Many people forget about their HVAC until it quits working. It can be hard to find a repairman to fix your system. The tips that follow will help you have no issues with the process.
Before you start calling to find someone to fix your unit, make sure you know the type of system that is installed. Get information on the make and model, plus if you have information on the history of maintenance, that will help, too. In this way, you can be sure your repair person has all vital information.
If your HVAC doesn’t seem to be working properly, do a tour of your house before you call in help. This information will help the repairman determine what the problem is and how to fix it.
Clean your fan and coils when the weather begins to warm. Always make sure you shut off the power before you do any work on the unit other than superficial cleaning. In addition, be sure to get rid of any leaves or other debris that may have accumulated on the outside condenser.
Know what work you need before you hire a contractor. It will be hard for an HVAC contractor to provide you a price estimate over 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.
Your outdoor HVAC units might suffer when your trees lose leaves. Make certain you are cleaning the fan grill often if trees nearby have leaves that are falling. The fan should have a clear path for air to come in. If it is blocked, your system will suffer.
Turn it off first so nothing moves. Next, pop the grill off, pull out the blades and start cleaning them and the unit itself off gently.
If your condenser comes with oil ports, you should lubricate it yearly. These ports are typically covered with caps made of metal or rubber. Your oil should be an SAE 20. This particular oil is very lightweight and it only requires about 10 drops per port.
Don’t let grass clippings on your outdoor condenser.Aim your grass cuttings in a different direction from your unit. This applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in debris.
A good place to place your compressor unit outside is in a shady spot. When your unit is bringing in cool air, it will not have to work as hard to cool the air as it moves it inside, boosting efficiency.
Your HVAC units might suffer when your trees start to lose their leaves. Make sure the unit’s fan grill is cleaned often during the leaves begin to fall. The fan needs to have an unobstructed path for air to enter the unit, and if debris is blocking this air flow, you’ll have a lot of headaches eventually.
Put your outdoor unit in places with shade. As your air conditioner sucks in cool air, little will have to be done to cool it any further, saving you a ton on your energy bills.
Sae 20 Oil
You can keep energy costs in your home lower by choosing to have professional maintenance done on your HVAC unit. During the visit, the contractor will oil parts, inspect the motor and the freon levels. Those things are going to help your system at peak performance.
Lubricate your condenser once a year. These ports are often covered with rubber or metal cap. Use SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, putting 10 drops in each port.
If there isn’t anyone at home, then there’s no need for the AC unit to be running and wasting electricity. Turning it off does allow the temperature to rise, but only so far. It will use more electricity if you keep it running.
Turn off any outdoor condenser units when weather turns cold. This should turn it off to prevent damage if the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit. This can keep your system working order.
Don’t let your home get too hot. Air conditioners really can only cool a home down about 20 degrees Fahrenheit within a reasonable amount of time. If the temperature in your home rises above 100 degrees, you will only be able to cool it down to 80. Depending on what the humidity is, this may not be cool enough to be a safe temperature to sleep at when recovering from the harsh summer heat.
It is a good idea to replace single-paned windows for double pane ones. This also helps keep in heat when it gets cold.
Research multiple contractors before choosing one. Check reputations at the BBB, and read online reviews to gauge customer satisfaction. Investing the time to check out potential contractors can save you money and headaches.
During the service check, they will inspect the motor of the system, oil the moving parts and check the freon levels in the system. These simple things will help keep your HVAC system running smoothly.
Air conditioners occasionally freeze up, literally. Drain lines can also suffer an occasional freeze, and these are sometimes mistaken for plumbing leak issues. If you see this, immediately put your thermostat on the fan setting to turn off your compressor. Talk to a professional if you are unsure of how to do this.
Air conditioners tend to ice up.The drain line may also freeze over. If you see this, 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.
Ask for helpful information when you are looking for a HVAC contractor. When people have had great service, they are generally pleased to pass on a good word. You are likely to also hear about negative experiences.
Look for air conditioner sizing calculators online to truly understand what size of unit you need for your home. Look at the manual or on the recommended size for this information.
Online reviews are a great source of information about HVAC contractors. Many online sites permit customers to let others know about their experiences with various services and contractors. Read through them and figure out who you want to try out.
Ask for helpful information when you can find a reputable HVAC contractor. People who have had quality work done are often happy to share the name of their contractor. This is also a great way to get names of companies to stay away from.
Ask for quotes from multiple contractors. You can save tons of money by asking for many quotes. Call around 5 contractors so that you can get the best deal possible.
Contractors are responsible for their own charges and fees, so make sure that you acquire multiple estimates. You will be likely to save some cash simply by doing your homework. You want to get quotes from at least a handful of contractors to determine what you should be paying.
To improve the efficiency of your HVAC system, think about placing a radiant barrier in your attic. It ensures that your unit stays hot or cold as it should be. You may even find that you can use the attic space more effectively.
If the HVAC unit makes a clicking noise, immediately check for any type of obstruction. Sometimes there is debris interferes with the fan’s way. Take a look before you call a technician out.
Determine the direction your home is facing to help get your HVAC system functioning efficiently. Strategically placing trees around your home can block some of the heat coming from the sun, preventing your home from overheating. Anything that provides shade from direct sunlight can reduce the temperature inside your home and help reduce your energy bill for air conditioning during warm months.
Hvac System
The windows and doors in your home must be efficient in order for your HVAC to perform as efficiently as possible. Be sure their seal is tight so no exterior air gets in or interior air gets out. Call a professional to come over to check how good you home is sealed up.
Replace the air filter to keep your HVAC system every month. This is a very simple job and it will keep your HVAC system running well.
If you’re only wanting to do the minimal amount of HVAC maintenance, you should work on replacing your air filter. This is the simplest thing that you can do to keep your unit running in tip top shape. Many chain stores sell filters for under $5.00, and that low price is worth it.
Pick an HVAC business that understands the unit and can work quickly. The best companies make sure their technicians will always be on schedule and keep appointments. A licensed technician will also easily diagnose any problems with your HVAC. When they know what the problem is, they ought to have it fixed quickly and efficiently.
When determining the location of your air conditioning unit, think about which way the air flows. If it has to be placed in a corner, get a unit where the air won’t be trapped against the wall.
Ask a contractor about their experience.You need to know that they have the sort of work on your particular system.
Find out how much experience a given contractor has before you hire him or her. You need to be sure that they’re able to do the work and have done it before. You minimize the chances of bad service this way.
Always make sure to get some references prior to hiring any contractor.
Always check any references that you receive for an HVAC contractor. Sometimes, they just got good reviews because their price is low. It only takes a few minutes out of your busy schedule to check a contractor out, so don’t risk it.
Any HVAC contractor or installer should have a 24-hour emergency number available to customers around the clock. They must be able to reach your home at any time, be it in the middle of a heatwave or in the worst snowstorm of the year.
When in the process of installing new HVAC equipment or getting repairs done, see if you can have a programmable thermostat installed. A programmable thermostat will save you tons on your power bills and even gives your system a chance to rest at night while everyone sleeps or is not at home.
Cover your condenser in the winter time. This helps the condenser last longer if it is protected when it isn’t in use. Use the fan setting only to avoid straining the condenser unit.
Clean your HVAC’s heating ducts on a regular basis. Make sure to look at the ducts often and fix anything that you see wrong. A bit of damage can drastically effect efficiency.
Always follow up on any references provided to you receive for an HVAC contractor.
For the best operation of your unit, always have the owner’s manual handy. The manual will contain many useful tips and tricks specific to your particular unit, and it may prove essential if there is a serious problem. The manufacturer should have them available on their website if you can not locate yours.
This will determine how much BTU your new system will need to keep your home stays comfortable.
Make sure the HVAC company you contact gives you a written estimate. Estimates must be committed to paper. Any estimate for work on your HVAC system should include everything that is needed to complete the job. This helps ensure you get adequate service. Compare various elements of the estimates you receive. Avoid a contractor that bids really low because chances are service will be poor.
These qualified energy devices are known to meet strict efficiency guidelines. These guidelines have been set up by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). They are called the environment and human health. Taking time to look into these units may help you save a significant amount of money.
The condenser needs to be properly taken care of in cold weather. This may be accomplished by placing a thick cover on the condenser unit.
Make sure you know where the owner’s manual is anytime the system in a convenient place. The manual will be very useful.
Since reading this piece, you have a better education on HVAC systems. If you are in need of repair, you know how to find it. Use what you’ve just learned to make it a simple process.
