determine which rooms are hotter or colder than they should be. Doing so can help your technician fix your HVAC issue quickly.
Clean any debris on an external condenser unit. You don’t know when things are going to pile up, especially after a windy or rainy storm, and that can throw a wrench in your system. It can cause your unit.
Clean the fan blades and coils prior to summertime. Except when you do superficial cleaning, you need to always make sure the power is off on the unit. In addition, be sure to get rid of any leaves or other debris that may have accumulated on the outside condenser.
Leaves falling from trees can damage your HVAC unit. Make sure the fan’s grill is cleaned often once nearby trees start shedding their leaves. The fan needs unobstructed air flow, and if it becomes blocked, it could cause your system to break down.
When you’re trying to cut your grass, don’t cover a unit outside with the clippings. Direct the grass clippings in a direction away from the HVAC unit. 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.
Put outdoor condensers in the shade if you are installing them.
If you have a fan condenser with oil ports, it needs to be lubricated every year. A rubber or metal cap is typically placed over such ports. Choose a SAE 20 oil whch is lightweight and non-detergent and place 10 drops or less into each port, ensuring it doesn’t overfill.
Turn off outdoor condenser units when weather gets cold. This should turn it off to prevent damage if the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This helps your system last much longer and will have to be repaired less often.
Be sure to have twice annual HVAC system checks. This should be checked often for debris and malfunctions. Even if you do not detect a problem, you can identify and fix any potential problems when you have it checked.
It is a good idea to swap out single pane windows with ones that have double pane ones. This also helps keep in heat when it gets cold.
Service your HVAC yearly. When they come out for a service visit, expect inspections of freon levels and the motor, and they will oil all the moving parts. These repairs will keep your HVAC system running smoothly.
A programmable thermostat can help you out when it comes to your air conditioning bill. Some of these thermostats can even be controlled from your smart phone or other device.
Make certain the HVAC company you choose has a proven track record. Companies that are well established have track records that can help you decide if they’re worth your money and time. New companies are just too risky.
During your service visit, the contractor will oil parts, oil the unit’s moving parts and ensure the unit has proper freon levels. These few simple things will help keep your system to run at its peak performance.
Ask for quotes from multiple contractors. You can save a lot of cash simply by doing your homework. Call around to find out what the rates are.
Don’t allow your home temperature get dangerously high. An AC unit will reduce the internal temperature of your home approximately twenty degrees in a short time span. If your house’s interior temperature hits 100 degrees Fahrenheit, cooling it will only drop the temperature to 80 degrees F. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
If the system you’re using now isn’t working great, then check the ducts for some leakage. Call the utility company to test for you, it will usually be cheaper than a contractor. When you get leaks repaired, you may see that the testing pays for itself.
Companies that are well established have track records typically provide better service. Hiring an inexperienced contractor who is just starting out can be risky.
Figure out which direction your home faces in order to make your HVAC system more efficient. Trees placed in the right places can keep the sun from heating your home too much. When there is less heat inside your home, the air conditioner will not have to work as hard.
Ask your friends and trust for their HVAC contractor recommendations. People that have had quality work done are usually willing to tell of it. This will also be used to see who you should avoid.
If the HVAC unit makes a clicking noise, look immediately to see if there is an obstruction. Many times it could be debris hitting the cooling system fans. Removing the debris solves the issue. Look before calling in a technician.
There are a lot of sites these days that offer reviews and referrals for HVAC repair and other important service. This will make it easier for you to find a top notch professional.
If you want your HVAC to run well, you need to have doors and windows that work well with things too. Be sure their seal is tight so no exterior air gets in or interior air gets out. It is wise to hire someone to test them out, and this often costs nothing.
Contractors determine their own fee levels, so make sure you get quotes from several contractors before you make any hiring decision. You can save tons of money when you call different companies for price quotes. You want to get quotes from at least a handful of contractors in order to know what reasonable rates are.
In order to determine the size of the air conditioner to purchase, you must measure the area that you want to cool. The calculation to determine the size of the unit is typically 20 BTU for every square foot of area. Calculate the total square footage of all rooms if you will use the air conditioner to cool more than one room.
Think about having a radiant barrier in your attic so support the efficient functioning of 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 space if it is done right.
Replacing your unit’s air filter each month is a key maintenance task. This is the simplest thing that you can do to keep your unit running in tip top shape. Filters only cost a few bucks, and it’s a small price to pay.
Are you thinking of getting a HVAC system? You will need to think about a few things into account. Systems have ratings according to how large an area they effectively heat or cool. You are better off purchasing a bigger unit rather than purchasing one that is a smaller one.
Use an HVAC company who has a lot of experience in the field. Many reliable companies ensure techs keep their appointments to stay on schedule. The best workers can take a look at your system rather quickly and diagnose the trouble. After they figure out what is causing the problem, it should be taken care of right away.
Check for duct leaks if your existing system is not up to snuff. If you do have leaks that are repaired, the money spent on finding and repairing the leak will pay for itself.
Make certain the contractor you hire has the appropriate experience. He or she may not have experience working with your type of system or performing the work that you need done. Though some workers with less experience are great, you do not want to risk it.
Determine which way your home faces.The less heat, the less time your air conditioner will have to work.
Ideally, your contractor should have emergency services available. They should be able to get to your home whenever you need them there, be it in the middle of a heatwave or in the worst snowstorm of the year.
Ask any potential contractor about their experience prior to hiring them. You need to verify they have the type of work on your particular system.
You need a cover for your condenser during the cold months. This will allow it to last longer when you’re not using it. Don’t turn it on if the temperature is below 60 either. Avoid placing a strain on your unit by using the fan instead.
Any HVAC contractor you hire should have an emergency number available to customers around the clock.They must be able to reach your home at any time, no matter what.
When seeking an HVAC contractor, be sure to check references. A lot of people think that they’re legitimate just because they were given to them, but that isn’t always true. It just takes a couple of minutes to contact someone to check people out, so take your time with it.
Cover your condenser in the weather becomes less than optimal. This will help your condenser last longer. Use the fan setting only to avoid putting strain on the unit.
Buy an Energy Star HVAC unit to save money. These energy devices are guaranteed to meet very strict efficiency guidelines. These guidelines have been set up by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. This is vital if you want to cut your costs. Using units that meet these tough standards will save plenty of money on energy expenses over the years.
Consider have a programmable thermostat. This lowers your heating and cooling bills because your settings to ensure optimal performance.
Energy Star units are the best choice when purchasing a new unit. Energy Star items meet the efficiency guidelines set by the EPA. The end result should be you seeing a money saved each year on your energy bills.
These types of units are energy efficient and meet the strict guidelines set for efficiency. These are enforced by the federal government. They are called the environment and human health. Taking the time to fully research various units may help you get long-term savings on energy costs.
Make sure your HVAC ducts are cleaned often so that the system works properly. Check your ducts for damage or openings often. Damaged ducts increase the energy bill by wasting air that is warm.
Hvac System
Make sure that your condenser unit is protected. This may be accomplished by placing a cover on the condenser unit. Be sure not to run the unit when the temperature gets below 60.
Now that you read the above article about HVAC systems, you should have a good understanding on what is needed to help keep it running perfectly for a very long time. You don’t want a HVAC system that costs you more money. Go back over these tips to make yourself sure that your HVAC system will last for a long time.
When operating your unit, have your owner’s manual handy. There are many tips in this manual that can be of great help should a big issue occur. If you lost your manual, you can request it on the manufacturer’s website.
