The way your home has a lot to do with whether or not it is being heated or cooled is important. This is why your HVAC system is constantly checked and you ensure it is properly working. If you aren’t taking care of your system, then your repair costs can mount while your living conditions deteriorate. Here are some great tips to get you started.
When you start making calls to get someone to help with your HVAC system, it’s a good idea to know what system you have before that phone call. Find out the brand and model and, if possible, dig out the maintenance history. This will help make sure that the contractor you hire has all the necessary information.
Know what type of your HVAC system before calling someone to fix it. This will ensure that you to give your chosen contractor all the information they might need.
Understand what you want before talking to a contractor. It will be difficult for an HVAC contractor to provide you with an estimate on the phone without knowing what your current setup is. It will be more difficult for him to assist you over the phone without the information readily available. So be aware of this information ahead of time.
Clean your fan blades and coils when the weather begins to warm. Clean off any leaves or debris from your condenser unit.
Clean the condenser coils and fan at the beginning of the year to help the unit run efficiently. Before you do clean the coils and fan blades, always take the precaution of turning off all power to the unit. In addition, be sure to get rid of any leaves or other debris that may have accumulated on the outside condenser.
Clean any debris on your condenser unit. 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.
Lubricate your fan condenser if it has oil ports. You’ll see that the ports here are closed with a rubber or metal cap. Use SAE 20 oil that is lightweight and detergent free, and put ten drops or fewer into each one. Make sure not to overfill them.
Don’t let grass clippings pile up against your outside unit. Aim the grass cuttings in a different direction from your unit. This applies when you are taking care of the leaves in debris.
You can boost the efficiency of your HVAC unit by replacing it with a new energy efficient one or moving your old one to a shady outside location. As your air conditioner sucks in cool air, little will have to be done to cool it any further, saving you a ton on your energy bills.
Lubricate the oil ports on your fan condenser at least once each year. These are usually covered by a rubber or metal caps. Use a lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.
If you can, use double-paned windows instead of single-paned ones. Double pane windows help minimize your air conditioning use in the summer by keeping the cooler air inside your home. This will help you save a lot of money.
Turn off your outdoor condenser when the weather gets cold. This should turn it off to prevent damage if the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This can ensure your system working for years without the cost of repairs.
In order to keep energy costs down, make sure heating and cooling systems are services at least once per year. The service will include motor inspection, oiling of moving parts, and a freon level check. This maintenance means that your system will operate optimally.
Install a programmable thermostat you can program to save energy costs. Some of these thermostats can even be controlled from a PC or computer.
Sometimes, air conditioners collect ice. The drain line may also freeze up. Switch the thermostat to the fan only. You can call a HVAC professional, but switching to the fan will make the ice melt.
Research and check the companies before hiring them. Check with the best one for your situation. These steps will help to ensure your decision is a better decision.
Always check to see how long a company or contractor has been working for. Companies that are established have been proven, and you can use their track record to to determine if they provide good service. Hiring a new company will be riskier.
Contractors charge different rates, so make sure you get quotes from several contractors before you make any hiring decision. You can save tons of cash simply by doing your homework. You may want to call at least a handful of contractors in order to know what reasonable rates are.
When you need the services of an HVAC professional, ask your friends and family if they can recommend someone to you. Those who have had this work done will know the best options. You will also find out who NOT to use!
Think about having a radiant barrier in your attic so support the efficient functioning of your HVAC system can run better. It will serve as a barrier between your home cool when it’s hot outside. You could even use the attic as part of your living space more effectively.
An online search will give you further information about any contractor you are considering. Many online sites permit customers to let others know about their experiences with various services and contractors. This is useful for finding people that you wish to work with and those that you don’t.
Do you want to buy a new cooling system? You should first think about a few important things. Systems have ratings according to the total area they can effectively heat or cool. You are wise to err on the side of a bigger unit that is slightly too large for your needs than purchasing one that is a bit too small.
Make certain that you get written estimates before you hire a contractor. You have the potential to save a great deal of money if you make several calls prior to reaching a final decision. Ideally, you should call five to six contractors to get a good idea of what a reasonable rate is.
Check the ducts to find any leaks if your existing system is not be working efficiently. If you do end up paying, this testing will pay for itself.
Having a radiant barrier installed in your attic is an excellent way to make sure that your HVAC runs better. It will block the heat and lower the energy necessary to keep your home cool in the summertime. This can also help you make the attic useful again.
Pick HVAC companies that know what they’re doing and works quickly to solve the problem. The best companies keep the technicians will always be on schedule. A knowledgeable technician should also have no problem diagnosing any potential faults with your HVAC. Once they are able to locate a problem, they will also be able to quickly and efficiently resolve it.
Are you going to buy a new HVAC system? You need to think about a few important things. Systems are rated by the amount of area the system can heat and cool effectively. Getting a unit that’s a little larger than you need will be better than getting one that’s smaller.
If you must position it in a corner, be sure you’re getting a unit that has air flow coming from a direction that’s not facing the wall.
You should know the facing direction of your home for the most effective placement of the HVAC system. You can help keep your home cool with the strategic placement of trees. The less your home is heated, the less you’ll have to use your air conditioner to cool things off.
Ask any potential contractor about their experience prior to hiring them. You need to know that they have done the type of experience needed to work on your particular system.
To run your HVAC at full efficiency, you must have efficient doors and windows in place as well. They should have tight seals so outside air cannot get in and inside air can not get out. A professional can sometimes test these for you for free.
Some contractors will attempt to overcharge for add-ons like travel expense or fees and other charges. Having a solid written contract will help you avoid any issues like that.
Measure the area that needs cooling before buying a unit. You generally need 20 BTU for each square foot of room space. If you need to cool multiple rooms, make sure to add the square footage together.
You now have an idea of what it takes to keep an HVAC system running great. Don’t let it go bad on you by not paying attention to regular maintenance. Apply these tips so that you can keep it functioning properly.
Find a HVAC company that knows its stuff. Reliable companies keep a close eye on their technicians and ensure they honor their appointments. They should be able to diagnose issues quickly. Once the technician figures out what’s wrong, they can help resolve the problems in a timely and cost-effective manner.
