Anyone who has a HVAC unit in their home knows the importance of properly maintained. A poorly functioning HVAC system can end up costing the homeowner a ton of money. The article you’re about to read is composed of multiple tips will help you care for your HVAC maintenance and repairs.
Go through your home before you call HVAC professional. Pay attention to which areas of the house are warm and which ones are cool. This gives the repairer a starting point to work from.
If your HVAC is giving you problems, check out your home before calling a contractor. This information will help the repairman determine what the problem is and how to fix it.
If you have outside condenser units, make sure to regularly clean the debris that builds up. You never know when things can pile up, especially after a windy or rainy storm, and that can throw a wrench in your system. It can get overheated, which will cause problems with the whole system.
Know what work you want done before you hire a contractor. It will be difficult for a contractor to give you a price estimate on the phone without knowing what your current setup is. It will be way more difficult for him to assist you can’t figure out what they need to do.
When you cut the grass, don’t cover the outdoor units with their clippings. Now so the grass clippings are shot away from your unit. This also applies when you blow leaves, so be very careful near your exterior HVAC units when you move debris.
Clean your condenser’s fan and coils each spring to ensure that your condenser fan operates at it’s best.Clean the outside of your condenser unit.
Fall is a hard time on HVAC units. Frequently clean the fan grill when trees are shedding leaves. The fan needs to be able to get proper air inside without any blockages, and extra blockage can later develop into more serious problems.
Turn the power off first so nothing moves. Next, pop the grill off, pull out the blades and start cleaning them and the unit itself off gently.
Lubricate your fan condenser at least once a year. These ports are typically covered with caps made of metal or rubber. Chose SAE 20 oil, which has been proven to be the most effective.
Put outdoor units in places with shade.
If you need to decide the best place to put your outdoor compressor unit, consider putting it in a location that is in the shade. When the unit sucks in cooler air, then less work is required to cool it further which in turn boosts the units efficiency.
Turn off any outdoor condenser units when the weather turns cold. This should be done when the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit.This can keep your system working for years without the cost of repairs.
To boost the efficiency of your HVAC system, you should put your unit in a shady place. It will help you save on your energy bill when you do this.
It is always a good idea to swap out single pane windows for double panes. This will also keeps warm air in heat when it gets cold.
Your system should be checked twice a year. This should be done in Fall and Spring to prepare it for the extreme months. Regular inspection will help you avoid unexpected repairs.
A programmable thermostat can help save money on air conditioning costs. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from your smart phone or other device.
Do not let your house get dangerously hot. An air conditioner can only cool your home by 20ºF quickly. Assuming the temperature in your home rises to a hundred degrees, you will only be able to reduce that by twenty degrees. If humidity is high, this temp is still unsafe for people.
During a maintenance visit, the serviceman will inspect the unit’s motor, the moving parts will be oiled and the freon levels will be checked This will keep your system performing at maximum efficiency.
To choose a reliable HVAC contractor, the best thing to do is to do your homework on a number of possible firms and check out their reputations. Check with the BBB and look for reviews of potential companies online. This is what you have to do in order to make a smart decision.
Do not let your house get extremely hot. An air conditioning unit will reduce the temperature by twenty degrees in a fair time. If the temperature in your home rises above 100 degrees, you would only be able to cool it down just above 80 degrees. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
When you need an HVAC contractor, obtain recommendations from friends and family members. If they know a good contractor, they will surely guide you right. This will also let you know which companies to stay away from.
Research the reputation of companies before hiring them.Check with different references to determine the BBB and online reviews as well. These simple steps are going to help to ensure your decision is a wise one.
Make certain that you get written estimates before you hire a contractor. You have the potential to save a great deal of money if you make several calls prior to reaching a final decision. Contact a minimum of five contractors so you can determine realistically what the price will be.
Look for calculators online to truly understand what size of unit is necessary for your home. Look in the manual to determine the recommended size for this information.
In order for your HVAC system to run more efficiently, think about putting a radiant barrier in your attic. This helps block the heat from outside, and will reduce the energy needed for cooling your home during the summer. You may even find that you can use the attic space more effectively.
Ask for helpful information when you can find a reputable HVAC contractor. People that have had a good experience are often happy to share this information. It’s also important to do this to learn the names of contractors you should not be contracted for work.
You can usually have free duct testing performed if you are concerned about your HVAC system not running properly. This is a job your local utility provider may do for you inexpensively or even free of charge. If you do have leaks that are repaired, this testing will pay for itself.
A radiant barrier improves the efficiency of your HVAC unit.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 or cold as it should be. You could even use the attic as part of your living space more effectively.
Obstructions often cause a clicking noise in a compressor. Often the issue is some sort of debris that’s hitting the fans in the cooling system. Get rid of this obstruction and that should take care of the problem. Prior to placing a service, it is worth taking a look.
Figure out which direction your home faces in order to make your HVAC system can work better. The less heat inside the house, the less time your air conditioner will have to work.
It’s important to have doors and windows that are efficient for the most efficiency for your HVAC unit. All should be tightly sealed with no air getting inside or out. A good professional can test this for you, and they might even do it for free.
If you hear clicking inside your HVAC unit, check for any sort of obstructions immediately. Often it is being caused by debris hitting the fans in the cooling system. Check this out before spending on a contractor.
When placing your AC unit, think about the direction the air will flow. If you have to place it in a corner, get one with moving vents.
Replace the air filter to keep your HVAC system every month. It is the efficiency of your unit.
Only hire a contractor to install or repair your HVAC system if they offer a 24-hour hotline for emergencies. 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.
Always make sure to get some references before hiring any contractor.
Ensure that you have a written contract of the work to be completed. Some contractors will attempt to overcharge you on material fees and other charges. Avoid issues such as these by procuring a written contract.
Any HVAC contractor or installer should have a 24-hour emergency number available to customers around the clock. They need to be able to come to a home when needed, no matter how extreme the weather or what time of day it may be.
A thick cover over the outdoor condenser will protect it from serious damage during the cold, winter months. This will help it to last longer. The unit’s compressor should never be on when the temperature is 60 degrees or below. Switch on the fan instead and do not put strain on the unit.
Always follow up on any references that you receive for an HVAC contractor.
You should ask the contractor if they included heat-loss calculations inside their initial quote. You need it to know how many BTUs are necessary. There are several factors involved, including your insulation and how many outside windows and doors you have.
This will determine how many BTUs will need to keep your home comfortable.
Do you know that 66 percent of homes have ducts that are leaky? Leaky ducts will add significantly to your power bill each month. It is inexpensive and easy to seal up ducts. You may even be able to do it on your own. You will see lower electric bills.
Consider have a programmable thermostat. This device can save you a great deal of money on your energy bills as it constantly adjusts your system rests while you are comfortably warm asleep in bed.
The Energy Star label indicates specific criteria for HVACs designed to indicate high quality to consumers. This ensures efficiency that is required by the EPA. You will save on your electric bills if you purchase a unit with it.
Keep your HVAC system running efficiently by cleaning the heating ducts from time to time. Look often at the ducts regularly so you can make sure they are in good shape. Ducts that are damaged can increase your heating because you have to pay more to keep the warm air.
Keep your HVAC system operating efficiently and enjoy clean air by cleaning the heating ducts from time to time. Always perform an inspection of the heating ducts on a regular basis to ensure that you do not see punctures, dents or loose parts. Damaged ducts could increase your energy bill.
Make sure that your condenser unit is protected once the weather begins to get colder.This may be accomplished by placing a cover on it.
Be sure to ask for written HVAC estimates. Having it in writing is essential. Any estimate for work on your HVAC system should include everything that is needed to complete the job. This can ensure you are getting a good deal on your service. Compare items from different companies, such as time frames and rates. Don’t just choose a company that comes in with the lowest estimate because they may not do good work.
Be sure you get an estimate that’s written from an HVAC estimates. It is important to get your agreement in writing and not a verbal estimate. There are quite a few jobs that you have to get written estimates for to see what needs to be purchased. This can ensure you receive good deal on your service. Compare various elements of the deals that you are offered.
Now that you know a thing or two regarding HVAC systems, you understand how important it is to properly care for them. It is very important that regular maintenance be performed, otherwise down the road you are looking at shelling out a lot of money for repairs and higher than normal energy bills. Refer back to these tips to ensure that your HVAC lasts for a very long time.
