The method you use to cool and cooling systems of your home is very important. That is why it is important to keep your HVAC has to be in tip top shape. If you have a poor HVAC, you can expect costly repairs and miserable living conditions. Here are some tips to get you keep your HVAC system running smoothly.
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. Note which rooms are hot and which are cold. 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 before looking for a repair person.This helps make sure the contractor has the information they will be sufficiently prepared.
In order to keep your outside condenser fan running efficiently, make sure the coils and the fan blades are cleaned before the cooling season begins. Prior to working on or cleaning the unit, be sure to turn off the power. In addition, be sure to get rid of any leaves or other debris that may have accumulated on the outside condenser.
Know what you want done before you hire a contractor. A contractor cannot give an accurate estimate if unfamiliar with your system. It will be way more difficult for him to assist you can’t figure out what they need to do.
Clean your condenser’s fan blades and coil in the spring. Shut the power off before you do anything. Then remove the grill, remove the blades and clean it from top to bottom gently.
Clean any debris that accumulates on an external condenser units. You don’t know when things are going to pile up, like right after it’s windy or rains, and that can throw a wrench in your system. It can cause your system by overheating.
When you cut the grass, make sure your mower isn’t tossing clippings toward your outdoor units. Direct the clippings away from the equipment. This applies when you are taking care of the leaves in the yard.
Turn the power off first so nothing moves. Next, pop off the grill, put the blades out and start to gently clean them along with the unit.
As you notice the tress begin to lose their leaves, keep an eye on your outdoor condenser unit. Clean outdoor units often to remove leaves. The air needs to be unobstructed into the fan, and any blockages create performance issues for the whole system.
Don’t get grass clippings pile up against your outside unit. Aim your grass cuttings in a different direction away from the unit. This applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in the yard.
Some fan condensers may contain oil parts, and if yours does, ensure it is lubricated at least once per year. These ports are often covered by a rubber or metal cap. Pick out a SAE 20 type of oil because it has no detergent, is lightweight, and you should put around 10 drops in the ports but make it to where they don’t get too full.
Your HVAC units might suffer when your trees lose their leaves. Make sure the fan’s grill is cleaned frequently when the leaves begin to fall. The fan needs unobstructed air flow, and if it is clogged, you will have to contend with problems.
Try to choose a shady place to locate the outdoor compressor device. This will limit the work that it has to do.
Turn off any outdoor condenser when the weather gets cold. This should be done when the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit.This simple tip will help keep the system running and can save you money on repairs.
For maximum efficiency, place outdoor units in a shady spot. The unit will have to do less work cooling this air.
It is a good idea to swap out single pane windows for double panes. This also helps retain heated air during the winter months.
When it gets cold outside, turn off the outdoor condensers. If you get into temperatures that are less than 60 degrees you need the unit to be shut off so it doesn’t get damaged. This can keep your system working for years and save you a lot on repairs.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line may also freeze over. If you see this, change the setting on your thermostat to the fan setting and this will disable the compressor. If this doesn’t work, call in help.
Make use of a thermostat when you are installing an HVAC. With this device installed, it can help you save money on your energy bills by you having the power to regulate the temperature throughout the day. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from a PC or other device.
Companies that are around awhile have a better record than those that can help you decide if they’re worth your money and time. Hiring a newer contractor may be taking a bigger risk.
To keep your system running smoothly have your system serviced once a year. During a maintenance visit, professionals can help by inspecting the system’s motor, oil the different moving parts as well as check the system’s freon levels. These few simple things will help your system to run at its peak performance.
Ask your friends and relations for contractor recommendations. People will tell you who they have had quality work done are worth calling. This can also help you to figure out some names of businesses that should be avoided.
Your home should never reach a dangerous temperature. A simple AC unit will usually only cool the home around 20 degrees within a short period of time. If your home become 100F or more, it will only cool off to about 80F. This isn’t a very safe condition for a homeowner to sleep in, especially when the humidity levels are considered.
Contractors charge different rates, so make sure to get multiple quotes. You can save tons of money by asking for price quotes. You may want to get quotes from at least five contractors in order to know what reasonable rates are.
Spend some time on researching for reliable HVAC companies to ensure that they have a good reputation. Check reputations at the BBB, and read online reviews to gauge customer satisfaction. You will make a more informed choice if you use these resources.
Check the ducts to find any leaks if you you feel your unit seems to not be working efficiently. When you have leaks repaired, you may see that the testing pays for itself.
How long has the contractor been in business? The older they are, the more likely it will be for you to find out their history, which will help you gauge their quality. If you choose to hire a new contractor, you may be risking things.
If you HVAC unit is making a clicking sound, look for an obstruction. Often the issue is some sort of debris hitting the fans in your cooling system. Check this out before you waste time contacting a repairman.
If you need help locating someone to help take of your HVAC system, a great place to seek advice is online at a review site. Many online review sites provide an avenue for this information. This is a great way to find people you want to work with and those you don’t want to work with.
Make certain they have tight seals to keep air can’t seep in.You can also hire someone to test things and a lot of the time the testing costs nothing.
Consider installing a radiant barrier to your attic to help your HVAC system run more efficiently. It will serve as a barrier between your home and the outside. If this is installed correctly, it will give you the ability to actually use your attic as extra space to live in.
Measure the area you wish to cool before going air conditioning. You will need about 20 BTU for each square foot in the area to be cooled. If you need to cool multiple rooms, sum their areas.
Determine the direction that your home faces. When you determine the parts of your home that get the most sunlight, you can consider strategic landscaping that includes shade trees to somewhat reduce your home’s exposure to heat from direct sunlight. The less heat, the easier time the air conditioner in your home will have.
Ask a contractor about their experience.You need to know that they have the type of experience needed to work on your particular system.
If your HVAC system is producing any type of clicking sounds, there may be something obstructing it. It might be debris in the way of the blade. Cleaning the debris will likely stop the noise. Take a look for yourself before you call a technician out.
Now you know just how to get a quality HVAC system. You must stay on top of things! Use the tips from above to keep it going strong, so you don’t come home one day to find your place too hot or too cold.
Replace the air filter to keep your HVAC system working well. This will maximize the production of your HVAC. Filters don’t cost too much to use, and that isn’t a lot each month for you to pay.
