Lots of people have HVAC units in their houses.An HVAC is a unit that helps keep your home’s temperature comfortable temperature. You will need to have this installed by a contractor to install and maintain your unit. Read on to learn more about HVAC unit.
When you start making calls to get someone to help with your HVAC system, it’s a good idea to know what system you have before that phone call. Know the model and brand and find it’s maintenance history, if possible. This will help make sure that the contractor you hire has all the necessary information.
Know the name and type of your HVAC system you currently have before calling someone to fix it. This will enable you know that you’re able to give your chosen contractor the information that can help them.
Before contacting a repair service, do a short tour of the entire home. Note which rooms are hot and which are cold. That way, the contractor will have an easier time diagnosing the problem and repairing it fast.
Turn it off first so nothing moves. Then, pop off its grills, pull the blades out, and gently clean them as well as the unit itself.
Keeping the outside condenser clean of debris and leaves will improve the system’s efficiency. Except when you do superficial cleaning, you need to always make sure the power is off on the unit. If you see debris, get rid of it.
Grass Clippings
Clean the fan blades and coils in your condenser each spring. First, make sure the power is off to ensure nothing moves while you are working. Next, pop off the grill, pull out the blades and start cleaning them and the unit itself off gently.
Don’t get grass clippings pile up against your outside unit. Aim the grass clippings in a different direction from the other direction. This applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in debris.
Be careful when doing yard work that you do not get debris on or in your unit. Instead, make sure that the grass is shooting in the opposite direction. This is the same if you are using a leaf blower.
Your HVAC unit may suffer when trees begin dropping their leaves. Make sure the fan’s grill often once nearby trees start shedding their leaves.The fan must be unobstructed to work properly, and if it becomes blocked, you will end up with many headaches with the unit.
Many homeowners forget to oil their condenser at least once per year, but it is required. Most of these ports have some sort of protective cap covering them. You should select an SAE 20 oil since it is lightweight and does not contain detergent. Be sure to use just 10 drops or so, or your system may overfill.
Lubricate the oil ports on your fan condenser once each year. You can easily find these ports covered with rubber or metal caps. Use a lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, putting 10 drops in each port.
If you want things to be more efficient, get new units outside or have your current one moved into the shade. This will ensure cool air is sucked in, meaning less cooling must be done by the unit.
Turn off your outdoor condenser when the weather gets cold. This should turn it off to prevent damage if the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This simple tip will help keep the life of your unit.
When the weather cools down, turn your outdoor condenser off. Once the temperature drops into the 50s, the unit should no longer be on. Your system will work longer for you this way.
Install a thermostat to save money on cooling your home.Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from your smart phone or other device.
If the house is yours or you’re permitted to, replace the windows that are single pane with windows that are double pane. They help cool air remain inside your home, effectively cutting back on how much you have to run your air conditioner. It also facilitates heat retention in winter.
Don’t let your home to overheat. Air conditioners only cool your home down unreasonably high temps. If your home happens to get near 100 degrees Fahrenheit, you’ll only cool down to still above 80. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
A programmable thermostat can really help you out when it comes to your power bills. Turning down the thermostat around 10 percent for 8 hours per day can give you a 10 percent savings using the programmable thermostat. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from a PC or other device.
Research and check the reputation of companies that you consider using. Check them out at the BBB and look for your situation. This will help you to choose a smart decision.
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. Inquire with the BBB and look elsewhere for other reviews from customers. You will make a more informed choice if you use these resources.
Fan Setting
Look for sizing calculators based on the air conditioner you have to figure out how big of a unit you need in your home. If you purchase something too large, you will be throwing away money. You can also check the owner’s manual to find specific numbers provided for the manufacturer. These numbers indicate the particular unit to cool a particular area.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line may also freeze over. If this is something that’s happening to you, immediately put your thermostat on the fan setting to turn off your compressor. You can call a HVAC professional, even if switching it to its fan setting starts making the ice melt.
Check out how long the HVAV contractor you are considering has been in business. Companies that are around awhile have a better record than those that haven’t been. You will be taking a risk if you hire a newer contractor.
Companies that are well established have a better record than those that haven’t been. Hiring an inexperienced contractor who is just starting out can be risky.
To increase the efficiency of your HVAC unit, determine the direction that your home faces. If you strategically place trees, it’s possible to block some of the morning sunlight so your home won’t become overheated. When there is less heat inside your home, the air conditioner will not have to work as hard.
Contractors charge different rates, so make sure to get multiple quotes. You can save quite a bit of cash simply by doing your homework. You want to get quotes from at least five contractors to determine what you should be paying.
If you hear a clicking noise coming from your HVAC unit, immediately start looking for any obstructions. A small amount of debris is often the cause of this problem. You can solve the issue by removing debris. Check this out before calling a repairman.
Think about having a radiant barrier installed in your attic so your HVAC system. It will make sure you won’t have to use more energy to keep your home cool when it’s hot outside. You could even find that you can use the attic space if it is done right.
You can’t get the most out of your HVAC unit, unless you have efficient windows and doors installed. They should be able to seal tightly without letting air seep in or out. Call a professional to come over to check how good you home is sealed up.
Are you thinking of getting a new HVAC system installed? There are many things you must consider first. Systems have ratings according to how large an area they can effectively cool and heat. You are wise to err on the side of a bigger unit rather than a bit too small.
Make certain that you hire an experienced contractor with a good reputation. Companies who understand their customers are important often require their workers to follow a schedule and show up to all appointments. An experienced person will quickly know what is going on with your unit. This will maximize your overall satisfaction.
Figure out which direction your home is facing so your HVAC system can work better. The less heat in your home, the easier time the air conditioner in your home will have.
When determining the location of your air conditioning unit, think about which way the air flows. If you can only put the unit in the corner, get a unit that lets you direct air flow away from any walls.
Measure the living area you wish to cool before buying a unit. You can easily calculate this by using the formula: 20 BTU for each square foot of room space. If you have a lot of rooms to keep cool, combine their square footage in your calculations.
Ask any contractor you’re thinking of hiring for references. It helps to find out whether prior customers were satisfied with their overall experience. By checking references, you can avoid being cheated.
If you can only put it into a corner, be sure you can change the direction of air flow to avoid having it hit the wall.
Find out what exactly your contractor plans to do. There are contractors out there that will make you pay for extra things like charges for fuel or materials. Solid written contracts can help you avoid these issues.
Always get references before hiring any contractor.
Make sure any quote you get has a heat-loss calculation included. This will determine how much BTU your new system will need to keep your home comfortable. From knowing how many doors and windows there are to how much insulation there is, it’s a must.
Any HVAC contractor or installer should have a 24-hour emergency number available to customers around the clock. They should be able to get to your home whenever you need them there, no matter how extreme the weather or what time of day it may be.
Be sure to search for an HVAC center that carries Energy Star rated products. If it has Energy Star logo, you can be sure that it has met the energy efficiency standards required by the EPA. Products with this label will help you preserve power and money.
Cover your condenser when the winter. This will extend the life of your unit is sustained when it isn’t in use. Use the fan setting only to avoid putting strain on the unit.
When the weather begins to grow colder, you must protect the outside condensing unit from the cold. Try putting a cover on it that will help it to stay warm. Don’t use the unit if it’s below 60F, since it will not work that well at lower temperatures.
Always check out any references that are given to you by a prospective HVAC contractor.
Keep your owner’s manual near you at all times when you are operating your unit. 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 the manual has been lost, it can likely be printed from the manufacturer’s own website.
Consider a programmable thermostat installed.This device can save you a great deal of money on your bills because your lifestyle.
Make certain that your HVAC company gives you written estimates before any work is done. Estimates should always come in writing. There are many items involved in the estimate. This can ensure you are getting a good deal on your service. Compare items from different companies, such as time frames and rates. Steer clear of extremely low estimates, since they work may not be up to par.
Look for HVAC contractor that uses Energy Star products and products. This will ensure that the EPA. This means that they can help you save cash on your heating and cooling bills throughout the year.
The condenser unit needs protection in cold weather. A thick cover will help protect the condenser from the weather.
Make sure your owner’s manual in handy when you use the unit. The information contained within this manual will help you out if you’re dealing with problems.
These tips will be of assistance when it comes to contractors and HVAC units. It is critical that the unit receives proper installation and that it is maintained correctly. Put this advice to good use and HVAC installation or maintenance will no longer be an issue.
