Letting your HVAC system break is not something you want to deal with. You are likely here to learn about getting your HVAC system last a very long time. The article below has some helpful tips for you!
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. Learn the brand and the model. This helps make sure the contractor has the information they will need.
Know the name and type of system you currently have before looking for a repair person. This will enable you can give your new contractor any information they need.
Don’t let your outdoor HVAC units get smothered with clippings anytime you mow the yard. Make sure the grass does not get in your unit. This includes grass clippings and leaves.
Know what work you want done before you hire a contractor. It will be hard for an HVAC contractor to give you with an estimate over the phone if they have not seen your current system. It will be way more hard if you over the phone without the information readily available.
Have your heating and cooling system inspected twice a year. Ideally, you should have it looked at in the spring and fall so you know everything is set for the hot and cold months. A quick check is worth it to avoid problems down the road.
Clean your fan blades and coils prior to summertime. Clean the outside of your external condenser unit regularly.
When the weather cools down, turn your outdoor condenser off. If the outside temp is under 60 degrees, turn the unit off to prevent damage. This can keep your system working for years and save you a lot on repairs.
Clean the debris on your outdoor condenser unit. Debris can pile up at rates that increase during rainy or windy weather, bringing potential damage with it. It can also cause the unit to overheat and break down.
Keep energy costs from rising by having your system serviced annually. During the visit, the contractor will oil parts, inspect the motor and the freon levels. These few simple things will help your system to run at its peak performance.
Trees Start
Before you go out there and hire an HVAC contractor, find out the length of time they’ve been in the industry. You are more likely to get good service this way. Hiring an inexperienced contractor can be risky.
Your HVAC units might suffer when your trees start to lose leaves. Make sure the fan’s grill is cleaned often once nearby trees start shedding their leaves. The fan must not have anything in the way so that air can flow into it, and if it becomes blocked, you’ll have a lot of headaches eventually.
Search online for reviews to find an HVAC customer you can trust. Many online sites permit customers to let others know about their experiences with various services and contractors. This is an awesome way to find contractors to work with.
Put your outdoor unit in the shade if you are installing them.
To improve the efficiency of your HVAC system, think about placing a radiant barrier in your attic. This will block heat from coming in, which means that less energy will be needed to keep your home cool. If done correctly, this also enables you to start using your attic as a living space.
Turn off your outdoor condenser units when weather turns cold. This means that you should be done when the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit. This will help keep it in good working order.
Do you need a new HVAC unit? You should first think about several things. The systems are generally rated based on the area they cover. It is best to get a bigger unit than you need, instead of a smaller one.
Don’t let your house get dangerously high. An AC unit will reduce the temperature by twenty degrees in a short time span. If the temperature in your home reaches 100 degree Fahrenheit, you’ll only cool down to still above 80. This won’t be a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.
You should know the facing direction of your home for the most effective placement of the HVAC system. If you have trees placed in strategic areas, you can block the sunlight in the morning. That will take some of the pressure off your HVAC unit.
Research the reputation of companies before hiring them.Check with the BBB and look for reviews as well. Doing all of this will make sure you make a better decision.
When you hear an odd clicking noise coming from your HVAC unit, you should immediately begin to look for any obstructions. Sometimes, debris will be the cause of the disturbance. Get rid of the debris and this will no longer be an issue. Prior to placing a service, it is worth taking a look.
Air conditioners tend to ice up.The drain line may also freeze over. If this is something that’s happening to you, switch your thermostat to fan only to disable the compressor. If the issue persists, call a professional.
All of your windows and doors must be air-tight, in order for your HVAC system to run at maximum efficiency. Your windows and doors should be able to stay tightly sealed so air doesn’t get in or out. You can also hire someone to test them.
Companies with proven track record that you can use to decide if they are worth the time and money. It is always risky to hire someone who does not have a long history.
Measure the area that needs cooling before buying a unit. 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 have multiple rooms to cool, be sure to add their square footage together.
Ask around so you can find a HVAC contractor. People will tell you who they have had a good experience are often happy to share the name of their contractor. This can also help you know which companies to stay away from.
Pick out an HVAC business that is fast and knows what to do. The best HVAC companies do their best to maintain their appointments and get to their customers quickly. These techs that come out should be quickly able to figure out the issue and remedy the problem right away. Once they are able to locate a problem, they should be able to fix it as fast as they can.
There are a few sites these days that let customers talk about their experiences with contractors. This method provides you with those you don’t want to work with.
Ask any potential contractor about their experience. It is important that you hire someone that has enough background experience to get the work done properly. Although it is certainly possible for an inexperienced contractor to do the job right, it is best not to flirt with danger.
Think about having a radiant barrier installed in your attic so your HVAC system. It blocks outside heat from coming in which will make sure you won’t have to use more energy to keep your unit stays hot outside.You could even find that you can use your attic space more effectively.
When you hire a contractor, make sure you ask for some references. You need to know if previous clients have gotten what they needed, like timely service within their budget. This will allow you to stay away from people that will scam you, but only if you’re calling references.
Do you need a quality HVAC? There are some things you should consider. Systems have a rating based on how effectively they can cool and heat an area. You are wise to err on the side of a bigger unit rather than a bit too small.
Only choose a contractor to repair or install your HVAC unit if they provide a 24 hour hotline in case of emergencies. They should be available to you if a problem arises.
Make sure they have tight seals to keep air can’t seep in. You can hire a professional.
Use a fully-enclosing cover to protect your condenser unit in the winter. This extends the lifespan of your condenser. Another bit of great advice is to not run the unit’s compressor if it’s under 60 degrees outside. Instead, switch only the fan on.
Square Footage
Follow through on the references provided by the contractor. You might be shocked at what you find. Calling a reference only takes a few minutes and can save you a lot of time and trouble hiring the wrong company.
Measure the area that needs cooling before going air conditioner shopping. You will need about 20 BTU for each square footage of room space. If you have a lot of rooms to keep cool, just add their total square footage.
The next time your HVAC is being looked at, think about getting a programmable thermostat added to the unit. You can save money while you sleep by lowering the thermostat and lower your power bill at the same time.
Replace the air filter monthly to keep your HVAC system every month. This is an easy thing to do and it will keep your HVAC system working well.
Use a contractor that installs and uses Energy Star equipment. If it has Energy Star logo, you can be sure that it has met the energy efficiency standards required by the EPA. Purchasing one will help your family save money over time.
Ask a contractor about their experience.You need to know that they have the type of experience needed to work on your particular system.
Clean your heating ducts to maximize your HVAC’s air quality. Don’t forget to have a good look in the depths of the ducts too, to be sure there’s nothing in there that doesn’t belong, nor has any damage been done. Ducts that have some damage will make you pay more in heating because you have to pay more to keep the area warm.
Some contractors will attempt to charge you after the work is complete for items like materials and fuel. Having a good written contract will help you avoid issues like this.
Make sure that your condenser unit is protected. Use a thick cover. Your unit will not work as efficiently if you do this when the outdoor temperature is less than 60 degrees.
Cover your condenser unit for protection in the weather becomes less than optimal. This helps the condenser operating longer if it is protected when not in use. Use the fan instead to avoid putting strain on the unit.
Make sure you know where the owner’s manual is anytime the system is running. The manual offers quite a few suggestions to use for your specific unit, and it may become necessary to look it over if you notice a serious problem. If you do not have a manual, you may be able to download one from the website of the manufacturer.
Always follow up on any references that you by a prospective HVAC contractor.
Try to get an estimate before purchasing an HVAC. That is very important. Knowing what each item costs is very important information. You are more likely to get what you need. Go over each item on the list, such as price and completion times with other estimates. If any company gives you an estimate that sounds very low, this is a sign that they may not do good work for their customers.
This needs to be factored in when figuring out the number of BTUs your system has to be.
Hvac System
As you know, it is essential to keep your HVAC system in good shape. If your HVAC system fails on you it can cost a tremendous amount of money to fix. Use these tips to keep this from happening.
