Coming home to an HVAC unit that is not working is no fun. The following tips that follow will assist you in this process.
Before you call someone to help you fix your system, be sure to know what sort of system you have in place. Learn the brand, model, and if you have it, the maintenance history. This will help make sure that the contractor you hire has all the necessary information.
Know what you want done before you hire a contractor. It will be hard for an HVAC contractor to give you a price estimate over the phone without knowing what your current system. It will be way more hard if you over the phone without the information readily available.
Before you choose someone to do HVAC work, figure out what they need to do for you. They won’t be able to offer you a quote if they haven’t seen your system. If you are unable to explain the work that needs to be taken care of, the conversation will be even less fruitful. It’s a good idea to learn this information in advance.
Clean the fan blades and coils each spring to ensure that your condenser fan operates at it’s best. Clean the outside of your condenser unit.
Outdoor condenser units need to be cleaned regularly. You don’t know when things are going to pile up, like right after it’s windy or rains, and that can ruin your system. Left unchecked, your unit is more likely to break down.
Have the HVAC system inspected twice per year. This should be checked often for debris and the spring.
Try to prevent debris from getting in your HVAC unit. When you notice your trees shedding, frequently clean your unit’s fan grill. The fan needs to have an unobstructed path for air to enter the unit, and if it becomes blocked, you will end up with many headaches with the unit.
Turn off any outdoor condenser when the weather gets cold. This means that you should be done when the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This helps your unit is working order.
If you can choose the place where your outdoor compressor goes, pick a spot with lots of shade. If the unit is taking in cooler air, the efficiency will be boosted since it will not need to work as hard.
It is always a good idea to replace single-paned windows for double pane ones. This same effect also help you keep in during the winter months.
It is very important that your HVAC system is serviced two times a year. The normally recommended time for HVAC system inspections is once before the peak cooling season when it gets hot and you’ll be using your AC, and once before the peak heating season, during the cold months when you’re likely to be using your heat. Although there might not be any noticeable issues, it is important to provide regular upkeep to prevent bad things from happening.
A programmable thermostat can really help you out when it comes to your air conditioning bill. Some of these thermostats can even be controlled from your smart phone or other device.
Putting in a programmable thermostat is a smart way to cut back on air-conditioning costs. In fact, you can save as much as 10 percent on both heating and cooling when you turn your thermostat by by 10-15 percent for at least 8 hours daily. Also, you’ll find that you can program your thermostat from a computer or anything connected to the web.
During your service visit, professionals can help by inspecting the system’s motor, inspect the motor and the freon levels. These easy to do things are going to allow your system to run at its best.
Make sure to have your unit serviced once a year. During the service check, the system motor will be inspected, the moving parts will be oiled and the freon levels will be checked Those things are going to help your system at peak performance.
Research the reputation of companies before hiring them.Check with the BBB and look for reviews posted by former customers. These simple steps will help to ensure your decision is a better decision.
Research multiple contractors before choosing one. Checking with the BBB is a good idea, and so is checking online reviews to see the experiences that other customers have had with a company. Doing this makes it more likely that you choose wisely..
Companies that are around awhile have track records that can help you decide if they’re worth your money and time.Hiring an inexperienced contractor who is just starting out can be risky.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up. This can also happen on the drain line. If you see this, put the fan on to shut the compressor off. If the issue persists, call in help.
Think about getting a radiant barrier installed in your attic so your HVAC system. It will make sure you won’t have to use more energy to keep your home and the outside. You could even use the attic as part of your living space if it is done right.
Find an air conditioner calculator online to determine what models are best for you. If you purchase a unit that’s too large, it will not be efficient since it’ll cool the same. Always look through the manual as well.
Do you wish to buy a new HVAC unit? You will need to take a few important things. Systems are given ratings by how well the system is able to cool and heat an area. You are wise to err on the side of a unit rather than a bit too small.
Try to get as many quotes from contractors that you can. You should be able to hire the best contractor for the job if you take the time to do this. Compare the rates of at least 5 or 6 contractors to help you decide on the most reasonable rate for the job you need done.
Check the ducts to find any leaks if you you feel your existing system is not be working efficiently. When these leaks are fixed, the tests will pay for themselves.
Your HVAC system can run more efficiently if your attic has a radiant barrier. This blocks heat from entering your home, which lowers how much energy is needed to keep it cool in the warm months. If it is done correctly, it is even possible to convert the attic as a living space.
Figure out which direction your home faces in order to make your HVAC system can work better. The cooler your home already is, the less time that the AC has to work.
Do you want to buy a new cooling and heating system? You may want to consider the following. The rating given to a system tells how much are it can cover. It is always better to buy a unit that is a little bit bigger rather than one that might be slightly smaller.
If you HVAC unit is making a clicking sound, look for an obstruction. Often it is being caused by debris that’s hitting the fans in the cooling system. Check the fan and coil before you waste time contacting a repairman.
All of your windows and doors must be air-tight, in order for your HVAC system to run at maximum efficiency. Make sure the seal is impenetrable from outdoor drafts, and that none of the air you’re paying to heat or cool escapes either. You can get these tested at little to no charge by a professional.
Measure the area that needs cooling before going air conditioner shopping. You generally need 20 BTU per square footage of room space. If you have a lot of rooms to keep cool, just add their total square footage.
You can’t know what sized air conditioner to purchase unless you measure the area you need cooled. You can easily calculate this by using the formula: 20 BTUs per square footage of space. Calculate the total square footage of all rooms if you will use the air conditioner to cool more than one room.
If you have to place it in a corner, be sure you’re getting a unit that has air flow coming from a direction that’s not facing the wall.
When placing your unit, think about the direction the air will flow from the unit. Make sure you have plenty of air flow control options if you are forced to install the unit in a corner.
Any HVAC contractor you hire should have an emergency number available to customers around the clock.They need to be able to come to you when they are needed, whether during a heatwave or a terrible snowstorm.
Get references from anyone you are considering hiring. Find out if the contractor stayed within budget and performed the task in the allotted time they said. That is why it is vital that you check references, so you don’t run into those shady contractors!
Cover your condenser unit for protection in the winter.This can help it to last longer when it is not in use. Use the fan instead to avoid straining the condenser unit.
Hire contractors that can repair or install HVAC systems with 24-hour emergency services. A good company will have repairman available in any weather situation.
Always follow up on any references that you receive for an HVAC contractor.
It is always essential to contact the HVAC contractor’s references. Many people make the mistake of assuming references are legitimate just because they were give up freely, but this is not always the case. Never hesitate to spend a few moments making calls to check out someone.
This needs to be factored in when figuring out the number of BTUs your system has to be.
Look for an HVAC system that is rated as Energy Star compliant, as that will save you the most amount of money. These qualified energy products are known to meet strict guidelines for efficiency. These guidelines are enforced by the federal government. They are there to ensure these HVAC units operate as they are advertised. By taking the extra time to look into this information could help with long-term energy and money savings.
These units are more efficient and meet the strict guidelines set for efficiency. These standards are put in place by the United State Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). They are in charge of protecting the EPA for short.Taking time to fully research various units may help you get long-term savings on energy costs.
About two-thirds of homes have ducts that leak. These can add 25 percent to your heating and cooling costs. You can fix your ducts on your own, plus it’s simple to do and cheap, too.
Seek a HVAC contractors that only use products that carry the Energy Star label. This ensures efficiency that the EPA standards for efficiency. This will help you reduce your expenses throughout the year.
The Energy Star label indicates specific criteria for HVACs designed to indicate high quality to consumers. An Energy Star unit has been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency. Energy Star products help save you money on your utility bills.
Keep your HVAC system running efficiently by cleaning the heating ducts. Look at the ducts to make sure they are in good shape. Damaged ducts increase your energy bill by wasting air that is warm.
The condenser unit needs to be properly taken care of in cold weather. This can be done by placing an insulating cover on it. Also, make sure you don’t use the condenser unit when the temperature is in the 50s and below.
Make sure your condenser unit is protected. A thick cover will help protect the condenser from coming in.
For the best operation of your unit, always have the owner’s manual handy. The owner’s manual has a wealth of information for safe operation of your model and it can help you avoid problems and show you how to fix problems that occur. If you are unable to locate your manual, you usually can find it on the website of the manufacturer.
The above tips should help you maximize the functioning of your HVAC system. You never want to arrive back at your house to find that the unit has broken down. Then thinking about repair costs makes it even worse. Prevent all this from happening by using the information you’ve just read. Remember these hints when taking care of your HVAC system.
