Follow these tips on dealing with your HVAC system.
Before an HVAC expert comes to your home to do any repair work, walk around the home and check out the temps in every room. Know what part of the house is cold and which is hot. This will help the repairman determine what the problem is.
Know what type of your HVAC system you currently have before looking for a repair person. This will enable you to give your chosen contractor asks for this information.
Know what you need before you hire a contractor. It’s hard for these contractors to give phone estimates without seeing the current system you have. It will be more difficult for him to assist you over the phone without the information readily available. Understand this information beforehand.
Clean your condenser’s fan and coils come spring. Clean the outside of your external condenser unit.
By the end of spring, the fan blades and coils of your condenser should be thoroughly cleaned, so operation can proceed with greater efficiency. Prior to working on or cleaning the unit, be sure to turn off the power. Remove leaves and debris from the outside condenser.
Clean any debris off your outdoor condenser unit. You never know when things can pile up, like right after it’s windy or rains, and that can ruin your system. It can cause it to overheat.
Your HVAC unit may suffer when trees start to lose their leaves. When you notice your trees shedding, frequently clean your unit’s fan grill. If your fan is obstructed, it can keep your system from working properly.
Turn it off first so nothing moves. Next, pop off the grill, put the blades out and start to gently clean them along with the unit.
You want to put the outdoor compressor device in a shaded area. The unit will operate more efficiently to cool your home if the intake air is cooler to begin with.
Don’t let grass clippings pile up against your outside unit. Aim the grass cuttings in the other direction. This applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in debris.
To boost the efficiency of your HVAC system, you should put your unit in a shady place. This will ensure cool air is sucked in, meaning less cooling must be done by the unit.
Sae 20 Oil
You need to have a contractor review your unit twice a year. Checks in the spring as well as in autumn are the best. Even if you don’t notice anything wrong, you can check it out to figure out what the potential issues are.
Lubricate the oil ports on your condenser at least once a year. You can find these ports have a rubber or metal cap covering them. Use SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.
If you can, install double-paned windows throughout your home. Windows that are double pane keep the cool air in and can greatly reduce the amount of time your air conditioner will need to run. This will also help you keep in heat when it gets cold.
Put your outdoor unit in the shade if you are installing them.
You should have your HVAC system inspected at least once, but preferably twice, 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 These simple things will keep your system running at peak performance.
Have your HVAC system serviced at least yearly. This should be done in the fall and malfunctions.
To help you pick a good HVAC contractor, be sure to research a number of different companies. Look at review sites and check with the BBB. This will help you make the best choice.
It is a good idea to swap out single pane windows for double panes. This same effect also keeps warm air in the winter.
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. It is riskier to hire someone who does not have a long history.
During this service visit, the system motor will be inspected, inspect the motor and the freon levels. These simple things will help your system running at peak performance.
Use recommendations when you are looking for a contractor. Someone who has used a contractor in the past is generally willing to let you know what they thought about it. This is an excellent way to find which companies to stay away from.
Research the companies before hiring them. Check them out at the BBB and online reviews posted by former customers. This is what you to choose a contractor that is of high quality.
You can always search the Internet when you aren’t entirely sure who you should call for proper HVAC repair or maintenance. Lots of sites exist where customers can leave feedback and reviews. This can help filter out the people you would like to work with.
Look for calculators online to help you determine the size of unit is necessary for your home. Look in the manual to determine the manufacturer website for this information.
Determine the direction that your home faces. If you have some trees that are placed in good spots, you can be sure they block the sunlight during the morning. If there’s less heat inside your home, your AC will work less.
Ask people that you know and family for their HVAC contractor recommendations. People that have had quality work done in the past generally love to share the information they know about it. This is also help you learn the names of companies that you should avoid.
The one thing you should always do on a monthly basis is change the air filter on your HVAC system. That’s the easiest thing to do so your unit continues running in good shape. Filters don’t cost too much to use, and that isn’t a lot each month for you to pay.
There are many sites out there that other customers can place their reviews. This works both in finding those you wish to work with all the information you want to avoid.
When determining the location of your air conditioning unit, think about which way the air flows. If it must be in a corner, make certain that the air does not point towards a wall.
Think about getting a radiant barrier installed in your attic so support the efficient functioning of your HVAC system. It ensures that your unit stays hot outside. You could even use your attic as part of your living space more effectively.
When you hire a contractor, make sure you ask for some references. Previous customers can provide information about timeliness of job completion and if the contractor stayed within their budget. The references will help you avoid wasting your money on someone that is not professional.
Check for duct leaks if your existing system is not up to snuff. When you have leaks repaired, you’ll find that the testing paid for itself.
When you need to find a contractor to handle your HVAC work for you, make sure that the one you choose has a phone number they will answer 24-hours per day. You want a company that will be there when you need them.
Square Footage
Drape a cover over your condenser unit in the winter to protect it. That ensures it isn’t damaged by the cold and snow. Another bit of great advice is to not run the unit’s compressor if it’s under 60 degrees outside. Turn the fan on instead, to avoid putting undue stress on the system.
Measure the area that needs cooling before going air conditioner shopping. You will need about 20 BTU per square footage of the area to be cooled. If you have a lot of rooms to keep cool, combine their square footage in your calculations.
Did your contractor calculate your heat-loss ratio before giving you their quote? This determines the BTU your system has to be. This number will depend on the number of doors and windows in your home.
Replace the air filter to keep your HVAC system every month. This will help your unit remains in good operating condition.
Look into the installation of a programmable thermostat if you are repairing your existing HVAC system or having a new one installed. 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.
Always get references prior to hiring any contractor.
If you would like to save some money, try buying a system that has an Energy Star label on it. Qualified energy products such as these are efficient due to the fact that they must meet stringent guidelines. The guidelines are established by the United States. The EPA, or Environmental Protection Agency, is who governs Energy Star units. If you take the time to do your research, you may save a lot of money in the process.
Any HVAC contractor you hire 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, be it in the middle of a heatwave or in the worst snowstorm of the year.
Did you know that nearly 70 percent of all homes experience ducts with leaks? These can represent one fourth of your home’s utility costs. Sealing the ducts is easy and cheap to do yourself, and it may reduce energy costs greatly in the future.
Some contractors attempt to add charges on later for items like materials and fuel. Having a solid written contract can help you avoid any issues like this.
Protect the condenser unit when it gets cold. Buy a cover to keep it safe. When the temperature is beneath 60 degrees, the efficiency of the condenser drops dramatically.
Cover your condenser when the winter time. This simple tip will extend the condenser will last for a long time. Use the fan instead to avoid putting strain on the unit.
If you have your unit running, make sure you know where the owner’s manual is. You can find great information about how to take care of your unit, and this could come in very handy. If you lose your manuals, go to the manufacturer’s website to request or print new ones.
Consider have a programmable thermostat. This lowers your energy bills because your system rests while you are comfortably warm asleep in bed.
Your HVAC system is what makes the temperature in your home comfortable for you and your family. Failing to maintain this type of system will lead to discomfort. Use the tips located above to help you maintain your system or choose a new system.
