Your home can be made much more comfortable when you have an HVAC system. While many homes come with these systems in place, you may need to upgrade or replace it at some point. Understanding what to look for in an HVAC system will help you to buy a great product when it comes to repairs.
Be aware of the type of system that is installed in your home prior to calling a contractor to fix it. It is important to understand what model it is and which brand it is. Also, if it has been serviced before, you should have that information handy. This will give contractor’s a better idea of what to expect before they show up, which will help things go more smoothly on arrival.
Know the name and type of your HVAC system you currently have before calling someone to fix it. This will help you to give your chosen contractor the necessary information.
Check the whole house before you call for help. Note which of your rooms are hot and which are cold. This gives the repairer a starting point to work from.
Clean any debris that accumulates on your condenser unit. You never know when things can pile up, especially after a windy or rainy storm, and that can ruin your system. It can also cause your system to malfunction by overheating.
Don’t hire a contractor until you know a little about what you are facing. It’s hard to get an estimate since they haven’t look at your system. It will be even harder if you cannot explain what you have done. So, know this information in advance.
10 Drops
Every spring you should clean the coils and fan blades on your condenser fan. Before you begin cleaning the unit, make sure that it is unplugged. Then take off the grill, take the blades out, and gently clean them.
Lubricate your condenser at least once each year. These ports are often covered with rubber or metal caps. Use SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, putting 10 drops in each port.
Make sure that you do not cover your outdoor components with grass clippings when you are trimming the grass. Make sure the grass does not get in your unit. This includes grass clippings and leaves.
Put your outdoor units in places with shade.
If you have oil ports as part of the fan condenser, annual lubrication is key. These ports are often covered by a rubber or metal cap. Use a lightweight oil and do not overfill them.
Turn off your outdoor condenser units when it’s getting cold. This means that you should turn it off to prevent damage if the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This can keep it in good condition for years and save you a lot on repairs.
Replace single pane windows by installing double pane, if possible. Try to insulate your windows to prevent air from being lost. Conversely, this also works to keep warm air in during colder months.
A programmable thermostat can help you save money on your air conditioning costs. Some can even be controlled from your smart phone or computer.
A programmable thermostat is a simple way to help save money on air conditioning costs. A programmable thermostat can save you up to ten percent on your cooling and heating costs by simply turning the thermostat back ten to fifteen percent for eight hours a day. In addition, some models make things really easy on you, allowing you to adjust them from the computer.
Don’t let your home to become dangerously hot. Air conditioners can only cool a home by just twenty degrees in a reasonable amount of time. If your home become 100F or more, you will only be able to cool it down to 80. This won’t be a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.
Don’t allow your home to become dangerously hot. Air conditioners can only really cool your home down 20 degrees or so within a reasonable time period. If your home happens to get near 100 degrees Fahrenheit, then you will only be able to reasonably cool to around 80. This won’t be a healthy environment to live in.
Air conditioners tend to ice up.The drain line might also freeze up.If this is something that’s happening to you, put the fan on to shut the compressor off. You can call a HVAC professional, even if switching it to its fan setting starts making the ice melt.
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. You will be taking a risk if you hire a newer contractor.
Companies with proven track record that you can use to decide if they are worth the time and money. It is riskier to hire a long history.
Every contractor out there is responsible for setting up their own fees, so get several quotes before hiring anyone. You can save quite a bit of money when you call different companies for price quotes. You want to call at least a handful of contractors to determine what reasonable rates are.
Ask people that you know and family 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 be used to see who you should avoid hiring.
To increase the efficiency of your HVAC unit, determine the direction that your home faces. You can help keep your home cool with the strategic placement of trees. A cooler home means less work for your air conditioner.
Think about having a radiant barrier in your attic so your HVAC system can run better. It blocks outside heat from coming in which will serve as a barrier between your home cool when it’s hot outside. You may even use your attic as part of your living space if it is done right.
Replace the air filter monthly. This is such a simple thing that takes little time, and it can save you money by helping to keep your system running longer. Filters are relatively cheap, so it does not cost much to do this.
Check the ducts to find any leaks if you you feel your existing system is not be working efficiently. If you do end up paying, this testing will pay for itself.
Think about which direction air is going to flow from an air conditioner unit when you pick out where to put it. If you have to place it in a corner of your home, be sure you’re getting a unit that has air flow coming from a direction that’s not facing the wall.
Determine which way your home faces.The less heat in your home, the fewer occasions you have to use your air conditioner.
Ask a contractor about their experience prior to hiring them. He or she may not have experience working with your type of system or performing the work that you need done. While a worker with less experience may be capable of doing a good job, you will be taking a risk.
Pick HVAC business that understands the unit and works quickly to solve the problem. The best companies will ensure that their technicians working honestly and on time. The tech will also know what to do to figure out what’s going wrong with an HVAC unit quickly. After a quick diagnosis, they should be able to get the work done quickly for your sake.
Always request references when you are considering a HVAC contractor. You need to have the ability to speak with homeowners to see if the services they got were any good and if they cost a lot of money. This will help you stay away from scam artists, but only if you call those references!
If you have to put the unit in a corner, get one with moving vents.
Understand the costs beforehand with your HVAC unit. There are contractors that will try to overcharge you later for things like fuel charges and material fees. Ensure your contract is solid to avoid any problems.
Ask a contractor about their experience.You need to know that they have the sort of work on your particular system.
Cover your condenser unit for protection in the winter time. That ensures it isn’t damaged by the cold and snow. Additionally, it’s important to remember not to utilize the compressor if your outside temperatures drop below 69 degrees. Instead, switch only the fan on.
Investing in your HVAC is a must. Make sure to use these tips when you need to replace one. You’ll quickly find that the info will help you make a much more easy decision next time with your HVAC unit.
Do not forget to check the references of a HVAC contractor. Do not make the mistake of assuming that these people were pleased with their experience. It only takes a few minutes out of your busy schedule to check a contractor out, so don’t risk it.
