Many homeowners are at a loss when the HVAC system starts to fail. To stop such a situation from becoming a real disaster, learn all you can on the topic. This article was written to help homeowners to find the proper help they need for their HVAC unit.
To make sure your condenser fan works properly, keep the fan blades and the coils clean. The power to the unit should be removed before you begin any maintenance, even cleaning. Additionally, it’s important to clear out leaves and other debris from the outside condenser unit.
Know what work you need before you select an HVAC contractor.It will be difficult for a contractor to provide you with an estimate on the phone if they have not seen your current setup is. It will be more difficult for him to assist you can’t figure out what they need to do.
Clean the debris off your outdoor condenser unit. Debris can pile up after a storm, bringing potential damage with it. Overheating can occur, which often spells disaster for your system.
Turn the power off first so nothing moves. Then, pop off its grills, pull the blades out, and gently clean them as well as the unit itself.
Make sure your condenser fan is in good working order by wiping down the fan blades and the coils. Turn it off first so you don’t get hurt or break something. Then, take the grill off, pull the blades out, and gently clean them as well as the unit itself.
Your HVAC units might suffer when trees lose leaves. Make sure you clean out your fan grill is cleaned frequently when the leaves begin to fall. The fan must stay clear in order to function, and if it gets blocked, you will end up with many headaches with the unit.
Lubricate your condenser yearly if it has oil ports. A rubber or metal cap is typically placed over such ports. Chose SAE 20 oil, which has been proven to be the most effective.
Lubricate the oil ports on your fan condenser once each year. These ports are usually covered by a rubber or metal cap. Use a lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.
When selecting the spot to put the outdoor compressor for your unit, choose somewhere that gets plenty of shade. If it sucks in cool air, it will need to work less to coll the air inside, which can make it last longer.
Put your outdoor units in places with shade.
Put outdoor units in the shade if you are installing them. You save money this way because the air conditioner is now pulling in cooler air, which is easier to cool further.
Have the HVAC serviced at least yearly. This should be checked often for debris and again in the spring.
Your home should never reach a dangerous temperature. Air conditioners cannot sufficiently cool down unreasonably high temps. This means that if the weather is above 100 degrees, then you’ll still be baking in 80 degree weather at first! Depending on humidity levels, this isn’t even a safe temperature for a human body to sleep at to recover from summer heat.
Turn off outdoor condenser units when the weather gets cold. This should turn it off to prevent damage if the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit. This will help keep your system working for years and save you a lot on repairs.
Put a bit of time into researching various HVAC specialists; you’re more likely to choose the right one for the job. Check reputations at the BBB, and read online reviews to gauge customer satisfaction. Doing this makes it more likely that you choose wisely..
Install a programmable thermostat you can program to save money on cooling your home. Some of these thermostats can even be controlled from a PC or computer.
Occasionally, air conditioners ice up. Freezes also occur in your drain line. These freezes are easily confused as leaks to the untrained eye. If this is something that’s happening to you, change the setting on your thermostat to the fan setting and this will disable the compressor. If the problem persists be sure to call in a professional.
Fan Setting
Before you go out there and hire an HVAC contractor, find out the length of time they’ve been in the industry. It is more likely that a contractor who has been in business for a longer time will give you better value for your money. If you hire someone that’s new that this then you’ll be risking your money.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line may also freeze over. If you notice this, immediately put your thermostat on the fan setting to turn off your compressor. You should call a pro to fix this problem, but switching to the fan setting should start to melt the ice.
If you need a HVAC contractor, try and get recommendations from family and friends. People who have been happy with work they have had done in the past are normally more than happy to recommend their contractors. This can also help you learn the names of those companies that you should avoid.
Think about getting a radiant barrier in your attic so support the efficient functioning of your HVAC system can run better. It will make sure you won’t have to use more energy to keep your home cool when it’s hot outside. You may even use the attic as part of your living space more effectively.
If you hear clicking inside your HVAC unit, look for an obstruction. The issue may be debris hitting the fans of the cooling system. Removing the debris will quickly fix the issue. Prior to placing a service, it is worth taking a look.
Are you looking into getting a new HVAC system? You will need to take a few points in mind.Systems have a rating based on how well the system is able to cool and heat an area. You are wise to err on the side of a unit that is slightly too large for your needs than a smaller one.
When deciding what size of an air conditioner is right for you, you will need to measure how much area it will have to cool. You will need approximately 20 BTU per square foot, so calculate the necessary size based on that formula. If more than one room needs AC service, combine all the square footage.
Check the ducts to find any leaks if your unit seems to not up to snuff. When you get leaks repaired, you’ll find that the testing paid for itself.
Replace the air filter to keep your HVAC system working well. This is a very simple job and it keeps the system running at maximum efficiency. Filters are inexpensive, so there is no excuse for not doing it.
Square Footage
Make certain that you hire an experienced contractor with a good reputation. The most reliable companies make sure their technicians stay on schedule and keep appointments. These techs should be able to figure out what is up with an HVAC rather quickly. When they know the issue, they ought to have it fixed quickly and efficiently.
Measure the living area that needs cooling before going air conditioner shopping. You generally need 20 BTU for each square footage of the room. If you need to cool multiple rooms, get their square footage added together.
Any HVAC contractor or installer should have an emergency number available to customers around the clock. They owe it to you to show up to fix anything, no matter how extreme the weather or what time of day it may be.
Replace the air filter in your HVAC system working well.This is a very simple job and it keeps the simplest thing that you can do to keep your unit running at maximum efficiency.
Be certain you know what the HVAC work costs include. Some contractors attempt to add charges on later for things such as material fees and fuel charges. Getting a contract that’s written and solid can assist you because you’ll avoid these kinds of issues.
Pick an HVAC companies that understands the unit and works quickly to solve the problem. The best companies will ensure that their technicians stay on schedule and keep appointments. A knowledgeable technician will also have no problem diagnosing any problems with your HVAC. Once the technician figures out what’s wrong, they will also be able to quickly and efficiently resolve it.
Be sure to investigate the references you are given by any HVAC professional. Sometimes, they just got good reviews because their price is low. It just takes a couple minutes to check them out.
It is indisputable that a collapse of a home’s heating or cooling system during the depths of winter or the sweltering days of summer can be a real mess for any homeowner. The situation can be made easier with this advice. The suggestions in the above article should lead homeowners to making smart decisions when it comes to their HVAC system.
Heat-loss calculations are important when getting an estimate. That will indicate the BTU requirements of your new system. Windows and doors need to be inspected for drafts, insulation checked for efficiency and the interior dimensions of the house should also be considered.
