The comfort of a home has a great deal to do with the temperature that it maintains. This means that it is of utmost importance your HVAC system needs to be in top shape.If you don’t care for your HVAC, it can lead to expensive repairs and an uncomfortable way of living. Here are some great tips to help you started.
If the outside of your home has condenser units, ensure they are constantly cleaned. You can never tell when things will pile up, especially following rain or wind storms. These can wreak havoc on your units. Also, you are risking your system overheating.
Know the name and type of system you currently have before calling someone to fix it. This will enable you know that you’re able to give your chosen contractor the information they might need.
Leaves and debris can damage your system. Make sure the fan’s grill is cleaned often during the fall. Your fan needs an unobstructed way to get air inside, and the more blocked up it becomes, the more headaches will develop for you with the system.
If you are having issues with your HVAC, take a look around the house prior to calling a contractor. This information will help the repairman determine where the problem is and how to fix it.
If you have a fan condenser with oil ports, it needs to be lubricated every year. Such ports tend to have coverings made of rubber or metal. Get an oil that is SAE 20 and put about 10 drops into each port, but don’t overfill it.
Know what work you want done before you hire a contractor. It will be difficult for an HVAC contractor to give you a price estimate on the phone without knowing what your current setup is. It will be way more difficult for him to assist you can’t figure out what they need to do.
Put your outdoor unit in places with shade. As it brings in cool air to cool, you will save a lot of money.
Put your outdoor unit in the shade if you are installing them.
Condenser units for the outdoors should be shut off when it starts to get cold outside. When the temperature goes below 60 degrees, shut off the unit in order to prevent damage. You will save in repair bills and increase the efficiency of your system.
Be sure you have twice annual HVAC system checks. This should be checked often for debris and the spring.
If you own your own home or have permission from your landlord, replace your single pane windows with double paned versions. Double pane windows will help keep your home cooler in the summer. As with other steps you take to improve your ability to keep your air conditioned air or heated air inside your home, double-paned windows can help you save on energy costs.
Don’t let your house get way too hot to where it’s dangerous. Air conditioners really can only cool a home down about 20 degrees in a short time. If the temperature in your home rises above 100 degrees, it will only cool off to about 80F. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Consider getting a programmable thermostat for your AC. It changes the temperature so the system isn’t in use when it’s cooler outside or no one is home. In addition, some models make things really easy on you, allowing you to adjust them from the computer.
Research and check the reputation of companies that you consider using. Check with the best one for reviews of potential companies online.This can help you make a smart decision.
Service your HVAC yearly. When they come out for a service visit, expect inspections of freon levels and the motor, and they will oil all the moving parts. These things will boost the performance of your system.
Look for air conditioner sizing calculators online to truly understand what size of unit you need for your room or home. Look in the manual to determine the manufacturer website for this information.
Never allow your home to get dangerously hot inside. Expect an air conditioning unit to drop the temperature down 20 degrees within a short amount of time. So if your home is 100ºF, you’ll only get the temperature down to about 80. Depending on the humidity level, this temperature isn’t considered a safe sleeping temperature for the human body to be able to recover from the summer heat.
Ask your friends and family for their HVAC contractor recommendations. People who have had great service are usually willing to tell of it. This can also help you avoid scammers.
Always take the time to check out the reputation of any HVAC contractor before you consider hiring them. You may also want to check with the BBB for information. Taking these steps will help ensure that you make a wise decision.
Many online sites permit customers to let others know about their experience with various services and contractors.This works both in finding those you wish to work with and also with those you want to avoid.
Sometimes air conditioners will ice up. There can be occasional freezes in their drain lines, and these are usually confused with plumbing leaks. Try switching to fan-mode and disabling your compressor to test whether the water is a leak or melting ice. The ice will melt. You will likely need professional help to stop the problem.
Contractors determine their own fee levels, so make sure that you acquire multiple estimates. You can save quite a bit of money by asking for many quotes. You may want to get quotes from at least five contractors in order to know what reasonable rates are.
Use an online sizing calculator to help you calculate the proper size of the air conditioning unit you should purchase. Buying one that’s too large will not cool that well. Read over the owner’s manual to see the manufacturers suggestions as to the cooling capacity of the unit for the most accurate information.
Think about having a radiant barrier in your attic so your HVAC system. It ensures that your unit stays hot outside. You may even find that you can use your attic as part of your living space if it is done right.
Having a radiant barrier installed in your attic is an excellent way to make sure that your HVAC runs better. This helps block the heat from outside, and will reduce the energy needed for cooling your home during the summer. If you install the unit properly, you can even begin to use the attic as a bedroom as it will be so comfortable!
Check for duct leaks if you you feel your existing system is not be working efficiently.When these leaks are fixed, you may see that the testing pays for itself.
Do you want to buy a new cooling and heating system? Many considerations must be scrutinized. Systems are rated by the amount of area the system can heat and cool effectively. Therefore, you may want to opt for a larger unit.
Now you know just how to get a quality HVAC system. You must stay on top of things! Prevent your home’s temperature from getting uncomfortable by using this advice.
To keep your HVAC unit running at full capacity, you should have quality doors and windows installed that are efficient. They should have tight seals so outside air cannot get in and inside air can not get out. You could have a professional run a test for you, and sometimes this testing is done at no charge.
