This article has some great information to help you if you like this type of thing.
Before calling someone to repair your system, make sure you know what kind of HVAC system you actually have. Learn the brand, model, and if you have it, the maintenance history. This will help make sure that the contractor you hire has all the necessary information.
Know the name and type of your HVAC system before calling someone to fix it. This will enable you know that you’re able to give your chosen contractor any information they might need.
Cleaning the blades and coils will help the system run better. Always make sure you shut off the power before you do any work on the unit other than superficial cleaning. Take away all of the debris as well.
If you have some problems with the HVAC system, look around your home before calling in people to help. This will help the contractor determine where the problem is.
When you are cutting the grass, be sure not to cover your outdoor units with clippings. Aim the grass clippings in the other direction. This applies when you are taking care of the leaves in the yard.
Know what work you need before you hire a contractor. It will be hard for an HVAC contractor to provide you a price estimate over the phone if they have not seen your current system. It will be way more difficult for him to assist you can’t figure out what they need to do.
The operation of your HVAC system can be in danger when the tree leaves begin to fall. Cleaning your unit is very important for its effectiveness. The air needs to be unobstructed into the fan, and any blockages create performance issues for the whole system.
Clean your condenser’s fan blades and coils each spring to ensure that your condenser fan operates at it’s best. Clean the outside of your condenser as well.
Your system should be checked twice a year. This should be done in the fall and again in the spring. You should have it looked at even if no problems are occurring; there could still be a problem or potential problem.
Turn it off so you don’t get hurt or break something. Next, pop the grill off, pull out the blades and start cleaning them and the unit itself off gently.
Replace single pane windows by installing double pane, if possible. Windows that are double pane keep the cool air in and can greatly reduce the amount of time your air conditioner will need to run. This will also help you keep in heat when it gets cold.
Your outdoor HVAC units might suffer when trees lose leaves. Make sure the fan’s grill often during the fall. The fan must be unobstructed to work properly, and if it gets blocked, you’ll have a lot of headaches eventually.
A programmable thermostat is a simple way to help save money on air conditioning costs. Programmable thermostats can reduce your power HVAC energy costs by as much as ten percent, just by dialing back your thermostat ten or fifteen percent up to eight daily hours. Furthermore, there are a few programmable thermostats that you can control from your computer or any other web-connected device.
Sae 20 Oil
If nobody is home, turn off the AC. 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.
Lubricate your condenser at least once each year. These are often covered with rubber or metal caps. Use SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, putting 10 drops in each port.
Some air conditioners can ice up. The drain line might also freeze over. Use the fan-only setting to allow the system time to thaw. While switching the system to the fan setting should begin the ice melting process, the best thing to do is to hire a professional to deal with the problem.
Turn off any outdoor condenser units when the weather turns cold. This should turn it off to prevent damage if the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This can ensure your unit is working for years and save you a lot on repairs.
Prior to hiring any HVAC contractor, you should ask how long their business has operated. A company that has been in business for a long time will have a solid track record, and you can use this to figure out if you should spend your money with them. New companies are just too risky.
Install a thermostat to save energy costs. Some of these thermostats can even be controlled from your smart phone or other device.
When you need the services of an HVAC professional, ask your friends and family if they can recommend someone to you. People usually love to boast about the wonderful work they have had done, so you should be given great leads to follow. You will also find out who NOT to use!
Research and check the reputation of companies that you consider using. Check them out at the BBB and online reviews as well. This will help you have to do in order to make a contractor that is of high quality.
Turn to online reviews if you’re not sure how you should hire to perform HVAC maintenance. In many cases you will find local review sites where previous customers will share the experience they had with companies they used. This is an awesome way to find contractors to work with.
Air conditioners tend to ice up.The drain line may also freeze over. If you notice this, disable the compressor by switching the thermostat to run the fan only. You should leave the repair to a professional, even if switching it to its fan setting starts making the ice melt.
Contractors charge different rates, so make sure that you acquire multiple estimates. Save yourself some money by calling around before you make your final decision. You should try to contact 5 to 6 contractors to find out what price you can reasonably expect to pay.
There are quite a number of great sites out there that let customers to share their experiences with different services. This is useful for finding people that do good work and ones that are poor.
Have you been thinking about buying a new HVAC system? There are things you must consider first. These machines are categorized according to the space they are able to efficiently heat and cool. You should buy a little bigger than necessary unit over a little smaller than necessary unit.
Contractors charge different rates, so make sure to get multiple quotes. You can save quite a bit of money this way. Call around 5 contractors so that you can get the best rates.
When considering what size AC unit your home needs, be sure to measure the immediate area you need to cool. Typically, 20 BTUs are required per square foot. Just measure your rooms and tally up the total square footage.
Check the ducts to find any leaks if your unit seems to not be working efficiently. When these leaks are fixed, the tests will pay for themselves.
Replace the air filter monthly to keep your HVAC system working well. It is the easiest and cheapest way you can take care of it. A new air filter is only a couple of bucks at your local hardware store.
If you hear clicking inside your HVAC unit, immediately start looking for any obstructions. Sometimes there is debris interferes with the fan’s way. Check the fan and coil before you waste time contacting a repairman.
Pick an HVAC business that understands the unit and works quickly to solve the problem. Good companies attend to their customers in a timely manner. The tech will also know how to find the problem quickly. After diagnosis, they should then know how to deal with the problem.
Make certain they are tightly sealed so air inside. You can get these tested at little to no charge by a professional to test them all for you and often this testing is free.
As you are thinking about where to put your AC unit, consider how the air moves out of it. If it has to be placed in a corner, make sure your unit permits airflow to be redirected.
Pick out an HVAC business that understands the unit and knows what to do. The most reliable companies will ensure that their technicians will always be on schedule. The technicians will be able to help you and offer the problem quickly. After a quick diagnosis, they should be able to get the work done quickly for your sake.
Always find out how much experience a contractor has in the business. You need to be sure that they’re able to do the work and have done it before. It’s best to find someone who knows what they’re doing.
Always make sure to get some references before hiring any contractor.
Follow through on the references provided by the contractor. Too many people just assume these contactors are legitimate becuase they offered these references freely, but if you don’t actually check them out, there could be serious consequences. It just takes a couple of minutes to contact someone to check people out, so take your time with it.
Now you can see that an HVAC system is something anyone can deal with when they have the right information. Be sure you pay close attention to everything as you learn. Use these guidelines to make it work.
When a contractor comes in to give you a quote, be sure they complete a heat-loss calculation. You need it to know how many BTUs are necessary. Doors and windows should be counted, insulation checked, and the internal space of your house measured.
