HVAC contracting is something that you may know a lot about. This can cause problems when issues arise.
Clean the coils of your condenser fan each month. Prior to working on or cleaning the unit, be sure to turn off the power. The outside condenser unit should be kept free of leaves and other debris.
Know the name and type of system you currently have before calling someone to fix it. This will facilitate the process when your chosen contractor any information they might need.
Outdoor condenser units need to be cleaned regularly. Debris can pile up after a storm, bringing potential damage with it. The whole thing can overheat, causing major problems and possibly an enormous expense for you.
Know what work you want done before you hire a contractor. It will be difficult for a contractor to give you with an estimate on the phone if they have not seen your current setup is. It will be way more hard if you don’t know what’s wrong.
Every spring you need to make sure your condenser fan’s coils and blades on the fan part are clean. Turn the power off so nothing moves. Pull out each of the blades and clean them one by one.
Clean the debris on an external condenser unit. You don’t know when things are going to pile up, like right after it’s windy or rains, and that can throw a wrench in your system. It can cause your system by overheating.
Keep your outdoor units free of debris when your cutting grass. Get the grass shot away from your unit. This applies when you are taking care of the leaves in the yard.
Turn the power off first so you don’t get hurt or break something. Then, take the grill off, pull the blades out, and begin cleaning the unit and them gently.
When the trees are losing their leaves, your HVAC unit can suffer. Make certain you are cleaning the fan grill often if trees nearby have leaves that are falling. An obstruction, such as a leaf, prevents the maximum amount of cool air from entering the system.
Lubricate your fan condenser once a year. You will see rubber or metal caps covering them. Use a lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.
Try to choose a shady place to locate the outdoor compressor device. Your unit won’t have to work as hard to cool the inside air if the outside air it sucks from is cooler.
Put your outdoor units in places with shade.
If you want things to be more efficient, get new units outside or have your current one moved into the shade. As you get your air conditioner to suck in cool air it won’t have to do too much work to cool it which saves you some money.
Turn off outdoor condenser when it’s getting cold. This should turn it off to prevent damage if the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit. This can ensure your system remain in good working order.
Your system should be checked twice a year. Check into it twice a year before you head into the hot and cold months. This will help you to avoid problems.
A programmable thermostat can really help you save money on your air conditioning bill. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from a PC or computer.
Turn your AC off if no one is at home. When you turn it off, the house heats up, but only to a certain threshold. If will be constantly fighting the heat and using lots of electricity if it is left on all day.
Don’t ever let your home temperature get too hot. An AC unit will reduce the temperature of your home approximately twenty degrees in a short time span. If the temperature in your home rises above 100 degrees, then you will only be able to reasonably cool to around 80. This won’t be a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up. The drain line can freeze, making you think it’s a plumbing leak. If this happens, turn the thermostat so it is on fan only mode, which will disable the compressor. This problem will need to be handled by a professional, even though the fan will probably help with the ice situation.
Air conditioners tend to ice up.The drain line might also freeze up.If this is something that’s happening to you, try switching your thermostat to just the fan so that it disables the compressor. You can call a HVAC professional, but switching to the fan setting should start to melt the ice.
Check any company you are considering to see how long it has been around. Fly-by-night companies are those you want to avoid. If you choose to hire a new contractor, you may be risking things.
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.
Ask people that you know and trust for contractor recommendations. Someone who has used a contractor in the past is generally willing to let you know what they thought about it. This will also help you to avoid undesirable companies.
Companies with proven track records that can help you decide if they’re worth your money and time. Hiring a new contractor may be taking a considerable risk.
An online search will give you further information about any contractor you are considering. There are a number of great sites out there that let customers talk about how they were treated by services. Read through them and figure out who you want to try out.
Contractors determine their own fee levels, so make sure that you acquire multiple estimates. You can save tons of money by asking for price quotes. You want to get quotes from at least a handful of contractors to determine what you should be paying.
Contractors are responsible for their own charges and fees, so make sure you get quotes from several contractors before you make any hiring decision. You can save a lot of cash simply by doing your homework. To figure out what a good rate is, speak with about five or six contractors.
Think about getting a radiant barrier installed in your attic so your HVAC system can run better. It blocks outside heat from coming in which will make sure you won’t have to use more energy to keep your unit stays hot outside.You may even use your attic as part of your living space more effectively.
Install a radiant barrier in your attic to boost HVAC efficiency. It blocks the heat from inside, reducing how much energy you need to cool down your home during summer. If done right, you can even start using the attic as living space.
Having an HVAC break is something nobody wants to have happen. This process will be less traumatic if you have educated yourself about the topic ahead of time. These tips will help you get the job done right.
Determining the direction in which your house faces can help make the HVAC system efficient. Trees block morning sunlight, stopping your home from getting too hot. This will reduce the work of your AC unit.
