It is very frustrating to return home to find that your air conditioner or heating unit isn’t working right. The following tips that follow will assist you in this process.
Prior to choosing an HVAC customer, try to have an idea of what you want done. If you can’t describe the problem, you may not get an accurate quote. It’s even harder if you’re not able to explain what you’ve done. So, know this information in advance.
Know the name and type of your HVAC system you currently have before calling someone to fix it. This will enable you to give your new contractor all the information they need.
If you have units that are condensers outside of the home, keep them free of debris. The dirt could pile up and harm your system. This can lead to overheating.
Know what work you need before you select an HVAC contractor.It will be difficult for a 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 over the phone without the information readily available.
Every spring you need to make sure your condenser fan’s coils and blades on the fan part are clean. First, turn the power off so nothing moves when you’re working with it. Secondly, pop the grill off, take the blades off and clean them as well as the actual unit.
Clean your fan blades and coils come spring. Clean the outdoor condenser unit regularly.
A big mistake that people make is cutting the grass next to the outdoor condenser unit and allowing all of the clippings to blow inside the fan and coil. Try shooting the clippings away from it. This also applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in debris.
Turn it off first so nothing moves. Next, pop off the grill, put the blades out and start to gently clean them along with the unit.
The operation of your HVAC system can be in danger when the tree leaves begin to fall. The grill on the fan can become cluttered with debris, which will cause a serious operating deficiency. You can head off future problems that can be caused by blockages by making sure there is a free flow of air to your fan.
Your HVAC unit may suffer when your trees lose their leaves. Make sure you clean out your fan grill is cleaned frequently when the leaves begin to fall. The fan must be unobstructed to work properly, and if it becomes blocked, you will end up with many headaches with the unit.
Lubricate your fan condenser at least once a year. These ports are typically covered with caps made of metal or rubber. Use SAE 20 oil that is lightweight and detergent free, and put ten drops or fewer into each one. Make sure not to overfill them.
Sae 20 Oil
Outdoor condenser units need to be turned off when the weather turns cold. If the temperature outside is less than 60ºF, be sure to turn off the unit so that you don’t damage it. This simple tip will help keep the system running efficiently for many years to come.
Lubricate the oil ports on your fan condenser once each year. These ports are usually covered with rubber or metal cap. Use SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.
Putting in a programmable thermostat is a smart way to cut back on air-conditioning costs. These convenient thermostats may shave ten percent or more off of your bills, because they significantly cut energy use when you’re not around. Additionally, some programmable thermostats can be controlled remotely using a web-connected device.
Put outdoor unit in places with shade.
Did you know an AC unit can freeze? You may even mistake the frozen drains as an issue for a plumber. If you see this, immediately put your thermostat on the fan setting to turn off your compressor. You can call a HVAC professional, but switching to the fan will make the ice melt.
Have your HVAC system serviced at least yearly. This should happen in the fall and malfunctions.
Find an air conditioner calculator online to determine what models are best for you. If the unit is too large, it won’t cool more than a smaller unit, just less efficiently. You can look online or do other research to get information from HVAC system manufacturers and sellers in order to determine the best unit size for your needs.
Turn off any outdoor condenser units when the weather gets cold. This should turn it off to prevent damage if the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This helps the system last much longer and save you a lot on repairs.
Figure out how long the HVAC company you choose has been in business. Companies that are around awhile have a better record than those that haven’t been. Working with someone that does not yet have a reputation in the business is a bit riskier.
Install a thermostat to save energy costs. Some of these thermostats can even be controlled from your smart phone or other device.
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. There are many review sites you can check out. This works both in finding those you want to hire and also with those you want to avoid.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line may also freeze over. If this is something that’s happening to you, switch the thermostat in your home to fan only so the compressor is disabled. You can call a HVAC professional, even if switching it to its fan setting starts making the ice melt.
Before you hire a contractor, make sure you get different quotes. You can save quite a bit of money when you call different companies for price quotes. Call around 5 contractors so that you can get the best deal possible.
Look for air conditioner sizing calculators online to truly understand what size of unit you need for your home. Look in the manual to determine the manufacturer website for this information.
Are you thinking of getting a cooling and heating system that’s new? If so, you must consider a number of things. Systems are given ratings by how effectively they can cool and heat an area. It is best to get a bigger unit than you need, instead of a smaller one.
Companies that are around awhile have a better record than those that can help you decide if they’re worth your money and time. It is riskier to hire a contractor with little experience.
You can usually have free duct testing performed if you are concerned about your HVAC system not running properly. You can have your utility company test for you, sometimes for free or less than an HVAC contractor would charge. You’ll see the test pays for itself once all leaks are fixed.
Ask friends and trust for contractor recommendations. People that have used and if they are worth calling. This will also help you to figure out some names of businesses that you should avoid at all costs.
When you hear an odd clicking noise coming from your HVAC unit, you should immediately begin to look for any obstructions. The problem may be debris getting into the fans of the cooling system. Simple removal of the debris will solve the problem. Prior to placing a service, it is worth taking a look.
There are a few sites out there that let customers talk about how they were treated by services. This is a good way to locate contractors that you wish to work with and those that are poor.
If you are purchasing an AC unit, take measurements. You need to know how big the area is that you want to have cooled off. You generally need 20 BTU for each square foot of room space. If multiple rooms need cooling, add together their square footage to reach this calculation.
Contractors charge different rates, so make sure to get multiple quotes. You can save tons of cash simply by doing your homework. Call around to find the best rates.
Pick HVAC companies that know what they’re doing and can work quickly. Reliable companies keep a close eye on their technicians and ensure they honor their appointments. A licensed technician should also have no problem diagnosing any potential faults with your HVAC unit quickly. Once they know what’s wrong, they should also know how to get them resolved efficiently and quickly.
Are you thinking about having a new HVAC system that’s new? You need to think about a few things into account. Systems are given ratings by how well the system is able to cool and heat an area. You are better off purchasing a bigger unit that is slightly too large for your needs than a smaller one.
When placing your AC unit, think about the direction the air will flow. Make sure you have plenty of air flow control options if you are forced to install the unit in a corner.
If your HVAC system is producing any type of clicking sounds, look for blockages right away. Often the issue is some sort of debris hitting fans in your cooling system. Look at it before you call up a technician.
Always get some references prior to hiring any contractor. You should know that the contractor does exactly what he says he’s going to do, and there are no hidden costs involved. This will help you stay away from scam artists, but only if you call those references!
Make certain they are tightly sealed so air inside. A professional can sometimes test the windows and many times the testing is free.
Be certain you know what the HVAC work costs include. There are some contractors that try to charge you more later for such things like material fees and fuel charges. You can avoid these issues if you have a contract that is written out.
Replace the air filter in your HVAC system working well.This is the production of your unit remains in good operating condition.
Place a cover around your condenser in the winter months. This will make sure the condenser will last for a long time. The unit’s compressor should never be on when the temperature is 60 degrees or below. Turn the fan on instead, to avoid putting undue stress on the system.
Pick an HVAC companies that know what they’re doing and works quickly to solve the problem. The most reliable companies make sure their technicians stay on schedule. A knowledgeable technician should also easily diagnose any problems with your HVAC unit quickly. Once they are able to locate a problem, they should also know how to get them resolved efficiently and quickly.
A money-saving measure that you can try is purchasing an HVAC unit with an Energy Star rating. These are more efficient than other units. The units are evaluated by the United States. Environmental Protection Agency. The time spent researching these units could yield long-term energy savings.
If all you have is a corner spot, get a unit where the air won’t be trapped against the wall.
Choose a contractor that prefers Energy Star products. Energy Star is not merely a commercial product label, but indicates that the EPA of the United States federal government has verified that a product or service meets certain standards. Which means lower cooling and heating bills for you!
Some contractors attempt to add charges on later for things such as material fees and other charges. Having a signed contract will help to avoid any issues like this.
Make sure you know where the owner’s manual is anytime the system is running. The manual is going to give you quite a few things to learn about the unit you have and will help you out if you’re dealing with problems. If you can’t find the manual, check online.
You may be surprised to discover that as much as 66% of all homes have ducts that leak. These can represent one fourth of your home’s utility costs you have. Sealing the ducts is something you can do easily and cheaply, and it may reduce energy costs greatly in the future.
Be sure you keep your HVAC up and running by using the advice found above. It isn’t a good thing to come home to a HVAC system that isn’t working properly. And high repair costs on top of that just compounds the issues. Use these tips to help avoid costly problems. Keep these tips in mind as you perform regular maintenance on your HVAC system.
