This article has some great information to help you if you like this type of thing.
Before you start calling to find someone to fix your unit, make sure you know the type of system that is installed. Look for the model and brand number. This will help you give the new contractor the necessary information.
If your HVAC system is acting up, try touring your home before calling a professional. This will help the contractor determine where the problem is and how to fix it.
Clean the condenser coils and fan at the beginning of the year to help the unit run efficiently. If you are doing more than a light surface cleaning, make sure that the power is shut off to the HVAC unit. Clean off any leaves or debris from your external condenser unit.
Know what you want done before you hire a contractor. It will be difficult for a contractor to give you with an estimate on the phone without knowing what your current setup is. It will be way more hard if you don’t know what’s wrong.
If you have units that are condensers outside of the home, keep them free of debris. Leaves and debris can accumulate quickly, particularly following storms, and that can cause problems for your system. If you do not, the unit may get too hot and cause additional problems.
Turn it off so nothing moves.Then, pop off its grills, pull the blades out, and gently clean them as well as the unit itself.
Keep your outdoor units free of debris when your cutting grass. Direct the grass clippings in a direction away from the HVAC unit. This also applies when you blow leaves, so be very careful near your exterior HVAC units when you move debris.
Don’t let grass clippings pile up against your outside unit. Aim the grass cuttings in a direction away from the unit. This also applies when you are taking care of the leaves in debris.
When choosing the area for placing an outdoor compressor device, place it in a shady area. In this way, it will be cooling air that is already somewhat cooled. This saves energy.
Lubricate your fan condenser yearly if it has oil ports. You can find these ports covered with rubber or metal cap covering them. Use a lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.
In order for your new unit to be as efficient as possible, or to make older units more efficient, make sure it’s put in a shaded area. 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.
Put outdoor condensers in the shade if you are installing them.
You need to have a contractor review your unit twice a year. This should be done in Fall and Spring to prepare it for the extreme months. This type if preventative maintenance is highly necessary to ward off any expensive troubles from coming your way.
Have the HVAC serviced at the least. This should happen in the fall and malfunctions.
Installing double paned windows can save a lot of money over single panes, so upgrade if you are able. Double-pane windows keep inside air cooler, allowing you to reduce AC usage in the summertime. This also helps keep it warm in the winter.
Turn off outdoor condensers you have when weather turns cold. This should be done when the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit.This simple tip will help keep your HVAC running efficiently for many years to come.
If nobody is home, turn off the AC. By raising the temperature from, for example 78 to 80, your house will be warmer, but only up to 80 before your AC kicks in. If you decide to set the temperature to 82 or 83 or so on, your AC won’t go on until it reaches that temperature. If you leave it on all day, it’s fighting the heat constantly, meaning it’s using a lot of electricity to do its job.
During this service visit, the serviceman will inspect the unit’s motor, oil the unit’s moving parts and ensure the unit has proper freon levels. These few simple tasks will help keep your HVAC system to run at its peak performance.
When you’re purchasing an HVAC system, make sure that you get a unit that is properly sized for your space. If you get a unit that is too large, it will cost a lot in energy costs. You can look online or do other research to get information from HVAC system manufacturers and sellers in order to determine the best unit size for your needs.
Don’t let your house get dangerously high. An AC unit will reduce the internal temperature of your home approximately twenty degrees in a short time span. If your house’s interior temperature hits 100 degrees Fahrenheit, it will only reduce it to 80 or more. This won’t be a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.
To improve the efficiency of your HVAC system, think about placing a radiant barrier in your attic. It ensures that your unit stays hot or cold as it should be. You may suddenly find that the attic even looks like a great option for another bedroom!
Air conditioners tend to ice up.The drain line might also freeze up.If you see this, put your thermostat over to fan. You should call a pro to fix this problem, but switching to the fan will make the ice melt.
If your current system isn’t working well enough, test out the ducts for leaks. Often your utility company is willing to test this for you, and it may be free or lower in cost than you would get with a contractor. When you repair the leaks, you’ll see that the tests paid for themselves.
Contractors are responsible for their own charges and fees, so make sure to get multiple quotes.You have the potential to save tons of money by asking for many quotes. Call around 5 contractors so that you can get the best rates.
To run your HVAC at full efficiency, you must have efficient doors and windows in place as well. Each of these should have an airtight seal on them. Professional testing is available, and it is often free of charge.
Are you thinking of getting a new HVAC system installed? There are many things you should consider. Systems have a rating based on how effectively they can cool or heat an area well. You are wise to err on the side of a unit that is slightly too large for your needs than a smaller one.
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. If multiple rooms need cooling, add together their square footage to reach this calculation.
Make certain they have tight seals to keep air can’t seep in.You can also hire someone to test things and a lot of the time the testing costs nothing.
Replace the air filter as often as possible. This will maximize the production of your HVAC. Filters are relatively cheap, so it does not cost much to do this.
Measure the area you wish to cool before going air conditioning. You generally need 20 BTU per square foot of room space. If you have multiple rooms to cool, make sure to add the square footage together.
Pick a contractor who gets back to you quickly and understands the job. A reliable company will ensure their technicians keep appointments and stay on their schedule. The tech will also know how to find the problem quickly. When they know what the problem is, they should know how to fix it quickly so that it works properly.
Replace the air filter in your HVAC system working well.This is an easy thing to do and it keeps the system running at maximum efficiency.
Never hire a contractor before asking about the work experience they have when it comes to dealing with HVAC units. He or she may not have experience working with your type of system or performing the work that you need done. Although it is certainly possible for an inexperienced contractor to do the job right, it is best not to flirt with danger.
Always make sure to get references from a HVAC contractor.
When you need to find a contractor to handle your HVAC work for you, make sure that the one you choose has a phone number they will answer 24-hours per day. A good company will have repairman available in any weather situation.
Any HVAC contractor you hire should have a 24-hour emergency number available to customers around the clock. They should be able to get to your home whenever you need them there, even if when the weather gets to be extreme.
Make sure that you are clear about what is included in the cost of the HVAC work you are contracting someone to do. They may tack on fees that are ridiculous, like a fuel surcharge. Getting a contract that’s written and solid can assist you because you’ll avoid these kinds of issues.
Always follow up on any references that you by a prospective HVAC contractor.
Drape a cover over your condenser unit in the winter to protect it. This simple cover keeps the condenser operating longer when not in use. Don’t run the compressor if the temperature dips into the 50s. Turn the fan on instead, to avoid putting undue stress on the system.
Consider a programmable thermostat installed.This lowers your heating and cooling bills because when you adjust the temperature to sync with your settings to ensure optimal performance.
Opt for a programmable thermostat when getting your HVAC. This will allow you to save quite a bit of money on utilities as your system gets to rest as you do things like sleep.
These qualified energy devices are guaranteed to meet strict efficiency guidelines. These are put in place by the US Environmental Protection Agency. They are called the environment and human health. Taking the time to fully research various units may help you get long-term savings on energy costs.
Incredibly, two-thirds of homes have ducts that leak! These can represent one fourth of your home’s utility costs. Sealing the ducts is easy and cheap to do yourself, and it may reduce energy costs greatly in the future.
Utility Bills
Seek out HVAC contractors that only use products that carry the Energy Star label. These systems meet strict efficiency guidelines set by the EPA. The end result should be you seeing a money saved each year on your energy bills.
You may be surprised that as much as 66% of all homes have ducts that leak. This alarming percentage is responsible for nearly one fourth of your utility bills. Sealing your ducts is both easy and cheap, you can even do it yourself, saving you money on your utility bills every year from then on.
Keep your system running efficiently by cleaning the heating ducts. Don’t forget to have a good look in the depths of the ducts too, to be sure there’s nothing in there that doesn’t belong, nor has any damage been done. Damaged ducts increase the energy bill by wasting air that is warm.
Clean your ducts on a regular basis. Check your ducts at least once per month. Damaged ducts can raise your heating bill by wasting air that is warm.
Keep your condenser protected when it’s getting colder. Try putting a cover on it that will help it to stay warm. Also, make sure you don’t use the condenser unit when the temperature is in the 50s and below.
Keep the owner’s manual for your unit nearby at all times whenever you while you’re working with your unit. The information contained within this manual will help you out if you’re dealing with problems.
Always get written estimates for HVAC company. These estimates need to be written down on paper. There are quite a few jobs that require having an estimate to know what needs to be purchased. You are more likely to find that the company will provide you with good service this way.Compare various elements of the estimates you are offered.
With the right information, an HVAC unit is something anyone can work with. Be sure you pay close attention to everything as you learn. Use the suggestions outlined here as part of your process for approaching your HVAC system purchase.
