When you wish to learn a lot about HVAC, these tips are a great place to start. This article will provide a gentle introduction and a helping hand on the basic tips you should begin with. Take some time to read along and you will so fine.
Before you call someone to help you fix your system, be sure to know what sort of system you have in place. Know the brand name and model number. It is also helpful to have the maintenance history. The contractor will likely need all of this information.
Know what type of your HVAC system you currently have before calling someone to fix it. This will be helpful to any contractor you hire has all the necessary information.
Clean the fan blades and coils prior to summertime. Shut off power before working or cleaning your system. Leaves and debris can build up inside the unit and cause damage.
If problems arise with the HVAC system, look around your home before calling in people to help. This information will help the repairman determine where the problem is and how to fix it.
If your condenser units are outisde, make sure any debris is cleaned from them regularly. Debris can pile up after a storm, bringing potential damage with it. This can lead to overheating.
Clean the debris on your outdoor condenser units. You don’t know when things are going to pile up, especially after a windy or rainy storm, and that can ruin your system. It can cause a disaster with your system to malfunction by overheating.
Make sure your condenser fan is in good working order by wiping down the fan blades and the coils. First, turn the power off so nothing moves when you’re working with it. Then, remove the grill, then remove the blades and begin the cleaning process of the blades and the unit.
Grass Clippings
In order to boost efficiency, place new outdoor units or move your current unit to a place which resides in the shade. It will reduce the temperature of the air going into the unit, meaning that it will not have to work as hard to cool it.
Don’t get grass clippings on your outdoor condenser. Aim your grass clippings in a direction away from your unit. This also applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in the yard.
Getting a programmable thermostats can be a terrific way to realize savings. Turning down the thermostat around 10 percent for 8 hours per day can give you a 10 percent savings using the programmable thermostat. Some newer programmable thermostats have computerized controls you can access from your personal computer, laptop or mobile media device.
Your HVAC system could suffer when trees lose leaves. Make sure the fan’s grill is cleaned frequently when the fall. The fan must not have anything in the way so that air can flow into it, and if it gets blocked, you will have to contend with problems.
Don’t ever let your home temperature get dangerously high. Air conditioners only cool down a home by 20 degrees. This means that if the weather is above 100 degrees, then you’ll still be baking in 80 degree weather at first! When you factor in humidity, this can still be dangerously hot for the human body at rest.
Put outdoor unit in the shade if you are installing them.
Use online AC sizing calculators to figure out what size unit you need. While you might think that a larger HVAC system is always better, in fact, larger systems sometimes are not the best choice for a particular space. Look at the manual to figure out the manufacturing rates the unit for accurate cooling information.
Have your HVAC system checked twice a year at least yearly. This should be done in the fall and the spring.
Use recommendations when you are looking for a contractor. Find someone that has a lot of quality work under their belt. You will also find out who NOT to use!
Never allow the temperature in your home to get dangerously hot inside. An AC unit will reduce the temperature of your home approximately twenty degrees in a short time span. If your home become 100F or more, then you will only be able to reasonably cool to around 80. This won’t be a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.
Contractors charge different rates, so make sure that you acquire multiple estimates. If you call people before you work on hiring one person, you can save some money overall. You should try to contact 5 to 6 contractors to find out what price you can reasonably expect to pay.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line might also freeze up.If this is something you notice, disable the compressor by turning your thermostat to the fan only setting. You should leave the repair to a professional, even if switching it to its fan setting starts making the ice melt.
Your HVAC system can run more efficiently if your attic has a radiant barrier. This mechanism will prevent outside heat from coming in, reducing your energy consumption when cooling. If this is done properly, it will help extend your living space.
Companies with proven track records that can help you decide if they’re worth your money and time. It is riskier to hire a contractor with little experience.
Test your duct work for leaks. The local utility may be able to test for you, and their services are frequently free or low cost. This testing can have large financial benefits.
Contractors determine their own fee levels, so make sure you get quotes from several contractors before you make any hiring decision. You can save a lot of money when you call different companies for price quotes. Call at least four or five different HVAC specialist to find the rates are.
Your HVAC system will run more efficiently if your windows and doors are energy efficient. Seal them tightly to prevent air from coming in. Have them inspected by a professional. This is often a free service.
Think about getting a radiant barrier in your attic so support the efficient functioning of your HVAC system can run better. It ensures that your home cool when it’s hot or cold as it should be. You could even use your attic space more effectively.
Consider which direction the air flows out of your air conditioner when you decide where to place it. If you can only put the unit in the corner, get a unit that lets you direct air flow away from any walls.
Find your away around the HVAC system with the tips listed here. It’s just a thing that needs to be what you take time on so things don’t get broken or anything like that. With luck, things will work out well.
Find out how much experience a given contractor has before you hire him or her. Make sure they are experienced doing the kind of work that you need. This will help to maximize their productivity.
