You think anything dealing with HVAC is really complex. This is probably because so much information is available on the subject.
Before you start calling to find someone to fix your unit, make sure you know the type of system that is installed. Write down the brand and the model and have all maintenance records on hand. This information will be helpful to any contractor you hire to repair it.
Clean the debris that accumulates on your condenser unit. You don’t know when things are going to pile up, especially after a windy or rainy storm, and that can throw a wrench in your system. It could overheat and cause your unit.
Before you choose someone to do HVAC work, figure out what they need to do for you. It will be hard for a contractor to give you a price estimate over the phone if they have not seen your current system. It will be even harder if you cannot explain what you have done. Learn this information to start with.
Turn the power off first so nothing moves. Then, take the grill off, pull the blades out, and begin cleaning the unit and them gently.
Help the outside condenser fan run efficiently by cleaning the coils and fan blades before the summer starts. Before you clean the surface, be sure to turn off the power. Additionally, it’s important to clear out leaves and other debris from the outside condenser unit.
10 Drops
Clean the condenser on your debris regularly. After a wind or rain storm things may pile up, causing problems with your system. Debris like this can cause it to overheat, which could be detrimental to your system.
Lubricate your fan condenser at least once each year. You can easily find the ports covered with rubber or metal caps. Use a lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, putting 10 drops in each port.
Each spring, try cleaning the fan blades and coils on the condenser fan. Make sure to turn off the fan’s power first to be safe. Pull out each of the blades and clean them one by one.
It is a good idea to replace single-paned windows with ones that have double pane ones. This same effect also helps keep it warm air in during the winter months.
In order for your new unit to be as efficient as possible, or to make older units more efficient, make sure it’s put in a shaded area. This will help ensure that the AC is pulling in cooler air, reducing the amount of work it has to do and saving you money.
A programmable thermostat is a simple way to help save money on your air conditioning bill. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from your smart phone or computer.
When it gets cold outside, the outdoor condenser unit should be turned off. Once the temperature drops into the 50s, the unit should no longer be on. Doing this keeps your system working well for years and saves you from having to spend money to repair it.
When it’s checked out, the motor will be inspected, and see how much freon is in your system. These few simple things will help keep your system to run at its peak performance.
Double pane your windows to prevent drafts. Double-pane windows keep inside air cooler, allowing you to reduce AC usage in the summertime. This will help you save a lot of money.
Don’t let your home temperature get dangerously high. Air conditioners really can only cool a home by just twenty degrees in a reasonable amount of time. If your house’s interior temperature hits 100 degrees Fahrenheit, you’ll only cool down to still above 80. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Service your HVAC yearly. The contractor should oil the parts that move and check the motor and freon levels. These things will boost the performance of your system.
Research the companies before hiring them. Check with the BBB and look for your situation. These steps can help make a better decision.
Your home should never reach a dangerous temperature. AC units will only cool a house down 20 degrees. The temperature will only reduce to about 80 if your home heats up to 100 degrees. With high humidity, this is an unsafe temperature even for sleeping.
Air conditioners tend to ice up.The drain line might also freeze up.If you notice this, switch the thermostat in your home to fan only so the compressor is disabled. You should call a pro to fix this problem, but switching to the fan setting should start to melt the ice.
Occasionally, air conditioners ice up. The drain line might also freeze over. When you see ice, turn the unit to fan. If the issue persists, call in help.
Look for air conditioner sizing calculators online to help you determine the size of unit you need for your home. Look in the manual to determine the manufacturer website for air conditioners.
There are plenty of online tools, such as sizing calculators, which can help you find the best unit to cool your home. If you purchase a unit that’s too large, it will not be efficient since it’ll cool the same. Check your manual to learn what it is rated by the manufacturer if you want accurate information.
Ask people that you know and family for contractor recommendations. People who’ve had great service are usually more than willing to share this information. This can also a great way to get names of those companies that you should be avoided.
Before you hire someone from an HVAC place, figure out how long they’ve been doing this kind of work. Companies that are well established have track records that can help you decide if they’re worth your money and time. If you choose to hire a new contractor, you may be risking things.
There are a lot of sites that let customers to share their reviews. This is useful for finding people that you wish to work and ones that you don’t.
If you don’t know who you should contact to do your HVAC maintenance or any installations, look online to see if you can find reviews. A simple search should yield a number of sites with informative reviews. This is a good way to locate contractors that do good work and ones that are poor.
Contractors charge different rates, so make sure you get quotes from several contractors before you make any hiring decision. You can save some cash if you take the time to call around before you decide. You may want to call at least five contractors in order to know what reasonable rates are.
For greater efficiency, put a radiant barrier in your attic. This will block the heat that comes in. If it is done correctly, it is even possible to convert the attic as a living space.
This article offered a lot of information about HVAC systems. Getting going is hard without a little motivation, to take all matters into mental account before taking any physical actions. You will be satisfied with the results.
To increase the efficiency of your HVAC unit, determine the direction that your home faces. If you strategically place trees, it’s possible to block some of the morning sunlight so your home won’t become overheated. The less amount of heat inside of your home, the fewer occasions you have to use your air conditioner.
