Anyone that has an HVAC system in their house knows the importance of properly maintained. A HVAC system that does no function properly can end up costing the homeowner a lot of money. This article can help you keep your HVAC in optimal condition.
If your HVAC doesn’t seem to be working properly, check things out yourself prior to calling in a technician. Figure out which rooms are hot and cold. This will allow a contractor to quickly figure out what the issue is and how it can be fixed fast.
If your HVAC system is acting up, check the entire house before contacting someone to come for repairs. This information will help the repairman determine what the problem is and how to fix it.
Clean any debris that accumulates on an external condenser unit. Debris can pile up after a storm, bringing potential damage with it. It could overheat and cause a disaster with your unit.
Know what you want done before you hire a contractor. It will be hard for a contractor to provide you with an estimate over the phone without knowing what your current system. It will be way more hard if you over the phone without the information readily available.
Keep your outdoor units free of debris when you are mowing the lawn. Now so the grass clippings are shot away from your unit. This also applies to blowing leaves or moving debris. Just be careful with that exterior HVAC unit.
Clean any debris that accumulates on your condenser units. 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 could overheat and cause a disaster with your system to malfunction by overheating.
As the trees around your home lose leaves, it can cause your HVAC unit trouble. Cleaning your unit is very important for its effectiveness. Because the fan requires a clear path for air to enter, you may encounter issues with your system if the fan gets blocked up.
Turn the power off first so you don’t get hurt or break something. Next, pop off the grill, put the blades out and start to gently clean them along with the unit.
It is very important that your HVAC system is serviced two times a year. Ideally, you should have it looked at in the spring and fall so you know everything is set for the hot and cold months. Whether you know of problems or not, good maintenance will help you to avoid future issues.
10 Drops
Condenser units for the outdoors should be shut off when it starts to get cold outside. To prevent damage, turn off your unit if the outside temperature is less than 60 degrees. This helps your system remain in good working order.
Lubricate the oil ports on your fan condenser at least once each year. You can find the ports as they have a rubber or metal cap. Use a lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, putting 10 drops in each port.
If you own your own home or have permission from your landlord, replace your single pane windows with double paned versions. You can reduce your energy costs from energy leaking out through your windows by installing window that are double-paned. This same effect also keeps warm air in during the winter months.
Put your outdoor units in places with shade.
A programmable thermostat can really help you out when it comes to your power bills. This will help you to keep the temperature at optimal levels. Additionally, these items can be controlled remotely through your computer.
Be sure to have the HVAC system checks. This should be checked often for debris and again in the spring.
Regular maintenance of your unit should be performed annually. During service the technician will check the motor and refill the system fluids. This ensures your system runs smoothly.
Turn off any outdoor condenser units when weather gets cold. This should be done when the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit.This can keep it in good condition for years and save you a lot on repairs.
If everyone is out, turn the air conditioner off. Even though the house will get hotter, it won’t get too bad if the unit is off. Leaving the system on all day will cost a lot of money in terms of electricity.
A programmable thermostat is a simple way to help you save money on your air conditioning bill. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from your smart phone or computer.
Make certain you properly investigate any company prior to hiring them. Check out the online reviews, and run a quick search on the BBB website to make sure they have been good to past customers. Investing the time to check out potential contractors can save you money and headaches.
During a maintenance visit, the contractor will oil parts, oil the unit’s moving parts and ensure the unit has proper freon levels. These simple tasks will keep your HVAC system running smoothly.
Look for calculators online to help you determine the size of unit you need for your home. A unit that is bigger than you need simply isn’t efficient. Look in the manual or on the manufacturer website for this information.
Fan Setting
Check any company you are considering to see how long it has been around. Companies that are well established have track records that can help you decide if they’re worth your money and time. Hiring a contractor who is just starting out can be risky.
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 can call a HVAC professional, but switching to the fan setting should start to melt the ice.
Contractors determine their own fee levels, so make sure to get multiple quotes. You can save quite a bit of money when you call different companies for price quotes. To get the best picture and get an idea of what rates are reasonable, call five or six different contractors.
Companies that are around awhile have track records that can help you decide if they’re worth your money and time.Hiring a newer contractor means taking a bigger risk.
Figure out which direction your home faces in order to make your HVAC system more efficient. If you have trees placed in strategic areas, you can block the sunlight in the morning. The less your home is heated, the less you’ll have to use your air conditioner to cool things off.
There are quite a number of great sites now that allow customers to share their experiences with different services. This is an excellent method of finding people that you are interested in dealing with and those that you want to avoid.
If you hear clicking inside your HVAC unit, look for an obstruction. Most of the time such a noise is created by an object striking the blades of the fan in the system. That is a simple solution; just take the debris out. Before you call a technician, look at it yourself.
Do you need a quality HVAC? You will need to know some things into account. Systems have ratings according to the total area they can effectively cool and heat. You are better off purchasing a bigger unit that is slightly too large for your needs than a bit too small.
To keep your HVAC unit running at full capacity, you should have quality doors and windows installed that are efficient. They should be able to seal tightly without letting air seep in or out. A professional can easily have this tested for you, and oftentimes, this service is free.
Check the ducts to find any leaks if you you feel your existing system is not be working efficiently. If a leak is found, you’ll find that fixed leaks are worth the money.
You can’t know what sized air conditioner to purchase unless you measure the area you need cooled. You will need about 20 BTU per square footage of the room. Just measure your rooms and tally up the total square footage.
Figure out the direction your home faces in order to make your HVAC system can work better. The cooler your home already is, the fewer occasions you have to use your air conditioner.
Replace the air filter to keep your HVAC system working well. It will improve the efficiency of your unit. A new air filter is only a couple of bucks at your local hardware store.
If you HVAC unit is clicking, check immediately for any debris that may have accumulated in it. The problem may be debris hitting the fans of the cooling system.Check the fan and coil before you waste time contacting a repairman.
Think about the air flow coming out of the air conditioner and where you want to place it for maximum comfort. For a corner location, check for a unit that has the ability to direct the air flow in a different direction from the wall.
Square Footage
Make sure that your contractor can be reached at all times. The professional should also be able to promptly arrive at your home whenever the need arises.
Measure the living area that requires air conditioner shopping. You will need 20 BTU for each square footage of room space. If multiple rooms need cooling, get their square footage added together.
Know what’s included in any repair work you contract. There are dishonest contractors out there that will overcharge you. Solidly written contracts let you prevent such issues.
Now you should be better prepared to make sure your HVAC system runs well for a long time. A faulty HVAC can cost you a plethora of money and time. Use these handy tips to keep your HVAC system running for as long as possible.
Sometimes an HVAC specialist will offer references for other professionals. You should still do the necessary research to clear the name first. Many people make the mistake of assuming references are legitimate just because they were give up freely, but this is not always the case. This will not take a lot of your time.
