It is frustrating to have a failing HVAC system when the weather is at it’s peak.Learning about your HVAC systems in advance will help you fix them or maintain them. Read on to do this.
Be aware of the type of system that is installed in your home prior to calling a contractor to fix it. Get the brand, model name, and if you can you should get the maintenance history out. This makes sure your contractor will be sufficiently prepared.
Clean your condenser’s fan and coils each spring to ensure that your condenser fan operates at it’s best.Clean off any leaves or debris from your external condenser unit regularly.
Before you choose someone to do HVAC work, figure out what they need to do for you. It will be difficult for an HVAC contractor to provide you with an estimate on the phone without knowing what your current setup is. It will be even harder if you cannot explain what you have done. Thus, it is worthwhile to have this knowledge ahead of time.
Don’t get grass clippings pile up against your outdoor condenser. Aim the grass in the other direction. This applies when you are taking care of the leaves in debris.
Outdoor condenser units need to be cleaned regularly. After a wind or rain storm things may pile up, causing problems with your HVAC system. It may begin to overheat, causing massive damage.
Your HVAC unit may suffer when trees lose their leaves.Make sure the fan’s grill is cleaned frequently when the fall. The fan needs unobstructed air flow, and if it is clogged, you will end up with many headaches with the unit.
You should clean your condenser fan’s blades and coils every spring. For safety, always turn the power off first. Next, pop off the grill, pull out the blades and start cleaning them and the unit itself off gently.
Sae 20 Oil
Avoid showering your outdoor unit with grass clippings when you mow the lawn. Direct the grass clippings in a direction away from the HVAC unit. Do the same when blowing snow or leaves.
Lubricate your condenser at least once each year. These are usually covered with rubber or metal cap. Use SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.
Leaves and debris can damage your system. During this time of year, check and clear off the fan grill on your unit on a regular basis. The fan must not have anything in the way so that air can flow into it, and if it is clogged, you’ll have a lot of headaches eventually.
Put outdoor unit in places with shade.
It’s a good idea to put your outdoor compressor in a shady area. If the unit is taking in cooler air, the efficiency will be boosted since it will not need to work as hard.
Turn off your outdoor condensers you have when it becomes cold out. This means that you should be done when the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit. This can keep your system working for many years and save you a lot on repairs.
Put your outdoor unit in places with shade. As your air conditioner sucks in cool air, little will have to be done to cool it any further, saving you a ton on your energy bills.
A programmable thermostat can help you save money on air conditioning bill. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from your smart phone or computer.
Have a smart thermostat installed. These can save you around 10 percent on your heating and cooling costs by just turning it back 10 percent to 15 percent for around eight hours each day. In addition, some models make things really easy on you, allowing you to adjust them from the computer.
Fan Setting
To help keep your energy costs down, have your heating and cooling system serviced at least once a year. During the visit, the contractor will oil parts, inspect the motor and the freon levels. Your unit will last longer this way.
Air conditioners tend to ice up.The drain line may also freeze over. If this happens, change the setting on your thermostat to the fan setting and this will disable the compressor. You should leave the repair to a professional, even if switching it to its fan setting starts making the ice melt.
Research the companies that you consider using. It is a good idea to check with the BBB and look for reviews from prior clients. Doing this makes it more likely that you choose wisely..
Companies that have been around for longer have a proven track records typically provide better service. Hiring a newer contractor means taking a bigger risk.
Problems with an air conditioning unit happen when it ices up. You may even mistake the frozen drains as an issue for a plumber. If this is something that’s happening to you, change the setting on your thermostat to the fan setting and this will disable the compressor. If this doesn’t work, call a professional.
Ask your friends and family for contractor recommendations. People who have had quality work done are usually more than willing to share this information. This will also help you to figure out some names of businesses that you should avoid at all costs.
Look for sizing calculators based on the air conditioner you have to figure out how big of a unit you need in your home. Buying one that’s too large will not cool that well. Look at the manual to figure out the manufacturing rates the unit for accurate cooling information.
Contractors charge different rates, so make sure to get multiple quotes. You should save tons of money this way. You may want to get quotes from at least a handful of contractors to determine what you should be paying.
Ask your friends and relations for their HVAC contractor recommendations. If a person had a good experience with a company, they are likely to share it. This will also let you know which companies to stay away from.
Think about having a radiant barrier installed in your attic so your HVAC system. It blocks outside heat from coming in which will serve as a barrier between your home and the outside. You could even find that you can use your attic as part of your living space more effectively.
Contractor set their own prices; this is why you should get many quotes. By calling around and asking a few different contractors, you can save a ton of money. You want to call at least a handful of contractors to determine what reasonable rates are.
Are you thinking about having a new heating/cooling system? There are some things you should consider. Systems get rated according to how large an area they can effectively heat or cool. You are wise to err on the side of a bigger unit that is slightly too large for your needs than a smaller one.
Have you been thinking about buying a new HVAC system? There are several things you should consider. Systems are rated by the amount of area the system can heat and cool effectively. It is better to purchase a slightly larger than needed unit, rather than a slightly smaller than needed unit.
Check the ducts to find any leaks if you you feel your existing system is not be working efficiently. If you do have leaks that are repaired, you’ll find that fixed leaks are worth the money.
Determine which way your home faces in order to establish efficient HVAC operation. Trees placed in the right places can keep the sun from heating your home too much. When you do what you can to less how much heat comes into your home, your AC unit can work less, which will save money.
If your HVAC system is producing any type of clicking sounds, check immediately for any debris that may have accumulated in it. Often it is being caused by debris hitting fans in the cooling system. Look before calling in a service technician.
If you are purchasing an AC unit, take measurements. You need to know how big the area is that you want to have cooled off. The area’s calculation can help you figure out what the size is and there are 20 BTUs for every foot squared in this area. If you need to cool multiple rooms, make sure to add the square footage together.
Measure the living area you wish to cool before going air conditioning. You will need about 20 BTU for each square foot in the room. If you need to cool multiple rooms, add together their square footage to reach this calculation.
It is important to pick out the right HVAC company for your needs as you will need professional assistance. The best companies out there have technicians that keep a schedule and their appointments too. The technicians need to also know what to do to figure out what’s going wrong with an HVAC unit quickly. When they know the issue, they ought to have it fixed quickly and efficiently.
Having to use a HVAC contractor might be daunting if you don’t have proper information. This process does not have to be scary. Hopefully, you’re now ready to tackle any issues that come up with your HVAC system.
Find an HVAC contractor that can be contacted 24 hours a day, in case of an emergency. Particularly if you have a family, you may need service at odd hours or on weekends.
