When you are looking to learn a bit about HVAC systems, it is best to start small. This article can help you in the right direction. Take some time to read carefully and you will so fine.
Before making that repair phone call, make sure you know the specifics about your particular system. Look for the maintenance history and brand and model. This will enable you to give your chosen contractor any information they might need.
Clean your condenser’s fan and coils come spring. Clean off any leaves or debris from your external condenser unit regularly.
Before contacting a repair service, do a short tour of the entire home. You will be looking to see which of your rooms feel hotter or colder than they should be. This can help the contractor determine the problem areas quickly and fix the problem easily.
Clean the debris on an external condenser unit. You don’t know when things are going to pile up, especially after a windy or rainy storm, and that can ruin your system. It could overheat and cause your system to malfunction by overheating.
Be sure to regularly clean debris from external condenser units. Debris can pile up after a storm, bringing potential damage with it. It could overheat and cause a disaster with your unit.
Grass Clippings
When you cut the grass, don’t cover the outdoor units with their clippings. Aim your grass cuttings in a direction away from your unit. This includes grass clippings and leaves.
Don’t get grass clippings pile up against your outside unit. Aim the grass clippings in the unit. This applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in debris.
Lubricate your condenser yearly if it has oil ports. You’ll see that the ports here are closed with a rubber or metal cap. Pick a type of SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight. Place 10 or less drops into every port to avoid overfilling.
Your HVAC unit may suffer when trees begin dropping their leaves. Make sure you clean out your fan grill is cleaned frequently when the leaves begin to fall. The fan needs to have an unobstructed path for air to enter the unit, and if debris is blocking this air flow, it could cause your system to break down.
When choosing the area for placing an outdoor compressor device, place it in a shady area. If it sucks in cool air, it will need to work less to coll the air inside, which can make it last longer.
Turn off any outdoor condenser units when the weather gets cold. This means that you should be done when the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This will help keep the system running efficiently for many years to come.
Make sure you have your HVAC system checked at least twice a year. The best times to have the system checked is spring and fall, so you are sure everything is running at peak performance before the heating and cooling seasons. Even if nothing seems wrong, checking it out can help you find and fix potential issues.
It is a good idea to replace single-paned windows for double panes. This same effect also helps retain heated air during the winter months.
When the weather starts to cool down, make sure you turn off outdoor condenser units. If you get into temperatures that are less than 60 degrees you need the unit to be shut off so it doesn’t get damaged. This can keep your HVAC running and can save you money on repairs.
Don’t ever let your house get dangerously high. Air conditioners can only really cool down a home by 20 degrees. If the temperature in your home reaches 100 degree Fahrenheit, cooling it will only drop the temperature to 80 degrees F. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
It is a good idea to replace single-paned windows with ones that have double panes. Double pane windows will allow you to use less air during the summer because cooler air will stay in your house. When it is cold in the winter months, these same windows will keep the warm air inside as well.
Look for air conditioner sizing calculators online to help you determine the size of unit you need for your room or home. Look at the manual to determine the manufacturer website for this information.
A good way to save money with your air conditioning is by installing a programmable thermostat. Turning down the thermostat around 10 percent for 8 hours per day can give you a 10 percent savings using the programmable thermostat. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from a PC or other device.
Ask people that you know and family for contractor recommendations. People who’ve had great service are usually willing to share this information. It’s also a good way to learn which companies should avoid.
In order to keep energy costs down, make sure heating and cooling systems are services at least once per year. This inspection will ensure that your unit is working efficiently, including a freon level and motor check, and oiling moving parts. This will help your system run better.
Contractors determine their own fee levels, so make sure that you acquire multiple estimates. You can save some money by asking for many quotes. You may want to call at least five contractors to determine what reasonable rates are.
Figure out how long the HVAC company you choose has been in business. You are more likely to get good service this way. Hiring an inexperienced contractor can be risky.
A radiant barrier is an awesome device which will help improve the efficiency of your HVAC. It ensures that your unit stays hot outside. You could even use your attic space more effectively.
Go to people that you know and ask for recommendations when it is time for you to hire an HVAC contractor. People who have been happy with work they have had done in the past are normally more than happy to recommend their contractors. You will also find out who NOT to use!
Are you going to buy a new HVAC system installed? You could keep a few things into account. Systems have a rating based on how well the system is able to cool and heat an area well. You are better off purchasing a bigger unit that is slightly too large for your needs than a bit too small.
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 it is done correctly, it is even possible to convert the attic as a living space.
Check the ducts to find any leaks if your unit seems to not up to snuff. When you have leaks repaired, you’ll find that the testing paid for itself.
If your system isn’t working as it should, test its ducts for leaks. Call your utility company and ask if they test for free, as many do. Having these repaired is worth the cost of testing if you had to hire a contractor to do the job.
Figure out the direction your home is facing so your HVAC system more efficient. The less heat, the less time that the AC has to work.
Your HVAC system will be more efficient if your doors and windows are efficient as well. They should have tight seals so outside air cannot get in and inside air can not get out. Call a professional to come over to check how good you home is sealed up.
Measure the area you wish to cool before going air conditioner shopping. You generally need 20 BTU for each square foot. If you have a lot of rooms to keep cool, just add their total square footage.
Take a measuring tape and get the square footage of the area where the unit will be cooling. You can figure out the unit you need by calculating 20 BTU per square foot. Combine the square footage of all rooms, in the event that you will be cooling more than one.
Replace the air filter to keep your HVAC system every month. This is the simplest thing that your unit remains in good operating condition.
Pick a contractor who gets back to you quickly and understands the job. Many reliable companies ensure techs keep their appointments to stay on schedule. A professional can also perform a quick diagnosis on a faulty machine to locate the problem. Once, they find the problem, they will fix it fast.
Always make sure to get references from a HVAC contractor.
Does your contractor provide you with an all-day emergency hotline? You should have the ability to get them out to your home, whether it is the midst of a horrible heat wave or a snow storm.
There are contractors out there that will overcharge you later for things like fuel charges and material fees. Having a solid written contract will help you avoid any issues like that.
Do not forget to check the references of a HVAC contractor. Too many people just assume these contactors are legitimate becuase they offered these references freely, but if you don’t actually check them out, there could be serious consequences. This will not take a lot of your time.
Always check out any references that you receive for an HVAC contractor.
If you are having an existing HVAC system repaired or getting something new installed, ask them to install a programmable thermostat. These newer thermostats will help you to save more money on electricity because you can program them to shut off anytime you want them to.
Consider a programmable thermostat installed.This will save you a lot of money in terms of energy because it allows your system some downtime while you are warm in your bed.
Did you know that nearly 70 percent of all homes experience ducts with leaks? They can raise your utility bill by as much as 25 percent. It is easy and cheap to seal the ducts. You can do it yourself so that your electricity bill does not skyrocket.
These are energy products that meet strict efficiency guidelines. The rules are evaluated by the United States. They are in charge of protecting the EPA for short.Taking time to fully research various units may help you save a significant amount of money.
The condenser needs protection in cold weather. A thick cover should be placed on top of it to prevent any debris from coming in. Your unit will not work as efficiently if you do this when the outdoor temperature is less than 60 degrees.
You might be surprised to discover that as many as two-thirds of all homes have ducts that leak. This will kick up to 25% of your utility costs. It is not difficult to seal your ducts, and it will save you on your bills every month.
Always have the owner’s manual on hand when doing anything with your HVAC unit. The manual offers quite a few suggestions to use for your specific unit, and it may become necessary to look it over if you notice a serious problem. If you are unable to locate your manual, you usually can find it on the website of the manufacturer.
Learning about HVAC systems will require some personal motivation, but you’ll be glad that you did once it’s all through. Just take the time to do it right and avoid any issues. With luck, things will work out well.
Be sure to ask for written HVAC estimates. Having it in writing is essential. A good company will not refuse to give you a written estimate. This ensures that you receive good service. Compare your estimates on price, completion time and any other factors available. Try to avoid trusting a company with a low estimate since they may perform poor work.
