You may think that anything to do with HVAC is complicated. This is due to the fact that a lot will go into an HVAC system.
When you start making calls to get someone to help with your HVAC system, it’s a good idea to know what system you have before that phone call. Know the model and brand and find it’s maintenance history, if possible. This information will be helpful to any contractor you hire to repair it.
Know what type of your HVAC system before calling someone to fix it. This will be helpful to any contractor asks for this information.
Check the whole house before you call for help. Find out which rooms are hot and which are cold. That will help your repairman figure out where the problem is, and how he can fix it easily and quickly.
Know what you want done before you hire a contractor. It will be difficult for a contractor to provide you with an estimate on the phone without knowing what your current setup is. It will be way more hard if you over the phone without the information readily available.
Know what you need before you hire a contractor. A contractor will not be able to give you an accurate price without accurate information about your system. If you can’t explain changes you’ve made, the process will be even more difficult. Know this stuff ahead of time.
Turn it off so nothing moves.Then, take the grill off, pull the blades out, and begin cleaning the unit and them gently.
To make sure your condenser fan works properly, keep the fan blades and the coils clean. If you are doing more than a light surface cleaning, make sure that the power is shut off to the HVAC unit. Additionally, remove leaves and any other debris from the outside condenser unit.
Your HVAC units might suffer when your trees begin dropping their leaves. Make sure the fan’s grill often during the fall. The fan must stay clear in order to function, and if it becomes blocked, then your system could suffer.
Make sure that you do not cover your outdoor components with grass clippings when you are trimming the grass. Now so the grass clippings are shot away from your unit. When blowing leaves, do the same. Always take care when passing your HVAC units while moving leaves, grass or other debris.
10 Drops
If the condenser fan has oil parts, then you need to lubricate it at least once per year. You will see rubber or metal caps covering the ports. Pick a type of SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight. Place 10 or less drops into every port to avoid overfilling.
Lubricate your fan condenser yearly if it has oil ports. You will notice these ports have a rubber or metal caps covering the ports. Use SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, putting 10 drops in each port.
You can boost the efficiency of your HVAC unit by replacing it with a new energy efficient one or moving your old one to a shady outside location. When your unit sucks in cooler air, then much less is required to cool it further, which saves you money on energy bills.
Turn off your outdoor condenser when the weather gets cold. This means that you should be done when the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This can keep the system running and can save you money on repairs.
Did you know an AC unit can freeze? The drain line can freeze, making you think it’s a plumbing leak. If you see this, put the fan on to shut the compressor off. You should still call a professional to help regardless.
It is a good idea to replace single-paned windows for double pane ones. This will help you keep in heat when it gets cold.
Prior to hiring any HVAC contractor, you should ask how long their business has operated. Established companies that are doing well will usually be the best ones to go with. You will be taking a risk if you hire a newer contractor.
During your service visit, the system motor will be inspected, oil the different moving parts as well as check the system’s freon levels. These things will boost the performance of your system to run at its peak performance.
If you don’t know who you should contact to do your HVAC maintenance or any installations, look online to see if you can find reviews. Lots of sites exist where customers can leave feedback and reviews. Read through them and figure out who you want to try out.
Never allow the temperature in your home reach a dangerously high level. Air conditioners cannot sufficiently cool a home down a home by 20 degrees. If the temperature in your home rises above 100 degrees, cooling it will only drop the temperature to 80 degrees F. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Every contractor out there is responsible for setting up their own fees, so get several quotes before hiring anyone. This will reduce your overall spending. 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.
Research the reputation of companies before hiring them.Check with different references to determine the BBB and look for your situation. This can help you to choose a contractor that is of high quality.
Install a radiant barrier in your attic to boost HVAC efficiency. This will block heat from coming in, which means that less energy will be needed to keep your home cool. If it is done correctly, it is even possible to convert the attic as a living space.
Air conditioners tend to ice up.The drain line might also freeze up.If you see this, put your thermostat over to fan. You can call a HVAC professional, even if switching it to its fan setting starts making the ice melt.
Do you need a new HVAC unit? Many considerations must be scrutinized. First, the rating a system has indicates how much area they can warm up or cool down. Getting a unit that’s a little larger than you need will be better than getting one that’s smaller.
Look for air conditioner sizing calculators online to help you determine the size of unit you need for your home. Look at the manual or on the recommended size for this information.
To run your HVAC at full efficiency, you must have efficient doors and windows in place as well. Be sure that they seal tightly so that no interior air seeps out or exterior air gets inside. A good professional can test this for you, and they might even do it for free.
Ask for helpful information when you can find a HVAC contractor. People that have used and if they are usually more than willing to share this information. This can also help you avoid scammers.
Understand where the air flows in your home and use that information to determine where to put your AC unit. If you can only put it into a corner, try buying a unit that lets you change its air flow direction away from your wall.
There are a lot of sites these days that let customers talk about how they were treated by services. This is useful for finding contractors that you wish to work with and those that you don’t.
You should always ask a contractor a few simple questions before hiring them for a job, such as how long they’ve been working in this field. They should have a good history of working with HVAC units. This will help to maximize their productivity.
Make sure that you are familiar with your HVAC at all times. It’s really hard to get started with it unless you get motivated, so be sure that you take these things into account before you get started. When things begin to click, you’ll be glad you did.
Always make sure to get references from a contractor. Find out if the contractor stayed within budget and performed the task in the allotted time they said. References ensure you don’t end up with a scammer.
