A great HVAC system can mean the difference between comfort and discomfort in the home. A lot of homeowners spend money fixing them up when broken, but if they were able to figure out how to fix things on their own it would have been avoided.The following article will help you to keep your HVAC system.
Prior to putting in a service call on your HVAC, be able to identify it. Know the model and brand and find it’s maintenance history, if possible. That way you can provide the contractor with all the necessary information.
Hvac Contractor
Regularly remove debris from outside condenser units. Leaves and debris can accumulate quickly, particularly following storms, and that can cause problems for your system. Also, you are risking your system overheating.
Know what you want done before you select an HVAC contractor. It will be difficult for an HVAC contractor to provide you with an 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.
Your outdoor HVAC units might suffer when your trees lose leaves. Make certain you are cleaning the fan grill often if trees nearby have leaves that are falling. When blockages restrict the flow of air to the fan, you could end up with serious issues on your hands.
Clean your fan blades and coils prior to summertime. Clean the outside of your condenser unit.
If the fan on your condenser includes oil ports, they must be lubricated annually. These ports are often covered by a rubber or metal cap. Your oil should be an SAE 20. This particular oil is very lightweight and it only requires about 10 drops per port.
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.
When you are choosing a location for the outdoor compressor unit, it’s preferable to use a shaded area. Your unit won’t have to work as hard to cool the inside air if the outside air it sucks from is cooler.
Don’t let grass clippings pile up against your outside unit. Aim your grass in a different direction away from your unit. This also applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in the yard.
It is very important that your HVAC system is serviced two times a year. The best time of year to have the system checked is right before the weather begins to change. You should have it looked at even if no problems are occurring; there could still be a problem or potential problem.
Sae 20 Oil
Turn off your outdoor condenser when it’s getting cold. If it’s lower than 60 degrees, the time has come to turn it off. This can keep your system working for years and save you a lot on repairs.
Lubricate your condenser once a year. You will notice these ports covered with rubber or metal caps. Use SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, putting 10 drops in each port.
Consider getting a programmable thermostat for your AC. A thermostat that’s programmable is going to save you around ten percent on the heating and cooling costs you have to pay when you turn it back about fifteen percent for a part of the day. Some can even be controlled from a computer.
Turn off any outdoor condenser units when weather turns cold. This means that you should turn it off to prevent damage if the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This simple tip will help keep your HVAC running and can save you money on repairs.
When you want a HVAC contractor who is reliable, you need to spend some time in researching the background and reputation of several potential companies. You may also want to check with the BBB for information. Doing these things beforehand will allow you to make a smart decision.
A programmable thermostat is a simple way to help you save money on air conditioning costs. Some of these thermostats can even be controlled from your smart phone or other device.
AC units will tend to get ice on them due to the cold. The drain line can freeze, making you think it’s a plumbing leak. If you see this happen, disable the compressor by turning your thermostat to the fan only setting. You should leave the repair to a professional, but switching to the fan setting should start to melt the ice.
During this service visit, the contractor will oil parts, oil the moving parts and check the freon levels in the system. This will help keep you energy efficient and comfortable.
Research what size air conditioner you should purchase for the size of your home by using online calculators they have for this purpose. If you buy something too large it won’t be efficient as it cools the same. Look in the manual or on the manufacturer website for this information.
Degrees Fahrenheit
You should always review the experience and history of an HVAC specialist before hiring them. Established companies that are doing well will usually be the best ones to go with. Hiring a new contractor means taking a bigger risk.
Don’t let your home to become dangerously hot. Air conditioners are limited in that they can only really cool your home down 20 degrees Fahrenheit in a reasonable time limit. If your home happens to get near 100 degrees Fahrenheit, it will only reduce it to 80 or more. This won’t be a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.
You can always search the Internet when you aren’t entirely sure who you should call for proper HVAC repair or maintenance. There are plenty of online websites that give people the opportunity to leave comments about the service they received. This will be an excellent way to locate people you should work with and people that may not work well with you.
Research and check the companies that you consider using. Check with the BBB and online reviews of potential companies online. These steps are going to help ensure your decision is a wise one.
Do you want to buy a new cooling and heating system? You need to think about a few important things. Systems get rated according to how large an area they can effectively cool and heat. You should buy a little bigger than necessary unit over a little smaller than necessary unit.
Air conditioners tend to ice up.The drain line may also freeze over. If this is something that’s happening to you, put the fan on to shut the compressor off. You should call a pro to fix this problem, but switching to the fan will make the ice melt.
If you are a having trouble with your existing system, check for leaks in the ducts. You can call a utility company in your area to help you with testing, and that doesn’t cost much or nothing at all usually. This testing can have large financial benefits.
Look for calculators online to help you determine the size of unit you need for your room or home. Look at the manual or on the recommended size for this information.
Determine the direction that your home faces. If trees are placed strategically, you can block morning sunlight that can overheat the house. The less heat, the easier time the air conditioner in your home will have.
Contractors are responsible for their own charges and fees, so make sure that you acquire multiple estimates. You can save tons of money when you call different companies for many quotes. You want to call at least a handful of contractors in order to know what you should be paying.
Check for debris if you hear clicking in the HVAC unit. There may be particles of debris that are touching the fans. Just clear the debris to remove the problem. Check it out before spending on a contractor.
Think about having a radiant barrier in your attic so your HVAC system. It blocks outside heat from coming in which will serve as a barrier between your home and the outside. You could even find that you can use the attic space if it is done right.
Pick a contractor who gets back to you quickly and understands the job. The best companies out there have technicians that keep a schedule and their appointments too. They should be able to diagnose issues quickly. After diagnosis, they should then know how to deal with the problem.
Do you wish to buy a new HVAC unit? You will need to take a few things first. Systems are given ratings by how well the system is able to cool or heat an area well. You are wise to err on the side of a unit rather than purchasing one that is a bit too small.
Never hire a contractor before asking about the work experience they have when it comes to dealing with HVAC units. He or she may not have experience working with your type of system or performing the work that you need done. Although there’s no guarantee that a worker with less experience won’t do the work correctly, it’s better to avoid any problems.
Figure out which direction your home is facing so your HVAC system more efficient. The less heat in your home, the less work your AC will have to do.
When choosing someone to work on your HVAC system, make sure they provide you with references. Previous customers can provide information about timeliness of job completion and if the contractor stayed within their budget. This will reduce your chances of hiring a scam artist.
Make certain they are tightly sealed so air can’t seep in. You can hire a professional to test them.
Make sure to contact any references you get from prospective contractors. Just because they give you a list doesn’t mean they’re legitimate. It just takes a couple minutes to check them out.
Pick HVAC companies that understands the unit and works quickly to solve the problem.The most reliable companies will ensure that their technicians will always be on schedule. A knowledgeable technician will also easily diagnose any potential faults with your HVAC unit quickly. After diagnosis, it’s just a matter of time before they have it back and running properly.
Any contractor that is giving you a quote should do a calculation on heat-loss. This determines the amount of BTUs your system needs to make sure your home stays comfortable. From knowing how many doors and windows there are to how much insulation there is, it’s a must.
Always make sure to get references when you are considering a HVAC contractor.
See about getting a programmable thermostat on your HVAC unit. This sort of device will save you a lot of money in terms of energy because it allows your system some downtime while you are warm in your bed.
Any HVAC contractor or installer should have an emergency hotline. They should be able to get to your home whenever you need them there, even if when the weather gets to be extreme.
To save money on your bills, choose an HVAC system that bears the Energy Star label. These are qualified energy products that meet strict efficiency guidelines. The standards are set forth by the EPA. The EPA is who governs Energy Star guidelines. By taking the extra time to look into this information could help with long-term energy and money savings.
There are contractors out there that will overcharge you. Having a signed contract can help you avoid any issues like that.
You want to find a contractor that can provide you with an Energy Star unit. Things bearing the Energy Star mark are certified as meeting federal efficiency guidelines. The end result should be you seeing a money saved each year on your energy bills.
Always check any references that you by an HVAC contractor.
Consider have a programmable thermostat. This device can save you a great deal of money on your bills as it constantly adjusts your settings to ensure optimal performance.
You might be surprised that as many as two-thirds of all homes have ducts that leak. These can lead to as much as a quarter of your home’s utility costs. Sealing the ducts is something you can do easily and cheaply, and it may reduce energy costs greatly in the future.
As mentioned earlier, a good HVAC system is a vital component to any home, so keeping everything up to par is critical. Luckily, these tips will help you avoid expensive repairs. If you don’t follow them, you won’t find any benefit, so keep that in mind.
