A properly running HVAC system is important for your home. A lot of homeowners spend money fixing them up when broken, but if they were able to figure out how to fix things on their own it would have been avoided.The following article will help you to make the most of your HVAC in running order.
Cleaning the blades and coils will help the system run better. Before you do clean the coils and fan blades, always take the precaution of turning off all power to the unit. Also, be sure to clear leaves and debris from your condenser unit.
Know what type of your HVAC system you currently have before calling someone to fix it. This makes sure the contractor will be sufficiently prepared.
You should clean your condenser fan’s blades and coils every spring. For safety, always turn the power off first. Then, take off the grill and get the blades out. Clean everything with care.
Know what you want done before you hire a contractor. It will be hard for a contractor to provide you with an estimate over the phone if they have not seen your current setup is. It will be way more difficult for him to assist you can’t figure out what they need to do.
When you’re trying to cut your grass, don’t cover a unit outside with the clippings. Make sure you shoot the clippings in the other direction from the unit. This includes grass clippings and leaves.
Turn the power off first so you don’t get hurt or break something. Then, pop off its grills, pull the blades out, and gently clean them as well as the unit itself.
During the fall, leaves can gather around your HVAC. Be sure to clean your fan grill frequently when trees nearby are shedding. The fan needs unobstructed air flow, and if debris is blocking this air flow, then your system could suffer.
Your outdoor HVAC system could suffer when your trees lose leaves. Make sure the unit’s fan grill is cleaned often during the leaves begin to fall. The fan must not have anything in the way so that air can flow into it, and if it is clogged, then your system could suffer.
If you have oil ports as part of the fan condenser, annual lubrication is key. You’ll find these ports are covered with a metal or rubber cap. Chose SAE 20 oil, which has been proven to be the most effective.
Put your outdoor condensers in places with shade.
Boost energy efficiency by putting your condenser unit in the shade. It will reduce the temperature of the air going into the unit, meaning that it will not have to work as hard to cool it.
Have the HVAC system serviced at least yearly. This should be checked often for debris and again in the spring.
Your system should be checked twice a year. The fall and spring are the optimal times for this maintenance. Even if you don’t notice anything wrong, you can check it out to figure out what the potential issues are.
Turn off your outdoor condenser units when it becomes cold out. This means that you should be done when the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit. This helps the system remain in good working order.
Replace single pane windows by installing double pane, if possible. Having double pane windows allows your air conditioning unit to be run much less during the summer, because the cool air is kept inside the home. Likewise, in the winter more hot air stays inside during the cold season.
A programmable thermostat is a simple way to help you save money on your air conditioning bill. Some of these thermostats can even be controlled from a PC or computer.
Service your HVAC unit at least one time a year. During this service visit, they will inspect the motor of the system, oil the moving parts and check the freon levels in the system. These simple things will keep your system running at peak performance.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line might also freeze up.If this is something that’s happening to you, switch your thermostat to fan only to disable the compressor. You should call a pro to fix this problem, but switching to the fan setting should start to melt the ice.
Don’t allow your home to become dangerously hot. Air conditioners really can only cool a home down about 20 degrees Fahrenheit within a reasonable amount of time. If your house’s interior temperature hits 100 degrees Fahrenheit, you would only be able to cool it down just above 80 degrees. This can still be way too warm for you.
Look for air conditioner sizing calculators online to help you determine the size of unit you need for your home. Look in the manual to determine the recommended size for this information.
AC units will tend to get ice on them due to the cold. There are sometimes also freezes that happen in a drain line, and this can be confused for a plumbing leak. If this is something you notice, switch the thermostat in your home to fan only so the compressor is disabled. If the issue persists, call in help.
Ask friends and relations for their HVAC contractor recommendations. People who have had quality work done are often happy to share the name of their contractor. This is also a great way to get names of companies that you should avoid at all costs.
When you need the services of an HVAC professional, ask your friends and family if they can recommend someone to you. People who have had a good experience are often happy to share the name of their contractor. You are likely to also hear about negative experiences.
Contractors are responsible for their own charges and fees, so make sure that you acquire multiple estimates. You can save some cash if you take the time to call around before you decide. You should try to contact 5 to 6 contractors to determine what reasonable rates are.
Use online reviews to help you find a source for HVAC maintenance. Many Internet sites let customers discuss experiences with certain companies. This will help you to sort out the good from the bad.
Check the ducts to find any leaks if your unit seems to not up to snuff. When you have leaks repaired, you’ll see that the tests paid for themselves.
Do you need a new HVAC system? You probably have many options available to you. System ratings are based on the area that can be cooled and heated effectively by the system. If you are debating the size of the unit, always get one that is just a little bigger rather than one that is a little too small.
Determine the direction that your home faces in order to establish efficient HVAC operation. If there is less heat coming into your home, your AC will work less.
Figure out which direction your home faces in order to make your HVAC system more efficient. If you strategically place trees, it’s possible to block some of the morning sunlight so your home won’t become overheated. This will reduce the work of your AC unit.
If there’s a clicking in your HVAC unit, check immediately for any debris that may have accumulated in it. Often the issue is some sort of debris hitting fans in the cooling system. Take a look for yourself before you call a service technician.
You can’t get the most out of your HVAC unit, unless you have efficient windows and doors installed. Make sure they are tightly sealed so air can’t seep in. A good professional can test this for you, and they might even do it for free.
Measure the living area you wish to cool before going air conditioning. You generally need about 20 BTU for each square foot of room space. If you are cooling more than one room, just add their total square footage.
Replace the air filter as often as possible. This is an easy thing to do and it will keep your HVAC system running well. They are very inexpensive and well worth the time and money to replace.
Hvac System
Don’t hire a HVAC repairman unless they offer 24 Hour Emergency service. You should have the ability to get them out to your home, whether it is the midst of a horrible heat wave or a snow storm.
Replace the air filter in your HVAC system working well.This is a very simple job and it will keep your HVAC system running at maximum efficiency.
When you get someone to work on your HVAC, make sure you know what the total cost includes. There are contractors out there that will make you pay for extra things like charges for fuel or materials. A contract will really help you if something like this materializes.
Ask a contractor about their experience.You need to know that they have the sort of work you require.
Prior to hiring an HVAC contractor, check out their references. Many people make the mistake of assuming references are legitimate just because they were give up freely, but this is not always the case. It only takes a few minutes out of your busy schedule to check a contractor out, so don’t risk it.
There are contractors that will overcharge you. Having a solid written contract will help you avoid issues like that.
When you get a contractor to come by to offer a quote to you, make sure they do include heat-loss calculation. They can figure out how may BTU will be required to keep your house comfortable. To properly calculate the heat-loss calculation, a service tech will count the number of windows and doors, calculate the square footage and determine the amount of insulation in the home.
Cover your condenser when the winter time. This simple cover keeps the condenser last longer when not being used. Use the fan setting only to avoid putting strain on the condenser unit.
If you want to get a brand new HVAC system installed or you just want to repair one, speak with the contractor to see if they’re going to install a thermostat that’s programmable. This will save you money on your utility bill and give your unit needed rest.
Always follow up on any references that you by a prospective HVAC contractor.
Seek out HVAC contractors that only use products that carry the Energy Star label. This will ensure that your system has met the EPA standards for efficiency. This can help you reduce your expenses throughout the year.
Consider have a programmable thermostat. This will help you money on your utility bill and give your unit needed rest.
Keep the owner’s manual for your unit nearby at all times whenever you are working with your unit. The information contained within this manual will be very useful. If the manual has been lost, it can likely be printed from the manufacturer’s own website.
These qualified energy products are guaranteed to meet strict efficiency guidelines. The rules are evaluated by the United States. They are in charge of protecting the EPA for short.Taking the time to look into these units may help you save a significant amount of money.
Make sure the HVAC company you contact gives you a written estimate. You need to get these estimates written down for you. A good company will not refuse to give you a written estimate. It will ensure that you get treated fairly. Compare your estimates on price, completion time and any other factors available. A company whose estimate is too low and too good to be true probably is.
As stated above, your HVAC system is very important and you need to keep it running right. These suggestions will reduce your repair costs in the long run. There is no need to spend thousands of dollars when you can prevent the issue from happening.
