Letting your HVAC system break is not something you want to deal with. You are probably here because you want to learn about what you can to make your HVAC last a very long time. The article below has many solid tips just for you.
Before an HVAC expert comes to your home to do any repair work, walk around the home and check out the temps in every room. Figure out which rooms are too cool or warm. This will help the repairman determine what the problem is.
Know what type of your HVAC system before calling someone to fix it. This will enable you can give your chosen contractor any information they might need.
Be sure to regularly clean debris from external condenser units. Falling leaves and wind or rain may cause debris to reduce the efficiency of your unit. It can get overheated, which will cause problems with the whole system.
Know what work you need before you hire a contractor. It will be difficult for an HVAC contractor to provide you a price estimate over the phone if they have not seen your current setup is. It will be more hard if you can’t figure out what they need to do.
Each spring, try cleaning the fan blades and coils on the condenser fan. Don’t forget to disconnect the power first. Next, pop off the grill, pull out the blades and start cleaning them and the unit itself off gently.
Clean the debris that accumulates on your condenser unit. You don’t know when things are going to pile up, especially after a windy or rainy storm, and that can ruin your system. It will damage the system to malfunction by overheating.
Cover your unit when you are mowing the lawn. When you work with your lawn mower, make sure it spits the grass to the side opposite of your unit. The same goes for when you blow leaves, so make sure your are careful when moving any debris in the vicinity of your HVAC devices.
Your HVAC units might suffer when trees start to lose leaves. Make sure the unit’s fan grill is cleaned often during the fall. The fan needs to have an unobstructed path for air to enter the unit, and if it gets blocked, then your system could suffer.
During the fall, leaves can gather around your HVAC. When the leaves fall from nearby trees, clean the grill of your fan often. The fan should have a clear path for air to come in. If it is blocked, your system will suffer.
Put your outdoor unit in the shade if you are installing them.
Try to choose a shady place to locate the outdoor compressor device. When your unit takes in cool air, it takes less energy to tool the air, thus boosting efficiency.
Have the HVAC serviced at the least. This should happen in the fall and malfunctions.
If the current location of your HVAC unit outside isn’t working, try having it moved to an area with more shade. As you get your air conditioner to suck in cool air it won’t have to do too much work to cool it which saves you some money.
Turn off outdoor condenser units when the weather turns cold. This means that you should be done when the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This simple tip will help keep your system working for years to come.
When colder weather arrives, switch off all outdoor condenser units. If the temperature outside is less than 60ºF, be sure to turn off the unit so that you don’t damage it. You’ll pay less for repairs which you follow this tip.
It is always a good idea to swap out single pane windows with ones that have double panes. This also helps retain heated air during the winter months.
If you are a home owner, replace whatever single pane windows you have with more efficient double-paned versions. Double pane windows will help keep your home cooler in the summer. Likewise, heat is better retained during the winter.
A programmable thermostat is a simple way to help save money on your air conditioning costs. Some of these thermostats can even be controlled from your smart phone or other device.
In order to keep energy costs down, make sure heating and cooling systems are services at least once per year. The contractor should oil the parts that move and check the motor and freon levels. These things will boost the performance of your system.
During a maintenance visit, the contractor will oil parts, oil the unit’s moving parts and ensure the unit has proper freon levels. These easy to do things are going to allow your system running smoothly.
Shut off the air conditioning if nobody is home. The house will heat up, but not too much. If will be constantly fighting the heat and using lots of electricity if it is left on all day.
Never allow the temperature in your home to get dangerously high level. An AC unit is really only able to reduce the temperature by twenty degrees in a short time span. If the temperature in your home rises above 100 degrees, you’ll only cool down to still above 80. This won’t be a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.
Do not allow your house to get extremely hot. It is only possible for an air conditioner to lower the temperature in a home by 20 degrees F in a short time. If your home gets above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, you’ll only cool down to still above 80. You may suffer adverse effects from letting the house get that hot, too.
Research and check the reputation of companies that you consider using. Check them out at the best one for your situation. This can help you make the best choice.
AC units will tend to get ice on them due to the cold. There are also occasional freezes in the drain line, which are often confused for plumbing leaks. If this is something you notice, switch the thermostat in your home to fan only so the compressor is disabled. Get a professional to deal with this, even if you see the ice start melting because you turned the compressor off.
Ask friends and family for their HVAC contractor recommendations. People will tell you who they have used and if they are often happy to share the name of their contractor. This can also a great way to get names of those companies that should be avoided.
Find out how many years an HVAC company has been in business before you hire them. Established companies that are doing well will usually be the best ones to go with. Working with someone that does not yet have a reputation in the business is a bit riskier.
Contractors charge different rates, so make sure you get quotes from several contractors before you make any hiring decision. You can save a lot of cash if you take the time to call around before you decide. You may want to get quotes from at least five contractors in order to know what reasonable rates are.
Each contractor will have their own fee schedule, so make sure you get several different quotes before you hire anybody. You can save tons of money by asking for many quotes. To figure out what a good rate is, speak with about five or six contractors.
Are you thinking about having a HVAC system installed? You will need to think about a few things into account. Systems get rated according to the total area they effectively heat or cool. You are wise to err on the side of a unit rather than purchasing one that is a smaller one.
In order for your HVAC system to run more efficiently, think about putting a radiant barrier in your attic. This mechanism will prevent outside heat from coming in, reducing your energy consumption when cooling. If this is done properly, it will help extend your living space.
Check for duct leaks if you you feel your existing system is not up to snuff. When you have leaks repaired, the tests will pay for themselves.
If your existing system is malfunctioning, look for leaks in the ducts. Your utility company can test this for you, oftentimes at no charge. If not, it should be less expensive than a HVAC contractor. If you do end up paying, you’ll find that fixed leaks are worth the money.
Figure out the direction your home faces in order to make your HVAC system more efficient. The less heat in your home, the easier time the air conditioner in your home will have.
You should replace the filter on your HVAC system once every month. This represents an easy way to keep your system working well. It is a small cost each month to do this.
Make sure they have tight seals to keep air inside. You can get a professional out to help you test them.
Always be very clear about what will be included in your estimate of cost on any HVAC work you have someone do. Some contractors may try to charge you more for things you ought not be paying for. Getting a contract that’s written and solid can assist you because you’ll avoid these kinds of issues.
Pick HVAC business that know what they’re doing and works quickly to solve the problem. The best companies keep the technicians working honestly and on schedule. The technicians should also be able to help you and offer the best possible options. After a quick diagnosis, they should be able to get the work done quickly for your sake.
During the winter months, you will want to cover your condenser unit to protect it. This will allow it to last longer when you’re not using it. Another bit of great advice is to not run the unit’s compressor if it’s under 60 degrees outside. Use the fan setting only to avoid straining the unit.
Always request references before hiring any contractor.
Ask the contractor to install a programmable thermostat on your unit if it doesn’t already have one. This will help you to regulate the temperature at all times.
Any HVAC contractor you hire should have an emergency number available to customers around the clock.They need to be able to come to a home when needed, even if when the weather gets to be extreme.
You might be surprised to discover that as many as two-thirds of all homes have ducts that are leaky. This will kick up your utility costs. Luckily, it is an easy fix and you should see a difference in your power bill almost immediately.
Some contractors attempt to charge you later for things such as material fees and fuel charges. Having a signed contract can help to avoid issues like this.
Clean your ducts on a regular basis to boost efficiency. Check your heating ducts at least once per month. Damaged ducts can raise your heating bill and waste warm air.
Consider have a programmable thermostat. This lowers your bills because when you adjust the temperature to sync with your settings to ensure optimal performance.
As the weather cools down, you must keep your condenser unit protected. Put a thick cover on the unit. Be sure not to run the unit when the temperature gets below 60.
You have to care for your HVAC. As with other household repairs, HVAC repairs can be very expensive. You can help prevent overspending by knowing who to hire, what to look for in a unit and what size unit to choose.
Make sure the owner’ manual is handy when you use the unit. It will provide you with specific and vital information regarding the functioning of your system. If your manual has been misplaced, you can request another one at the manufacturer’s website.
