You may think that anything to do with HVAC is complicated. This is probably due to the fact that so much goes into these things.
What system do you have? You need this information to tell your contractor. Get information on the make and model, plus if you have information on the history of maintenance, that will help, too. This will facilitate the process when your contractor asks for this information.
Know the name and type of system you currently have before looking for a repair person. This will let you to give the contractor the information they might need.
Clean the fan blades and coils on the condenser fan every spring. Shut the power off before you do anything. Remove the grill and carefully clean the blades and surrounding areas.
If you are having issues with your HVAC, tour your home before calling a technician. This will help the contractor determine where the problem is and how to fix it.
When you are cutting the grass, be sure not to cover your outdoor units with clippings. Now so the grass clippings are shot away from your unit. If you’re blowing leaves, this same problem can occur, so make sure you move around the unit and blow the leaves away from it.
Clean your fan and coils come spring. Clean the outside of your condenser as well.
To save money and be more comfortable in your home, install double-paned windows instead of single pane. To keep your home cool, investing in double pane windows is a must. Likewise, in the winter more hot air stays inside during the cold season.
Clean the debris regularly. Debris can pile up after a storm, and this can foul up the inner workings of your system.It can cause your system by overheating.
A programmable thermostat is a simple way to help save money on air conditioning costs. 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. Take advantage of the convenience of the ability to control many programable thermostats from your favorite electronic device.
Don’t let grass clippings on your outside unit. Aim your grass cuttings in a direction from the unit. This applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in debris.
To help keep your energy costs down, have your heating and cooling system serviced at least 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. These easy to do things are going to allow your system to run its best.
Be sure you have twice annual HVAC unit in your home checked about two times every year. This should be checked often for debris and again in the spring.
Keep your air conditioner off when people aren’t home to save you money. When you turn the air conditioner off, the house may heat up a little but only a certain amount. If it’s left on all day, it will fight the heat all day, which uses quite a bit of electricity.
It is a good idea to swap out single pane windows for double pane ones. This will also helps keep it warm in the winter.
Don’t allow your home to overheat. A simple AC unit will usually only cool the home around 20 degrees within a short period of time. This limits their overall benefit. Depending on the levels of humidity, that is not a safe temperature when it comes to sleeping or escaping from the heat of summer.
A programmable thermostat can really help save money on air conditioning costs. Some of these thermostats can even be controlled from a computer.
If you need help locating someone to help take of your HVAC system, a great place to seek advice is online at a review site. Many Internet sites let customers discuss experiences with certain companies. This will tell you who is great and who isn’t.
During the visit, they will inspect the motor of the system, oil the moving parts and check the freon levels in the system. These few simple things will help keep your system to run at its peak performance.
Are you going to buy a new HVAC system? There are many things to consider. Learn about the size systems need to be for optimal efficiency. It may be wise to get a unit that is a bit larger than needed. Just don’t get one that is smaller than you need.
Air conditioners tend to ice up.The drain line may also freeze over. If this is something that’s happening to you, put the fan on to shut the compressor off. You should leave the repair to a professional, but switching to the fan will make the ice melt.
Check for duct leaks if your unit seems to not be working efficiently. Call local utility companies to test it for you since many do it for a small fee or even free, which is lower than HVAC contractors. When you get leaks repaired, you may see that the testing pays for itself.
Ask friends and trust for contractor recommendations. People that have had a good experience are often happy to share the name of their contractor. This will also be used to see who you should be avoided.
Which way does your home face? 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.
Think about having a radiant barrier in your attic so support the efficient functioning of your HVAC system can run better. It ensures that your home cool when it’s hot outside. You may even find that you can use your attic as part of your living space if it is done right.
If your HVAC system is clicking, look for blockages right away. Sometimes, debris will be the cause of the disturbance. Just clear the debris to remove the problem. Prior to placing a service, it is worth taking a look.
Are you thinking about buying a cooling and heating system that’s new? You need to take a few things first. Systems get rated according to the total area they can effectively heat or cool. You are wise to err on the side of a unit rather than purchasing one that is a smaller one.
It’s important to have doors and windows that are efficient for the most efficiency for your HVAC unit. Be sure that they seal tightly so that no interior air seeps out or exterior air gets inside. It is wise to hire someone to test them out, and this often costs nothing.
Check for duct leaks if you you feel your existing system is not up to snuff. When you have leaks repaired, the tests will pay for themselves.
Pick a contractor who gets back to you quickly and understands the job. The best HVAC companies do their best to maintain their appointments and get to their customers quickly. The technicians should also be able to diagnose problems in your HVAC in no time. Also, they should be able to service it quickly.
Determine which way your home faces.The less heat inside the house, the fewer occasions you have to use your air conditioner.
As you ponder where to install your new AC unit, think about how the air flows around the room. Make sure you have plenty of air flow control options if you are forced to install the unit in a corner.
When you hear an odd clicking noise coming from your HVAC unit, immediately go out and look to see if anything is inside it.Sometimes there is debris interferes with the cooling system fans. Check this out before you waste time contacting a repairman.
Get references from anyone you are considering hiring. Talk to those references to find out if they were pleased with the service they received. Checking references helps you avoid scammers.
Measure the area you wish to cool before buying a unit. You can figure out the unit you need 20 BTU for each square foot of room space. If more than one room needs AC service, sum their areas.
Ideally, your contractor should have emergency services available. They need to be able to come to you when they are needed, even if when the weather gets to be extreme.
Replace the air filter to keep your HVAC system every month. This is the easiest step to take to ensure that you can do to keep your unit running in good operating condition.
Prior to hiring an HVAC contractor, check out their references. When a contractor voluntarily gives references, many assume they are legit. This may be a mistake. It only takes a couple minutes to call to check a person out by calling, so don’t worry about doing that.
If it must be in a corner, ensure that the air is not directed towards a wall.
Consider have a programmable thermostat installed. A programmable thermostat will save you tons on your power bills and even gives your system a chance to rest at night while everyone sleeps or is not at home.
Always request references prior to hiring any contractor.
Choose an HVAC unit rated Energy Star efficient so you save yourself some money. Energy Star systems have guidelines that must be met. The rules are created by the U.S. These guidelines have been set up by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Spending your time looking over these types of things can help you to save quite a bit later on.
Any HVAC contractor or installer should have an emergency hotline. They need to be able to come to a home when needed, no matter what.
Keep your HVAC system operating efficiently and enjoy clean air by cleaning the heating ducts from time to time. Inspect the ducts frequently to ensure there are not dents, debris or punctures. Damaged ducts waste warm air, increasing the cost of heating.
You may be surprised to discover that as many as two-thirds of all homes have ducts that leak.This can result in as much as one quarter of your utility expense! It is easy and cheap to fix the ducts yourself, and you will see a noticeable change in the amount you pay for electricity.
When the weather begins to grow colder, you must protect the outside condensing unit from the cold. Try placing a thick cover on top of it. Also, make sure you don’t use the condenser unit when the temperature is in the 50s and below.
Keep your HVAC system running efficiently and enjoy clean air by cleaning the heating ducts. Check your ducts weekly. 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 is always filled with useful information that you may not be able to find in tips like these. They are very specific to the product in question. Ask the manufacturer to mail you another copy if you ever lose the one that came with your model.
Make sure that you know where the owner’s manual is anytime the system in a convenient place. The information contained within this manual is going to give you quite a few things to learn about the unit you have and will be very useful.
Be sure to ask for written HVAC estimates. It is important that it is in writing and not a verbal estimate. A good company will not refuse to give you a written estimate. This helps ensure you get adequate service. Compare all of the deals that you are offered. If an estimate is far below that of their competitors, the work performed may be less than optimal.
Getting familiar with the HVAC unit is something that this article should have helped you with. It can be difficult to get into this type of thing unless you’re motivated to do well, so use this advice to get you started in the right direction. You won’t be sorry you did, especially when it clicks in your mind!
