Follow these tips on dealing with your HVAC system.
Before you start calling to find someone to fix your unit, make sure you know the type of system that is installed. Take a look at the system or the owner’s manual to find the name and model number. This will help you give the new contractor the necessary information.
If your HVAC doesn’t seem to be working properly, do a tour of your house before you call in help. This will help the contractor determine where the problem is and how to fix it.
If problems arise with the HVAC system, check the entire house before contacting someone to come for repairs. Note which rooms are hot and which are cold. This can help the contractor determine the problem areas quickly and fix the problem easily.
Know what you need before you select an HVAC contractor. It will be hard for a contractor to provide you a price estimate over the phone without knowing what your current setup is. It will be way more difficult for him to assist you can’t figure out what they need to do.
In order to keep your outside condenser fan running efficiently, make sure the coils and the fan blades are cleaned before the cooling season begins. Make sure your power is off before doing more than cleaning, such as working on the unit. Also, it is important to clear the outside condenser unit from any debris that maybe trapped inside.
Clean your fan blades and coils come spring. Clean the outside of your external condenser unit.
Every spring you should clean the coils and fan blades on your condenser fan. Be sure to turn the power off first; you don’t want anything to move. Then, take off the grill and get the blades out. Clean everything with care.
Clean the debris off your condenser units. Debris can pile up at rates that increase during rainy or windy weather, bringing potential damage with it. It can cause your unit.
The operation of your HVAC system can be in danger when the tree leaves begin to fall. When you see nearby trees shedding their leaves, clean the fan grill on your unit constantly. When the fan becomes obstructed, you will lose out on quality air.
10 Drops
If you want things to be more efficient, get new units outside or have your current one moved into the shade. This will help you save on your energy bill.
Lubricate your condenser at least once each year. You will notice these ports as they have a rubber or metal cap. Use a lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, putting 10 drops in each port.
When it gets cold outside, turn off the outdoor condensers. To prevent damage, turn off your unit if the outside temperature is less than 60 degrees. Doing this keeps your system working well for years and saves you from having to spend money to repair it.
Put your outdoor unit in the shade if you are installing them.
If you’re away from home during the day, raise the temperature setting on your air conditioner to save money. Even though the house will get hotter, it won’t get too bad if the unit is off. Leaving your heating or cooling running full blast while you are away is a waste of money and energy.
It is always a good idea to replace single-paned windows with ones that have double panes. This same effect also helps keep it warm air in the winter.
Don’t let your home get too hot. AC units will only cool a house down 20 degrees. If your home happens to get near 100 degrees Fahrenheit, then you will only be able to reasonably cool to around 80. Depending on the levels of humidity, that is not a safe temperature when it comes to sleeping or escaping from the heat of summer.
Don’t let your home get too hot to where it’s dangerous. Air conditioners can only cool a home down about 20 degrees in a reasonable amount of time. If your home happens to get near 100 degrees Fahrenheit, you would only be able to cool it down just above 80 degrees. This won’t be a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.
Research the companies that you consider using. It is always wise to check their status with the BBB. In addition, check out customer reviews that appear online. Investing the time to check out potential contractors can save you money and headaches.
Air conditioners tend to ice up.The drain line may also freeze over. If you see this happen, switch your thermostat to fan only to disable the compressor. If the issue persists, call a professional.
Try finding online A/C sizing calculators to figure out the ideal size for a unit for the house or a room. If you buy a unit that is too big, it won’t do an efficient job. Check the manual to see what the manufacturer rates the unit to cool for accurate information.
Look for calculators online to help you determine the size of unit you need for your room or home. Look at the manual or on the recommended size for this information.
Before you hire someone from an HVAC place, figure out how long they’ve been doing this kind of work. Someone that has been in the business for a while probably isn’t going to scam you. Hiring a newer contractor may be taking a considerable risk.
Check the ducts to find any leaks if you you feel your unit seems to not be working efficiently. When you have leaks repaired, you’ll find that the testing paid for itself.
Ask for helpful information when you are looking for a HVAC contractor. If they know a good contractor, they will surely guide you right. You will also find out who NOT to use!
Determine which way your home faces.If there is less heat coming into your home, then the HVAC will require less work to actually cool the home.
Contractors determine their own fee levels, so make sure to get multiple quotes. Save yourself some money by calling around before you make your final decision. Try to contact a minimum of five contractors.
If you hear clicking inside your HVAC unit, immediately check for any type of obstruction. Often the issue is some sort of debris hitting the fans in your cooling system. Check the fan and coil before spending on a professional.
Know which direction the house faces so that your HVAC system operates more efficiently. Consider where to place trees to reduce the morning sunlight on your home. When you do what you can to less how much heat comes into your home, your AC unit can work less, which will save money.
Make certain they are tightly sealed so air can’t seep in. A professional can sometimes test the windows and many times the testing is free.
Make sure your windows and doors are efficient. Seal them tightly to prevent air from coming in. Professional testing is available, and it is often free of charge.
Pick HVAC business that know what they’re doing and works quickly to solve the problem. The most reliable companies make sure their technicians stay on schedule. A knowledgeable technician should also easily diagnose any problems with your HVAC. After a quick diagnosis, they should be able to get the work done quickly for your sake.
Replace your air filters every month. This is the simplest thing that you can do to keep your unit running in tip top shape. Filters don’t cost too much to use, and that isn’t a lot each month for you to pay.
If you have to put the unit in a corner, get one with moving vents.
Before you decide on the location of your air conditioning unit, take a look at the air flow direction. If you’re stuck with putting it in a corner, buy one that lets the air flow to be redirected so that it is not flowing towards the wall.
Always make sure to get some references from a contractor.
Before hiring a contractor to work on your HVAC system, you should inquire about the type of experience they have. You need to ensure that they are experienced with the work that you need done. It’s best to find someone who knows what they’re doing.
There are some contractors that will overcharge you. Having a written contract can help to avoid these types of issues.
Ask any contractor you’re thinking of hiring for references. You want to make sure that the contractor has satisfied previous customers. This will help you stay away from scam artists, but only if you call those references!
This will help you to figure out how many BTUs the BTU your system needs to have to keep a home comfortable.
You should cover the condenser on your HVAC unit during the winter. This simple cover keeps the condenser operating longer when not in use. In addition, you should never run the compressor when the temperature outside is below 60 degrees. Only use the fan during those times.
Consider have a programmable thermostat. This can save you a great deal on your bills as it constantly adjusts your system rests while you are comfortably warm asleep in bed.
When seeking an HVAC contractor, be sure to check references. Many people assume that they are legitimate simply because they were offered freely, but that can turn out very badly. This will not take a lot of your time.
Utility Bills
A money-saving measure that you can try is purchasing an HVAC unit with an Energy Star rating. Energy Star systems have guidelines that must be met. These guidelines are enforced by the federal government. Environmental Protection Agency. Using units that meet these tough standards will save plenty of money on energy expenses over the years.
You might be surprised that as many as two-thirds of all homes have ducts that are leaky. This can result in as much as one fourth of utility bills. Sealing up your ducts is cheap and easy, and it is something you can do yourself, saving you money on your utility bills every year from then on.
You should remember to manually clean any heating ducts on the HVAC system periodically. Don’t forget to have a good look in the depths of the ducts too, to be sure there’s nothing in there that doesn’t belong, nor has any damage been done. Damaged ducts can cause your heating bill to rise.
Keep your system running efficiently and enjoy clean air by cleaning the heating ducts. Look at the ducts to make sure there is nothing wrong with them.Damaged ducts could increase your energy bill by wasting air that is warm.
Keep the owner’s manual for your unit nearby at all times whenever you are working with your unit. The manual offers quite a few suggestions to use for your specific unit, and it may become necessary to look it over if you notice a serious problem. Losing a manual isn’t the end of the world. The manufacturer’s website usually offers them for a very small charge.
Keep your condenser unit protected when it’s getting colder. This can easily be done by putting a thick cover on the condenser unit.
Make sure the owner’ manual is handy when you keep all owner’s and operator’s manuals about your HVAC system in a convenient place. The information contained within this manual will help you out if you’re dealing with problems.
Always get an estimate in writing when dealing with an HVAC services. It is important to get things in writing. There are many jobs that you have to get written estimates for to see what they take. This ensures that you are getting a good service. Compare all of the estimates you receive.
If you want to be comfortable in a home it’s a good idea to get a good HVAC system setup. If you don’t properly maintain it, then your home is not a good place to be. Use this information to keep your system running well all year long.
