Not everyone knows about HVAC systems. This can pose a problem when it breaks down.
Help the outside condenser fan run efficiently by cleaning the coils and fan blades before the summer starts. Be safe and turn off the power supply before working on your HVAC unit. Clean off any leaves or debris from your external condenser unit.
Know what type of your HVAC system before calling someone to fix it. This will let you to give your chosen contractor the information they might need.
If you have condenser units outside your home, be sure to clean out the debris from them often. Things tend to pile up around these units, especially after storms come through, which could cause problems to your system. If you do not, the unit may get too hot and cause additional problems.
Clean your fan blades and coils come spring. Clean off any leaves or debris from your external condenser unit regularly.
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 can find these ports covered with rubber or metal caps. Use a lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, putting 10 drops in each port.
Turn the power off so you don’t get hurt or break something. Then, pop off its grills, pull the blades out, and gently clean them as well as the unit itself.
If you want to know where you should put an outdoor compressor, you should place it somewhere where there is a lot of shade. When your unit is bringing in cool air, it will not have to work as hard to cool the air as it moves it inside, boosting efficiency.
Put outdoor unit in places with shade.
Put outdoor units in the shade if you are installing them. The air in the shade is cooler and can help save on energy costs.
Have your heating and cooling system inspected twice per year. This should be checked often for debris and again in the spring.
If you are a homeowner, or if you can get permission from your landlord, install double-paned windows in place of any single panes in your home. During the summer, the use of double-pane windows will help keep the cool air locked inside of the home. This same effect also keeps warm air in during the winter months.
Turn off any outdoor condenser when it’s getting cold. This means that you should be done when the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This can keep your system remain in good working for years and save you a lot on repairs.
A programmable thermostat is a simple way to help save money on air conditioning costs. These convenient thermostats may shave ten percent or more off of your bills, because they significantly cut energy use when you’re not around. Some can even be controlled from a computer.
A programmable thermostat is a simple way to help save money on air conditioning bill. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from your smart phone or computer.
If you want your energy costs to go down, have the heating an cooling system you own serviced every year at least. During the service check, the system motor will be inspected, the moving parts will be oiled and the freon levels will be checked All of these little jobs will add up to big savings in energy use, with the improved efficiency.
During the visit, professionals can help by inspecting the system’s motor, oil the moving parts and check the freon levels in the system. These repairs will keep your system to run at its peak performance.
When everyone is gone, turn your AC off. Sure, the temp will rise, but no one is home anyway. When you keep it on, you will be using electricity.
Don’t let your home to overheat. Air conditioners only cool down 20 degrees or so within a reasonable time period. If the temperature in your home rises above 100 degrees, it will only reduce it to 80 or more. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Before you hire any HVAC company, ask them how long they’ve been open for business. Established companies that are doing well will usually be the best ones to go with. Taking risks is not something that you want to do in this area.
Research the reputation of companies that you consider using. Check them out at the BBB and look for reviews of potential companies online. This can help you make the best choice.
Do you need a new HVAC unit? Many things must be taken into account before you purchase one. Learn about the size systems need to be for optimal efficiency. You are better off purchasing a unit that is slightly too large for your needs than purchasing one that is a bit too small.
Look for air conditioner sizing calculators online to truly understand what size of unit you need for your room or home. Look in the manual to determine the manufacturer website for this information.
Your HVAC can work more efficiently if you take into consideration which way your home faces. Consider where to place trees to reduce the morning sunlight on your home. This will reduce the work of your AC unit.
Companies that are well established have a better record than those that can help you decide if they’re worth your money and time. Hiring a newer contractor comes with an element of risk.
Make sure that your doors and windows are efficient. Make sure seals are tight to avoid exterior air seeping in and interior air seeping out. Talk to a professional to determine the best way to do this.
Contractors charge different rates, so make sure you get quotes from several contractors before you make any hiring decision. You can save quite a bit of money by asking for price quotes. You may want to call at least five contractors in order to know what you should be paying.
When considering what size AC unit your home needs, be sure to measure the immediate area you need to cool. You can easily calculate this by using the formula: 20 BTUs per square footage of space. If you are cooling more than one room, sum their areas.
A radiant barrier is an awesome device which will help improve the efficiency of your HVAC. It blocks outside heat from coming in which will make sure you won’t have to use more energy to keep your home cool when it’s hot or cold as it should be. You may even use your attic space more effectively.
Replace the air filter monthly. It is the easiest way to take care of it. Filters are relatively cheap, so it does not cost much to do this.
Are you looking at purchasing a new heating and cooling system? There are things to consider. Systems have a rating based on how well the system is able to cool or heat an area. You are better off purchasing a bigger unit rather than a bit too small.
Before hiring a contractor to work on your HVAC system, you should inquire about the type of experience they have. You need to know that they have done the sort of work you require. While someone with less experience might be able to do a great job too, you do not want to take that chance.
Measure the living area that needs cooling before going air conditioner shopping. You will need about 20 BTU per square foot of the room. If you have a lot of rooms to keep cool, combine their square footage in your calculations.
When you hire a contractor, always ask for references. It helps to find out whether prior customers were satisfied with their overall experience. References ensure you don’t end up with a scammer.
Always request references from a contractor.
Check all references given to you from an HVAC contractor. Never assume that just because the contractor gives you references that they will check out well. It only takes a couple minutes to call, so be sure and do it.
Some contractors attempt to charge you on material fees and fuel. Having a solid written contract will help you avoid any issues like that.
When you get a contractor to come by to offer a quote to you, make sure they do include heat-loss calculation. This will help determine the amount of BTUs you will need in your new system in order to keep the temperature in your home comfortable. They need to consider all doors and windows, insulation and room sizes.
Always check any references that are given to you by an HVAC contractor.
See about getting a programmable thermostat on your HVAC unit. This thermostat is great because it lets you regulate the temperature in your home all throughout the day and night, which in the end results in lower energy bills.
This will determine how much BTU your system needs to make sure your home comfortable.
To save money, try going with an HVAC unit that is an Energy Star unit. These great products help you save on energy because they adhere to efficiency guidelines. These are established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Using units that meet these tough standards will save plenty of money on energy expenses over the years.
Consider a programmable thermostat installed.This can save you a great deal on your heating and cooling bills as it constantly adjusts your lifestyle.
It’s amazing to find out that 66% of homes have leaky ducts! These can represent one fourth of your home’s utility costs. It is inexpensive and easy to seal up ducts. You may even be able to do it on your own. You will see lower electric bills.
These energy devices are known to meet strict guidelines for efficiency. These are set up by the U.S. They are called the environment and human health. Taking the time to look into these units may help you save a significant amount of money.
Energy Star units are the best choice when purchasing a new unit. Products with the Energy Star symbol meet energy guidelines set by the EPA. This will help you save cash on energy all year.
Heating Ducts
Keep your system running efficiently by cleaning the heating ducts. Look at the ducts regularly so you can make sure they are in good shape. Damaged ducts waste warm air, increasing the cost of heating.
Keep your system operating efficiently by cleaning the heating ducts. Check your heating ducts for damage or openings often. Damaged ducts could increase your energy bill by wasting air that is warm.
Make certain that your HVAC company gives you written estimates before any work is done. These estimates should be on paper. Knowing what each item costs is very important information. This can ensure you are getting a good deal on your service. Compare written estimates in terms of price, completion time, etc. Don’t just choose a company that comes in with the lowest estimate because they may not do good work.
Make sure your condenser unit is protected. This can be done by placing an insulating cover on the condenser unit.
Keep the owner’s manual for your unit nearby at all times whenever you are working on any kind of unit. The information contained within this manual is going to give you quite a few things to learn about the unit you have and will be very useful.
Hvac System
Dealing with a broken HVAC system is a nightmare every homeowner dreads. The smartest homeowners will study their HVAC system prior to a problem ever occurring. Keep the tips and tricks listed above handy, and you will have what you need to work on your HVAC system.
