It can be difficult for many homeowners to understand where to turn when the HVAC system begins to fail. To avoid creating costly repairs, spend time getting to know the subject before something goes awry. This article was written to help conscientious homeowners learn how to hire the help they have to get.
Clean the coils of your condenser fan each month. Be safe and turn off the power supply before working on your HVAC unit. Clean the outside of your condenser unit regularly.
If you’ve been having trouble with an HVAC system, check out your home before calling a contractor. This will help the contractor determine where the problem is and how to fix it.
Make sure your condenser fan is in good working order by wiping down the fan blades and the coils. Before you do so, shut off the power to ensure that none of the parts will move while you work on it. Next, pop off the grill, pull out the blades and start cleaning them and the unit itself off gently.
Know what work you need before you hire a contractor. It will be difficult for an HVAC contractor to provide you with an estimate over the phone if they have not seen your current setup is. It will be more difficult for him to assist you can’t figure out what they need to do.
Lubricate your fan condenser at least once a year. You’ll find these ports are covered with a metal or rubber cap. Put about ten drops or less of a good non-detergent SAE 20 oil into each port.
Clean your fan blades and coils come spring. Clean the outdoor condenser unit regularly.
Find a place that is shaded for your compressor. When it draws in air for cooling, it will be more efficient because it will not need to work as hard to cool down the air.
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.
Be sure you have the HVAC unit in your home checked about two times every year. This should be checked often for debris and malfunctions. Even if everything seems okay, it doesn’t hurt to check things out.
Have the HVAC serviced at the least. This should be checked often for debris and again in the spring.
If you can, use double-paned windows instead of single-paned ones. To keep your home cool, investing in double pane windows is a must. Conversely, this also works to keep warm air in during colder months.
Turn off outdoor condensers you have when the weather turns cold. This should turn it off to prevent damage if the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit. This simple tip will help keep your HVAC running efficiently for many years to come.
Keep your air conditioner off when people aren’t home to save you money. You may want to turn your unit off if your house will not become extremely hot or cold. It will use more electricity if you keep it running.
Install a programmable thermostat to save money on cooling your home. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from your smart phone or other device.
Don’t let your home get way too hot to where it’s dangerous. Even the best air conditioners can only realistically cool your home approximately 20 degrees Farenheit. This means that if the weather is above 100 degrees, then you’ll still be baking in 80 degree weather at first! This is not a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.
During the service check, the serviceman will inspect the unit’s motor, oil the moving parts and check the freon levels in the system. These simple things will keep your HVAC system running at peak performance.
Look for calculators online to help you determine the size of unit you need for your home. While you might think that a larger HVAC system is always better, in fact, larger systems sometimes are not the best choice for a particular space. Check the manufacturer’s handbook to see what amount of space the unit can effectively cool.
Ask friends and trust for their HVAC contractor recommendations. People that have gotten great service are usually willing to tell of it. This is an excellent way to get names of companies that should be avoided.
Find out how many years an HVAC company has been in business before you hire them. Companies that have been around for longer have a proven track record that you can use to decide if they are worth the time and money. If you choose to hire a new contractor, you may be risking things.
There are quite a few sites that let customers talk about their service experiences. This works both in finding those you with all the information you don’t.
Ask your friends and relations for their HVAC contractor recommendations. When people have had great service, they are generally pleased to pass on a good word. It’s also a good way to learn the names of contractors you should avoid.
Think about getting a radiant barrier installed in your attic so support the efficient functioning of your HVAC system can run better. It will make sure you won’t have to use more energy to keep your home and the outside. You may even find that you can use the attic as part of your living space more effectively.
Make certain that you get written estimates before you hire a contractor. You should be able to hire the best contractor for the job if you take the time to do this. It is best to speak to several contractors so that you know which rates are reasonable.
Do you wish to buy a new HVAC system? You will need to think about a few important things. Systems have a rating based on how well the system is able to cool and heat an area well. You are wise to err on the side of a unit rather than purchasing one that is a bit too small.
Install a radiant barrier in your attic to boost HVAC efficiency. It blocks the heat from inside out, reducing the energy that’s needed for your home to get cooled during the summer. If you do things right your attic can be used as a living space too.
No one can deny that it is disastrous to face life with a broken air conditioner in the heat of summer or a failed heating system in the cold of winter. However, homeowners can avoid this disaster by having the unit serviced twice a year. Follow these tips to take good care of your HVAC system.
Do you need a new cooling system? You should first think about several things. Systems are rated by the amount of area the system can heat and cool effectively. 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.
