Anyone that has an HVAC systems in their home knows how it important it is to have it properly maintained. A poorly functioning HVAC system can cost a lot of money. This article can help you tips to keep your HVAC in tip top shape.
Before you contact people to assist you in getting your system fixed, know what kind of system you’re working with in the first place. You need to know who manufactured the product and the item number. Also, get the maintenance records from your files if you have them. This information will be helpful to any contractor you hire to repair it.
Be sure to clean external condenser units. Debris can pile up at rates that increase during rainy or windy weather, bringing potential damage with it. It can cause a disaster with your system to malfunction by overheating.
Before contacting a repair service, do a short tour of the entire home. Determine which rooms feel cold and which feel hot. Doing so can help your technician fix your HVAC issue quickly.
Turn the power off first so nothing moves. Then, take the grill off, pull the blades out, and begin cleaning the unit and them gently.
To make sure your condenser fan works properly, keep the fan blades and the coils clean. Shut off power before working or cleaning your system. Leaves and debris can build up inside the unit and cause damage.
Your HVAC system could suffer when your trees lose leaves. Make sure you clean out your 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 debris is blocking this air flow, it could cause your system to break down.
If your fan condenser has oil ports, you must lubricate it once per year. You will see rubber or metal caps covering the ports. Look for an oil that is lightweight and then put about 10 drops inside the port. You don’t want to put in too much.
10 Drops
Try to choose a shady place to locate the outdoor compressor device. When the unit sucks in cooler air, then less work is required to cool it further which in turn boosts the units efficiency.
Lubricate your condenser if it has oil ports. You will notice these ports have a rubber or metal caps covering the ports. Use a lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, putting 10 drops in each port.
Get your HVAC unit serviced two times per year. This should happen in the fall and the spring. Check it out just to be safe even if there is nothing broken.
Put your outdoor units in the shade if you are installing them.
To save money and be more comfortable in your home, install double-paned windows instead of single pane. To keep your home cool, investing in double pane windows is a must. This same effect also keeps warm air in during the winter months.
A programmable thermostat can really help you save money on your power bills. Some can even be controlled from a PC or other device.
Turn off your air conditioner when no one is home to help save money. When it’s off the house will get hot, but only by a certain amount. When the AC is left running, your power bill will go up quite a bit.
During your service visit, the contractor will oil parts, the moving parts will be oiled and the freon levels will be checked These simple tasks will help keep your system to run its best.
Never allow the temperature in your home to rise to a dangerously high level. Air conditioners are limited in that they can only reduce the indoor temperature 20 degrees Fahrenheit in a reasonable time limit. This limits their overall benefit. This is not a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line may also freeze over. If this happens, try switching your thermostat to just the fan so that it disables the compressor. If this doesn’t work, call in help.
Always take the time to check out the reputation of any HVAC contractor before you consider hiring them. Check with the BBB and online reviews as well. This will help you make the best choice.
Look for calculators online to truly understand what size of unit you need for your home. Look in the manual to determine the recommended size for this information.
Did you know an AC unit can freeze? The drain line might also freeze over. If you notice this, switch your thermostat to fan only to disable the compressor. If the issue persists, call in help.
Companies that have been around for longer have a proven track records typically provide better service. It is riskier to hire a long history.
Look for calculators online to help you determine the size of unit you need for your home. If you buy a unit that is too big, it won’t do an efficient job. Read over the owner’s manual to see the manufacturers suggestions as to the cooling capacity of the unit for the most accurate information.
There are a lot of sites these days that allow customers share their reviews. This is a good way to find contractors that do good work and ones that are poor.
Check the Internet for reviews on those who fix or install HVAC systems. Many Internet sites let customers discuss experiences with certain companies. This is an excellent method of finding contractors that you are interested in dealing with as well as those that you want to avoid.
Contractors are responsible for their own charges and fees, so make sure to get multiple quotes.You will be likely to save some cash simply by doing your homework. You may want to call at least five contractors in order to know what reasonable rates are.
Each contractor establishes his own fees, so before you hire one, obtain a few estimates. By calling around and asking a few different contractors, you can save a ton of money. Contact a minimum of five contractors so you can determine realistically what the price will be.
Do you wish to buy a new HVAC unit? There are some things you should consider. Systems have a rating based on how effectively they can cool and heat an area. You are wise to err on the side of a bigger unit rather than purchasing one that is a smaller one.
For greater efficiency, put a radiant barrier in your attic. It keeps heat blocked from inside to the outside, and that lowers how much energy it takes to keep your home cool. If you install the unit properly, you can even begin to use the attic as a bedroom as it will be so comfortable!
If your HVAC system is clicking, see if there is any debris in it. Often it is being caused by debris that’s hitting fans in your cooling system. Look carefully at it before calling in a service technician.
If your system isn’t working as it should, test its ducts for leaks. Your local energy company may do such testing at a reduced cost or maybe even for free. If you do have leaks that are repaired, this testing will pay for itself.
Measure the living area you wish to cool before going air conditioning. You can usually substitute 20 BTU per square foot in the area to be cooled. If you are cooling more than one room, combine all the square footage.
Get a more efficient HVAC system by looking at the way 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. 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
If you want your HVAC to run well, you need to have doors and windows that work well with things too. Seal them tightly to prevent air from coming in. A professional can easily have this tested for you, and oftentimes, this service is free.
Replace the air filter monthly to keep your HVAC system every month. This is an easy thing to do to keep your HVAC system running in tip top shape.
Measure the area that requires air conditioning. You can figure out the unit you need by calculating 20 BTU per square foot. If you need to cool multiple rooms, make sure to add the square footage together.
Ask a contractor about their experience.Make sure they are experienced doing the kind of work that is needed.
In the winter, keep your condenser unit properly covered. This will help your condenser last longer when not being used. Additionally, do not use it when the temperature dips below 60. Do this by simply turn on the fan so that you don’t cause the unit unnecessary strain.
Always request references from a HVAC contractor.
Any contractor that is giving you a quote should do a calculation on heat-loss. This will help determine the amount of BTUs you will need in your new system in order to keep the temperature in your home comfortable. Their process should include counting the numbers of doors and windows, checking insulation and obtaining the dimensions of the interior of the living space.
Any HVAC contractor or installer should have an emergency hotline. They should be able to get to your home whenever you need them there, whether during a heatwave or a terrible snowstorm.
To keep some money saved, get a unit that’s Energy Star certified. These units are energy efficient and meet the strict guidelines set for efficiency. These standards are determined by the United State Environmental Protection Agency. These guidelines have been set up by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Taking the time to fully research various units may help you save a significant amount of money.
Cover your condenser in the winter time. This simple cover keeps the condenser last longer when not in use. Use the fan instead to avoid putting strain on the unit.
When you are looking at HVAC contractors, make sure the products they use are Energy Star efficient. An Energy Star unit has been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency. The Energy Star label is one way for consumers to be certain that their HVAC system and those who work on it comply with standards outlined by the EPA.
You may be surprised that as many as two-thirds of all homes have ducts that are leaky. These can lead to as much as a quarter of your heating and cooling costs. Sealing up your ducts is cheap and easy, and it is something you can do yourself, and it can reduce your electricity bills significantly every year thereafter.
Keep your system running efficiently by cleaning the heating ducts. Check your heating ducts for punctures, dents, and parts that have come out. Damaged ducts increase the energy bill by wasting air that is warm.
Clean your HVAC’s heating ducts on a regular basis to boost efficiency.Look at the ducts regularly so you can make sure there is nothing wrong with them. Ducts that are damaged can increase your heating bill by wasting the area warm.
The condenser unit needs to be properly taken care of in cold weather. A thick cover should be placed on top of it to prevent any debris from coming in. When temperatures are less than sixty degrees, it will not run effectively.
Make sure your condenser unit is protected. This may be accomplished by placing a cover on it.
Make sure that you keep all owner’s manual is anytime the system is running. The information contained within this manual is going to give you quite a few things to learn about the unit you have and will be very useful.
Hvac System
This advice should assist you in maintaining and repairing your HVAC system. A faulty HVAC can cost you a plethora of money and time. Use these handy tips to keep your HVAC system running for as long as possible.
