It is frustrating to need work done to your HVAC system when it is super hot or super cold. Learning as much as possible about your HVAC system will help you choose the topic means being able to make decisions down the road. Read this article to get started on to do that.
To make sure your condenser fan works properly, keep the fan blades and the coils clean. Before you clean the surface, be sure to turn off the power. Clean the outside of your condenser unit regularly.
If you struggle with your HVAC, take a look around the house prior to calling a contractor. This will help the repairman determine where the problem is and how to fix it.
Clean your outdoor condensers often. You never know when things can pile up, especially after a windy or rainy storm, and that can throw a wrench in your system. It may begin to overheat, causing massive damage.
Know what work you need before you hire a contractor. It will be hard for an HVAC contractor to give you a price estimate on the phone without knowing what your current setup is. It will be more difficult for him to assist you can’t figure out what they need to do.
If you have a fan condenser with oil ports, it needs to be lubricated every year. They generally have a rubber or metal cap on them. Use a lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, putting 10 drops in each port.
Clean your fan blades and coils prior to summertime. Clean off any leaves or debris from your external condenser unit regularly.
Make sure your HVAC systems is checked twice a year. The fall and spring are the optimal times for this maintenance. Even if you can’t see anything wrong, checking it may help you locate and repair some possible issues.
10 Drops
If you can, install double-paned windows throughout your home. Double pane windows can minimize the use of your air conditioner in hot weather since they keep the indoor air cooler. Your home will also stay warmer in the winter.
Lubricate the oil ports on your condenser at least once a year. You will notice these ports have a rubber or metal caps. Use a lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, putting 10 drops in each port.
A programmable thermostat can help you save money on your air conditioning bill. 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. In addition, some models make things really easy on you, allowing you to adjust them from the computer.
Put your outdoor condensers in places with shade.
You can keep energy costs in your home lower by choosing to have professional maintenance done on your HVAC unit. This inspection will ensure that your unit is working efficiently, including a freon level and motor check, and oiling moving parts. This maintenance means that your system will operate optimally.
Be sure to have the HVAC unit in your home checked about two times every year. This should be done in the fall and the spring.
Shut off the air conditioning if nobody is home. Sure, the temp will rise, but no one is home anyway. The longer the unit stays on, the more it ends up costing you in energy bills.
It is a good idea to replace single-paned windows with ones that have double pane ones. This same effect also helps retain heated air in during the winter months.
Problems with an air conditioning unit happen when it ices up. Drain lines can also suffer an occasional freeze, and these are sometimes mistaken for plumbing leak issues. If you see this, try switching your thermostat to just the fan so that it disables the compressor. You should still call a professional to help regardless.
When they come out for a service visit, oil the parts that move, and they will oil all the moving parts. These few simple things will help your system running at peak performance.
There are plenty of online tools, such as sizing calculators, which can help you find the best unit to cool your home. Buying one that’s too large will not cool that well. Always look through the manual as well.
Do not allow your house get extremely hot. Air conditioners really can only cool down unreasonably high temps. If your home become 100F or more, it will only reduce it to 80 or more. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Prior to hiring any HVAC contractor, you should ask how long their business has operated. A company that has been in business for a long time will have a solid track record, and you can use this to figure out if you should spend your money with them. Hiring a new contractor means taking a bigger risk.
Research the reputation of companies before hiring them.Check them out at the best one for your situation. These steps are going to help to ensure you make the smartest and most informed choice.
In order for your HVAC system to run more efficiently, think about putting a radiant barrier in your attic. This helps block the heat from outside, and will reduce the energy needed for cooling your home during the summer. You may even find that you can use the attic space more effectively.
Air conditioners tend to ice up.The drain line might also freeze up.If you see this, change the setting on your thermostat to the fan setting and this will disable the compressor. You should leave the repair to a professional, but switching to the fan will make the ice melt.
Do you want to buy a new cooling and heating system? Many things must be taken into account before you purchase one. Systems have ratings according to the total area they effectively heat or cool. You want a unit which offers a little more than you need.
Companies that are well established have a better record than those that haven’t been. It is riskier to hire someone who does not have a contractor with little experience.
All of your windows and doors must be air-tight, in order for your HVAC system to run at maximum efficiency. They should be able to seal tightly without letting air seep in or out. You can hire a professional to test them all for you and often this testing is free.
There are quite a lot of sites now that let customers to share their experiences with contractors. This is a good way to find people you want to work with and those you don’t want to work with.
You need to measure the space of your home so you can purchase the proper size unit. The calculation to determine the size of the unit is typically 20 BTU for every square foot of area. If you have a lot of rooms to keep cool, get their square footage added together.
Do you want to find a new HVAC system? There are a number of things you must consider first. Systems get rated according to the total area they can effectively heat or cool. You are wise to err on the side of a unit rather than a smaller one.
Think about the air flow coming out of the air conditioner and where you want to place it for maximum comfort. If it has to be placed in a corner, make sure your unit permits airflow to be redirected.
Measure the living area that requires air conditioning. You can figure out the unit you need 20 BTU per square foot of room space. If you need to cool multiple rooms, combine all the square footage.
Prior to hiring any HVAC contractor, you ought to ask about their level of experience. Have they done this type of job before? This doesn’t mean a less experienced person may be bad, but you shouldn’t take any chances with your HVAC.
Hvac System
Always request references when you are considering a HVAC contractor. You want to make sure that the contractor has satisfied previous customers. Checking references helps you avoid scammers.
Replace the air filter in your HVAC system working well.This is an easy thing to do and it will help your HVAC system running well.
Any HVAC contractor you hire should have a 24-hour emergency hotline. Your system can go out after hours, and if you need help, you want someone who can be there at any time of the day.
Ask any potential contractor about their experience prior to hiring them. You need to verify they have done the type of experience needed to work you require.
Place a cover around your condenser in the winter months. This will help your condenser last longer when not being used. Never use the compressor when the temperature outside is below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid placing a strain on your unit by using the fan instead.
Always get references from a contractor.
It is always essential to contact the HVAC contractor’s references. Just because the reference was offered by a specialist doesn’t mean that they are real. It only takes a short amount of time to contact someone, so it is important that you do that right away.
Any HVAC contractor or installer should have a 24-hour emergency number available to customers around the clock. They should be there when you need them, in any weather.
When in the process of installing new HVAC equipment or getting repairs done, see if you can have a programmable thermostat installed. This sort of device 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.
Always check out any references that you receive for an HVAC contractor.
66% of houses have ducts that are leaky. These can add 25 percent to your heating and cooling costs. Sealing up your ducts is cheap and easy, you can even do it yourself, and it can reduce your electricity bills significantly every year thereafter.
These energy devices are guaranteed to meet strict efficiency guidelines. These guidelines are put in place by the U.S. 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.
Inspect and clean your heating ducts on a routine basis so the air you receive is fresh and clean. Make sure the ducts for heating get inspected every once in a while so you know there aren’t dents, punctures, or disconnected parts. Damaged ducts increase the energy bill by wasting air that is warm.
Look for HVAC contractors that use Energy Star products and equipment. This will ensure that is required by the EPA standards for efficiency. This will help you save more on your bills throughout the year.
When the weather begins to grow colder, you must protect the outside condensing unit from the cold. Try placing a thick cover on top of it. Running the system when the outside temperature is below 60 degrees will lower its efficiency.
Make sure your condenser unit is protected. A nice cover should be placed on top of it to prevent any debris from coming in.
Make sure that your owner’s manual in handy when your unit is being operated. The manual will be very useful.
The prospect of having to engage the services of an HVAC professional can be daunting without the right information. The process isn’t bad when you are educated about it. Ideally, you now know what to do to keep your unit running well.
