Coming home to a hot or cold house due to a broken HVAC unit is no fun at all. The tips are great for helping you do just that.
Know what work you want done before you select an HVAC contractor. It is going to be hard to get a price estimate on the phone if the current system isn’t something they’ve seen. It will be even harder if you cannot explain what you have done. Having this information handy will make the process much smoother.
Know what type of your HVAC system you currently have before calling someone to fix it. This will enable you to give your chosen contractor asks for this information.
Your outside condenser fan can be helped to run better by you cleaning the fan blades and coils prior to summer starting up. Before you clean the surface, 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. It will be hard for a contractor to provide you a price estimate over the phone without knowing what your current system. It will be way more hard if you don’t know what’s wrong.
Be sure to clean external condenser units regularly. You can never tell when things will pile up, especially following rain or wind storms. These can wreak havoc on your units. Debris like this can cause it to overheat, which could be detrimental to your system.
Clean your condenser’s fan and coils when the weather begins to warm. Clean the outside of your external condenser unit regularly.
When spring rolls around, give the condenser fan blades and coils a good clean. First, make sure the power is off to ensure nothing moves while you are working. Next, remove the grill, take the blades and clean them gently, then clean the actual unit.
Clean your outdoor condenser unit. Debris can pile up after a storm, and this can foul up the inner workings of your system.It could overheat and cause your system to malfunction by overheating.
Make sure that you do not cover your outdoor components with grass clippings when you are trimming the grass. Turn your lawnmower in the opposite direction. 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.
Turn the power off so you don’t get hurt or break something. Then, take the grill off, pull the blades out, and begin cleaning the unit and them gently.
You need to lubricate parts of your fan condenser. You will see rubber or metal caps covering the ports. Choose a SAE 20 oil whch is lightweight and non-detergent and place 10 drops or less into each port, ensuring it doesn’t overfill.
Don’t get grass clippings on your outdoor condenser. Aim your grass in a different direction away from your unit. This applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in debris.
Boost energy efficiency by putting your condenser unit in the shade. This will help you save on your energy bill.
Make sure you have your HVAC system checked twice a year. This should happen in the fall and malfunctions.
Be sure to have twice annual HVAC system checks. This should be done in the fall and again in the spring. Even if you can’t see anything wrong, checking it may help you locate and repair some possible issues.
Turn off outdoor condenser when it’s getting cold. This should be done when the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit.This can keep the system running efficiently for many years to come.
When it gets cold outside, turn off the outdoor condensers. The unit will become damaged if you do not take care of it. This will ensure your system works well each year, which could save you quite a bit in repair costs.
Research and check the reputation of companies that you consider using. Check them out at the BBB and online reviews as well. These simple steps can help ensure you make the smartest and most informed choice.
Putting in a programmable thermostat is a smart way to cut back on air-conditioning costs. 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 of these thermostats can even be controlled from your smart phone or computer.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line might also freeze up.If you see this, 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.
Make sure to have your unit serviced once a year. During your service visit, the serviceman will inspect the unit’s motor, oil the unit’s moving parts and ensure the unit has proper freon levels. Small problems can occur in any of these areas and lead to serious issues if ignored for too long.
Contractors determine their own fee levels, so make sure you get quotes from several contractors before you make any hiring decision. You have the potential to save a great deal of money by asking for many quotes.You want to call at least a handful of contractors to determine what you should be paying.
If you are going to be gone during the day or on vacation, turn the temperature up on your air conditioning unit. By raising the temperature from, for example 78 to 80, your house will be warmer, but only up to 80 before your AC kicks in. If you decide to set the temperature to 82 or 83 or so on, your AC won’t go on until it reaches that temperature. If it’s left on all day, it will fight the heat all day, which uses quite a bit of electricity.
Think about getting a radiant barrier in your attic so support the efficient functioning of 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 may even use the attic as part of your living space more effectively.
Did you know an AC unit can freeze? This can also happen on the drain line. Turn your unit to the fan setting to turn off the compressor. Once you know the problem, contact a local HVAC professional and let them know what’s going on in your system.
Check for duct leaks if your existing system is not up to snuff. When you have leaks repaired, the tests will pay for themselves.
Look for calculators online to help you determine the size of unit you need for your home. If you get a unit that is too large, it will cost a lot in energy costs. Check the manual it comes with for the information you need.
Use the tips from this article to help your system run smoothly. It is never pleasant to come home and discover that your HVAC is not working. The repair costs will be very high too. Use these tips to help avoid costly problems. Maintain your system and enjoy the benefits.
Install a radiant barrier in your attic to boost HVAC efficiency. It blocks heat from the inside out, lowering the amount of energy needed to cool your home in the summer. You might even be able to start living in your attic.
