Great Advice That You May Not Know Regarding HVAC Equipment

HVAC service and contracting isn’t something that you may know a lot about. This can pose a problem when an unexpected emergency occurs.

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 facilitate the process when your contractor asks for this information.

TIP! Before calling someone to repair your system, make sure you know what kind of HVAC system you actually have. You need to know who manufactured the product and the item number.

If your HVAC system is acting up, try touring your home before calling a professional. This information will help the repairman determine what the problem is and how to fix it.

Before choosing a HVAC company find out what the company offers. If you can’t describe the problem, you may not get an accurate quote. It’s even harder if you’re not able to explain what you’ve done. Know this stuff ahead of time.

TIP! Before you ever begin looking for an HVAC contractor, first consider the entire job that you’ll need completed. A contractor will not be able to give you an accurate price without accurate information about your system.

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 could overheat and cause a disaster with your system to malfunction by overheating.

Clean the fan blades and coils on the condenser fan every spring. Shut the power off before you do anything. Then, pop off its grills, pull the blades out, and begin cleaning the unit and them gently.

TIP! Clean the fan blades and coils in your condenser each spring. First, turn the power off so nothing moves when you’re working with it.

Sae 20 Oil

When selecting the spot to put the outdoor compressor for your unit, choose somewhere that gets plenty of shade. When the unit sucks in cooler air, then less work is required to cool it further which in turn boosts the units efficiency.

TIP! Find a place that is shaded for your compressor. Your unit won’t have to work as hard to cool the inside air if the outside air it sucks from is cooler.

Lubricate your condenser if it has oil ports. You will notice these ports have a rubber or metal caps covering the ports. Use SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.

Your system should be checked twice a year. It’s best to have it checked before you turn it on for the summer and again for the winter. Even though it may seem as nothing is wrong with the unit, a simple inspection can prove otherwise.

TIP! Have the HVAC system checked twice a year at the least. Ideally, you should have it looked at in the spring and fall so you know everything is set for the hot and cold months.

Put your outdoor units in places with shade.

Getting a programmable thermostats can be a terrific way to realize savings. You have greater control over the temperature settings with these. This will save you a lot of money during the year.

TIP! A programmable thermostat can help you save money on your air conditioning bill. This will help you to keep the temperature at optimal levels.

Make sure your HVAC system checked twice a year. This should happen in the fall and again in the spring.

Service your HVAC yearly. The motor should be checked, the parts oiled and the freon levels inspected. This will help keep your system performing at maximum efficiency.

TIP! In order to keep energy costs down, make sure heating and cooling systems are services at least once per year. During the service check, the system motor will be inspected, the moving parts will be oiled and the freon levels will be checked All of these little jobs will add up to big savings in energy use, with the improved efficiency.

Turn off any outdoor condenser units when the weather gets cold. This should be done when the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit.This helps the system working for years and will have to be repaired less often.

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. Check with the BBB and online reviews as well. Taking these steps will help ensure that you make a wise decision.

TIP! Shop around before hiring an HVAC contractor. Look at review sites and check with the BBB.

It is always a good idea to swap out single pane windows with ones that have double pane ones. This same effect also helps keep it warm in during the winter months.

Air conditioners tend to ice up at times. Sometimes the drain line will freeze, causing leaks. If you see this happen, disable the compressor by turning your thermostat to the fan only setting. The fan setting can help melt some of the ice, but you should still call a professional to check your unit out.

TIP! Some air conditioners can ice up. You may even encounter a freeze in your drain line which is often confused with a plumbing leak.

Don’t allow your home get too hot. An air conditioning unit will reduce the temperature by twenty degrees in a fair time. If your home gets above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, then you will only be able to reasonably cool to around 80. This is not a healthy environment to live in.

Look online for a/c sizing calculators so you can really understand the unit size needed for your home or room. If you get a unit that is too large, it will cost a lot in energy costs. Look in the manual or on the manufacturer website for this information.

TIP! Look for calculators online to help you determine the size of unit you need for your home. If you buy a unit that is too big, it won’t do an efficient job.

Research and check the reputation of companies that you consider using. Check with the BBB and look for reviews as well. These steps can help to ensure your decision is a wise one.

Check any company you are considering to see how long it has been around. Established companies that are doing well will usually be the best ones to go with. If you hire someone that’s new that this then you’ll be risking your money.

TIP! Before you go out there and hire an HVAC contractor, find out the length of time they’ve been in the industry. This gives you some history so that you can be sure the company is reliable.

Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line might also freeze up.If you see this happen, change the setting on your thermostat to the fan setting and this will disable the compressor. You should leave the repair to a professional, but switching to the fan will make the ice melt.

Are you thinking about buying a new HVAC system? You could keep a few points in mind. An HVAC system gets its rating by how effective it will heat and cool an area. You are better off purchasing a unit that is slightly too large for your needs than purchasing one that is a bit too small.

TIP! Do you wish to buy a new cooling and heating system? You probably have many options available to you. Learn about the size systems need to be for optimal efficiency.

Look for air conditioner sizing calculators online to help you determine the size of unit you need for your home. Look in the manual to determine the manufacturer website for air conditioners.

Speed should be a concern when you are looking for an HVAC specialist. They should be able to get in and get the job done quickly. Good firms ensure they are always on schedule. These techs that come out should be quickly able to figure out the issue and remedy the problem right away. Once the problem is identified, fixing it should be quick and easy.

TIP! The best HVAC company will be able to arrive quickly and work quickly and effectively. The most reliable companies make sure their technicians stay on schedule and keep appointments.

Companies with proven track records that can help you decide if they’re worth your money and time. It is always risky to hire someone who does not have a long history.

Think about which way the air flows when installing a air conditioner. If you have to put the unit in a corner, use one that doesn’t blow into the wall.

TIP! It is important to think about the direction air flows from your unit. If you’re stuck with putting it in a corner, buy one that lets the air flow to be redirected so that it is not flowing towards the wall.

Ask people that you know and relations for contractor recommendations. People will tell you who have had a good experience are often happy to share the name of their contractor. This can also provide you to figure out some names of businesses that you should avoid at all costs.

Before you hire an HVAC contractor to perform work on your system, learn about their experience level. Confirm that they have done this work before. You minimize the chances of bad service this way.

TIP! Ask a contractor about their experience prior to hiring them. Make sure they are experienced doing the kind of work that you need.

Think about having a radiant barrier in your attic so support the efficient functioning of your HVAC system can run better. It blocks outside heat from coming in which will make sure you won’t have to use more energy to keep your unit stays hot outside.You may even find that you can use your attic space more effectively.

Find an HVAC contractor that can be contacted 24 hours a day, in case of an emergency. You should have the ability to get them out to your home, whether it is the midst of a horrible heat wave or a snow storm.

TIP! Any HVAC contractor you hire should have a 24-hour emergency hotline. 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.

Are you thinking of getting a new HVAC system that’s new? You need to take a few important things. Systems have ratings according to the total area they can effectively cool and heat. You are wise to err on the side of a unit rather than a smaller one.

Make sure that you are clear about what is included in the cost of the HVAC work you are contracting someone to do. There are some contractors that try to charge you more later for such things like material fees and fuel charges. Ensure your contract is solid to avoid any problems.

TIP! Make sure that you are clear about what is included in the cost of the HVAC work you are contracting someone to do. There are contractors that will try to overcharge you later for things like fuel charges and material fees.

It can be very difficult for a homeowner to deal with a malfunctioning HVAC system. But, by studying in advance, things can go much more smoothly. With some knowledge close at hand, problems can be solved efficiently and quickly.

Follow through on the references provided by the contractor. A lot of people think that they’re legitimate just because they were given to them, but that isn’t always true. It only takes a couple minutes to call to check a person out by calling, so don’t worry about doing that.

TIP! Check all references given to you from an HVAC contractor. People often assume references are legit when a contractor provides them, but that is not always true.