A great HVAC system is an important part of your home. A lot of homeowners spend money fixing them up when broken, but if they were able to figure out how to fix things on their own it would have been avoided.The following article will help you to keep your purchase.
Before the summer you should clean out your condenser fan’s blades and coils. Always make sure you shut off the power before you do any work on the unit other than superficial cleaning. Clean the outdoor condenser as well.
Know what work you need before you hire a contractor. It will be difficult for a contractor to provide you a price estimate over the phone without knowing what your current setup is. It will be more hard if you over the phone without the information readily available.
If there are condenser units as part of your HVAC system, clean them often as they tend to have lots of debris. The dirt could pile up and harm your system. This can lead to overheating.
Clean your fan and coils come spring. Clean the outside of your condenser unit.
You should clean your condenser fan’s blades and coils every spring. First, the power should be turned off so things don’t move as you work. Next, pop off the grill, pull out the blades and start cleaning them and the unit itself off gently.
Turn it off first so nothing moves. Then, take the grill off, pull the blades out, and begin cleaning the unit and them gently.
As the trees around your home lose leaves, it can cause your HVAC unit trouble. During this time of year, check and clear off the fan grill on your unit on a regular basis. The air needs to be unobstructed into the fan, and any blockages create performance issues for the whole system.
Leaves falling from trees can damage your HVAC unit. Make sure the fan’s grill is cleaned frequently when the leaves begin to fall. The fan must not have anything in the way so that air can flow into it, and if debris is blocking this air flow, it could cause your system to break down.
To increase the efficiency of your HVAC unit, be sure to keep it in 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.
Sae 20 Oil
Install a thermostat you can program to save money on cooling your home. If you adjust it to keep the house a little warmer or a little cooler during the time you are sleeping, you may see your energy bill go down by as much as ten percent. This will save you a lot of money during the year.
Lubricate the oil ports on your fan condenser once a year.These are usually covered with rubber or metal cap. Use SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, putting 10 drops in each port.
Keep energy costs from rising by having your system serviced annually. The contractor should oil the parts that move and check the motor and freon levels. These repairs will keep your HVAC system running smoothly.
Put outdoor units in the shade.
Air conditioners tend to ice up at times. The drain line can freeze, making you think it’s a plumbing leak. Try switching to fan-mode and disabling your compressor to test whether the water is a leak or melting ice. This problem will need to be handled by a professional, even though the fan will probably help with the ice situation.
Turn off your outdoor condenser when the weather gets cold. This means that you should be done when the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit. This helps your system remain in good condition for many years.
Ask for helpful information when you are looking for a HVAC contractor. People that have had quality work done are usually more than willing to share this information. You will also find out who NOT to use!
It is always a good idea to replace single-paned windows with ones that have double panes. This same effect also keeps warm in during the winter.
Online reviews are a great source of information about HVAC contractors. Many online sites permit customers to let others know about their experiences with various services and contractors. This is an awesome way to find contractors to work with.
During a maintenance visit, the serviceman will inspect the unit’s motor, oil the moving parts and check the freon levels in the system. These simple things will boost the performance of your system to run at its peak performance.
Make certain that you get written estimates before you hire a contractor. If you make a few calls before you decide, it can result in great savings. You may want to get quotes from at least five contractors in order to know what you should be paying.
Look for calculators online to truly understand what size of unit is necessary for your home. Look at the manual or on the manufacturer website for air conditioners.
A radiant barrier is an awesome device which will help improve the efficiency of your HVAC unit. This will block heat from coming in, which means that less energy will be needed to keep your home cool. You might even be able to start living in your attic.
Ask for helpful information when you can find a HVAC contractor. People that have gotten great service are usually willing to tell of it. This is also a great way to get names of those companies that should be avoided.
Are you considering purchasing a new heating and cooling system? There are several things you should consider. HVAC systems have a rating to determine how much space you should use it on. Be sure to choose a slightly too large system over a too small of one.
There are a number of great sites that let customers talk about how they were treated by services. This will make it easier for you to find a top notch professional.
If your system isn’t working right, try looking for leaks in the ducts. This is a job your local utility provider may do for you inexpensively or even free of charge. When these leaks are fixed, the testing will pay for itself in energy savings.
Think about having a radiant barrier in your attic so your HVAC system can run better. It ensures that your home cool when it’s hot outside. You could even find that you can use the attic space if it is done right.
To keep your HVAC unit running at full capacity, you should have quality doors and windows installed that are efficient. Make certain they have tight seals to keep air inside. You can get these tested at little to no charge by a professional.
If you hear a clicking in the HVAC unit at home, there may be something obstructing it. Sometimes there is debris that gets in the cooling system fans. Check it out before you waste time contacting a repairman.
Replace your air filters every month. It will improve the efficiency of your unit. A few bucks is worth it!
Measure the area you wish to cool before going air conditioning. You will need 20 BTU for each square foot of room space. If multiple rooms need cooling, get their square footage added together.
You should always ask a contractor a few simple questions before hiring them for a job, such as how long they’ve been working in this field. Confirm that they have done this work before. Though some workers with less experience are great, you do not want to risk it.
If you have no choice but to put it in the corner, use one that doesn’t blow into the wall.
Be certain you know what to expect when you hire contractors to do a certain job. There are contractors that will try to overcharge you later for things like fuel charges and material fees. Solidly written contracts let you prevent such issues.
Ask a contractor about their experience.You need to verify they have done the sort of experience needed to work you require.
Place a cover around your condenser in the winter months. This helps protect your unit from damage. Don’t run the compressor if the temperature dips into the 50s. Put the fan on in this case.
Always get references from a contractor.
Be sure to investigate the references you are given by any HVAC professional. Do not make the mistake of assuming that these people were pleased with their experience. It will just take minutes to check out a contractor, so you shouldn’t hesitate.
Some contractors will attempt to overcharge you after the work is complete for fuel charges. Having a solid written contract can help to avoid any issues like this.
Make sure that any contractor that provides you with a quote also performs a heat-loss calculation. This tells you the number of BTUs your system requires to keep the environment of your home comfortable. Windows and doors need to be inspected for drafts, insulation checked for efficiency and the interior dimensions of the house should also be considered.
This information is used to determine the BTU your system has to be.
See about getting a programmable thermostat on your HVAC unit. This will help you to regulate the temperature at all times.
Consider have a programmable thermostat. This sort of device will save you a lot of money in terms of energy because it allows your bills as it constantly adjusts your settings to ensure optimal performance.
Always look for the ENERGY STAR logo on a unit before you make the purchase. These are qualified energy products that meet strict efficiency guidelines. These also meet every guideline out there for efficiency. Environmental Protection Agency generally. Taking the time to fully research various units may help you save a significant amount of money.
These energy devices are guaranteed to meet very strict guidelines for efficiency. These guidelines are determined by the federal government. They are called the environment and human health. Taking time to fully research various units may help you get long-term savings on energy costs.
Make sure your condenser unit is protected once the weather begins to get colder. Placing a thick tarp over it should do the trick. Don’t use this unit if you’re working in temperatures below around 60 degrees because your system won’t work that well below temperatures like this.
As stated above, HVAC can be one of the fundamental parts of your home. Thankfully, the tips you just read will help save you from costly repairs. It is your job to ensure you know all you can about your HVAC unit and you understand everything that has been discussed in this article.
Always have the owner’s manual on hand when doing anything with your HVAC unit. You can find great information about how to take care of your unit, and this could come in very handy. If you lost your manual, you can request it on the manufacturer’s website.
