A properly running HVAC unit makes home really enjoyable. But when your system suddenly stops working, it can be a nightmare. Learning about your unit minimizes the chances of a breakdown; these tips below.
If you have some problems with the HVAC system, check out your home before calling a contractor. Pay attention to which areas of the house are warm and which ones are cool. If you do this, it will be a great help to the future contractor, who will now be able to quickly locate the problem issue.
Know what type of your HVAC system you currently have before looking for a repair person. This will let you to give the contractor the information they might need.
Clean your fan and coils when the weather begins to warm. Be safe and turn off the power supply before working on your HVAC unit. Clean the outside of your condenser unit regularly.
If you’ve been having trouble with an HVAC system, check out each room in your house before calling for assistance. This will help the contractor determine where the problem is and how to fix it.
Clean the coils on the condenser fan from time to time. Turn the power off so nothing moves. Next, pop off the grill, pull out the blades and start cleaning them and the unit itself off gently.
Clean your condenser’s fan and coils come spring. Clean the outdoor condenser unit regularly.
Many homeowners forget to oil their condenser at least once per year, but it is required. You can easily find the ports as they have a rubber or metal cap. Use a lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, putting 10 drops in each port.
Don’t get grass clippings on your outdoor condenser. Aim your grass cuttings in the other direction. This applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in debris.
Be sure you have the HVAC unit in your home checked about two times every year. Check into it twice a year before you head into the hot and cold months. Although there might not be any noticeable issues, it is important to provide regular upkeep to prevent bad things from happening.
Be sure to have the HVAC unit in your home checked about two times every year. This should happen in the fall and malfunctions.
Condenser units for the outdoors should be shut off when it starts to get cold outside. This means that you should turn it off to prevent damage if the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit. Your system will work longer for you this way.
Turn off your outdoor condensers you have when it becomes cold out. This should turn it off to prevent damage if the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This can keep your system last much longer and save you a lot on repairs.
Putting in a programmable thermostat is a smart way to cut back on air-conditioning costs. This will help you to keep the temperature at optimal levels. This will save you a lot of money during the year.
It is always a good idea to replace single-paned windows with ones that have double panes. This will also works during the cold months to keep in heat when it gets cold.
You can keep energy costs in your home lower by choosing to have professional maintenance done on your HVAC unit. During the visit, the contractor will oil parts, inspect the motor and the freon levels. This will help your system run better.
Don’t let your home get too hot to where it’s dangerous. Air conditioners really can only cool a home down 20 degrees or so within a reasonable time period. If your home happens to get near 100 degrees Fahrenheit, it will only cool off to about 80F. This won’t be a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.
If there isn’t anyone at home, then there’s no need for the AC unit to be running and wasting electricity. You don’t need to keep the house cool if you aren’t there. If it is on all day, it is trying to maintain a cool temperature constantly, using a great deal of electricity to fight the heat.
Research and check the companies before hiring them. Check them out at the BBB and look for reviews of potential companies online. This will help you to choose a smart decision.
Never allow the temperature in your home to rise to a dangerously high level. It takes quite a while to cool a home by more than 20 degrees. This means that if the weather is above 100 degrees, then you’ll still be baking in 80 degree weather at first! This is not a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line might also freeze up.If you see this happen, change the setting on your thermostat to the fan setting and this will disable the compressor. You should leave the repair to a professional, but switching to the fan will make the ice melt.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up. In addition, the drain line sometimes freezes, and people often think that there is a plumbing leak. Change your thermostat in situations like this. It’s a good idea to call up professionals to help with this even though you can get the ice to melt when you switch everything to the fan.
Contractors determine their own fee levels, so make sure you get quotes from several contractors before you make any hiring decision. You can save quite a bit of cash simply by doing your homework. You want to call at least a handful of contractors to find out what price you can reasonably expect to pay.
It can be confusing to figure out what the correct HVAC system size is for your home, but you can solve this with the help of a sizing calculator. If you purchase something too large, you will be throwing away money. Check the manual it comes with for the information you need.
Think about getting a radiant barrier installed in your attic so support the efficient functioning of your HVAC system. It ensures that your home cool when it’s hot or cold as it should be. You may even find that you can use the attic space if it is done right.
Ask those you know for the name of a great HVAC technician, should you need one. Those who have had this work done will know the best options. This is an excellent way to find which companies to stay away from.
Check the ducts to find any leaks if you you feel your unit seems to not up to snuff. When you have leaks repaired, you’ll see that the tests paid for themselves.
Get a handful of quotes before accepting any. You can save tons of money by asking for many quotes. 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.
Make certain they are tightly sealed so air can’t seep in. 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.
Check the ducts to find any leaks if you you feel your existing system is not up to snuff. Often, utility companies will test them free of charge. Once you fix the leaks, the savings will be more than worth the hassle.
Measure the area you wish to cool before going air conditioning. You will need about 20 BTU per square foot in the room. If more than one room needs AC service, add together their square footage to reach this calculation.
Measure the area that requires air conditioning. You can figure out the unit you need by calculating 20 BTU per square foot. Just measure your rooms and tally up the total square footage.
Replace the air filter to keep your HVAC system every month. This represents an easy thing to do and it will keep your system working well.
Each month, you need to get a new air filter and install it in your unit. It’s a simple thing to do to keep it running properly. Filters cost only a few dollars, so it’s a small monthly price to pay.
Pick HVAC business that understands the unit and can work quickly. The most reliable companies will ensure that their technicians stay on schedule and keep appointments. A licensed technician should also easily diagnose any potential faults with your HVAC. Once they know what’s wrong, they should be able to fix it as fast as they can.
Ask any contractor you’re thinking of hiring for references. Previous customers can provide information about timeliness of job completion and if the contractor stayed within their budget. The references will help you avoid wasting your money on someone that is not professional.
Ask any potential contractor about their experience prior to hiring them. You need to know that they have the sort of experience needed to work you require.
Cover your condenser in the winter. This can help it last longer when it is not in use. 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.
Always get references before hiring any contractor.
Call the provided references when hiring a new 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 does not require much of your time.
This determines the number of BTUs your system should be.
Always look for the ENERGY STAR logo on a unit before you make the purchase. These types of units meet strict efficiency guidelines. These are set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Choosing an Energy Star system will save you money over the life of the unit.
These units are energy efficient and meet strict efficiency guidelines. The guidelines are evaluated by the U.S. They are in charge of protecting the EPA for short.Taking time to fully research various units may help you get long-term savings on energy costs.
Did you know that nearly 70 percent of all homes experience ducts with leaks? This can cost around a quarter of utility costs. Sealing your ducts is both easy and cheap, and it is something you can do yourself, saving you money on your utility bills every year from then on.
Utility Bills
The Energy Star label indicates specific criteria for HVACs designed to indicate high quality to consumers. Things bearing the Energy Star mark are certified as meeting federal efficiency guidelines. This will help you save more on your bills year round.
You may be surprised to discover that as many as two-thirds of households have ducts that are leaky. This alarming percentage is responsible for nearly one quarter of your utility bills. Sealing up your ducts is cheap and easy, you can even do it yourself, saving you money on your utility bills every year from then on.
As the temperatures plummet, you should protect your HVAC’s condenser unit. Try placing a thick cover on top of it. When temperatures are less than sixty degrees, it will not run effectively.
Now that you have the information from the above article, it is easy to see the importance of keeping your HVAC system well maintained. By failing to do routine inspections, you’re setting yourself up for failure. The excellent tips provided above will help you to keep your HVAC system in tip top shape.
Refer to the owner’s manual for your unit when you operate it. It has tons of information on maintenance, care and even troubleshooting. If you no longer have your manual, it is usually possible to get it from the manufacturer.
