A well-maintained HVAC system is important part of your home. A lot of people spend quite a bit to fix things when they don’t work right, but could have avoided such issues if they had maintained them properly. The article below can help you about HVAC system maintenance so you how to keep them running efficiently to avoid paying for expensive issues.
Before you start calling to find someone to fix your unit, make sure you know the type of system that is installed. Find out the brand and model and, if possible, dig out the maintenance history. That way you can provide the contractor with all the necessary information.
Know the name and type of your HVAC system you currently have before calling someone to fix it. This will enable you know that you’re able to give your chosen contractor the information that can help them.
If your HVAC system is acting up, take a tour of the house prior to calling a professional. Note which rooms are hot and which are cold. You can then relay this information to the technician so that they can more easily figure out what the problem is.
If your HVAC system us giving you issues, check things out yourself prior to calling in a technician. This will help the repairman determine where the problem is and how to fix it.
Clean the coils of your condenser fan each month. If you are doing more than a light surface cleaning, make sure that the power is shut off to the HVAC unit. Remove leaves and debris from the outside condenser.
Know what you need before you select an HVAC contractor. It will be hard for a contractor to give 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.
Be sure to regularly clean debris from external condenser units. Debris quickly gathers here, even more so if there is a storm. This can cause major issues with your system. Overheating may be the result if you don’t.
Clean your fan blades and coils come spring. Clean off any leaves or debris from your external condenser unit regularly.
Clean the fan blades and coils in your condenser each spring. Start by turning off the power to avoid having anything move when you work on it. Remove the grill and the blades, and then you can give them all a gentle clean.
Clean the debris that accumulates on an external condenser unit. You don’t know when things are going to pile up, especially after a windy or rainy storm, and that can ruin your system. It could overheat and cause your unit.
Fall is a hard time on HVAC units. Make sure the unit’s fan grill is cleaned frequently when the leaves begin to fall. The fan needs to have an unobstructed path for air to enter the unit, and if it becomes blocked, you will end up with many headaches with the unit.
Your outdoor HVAC system could suffer when your trees begin dropping their leaves. Make sure the fan’s grill is cleaned frequently when the leaves begin to fall. The fan needs to have an unobstructed path for air to enter the unit, and if it is clogged, then your system could suffer.
Make sure that your AC is turned off when you are not using it. You don’t need to keep the house cool if you aren’t there. However, leaving it on increases your electric bill and wear and tear on the system.
Put outdoor condensers in the shade if you are installing them.
Problems with an air conditioning unit happen when it ices up. Drain lines can also suffer an occasional freeze, and these are sometimes mistaken for plumbing leak issues. Try switching to fan-mode and disabling your compressor to test whether the water is a leak or melting ice. Get a professional to deal with this, even if you see the ice start melting because you turned the compressor off.
Be sure to have the HVAC system checks. This should be checked often for debris and the spring.
You should always review the experience and history of an HVAC specialist before hiring them. Companies that are well established have track records that can help you decide if they’re worth your money and time. Hiring an inexperienced contractor can be risky.
It is always a good idea to swap out single pane windows with ones that have double panes. This same effect also helps keep it warm air in during the winter months.
Ask your friends and relations for their HVAC contractor recommendations. Someone who has used a contractor in the past is generally willing to let you know what they thought about it. This can also help you learn the names of those companies that you should avoid.
Install a thermostat you can program to save energy costs. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from your smart phone or other device.
Check reviews online to find professional help. You have a choice of review sites to use. This is an awesome way to find contractors to work with.
During your service visit, the serviceman will inspect the unit’s motor, oil the moving parts and check the freon levels in the system. These simple tasks will help your HVAC system running smoothly.
Check around and get a number of quotes prior to hiring a contractor. Making some phone calls before deciding is a good way to save money. Never settle for a price until you’ve called at least five contractors to gain a realistic idea of a fair price.
Never allow your home to rise to a dangerously hot inside. An air conditioning unit is really only cool your home by twenty degrees in a short time span. 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.
Your HVAC system can run more efficiently if your attic has a radiant barrier. It ensures that your unit stays hot or cold as it should be. If you install the unit properly, you can even begin to use the attic as a bedroom as it will be so comfortable!
Companies with proven track records that can help you decide if they’re worth your money and time. It is riskier to hire a contractor with little experience.
Are you thinking about having a new HVAC system installed? You need to think about a few important things. These machines are categorized according to the space they are able to efficiently heat and cool. You are wise to err on the side of a bigger unit rather than a smaller one.
Contractors are responsible for their own charges and fees, so make sure that you acquire multiple estimates. You can save quite a bit of money by asking for price quotes. You may want to get quotes from at least a handful of contractors in order to know what you should be paying.
Test your duct work for leaks. 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.
Do you wish to buy a new HVAC system? You will need to take a few things first. Systems have ratings according to how large an area they effectively heat or cool. You are better off purchasing a unit rather than a smaller one.
If the HVAC unit makes a clicking noise, look immediately to see if there is an obstruction. It might be debris in the way of the blade. Just clear the debris to remove the problem. Have a look at the fan prior to putting in a call for service.
As you can now see, an HVAC system is a very important part of your home. You can save money by using the advice above. Make certain the you pay attention to your unit and address small problems before they become large and costly repairs.
To run your HVAC at full efficiency, you must have efficient doors and windows in place as well. They have to have a tight seal, stopping air from going in or out. Ask a contractor to test them for you.
