Anyone that uses HVAC systems in a 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 can help you tips to keep your HVAC unit in tip top shape.
Know what type of system you currently have before calling someone to fix it. Know the model and brand and find it’s maintenance history, if possible. 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 type of your HVAC system you currently have before looking for a repair person. This will ensure that you to give your new contractor all the information they need.
Clean the debris from outside units often. Debris can pile up at rates that increase during rainy or windy weather, and this can foul up the inner workings of your system. Overheating can occur, which often spells disaster for your system.
If your HVAC is running into problems, check the entire house before contacting someone to come for repairs. This will help the repairman 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. Have the grass shoot in the opposite direction. 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.
Know what work you need before you hire a contractor. A contractor will be hard pressed to provide you an over-the-phone estimate if unfamiliar with your system. It will be way more hard if you don’t know what’s wrong.
The HVAC unit in your home can become damaged from falling leaves. Be sure to clean your fan grill frequently when trees nearby are shedding. An obstruction, such as a leaf, prevents the maximum amount of cool air from entering the system.
Clean the fan blades and coils each spring to ensure that your condenser fan operates at it’s best. Clean the outside of your condenser unit.
Have your HVAC serviced at least yearly. This should be checked often for debris and malfunctions. It doesn’t matter if your unit seems to be properly working, it is still advisable that you perform maintenance and resolve any potential problems.
Turn the power off first so you don’t get hurt or break something. Then, take the grill off, pull the blades out, and begin cleaning the unit and them gently.
Service your HVAC yearly. During a maintenance visit, professionals can help by inspecting the system’s motor, oil the different moving parts as well as check the system’s freon levels. These repairs will keep your HVAC system running smoothly.
Grass Clippings
Keep your air conditioner off when people aren’t home to save you money. The house will heat up, but not too much. If it’s left on all day, it will fight the heat all day, which uses quite a bit of electricity.
Don’t get grass clippings pile up against your outdoor condenser. Aim the grass clippings in a different direction from the other direction. This also applies when you are taking care of the leaves in debris.
Look for air conditioner sizing calculators online to truly understand what size of unit is necessary for your room or home. If you get a unit that is too large, it will cost a lot in energy costs. Look at the manual to determine the recommended size for air conditioners.
It is always a good idea to replace single-paned windows for double pane ones. This same effect also helps retain heated air during the winter months.
Your friends or family likely have recommendations for a local HVAC specialist. Those who have had this work done will know the best options. This will also provide you with good information on which contractors you should avoid hiring.
During the visit, professionals can help by inspecting the system’s motor, inspect the motor and the freon levels. These simple tasks will help keep your system running at peak performance.
Check reviews online to find professional help. There are many review sites you can check out. This is a good way to find decent people to hire.
Don’t allow your home get overly hot. An AC unit will reduce the temperature of your home approximately twenty degrees in a fair time. If the temperature in your home rises to 100 degrees F or higher, you will only be able to cool it down to 80. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Get a handful of quotes before accepting any. By calling around and asking a few different contractors, you can save a ton of money. You should try to contact 5 to 6 contractors to find out what price you can reasonably expect to pay.
Ask your friends and trust for contractor recommendations. People who’ve had great service are usually willing to tell of their contractor. This is also a great way to get names of those companies that should be avoided.
Install a radiant barrier in your attic to boost HVAC efficiency. It blocks the heat from inside, reducing how much energy you need to cool down your home during summer. If you do it right, you may be able to expand your living space into your attic.
Contractors determine their own fee levels, so make sure you get quotes from several contractors before you make any hiring decision. You have the potential to save tons of money by asking for many quotes. Call at least four or five different HVAC specialist to find out what the best rates.
You can usually have free duct testing performed if you are concerned about your HVAC system not running properly. Call your utility company and ask if they test for free, as many do. When you repair the leaks, the tests will pay for themselves.
Think about having a radiant barrier in your attic so support the efficient functioning of 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 home and the outside. You could even find that you can use the attic as part of your living space more effectively.
When you hear an odd clicking noise coming from your HVAC unit, you should immediately begin to look for any obstructions. It could be that debris has made its way into the system. Remove the debris and you have solved the problem. Before contacting someone for repairs, make sure you investigate the problem first.
Having read this article concerning heating, ventilation and air conditioning, you now have a thorough comprehension of what you need to do to keep things running well for the long-term. Caring for your system will ensure you don’t end up with issues down the road. Keep reviewing these tips to make sure that you are upgrading and maintaining your home HVAC for a long while.
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. You can also hire someone to test them.