The level of comfort experienced within a home are very important. That is why it is important to keep your HVAC has to be in tip top shape. If you aren’t taking care of your system, then your repair costs can mount while your living conditions deteriorate. Here are some great tips to help you out.
Before calling someone to repair your system, make sure you know what kind of HVAC system you actually have. Learn the brand, model, and if you have it, the maintenance history. The contractor will likely need all of this information.
Know what type of your HVAC system you currently have before calling someone to fix it. This makes sure the contractor will need.
Clean the coils and blades in your condenser at the beginning of summer. If you are doing more than a light surface cleaning, make sure that the power is shut off to the HVAC unit. In addition, be sure to get rid of any leaves or other debris that may have accumulated on the outside condenser.
If you struggle with your HVAC, check the entire house before contacting someone to come for repairs. This information will help the contractor determine what the problem is and how to fix it.
When you’re trying to cut your grass, don’t cover a unit outside with the clippings. Instead, make sure that the grass is shooting in the opposite direction. This same tip applies when you are blowing fallen leaves around the yard. Grass and leaves pose a serious problem for the internal functioning of your unit.
Clean your fan and coils come spring. Clean the outside of your external condenser unit regularly.
Lubricate your fan condenser if it has oil ports. You can find these ports covered with rubber or metal caps. Chose SAE 20 oil, which has been proven to be the most effective.
Clean your outdoor condenser unit. You don’t know when things are going to pile up, like right after it’s windy or rains, and that can throw a wrench in your system. It can cause your unit.
When choosing the area for placing an outdoor compressor device, place it in a shady area. The unit will operate more efficiently to cool your home if the intake air is cooler to begin with.
Turn the power off first so nothing moves. Then, take the grill off, pull the blades out, and begin cleaning the unit and them gently.
In order for your new unit to be as efficient as possible, or to make older units more efficient, make sure it’s put in a shaded area. You save money this way because the air conditioner is now pulling in cooler air, which is easier to cool further.
Lubricate your fan condenser once a year. You can easily find the ports have a rubber or metal cap covering them. Use a lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.
Save energy use and money by turning off the air conditioner if there is nobody home. Your home will become somewhat warmer during this time. It will use more electricity if you keep it running.
Have the HVAC system inspected twice a year. This should be checked often for debris and the spring.
Ask those you know for the name of a great HVAC technician, should you need one. People that have gotten great work done in the past generally love to share the information they know about it. This will also help you to avoid undesirable companies.
Turn off outdoor condenser units when weather gets cold. This should turn it off to prevent damage if the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit. This can keep your system last much longer and will have to be repaired less often.
If you don’t know who you should contact to do your HVAC maintenance or any installations, look online to see if you can find reviews. Many online sites permit customers to let others know about their experiences with various services and contractors. This is a good way to locate contractors that do good work and ones that are poor.
It is a good idea to replace single-paned windows with ones that have double pane ones. This also keeps warm air in during the winter.
To improve the efficiency of your HVAC system, think about placing a radiant barrier in your attic. It blocks outside heat from coming in which will make sure you won’t have to use more energy to keep your home cool when it’s hot outside. If you install the unit properly, you can even begin to use the attic as a bedroom as it will be so comfortable!
A programmable thermostat is a simple way to help save money on your air conditioning costs. Some can even be controlled from your smart phone or computer.
Are you considering purchasing a new heating and cooling system? You could keep a few points in mind. Systems get rated according to how large an area they can effectively cool and heat. It is better to purchase a slightly larger than needed unit, rather than a slightly smaller than needed unit.
During the service check, the serviceman will inspect the unit’s motor, inspect the motor and the freon levels. These simple tasks will help keep your system.
If your current system isn’t working well enough, test out the ducts for leaks. Call your utility company and ask if they test for free, as many do. When you get leaks repaired, you may see that the testing pays for itself.
Research and check the reputation of companies that you consider using. Check with different references to determine the BBB and look for your situation. This can help you have to do in order to make a smart decision.
It is important that you know the measurements of the area you need to cool. For each square foot you’ll need 20 BTU of cooling power. If you have a lot of rooms to keep cool, get their square footage added together.
Think about getting a radiant barrier installed in your attic so your HVAC system. It blocks outside heat from coming in which will serve as a barrier between your home cool when it’s hot outside. You may even find that you can use the attic as part of your living space if it is done right.
If there’s only one thing that you do in terms of HVAC maintenance monthly, it should be to replace your air filter. This is an easy and essential thing to do. Filters only cost a few bucks, and it’s a small price to pay.
Figure out the direction your home faces in order to make your HVAC system more efficient. The less heat, the less you’ll have to use your air conditioner to cool things off.
When deciding where to place your AC, condition the direction of air flow. If it has to be placed in a corner, get a unit where the air won’t be trapped against the wall.
If you HVAC unit is clicking, look for blockages right away. Often the issue is some sort of debris hitting fans in your cooling system. Check the fan and coil before calling a contractor.
Before you hire a contractor for your HVAC system, ask how much experience they have and with what types of systems. You want to make sure that they have experience with the type of work you need done. It’s best to find someone who knows what they’re doing.
Make sure they have tight seals to keep air inside. You can also hire a professional to test them.
Get references from anyone you are considering hiring. You need to know if previous clients have gotten what they needed, like timely service within their budget. References ensure you don’t end up with a scammer.
Square Footage
The services you are paying a contractor to do should be clearly spelled out in your contract. Some contractors attempt to charge you later for items like materials and fuel. Having a good written contract can help avoid issues like this.
Measure the living area that needs cooling before buying a unit. You generally need 20 BTUs per square footage of room space. If you have a lot of rooms to keep cool, add together their square footage to reach this calculation.
In the winter, protect the condenser unit with a cover that fits around it. In this way, you can extend the life of the unit. Additionally, do not use it when the temperature dips below 60. Use the fan instead to avoid putting strain on the condenser unit.
Pick HVAC companies that understands the unit and works quickly to solve the problem.The best companies make sure their technicians stay on schedule.A knowledgeable technician should also have no problem diagnosing any potential faults with your HVAC. Once they are able to locate a problem, fixing it should be quick and easy.
Consider having a programmable thermostat installed whenever you have an HVAC system installed, serviced or repaired. These newer thermostats will help you to save more money on electricity because you can program them to shut off anytime you want them to.
Ask any potential contractor about their experience prior to hiring them. You need to know that they have the sort of work on your particular system.
To keep some money saved, get a unit that’s Energy Star certified. These are more efficient than other units. The EPA regulates the guidelines for the star. Agency for Environmental Protection. Doing a little homework can save you a lot of money.
Any HVAC contractor or installer should have a 24-hour emergency number available to customers around the clock. They owe it to you to show up to fix anything, whether during a heatwave or a terrible snowstorm.
Find an HVAC company that only uses Energy Star equipment. An Energy Star unit has been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency. That means they’ll save you a ton on your utility bills.
There are some contractors out there that try to charge you more later for such things like material fees and fuel charges. A written contract that covers the basics will really help you if something like this possible problem.
Inspect and clean your heating ducts on a routine basis so the air you receive is fresh and clean. Check your heating ducts weekly. Damaged ducts could increase your energy bill.
Always check out any references that you receive for an HVAC contractor.
If you are working on an HVAC system, then it’s only smart to keep the manual nearby. It contains lots of advice specific to your unit which might prove critical if trouble arises. If your manual has been misplaced, you can request another one at the manufacturer’s website.
This determines the number of BTUs your system should be.
Always get estimates in writing. These estimates should be on paper. Many job necessities require estimates. You can get good service this way. Compare various facets of potential work, not just price, but also things like how long it will take to get the job done. Avoid a company that offers a very low estimate. They may do sub-par work.
Consider have a programmable thermostat. This lowers your heating and cooling bills because your system rests while you are comfortably warm asleep in bed.
Keep your HVAC system operating efficiently and enjoy clean air by cleaning the heating ducts. Look often at the ducts to make sure they are in good shape. Damaged ducts could increase the energy bill by wasting air that is warm.
This article has given you some excellent basics on keeping your HVAC system maintained correctly. Don’t let it go bad on you by not paying attention to regular maintenance. Use the tips from above to keep it going strong, so you don’t come home one day to find your place too hot or too cold.
