Having an HVAC system that works well can make a home run better. But if you experience a failure of your HVAC system, the situation can become frustrating very quickly. Learning how to maintain your HVAC system begins with the tips will prove very useful.
If you have some problems with the HVAC system, check out your home before calling a contractor. Make note of which rooms are cold and which are hot. You can then relay this information to the technician so that they can more easily figure out what the problem is.
Know what work you need before you select an HVAC contractor.It will be difficult for an HVAC contractor to give you a price estimate over the phone if they have not seen your current system. It will be more difficult for him to assist you can’t figure out what they need to do.
Clean the fan blades and coils prior to summertime. Prior to working on or cleaning the unit, be sure to turn off the power. Take away all of the debris as well.
Turn the power off first so nothing moves. Then, pop off its grills, pull the blades out, and gently clean them as well as the unit itself.
Regularly remove debris from outside condenser units. Falling leaves and wind or rain may cause debris to reduce the efficiency of your unit. Also, you are risking your system overheating.
Don’t let grass clippings on your outside unit. Aim the grass cuttings in a direction from your unit. This also applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in the yard.
Each spring, clean the fan blades and coils on your condenser. First, turn the power off so nothing moves when you’re working with it. Take the grill off and pull the blades out to clean them.
Your outdoor HVAC units might suffer when your trees start to lose their leaves. Make sure the unit’s fan grill is cleaned often during the fall. The fan must be unobstructed to work properly, and if it becomes blocked, you will end up with many headaches with the unit.
Avoid showering your outdoor unit with grass clippings when you mow the lawn. Direct the grass clippings in a direction away from the HVAC unit. This also applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in debris.
Put outdoor unit in the shade if you are installing them.
When the trees are losing their leaves, your HVAC unit can suffer. Clean the fan grill often when leaves are falling. A blocked unit can quickly become a broken unit.
Have the HVAC system inspected twice a year at the least.This should be checked often for debris and again in the spring.
Check to determine if the fan condenser on your HVAC system is equipped with oil ports, and if it is, be sure to lubricate every year. You’ll see that the ports here are closed with a rubber or metal cap. Use SAE 20 oil that is lightweight and detergent free, and put ten drops or fewer into each one. Make sure not to overfill them.
It is a good idea to swap out single pane windows for double panes. This also help you keep in the winter.
Put your outdoor unit in places with shade. When the air conditioner pulls in cooler air, it won’t have to do much more to cool it and that will save you a lot of money on energy bills.
Don’t allow your home temperature get dangerously hot. An air conditioning unit will reduce the internal temperature of your home approximately twenty degrees in a short time span. If your home happens to get near 100 degrees Fahrenheit, you will only be able to cool it down to 80. This won’t be a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.
Get your HVAC unit serviced two times per year. This should happen in the fall and the spring. Even if you do not detect a problem, you can identify and fix any potential problems when you have it checked.
Research the companies before hiring them. Check them out at the BBB and online reviews as well. Doing this can help you hire the best company for your HVAC needs.
Save energy use and money by turning off the air conditioner if there is nobody home. The house will only heat up to a certain point. When the AC is left running, your power bill will go up quite a bit.
Companies that are well established have track records that haven’t been. Hiring a new contractor may be taking a considerable risk.
Never let your home reach a dangerously hot temperature. Air conditioners really can only cool a home down about 20 degrees Fahrenheit within a reasonable amount of time. So, if you house heats up to about 95, you won’t see the temperature go below 75 for a while. This won’t be a healthy environment to live in.
Ask friends and family for their HVAC contractor recommendations. People will tell you who they have used and if they are usually more than willing to share this information. This can also a great way to get names of companies that should avoid.
To choose a reliable HVAC contractor, the best thing to do is to do your homework on a number of possible firms and check out their reputations. Check out the online reviews, and run a quick search on the BBB website to make sure they have been good to past customers. When done in advance you can be sure of making a sound decision.
Contractors charge different rates, so make sure you get quotes from several contractors before you make any hiring decision. You can save a great deal of money if you make several calls prior to reaching a final decision. Call at least four or five different HVAC specialist to find out what the best rates.
To know how large of an air conditioner you need, look for a calculator online. If you get something that’s too big, it won’t work as well for you in the end. Look in the manual or on the manufacturer website for this information.
Determine the direction that your home faces in order to establish efficient HVAC operation. The less heat, the less time your air conditioner will have to work.
Try installing a type of radiant barrier in the attic for to have a more efficient HVAC system. It will block the heat and lower the energy necessary to keep your home cool in the summertime. You might even be able to start living in your attic.
If the HVAC unit makes a clicking noise, look for an obstruction. Often it is being caused by debris that’s hitting fans in your cooling system. Look carefully at it before calling in a technician.
Do you need a new HVAC system? There are some things to consider. Those systems get rated by the area amount they are able to cool and heat effectively. It’s always better to buy something just a little bit bigger, as opposed to trying something too small.
Make certain they are tightly sealed so air inside. You can also hire someone to test them all for you and often this testing is free.
If you HVAC unit is clicking, immediately check for any type of obstruction. It might be debris in the way of the blade. Removing the debris solves the issue. Look carefully at it before you call up a service technician.
Measure the area that needs cooling before going air conditioner shopping. You can easily calculate this by using the formula: 20 BTU for each square footage of space. If you have multiple rooms to cool, just add their total square footage.
You need to check your windows and outside doors to make certain your HVAC runs well. They should have tight seals so outside air cannot get in and inside air can not get out. You can get these tested at little to no charge by a professional.
Pick out an HVAC business that is fast and works quickly to solve the problem. The best companies will ensure that their technicians working honestly and on time. A licensed technician will also easily diagnose any potential faults with your HVAC. After they figure out what is causing the problem, they should then know how to deal with the problem.
Replace the air filter to keep your HVAC system working well. It’s a simple thing to do to keep it running properly. Filters only cost a few bucks, and it’s a small price to pay.
Ask any potential contractor about their experience prior to hiring them. Make sure they are experienced doing the kind of work that is needed.
Know what’s included in any repair work you contract. There are contractors that will try to overcharge you later for things like fuel charges and material fees. You can avoid these issues if you have a contract that is written out.
Always make sure to get references when you are considering a HVAC contractor.
Protect your condenser unit from winter weather by placing a cover around it. This extends the lifespan of your condenser. In addition, you should never run the compressor when the temperature outside is below 60 degrees. Switch your fan on instead so the unit doesn’t get strained.
Some contractors attempt to overcharge you on later for things such as material fees and fuel charges. A contract that covers the basics will prevent this materializes.
Did your contractor calculate your heat-loss ratio before giving you their quote? That will indicate the BTU requirements of your new system. This includes counting doors and windows, checking all the insulation and measuring the total internal space of your home.
Cover your condenser in the winter time. This extends the lifespan of your condenser considerably. Use the fan setting only to avoid putting strain on the condenser unit.
Opt for a programmable thermostat when getting your HVAC. You will realize real savings when the system is allowed to rest at night while you are asleep.
Consider a programmable thermostat installed.This can save you a great deal on your energy bills because when you adjust the temperature to sync with your lifestyle.
You may be surprised that as much as 66% of households have ducts that leak. These leaky ducts can account for up to one fourth of your total utility costs. It’s easy to seal up any ducts, and you should notice a big difference in your bills.
Hvac System
Be sure to search for an HVAC center that carries Energy Star rated products. Anything carrying the Energy Star logo has met guidelines for efficiency as established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This will help you save more on your bills year round.
Now that you’re done reading this article, you understand how important it is to have a properly maintained HVAC system. Bad things can happen by failing to have your routine inspections performed. The excellent tips provided above will help you to keep your HVAC system in tip top shape.
Make sure your condenser unit is protected once the weather begins to get colder. This may be accomplished by placing a cover on the condenser unit. 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.
