An HVAC unit is a valuable system is present in your home. An HVAC unit is designed to keep your home maintain a comfortable temperature. You will generally need to hire a pro. Read on to learn more about the best tips for your HVAC.
Before you choose someone to do HVAC work, figure out what they need to do for you. It is going to be hard to get a price estimate on the phone if the current system isn’t something they’ve seen. In addition, you need to be able to tell the contractor what you have already tried. It’s a good idea to learn this information in advance.
Know the name and type of system you currently have before looking for a repair person. This will help you give the new contractor any information they might need.
Be sure to clean external condenser units regularly. You can never tell when things will pile up, especially following rain or wind storms. These can wreak havoc on your units. It can get overheated, which will cause problems with the whole system.
If you have some problems with the HVAC system, take a look around the house prior to calling a contractor. This will help the contractor determine where the problem is and how to fix it.
When you cut the grass, make sure your mower isn’t tossing clippings toward your outdoor units. Try shooting the clippings away from it. Be just as mindful when you blow leaves to not blow them toward your HVAC equipment.
Know what you want done before you select an HVAC contractor. It will be difficult for a contractor to give you a price estimate on 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.
Leaves and debris can damage your system. At least twice a week, you need to clean the grill of your fan. The fan must stay clear in order to function, and if it gets blocked, you will have to contend with problems.
Clean your fan blades and coils prior to summertime. Clean the outside of your condenser as well.
Many homeowners forget to oil their condenser at least once per year, but it is required. These are usually covered with rubber or metal caps. Pick out a SAE 20 type of oil because it has no detergent, is lightweight, and you should put around 10 drops in the ports but make it to where they don’t get too full.
Turn it off so nothing moves.Then, pop off its grills, pull the blades out, and gently clean them as well as the unit itself.
When it gets cold outside, the outdoor condenser unit should be turned off. To prevent damage, turn off your unit if the outside temperature is less than 60 degrees. This simple tip will help keep the system running efficiently for many years to come.
Don’t let grass clippings pile up against your outside unit. Aim the grass in a different direction from the other direction. This also applies when you are taking care of the leaves in the yard.
Replace single pane windows by installing double pane, if possible. Double pane windows can minimize the use of your air conditioner in hot weather since they keep the indoor air cooler. This also works during the cold months to keep the warm air inside.
Put outdoor units in the shade.
Have a smart thermostat installed. These can save you around 10 percent on your heating and cooling costs by just turning it back 10 percent to 15 percent for around eight hours each day. Furthermore, there are a few programmable thermostats that you can control from your computer or any other web-connected device.
Be sure you have the HVAC system checks. This should be checked often for debris and again in the spring.
Service your hearing and cooling systems once each year. During a maintenance visit, professionals can help by inspecting the system’s motor, oil the different moving parts as well as check the system’s freon levels. These simple things will keep your system running at peak performance.
Turn off outdoor condensers you have when the weather gets cold. This means that you should be done when the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This can keep your system working well throughout the years without the cost of repairs.
When you want a HVAC contractor who is reliable, you need to spend some time in researching the background and reputation of several potential companies. Check with different references to determine the best one for your situation. It would be wise of you to take these steps.
Install a thermostat to save energy costs. Some can even be controlled from your smart phone or computer.
Figure out how long the HVAC company you choose has been in business. This will ensure that you find someone who knows their stuff. Hiring a contractor who is just starting out can be risky.
During your service visit, the contractor will oil parts, oil the different moving parts as well as check the system’s freon levels. These things will boost the performance of your system to run at its peak performance.
Use recommendations when you are looking for a 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!
Look for air conditioner sizing calculators online to truly understand what size of unit is necessary for your home. Look in the manual to determine the manufacturer website for this information.
If your system isn’t working as it should, test its ducts for leaks. A local utility company often performs free duct testing. If it isn’t free, then it is still cheaper than an HVAC specialist in most areas. Having these repaired is worth the cost of testing if you had to hire a contractor to do the job.
Ask friends and trust for their HVAC contractor recommendations. People who have had a good experience are usually willing to tell of their contractor. This can also be used to see who you learn the names of those companies that you should avoid.
Figure out the direction your home is facing so your HVAC system can work better. Strategically placing trees around your home can block some of the heat coming from the sun, preventing your home from overheating. You will reduce the need for AC when your home is naturally cooler.
Are you thinking about buying a new heating and cooling system? There are things you should consider. Systems get rated according to the total area they effectively cool and heat. You are wise to err on the side of a bigger unit rather than a bit too small.
Your HVAC system will be more efficient if your doors and windows are efficient as well. They have to have a tight seal, stopping air from going in or out. You can also hire someone to test them.
Check for duct leaks if you you feel your unit seems to not up to snuff. When the leaks are repaired, the testing will pay for itself in energy savings.
When considering what size AC unit your home needs, be sure to measure the immediate area you need to cool. You generally need 20 BTU for each square foot of room space. Just measure your rooms and tally up the total square footage.
Figure out which direction your home is facing so your HVAC system can work better. The less heat in your home, the less work your AC will have to do.
Think about which way the air flows when installing a air conditioner. If you’re stuck with putting it in a corner, buy one that lets the air flow to be redirected so that it is not flowing towards the wall.
If you hear a clicking in the HVAC unit at home, look for an obstruction. Often the issue is some sort of debris hitting the fans in your cooling system. Look carefully at this prior to calling a service technician.
Ask any potential contractor about their experience. You need to verify they have the type of experience needed to work on your particular system. This doesn’t mean a less experienced person may be bad, but you shouldn’t take any chances with your HVAC.
Measure the living area you wish to cool before going air conditioning. You generally need 20 BTU for each square foot of the room. If more than one room needs AC service, just add their total square footage.
Only hire a contractor to install or repair your HVAC system if they offer a 24-hour hotline for emergencies. They need to be able to come to you when they are needed, even if when the weather gets to be extreme.
Replace the air filter monthly to keep your HVAC system every month. This is the simplest thing that you can do and it will keep your unit running in tip top shape.
Make sure that you are clear about what is included in the cost of the HVAC work you are contracting someone to do. Unfortunately, there are a few unscrupulous contractors that will tack un-discussed charges onto your bill. Getting a contract that’s written and solid can assist you because you’ll avoid these kinds of issues.
If it has to be placed in a corner, ensure that the air is not directed towards a wall.
Make certain that any potential contractor calculates potential heat loss. This particular equation will help you estimate the number of BTUs needed to keep the home in a comfortable condition. Windows and doors should be counted, and insulation should be checked along with measuring the internal space of your home.
Ask any potential contractor about their experience prior to hiring them. Make sure they are experienced with the kind of work that you need.
Ask the contractor to install a programmable thermostat on your unit if it doesn’t already have one. You will reduce your electric bills, as it will rest during the night.
Any HVAC contractor you hire should have a 24-hour emergency number available to customers around the clock. They owe it to you to show up to fix anything, be it in the middle of a heatwave or in the worst snowstorm of the year.
Seek out HVAC contractors who only use products that carry the Energy Star label. Anything carrying the Energy Star logo has met guidelines for efficiency as established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The end result should be you seeing a money saved each year on your energy bills.
As this article shows, there are things which can be helpful when dealing with HVAC systems and contractors. Correct installation is key, along with regular maintenance. Use the information from this article to guide you when choosing a heat pump or having maintenance work completed on your HVAC.
For the most efficient operating of your HVAC system, schedule regular cleaning of your unit’s heating ducts. Regularly inspect your heating ducts for punctures, damage, and disconnections. Damaged ducts waste warm air, increasing your heating costs.
