Many people have HVAC systems, but it is something they should know how to do. Learning the best HVAC professional to maintain or repair your system is a smart thing homeowners can do. The tips that follow will get you in a great position.
Prior to putting in a service call on your HVAC, be able to identify it. Look for the maintenance history and brand and model. 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 looking for a repair person. This makes sure your contractor will need.
Before you hire an HVAC contractor, have some sort of idea of the work that needs to be done. It is going to be hard to get a price estimate on the phone if the current system isn’t something they’ve seen. Being unable to explain what has been already done will make it even harder. Thus, it is worthwhile to have this knowledge ahead of time.
Clean your fan and coils each spring to ensure that your condenser fan operates at it’s best. Clean the outside of your condenser unit.
Clean the coils and blades in your condenser at the beginning of summer. If you are doing more than a light surface cleaning, make sure that the power is shut off to the HVAC unit. In addition, be sure to get rid of any leaves or other debris that may have accumulated on the outside condenser.
Be sure to regularly clean debris from external condenser units regularly.You never know when things can pile up, especially after a windy or rainy storm, and that can ruin your system. It could overheat and cause your system to malfunction by overheating.
When spring rolls around, give the condenser fan blades and coils a good clean. Turn the power off so nothing moves. Then, remove the grill, then remove the blades and begin the cleaning process of the blades and the unit.
Lubricate your condenser if it has oil ports. You can easily find the ports have a rubber or metal cap. Use a lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.
Make sure that you do not cover your outdoor components with grass clippings when you are trimming the grass. Try shooting the clippings away from it. When blowing leaves, do the same. Always take care when passing your HVAC units while moving leaves, grass or other debris.
Put outdoor units in places with shade.
When the leaves start to fall, the HVAC equipment can be harmed. Be sure to clean your fan grill frequently when trees nearby are shedding. When the fan becomes obstructed, you will lose out on quality air.
A programmable thermostat can really help save money on air conditioning costs. Some can even be controlled from a PC or other device.
Some fan condensers may contain oil parts, and if yours does, ensure it is lubricated at least once per year. The port usually has either a rubber or metal cap on top of it. Your oil should be an SAE 20. This particular oil is very lightweight and it only requires about 10 drops per port.
During this service visit, the contractor will oil parts, inspect the motor and the freon levels. These few simple things will keep your system running smoothly.
To increase the efficiency of your HVAC unit, be sure to keep it in the shade. This will help ensure that the AC is pulling in cooler air, reducing the amount of work it has to do and saving you money.
Don’t let your home temperature get too hot. An AC unit will reduce the internal temperature of your home by 20ºF quickly. If your home happens to get near 100 degrees Fahrenheit, you’ll only cool down to still above 80. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Turn off your outdoor condenser when it’s getting cold. If the temperature outside is less than 60ºF, be sure to turn off the unit so that you don’t damage it. You’ll pay less for repairs which you follow this tip.
Research the companies before hiring them. Check them out at the BBB and online reviews posted by former customers. Doing these things beforehand will allow you to make a better decision.
Do your homework on a number of HVAC companies before selecting the one that has the best reputation and service record. A good start would be the BBB to see if there are any complaints, then search online for review sites where you can see what actual customers had to say about their experience. Take these steps to ensure you make wise choices.
Look for calculators online to truly understand what size of unit is necessary for your home. Look in the manual to determine the manufacturer website for air conditioners.
Icing up is common in air conditioners. In addition, the drain line sometimes freezes, and people often think that there is a plumbing leak. If you see this, immediately put your thermostat on the fan setting to turn off your compressor. It’s a good idea to call up professionals to help with this even though you can get the ice to melt when you switch everything to the fan.
Contractors charge different rates, so make sure to get multiple quotes. You can save quite a lot of money when you call different companies for price quotes. You want to get quotes from at least five contractors in order to know what reasonable rates are.
If you are purchasing an AC unit, there are calculators on the Internet that can help you figure out the right size. Proper sizing will increase efficiency. Use the manual to determine what size is right for you.
Think about getting a radiant barrier installed 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 could even find that you can use the attic as part of your living space if it is done right.
Are you looking into getting a new heating/cooling system? There are some things you need to keep in mind. Systems have a rating based on how well the system is able to cool or heat an area well. You should buy a little bigger than necessary unit over a little smaller than necessary unit.
Figure out the direction your home is facing so your HVAC system more efficient. If there is less heat coming into your home, then the HVAC will require less work to actually cool the home.
Make sure that your doors and windows are efficient. Make certain they have tight seals to keep air inside. It is wise to hire someone to test them out, and this often costs nothing.
If you hear a clicking in the HVAC unit at home, see if there is any debris in it. Often it is being caused by debris that’s hitting the fans in the cooling system. Look at it before you call for help.
Take a measuring tape and get the square footage of the area where the unit will be cooling. The area’s calculation can help you figure out what the size is and there are 20 BTUs for every foot squared in this area. If more than one room needs AC service, combine all the square footage.
Replace the air filter monthly to keep your HVAC system every month. This is a very simple job and it keeps the system running well.
Make certain that you hire an experienced contractor with a good reputation. The best companies out there have technicians that keep a schedule and their appointments too. Techs must be knowledgeable about diagnosing and repairing your system quickly. This will maximize your overall satisfaction.
Pick HVAC business that understands the unit and works quickly to solve the problem. The most reliable companies will ensure that their technicians will always be on schedule and keep appointments. A licensed technician should also have no problem diagnosing any problems with your HVAC. Once they are able to locate a problem, they can help resolve the problems in a timely and cost-effective manner.
Prior to engaging the services of a contractor to handle your HVAC system, be sure to find out about the kind of experience he has. He or she may not have experience working with your type of system or performing the work that you need done. You minimize the chances of bad service this way.
If you can only put the unit in the corner, buy one that lets the air flow to be redirected so that it is not flowing towards the wall.
Does your contractor provide you with an all-day emergency hotline? They should be available to you if a problem arises.
Any HVAC contractor or installer should have an emergency hotline. They must be able to reach your home at any time, whether during a heatwave or a terrible snowstorm.
When you get someone to work on your HVAC, make sure you know what the total cost includes. They may tack on fees that are ridiculous, like a fuel surcharge. Ensure your contract is solid to avoid any problems.
Cover your condenser in the weather becomes less than optimal. This helps the condenser operating longer when not in use. Use the fan setting only to avoid straining the condenser unit.
To keep your HVAC unit from having trouble, make sure to give proper protection to the condenser with the help of a cover. This can help it last longer when it is not in use. Another bit of great advice is to not run the unit’s compressor if it’s under 60 degrees outside. Turn on the fan and avoid straining the unit.
Consider have a programmable thermostat. This will save you money on your bills as it constantly adjusts your settings to ensure optimal performance.
When seeking an HVAC contractor, be sure to check references. Too many people take for granted that reference are indeed legitimate, when in fact they may not be. It will just take minutes to check out a contractor, so you shouldn’t hesitate.
You might be surprised that as much as 66% of households have ducts that leak. These can cost you as much as twenty five percent of your utility costs. Sealing the ducts is something you can do easily and cheaply, and it may reduce energy costs greatly in the future.
If you are having an existing HVAC system repaired or getting something new installed, ask them to install a programmable thermostat. This will save you money on your utility bill and give your unit needed rest.
Hvac System
Be sure to search for an HVAC center that carries Energy Star rated products. Anything that has the logo for Energy Star on it has met the guidelines that the EPA has set up for the environment. This helps save you money on your energy bills during the year.
In order to be comfortable in your home 365 days a year, your HVAC system must remain in working order. However, when you don’t hire the right skilled professional, it can cause major frustrations and equipment breakdown. Thankfully, the tips above can assist a homeowner with their HVAC system.
Be sure to protect your condenser as the weather turns colder. Use a thick cover. When the temperature is beneath 60 degrees, the efficiency of the condenser drops dramatically.
