A well-maintained HVAC system can mean the difference between comfort and discomfort in the home. A lot of homeowners spend money fixing them up when broken, but if they were able to figure out how to fix things on their own it would have been avoided.The following article discusses what you do just that.
When you start making calls to get someone to help with your HVAC system, it’s a good idea to know what system you have before that phone call. Write down the make, model, and any maintenance history. This helps make sure the contractor has the information they will need.
Know what type of system before calling someone to fix it. This will enable you to give your contractor asks for this information.
If problems arise with the HVAC system, check the entire house before contacting someone to come for repairs. Know what part of the house is cold and which is hot. Figuring this out will the contractor to diagnose the issues and quickly get to work on fixing it.
If you have some problems with the HVAC system, do a tour of your house before you call in help. This information will help the repairman determine where the problem is and how to fix it.
It is important to have some knowledge of your present system and needs before calling a contractor. It will be difficult for an HVAC contractor to provide you with an estimate on the phone without knowing what your current setup is. You need to know how to describe any issues. It’s a good idea to learn this information in advance.
Clean the debris that accumulates on an external condenser units. 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.
Before the summer you should clean out your condenser fan’s blades and coils. Always make sure you shut off the power before you do any work on the unit other than superficial cleaning. Remove leaves and debris from the outside condenser.
Turn the power off first so nothing moves. Next, pop the grill off, pull out the blades and start cleaning them and the unit itself off gently.
If you can choose the place where your outdoor compressor goes, pick a spot with lots of shade. In this way, it will be cooling air that is already somewhat cooled. This saves energy.
10 Drops
If possible, put your HVAC in a shaded area if it is outside. When the air conditioner pulls in cooler air, it won’t have to do much more to cool it and that will save you a lot of money on energy bills.
Lubricate your condenser at least once a year. You can find these ports covered with rubber or metal cap. 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.
When colder weather arrives, switch off all outdoor condenser units. If the outside temp is under 60 degrees, turn the unit off to prevent damage. You’ll pay less for repairs which you follow this tip.
Turn off any outdoor condensers you have when weather gets cold. This should turn it off to prevent damage if the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This can ensure your system working for years and save you a lot on repairs.
Replace any single-paned windows with double-paned versions. Good double pane windows keep cool air in during the summer and minimize your utility expenses. This also works during the cold months to keep the warm air inside.
It is always a good idea to swap out single pane windows with ones that have double pane ones. This same effect also keeps warm air during the colder months.
Don’t let your house get too hot. An AC unit will reduce the internal temperature of your home approximately twenty degrees in a fair time. This means that if the weather is above 100 degrees, then you’ll still be baking in 80 degree weather at first! Depending on humidity levels, this isn’t even a safe temperature for a human body to sleep at to recover from summer heat.
A programmable thermostat can really help save money on air conditioning costs. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from a computer.
Did you know an AC unit can freeze? The drain line might also freeze over. Change your thermostat in situations like this. Once you know the problem, contact a local HVAC professional and let them know what’s going on in your system.
Don’t allow your house get too hot. Air conditioners only cool your home down unreasonably high temps. If the temperature in your home reaches 100 degree Fahrenheit, you’ll only cool down to still above 80. This won’t be a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.
Make certain the HVAC company you choose has a proven track record. A company that has been in business for a long time will have a solid track record, and you can use this to figure out if you should spend your money with them. New companies are just too risky.
Air conditioners tend to ice up.The drain line might also freeze up.If this is something that’s happening to you, disable the compressor by switching the thermostat to run the fan only. You should call a pro to fix this problem, but switching to the fan will make the ice melt.
Ask your friends, relatives, and coworkers about their experiences with HVAC contractors in your area. You should be able to find someone that has had a good experience. This will also help you to avoid undesirable companies.
There are many sites now that let customers share their reviews. This is useful for finding people that you wish to work with and people that may not work well with you.
Every contractor out there is responsible for setting up their own fees, so get several quotes before hiring anyone. If you call people before you work on hiring one person, you can save some money overall. To get the best picture and get an idea of what rates are reasonable, call five or six different contractors.
Think about getting a radiant barrier installed in your attic so your HVAC system. It will serve as a barrier between your home cool when it’s hot outside. You may even find that you can use the attic as part of your living space if it is done right.
To help your heating and cooling system run efficiently, install a radiant barrier in your attic. It blocks the heat from inside, reducing how much energy you need to cool down your home during summer. If you do it right, you may be able to expand your living space into your attic.
Are you considering purchasing a new HVAC system? There are things you need to keep in mind. Systems get rated according to how large an area they effectively heat or cool. You are wise to err on the side of a unit rather than a smaller one.
Be sure to test for leaks in the ducts if your system seems inefficient. Your utility company can test this for you, oftentimes at no charge. If not, it should be less expensive than a HVAC contractor. When you get leaks repaired, you may see that the testing pays for itself.
If your HVAC system is producing any type of clicking sounds, check immediately for any debris that may have accumulated in it. Often the issue is some sort of debris that’s hitting fans in your cooling system. Look at this prior to calling in a technician.
If you hear clicking inside your HVAC unit, look for an obstruction. Sometimes there is debris that gets in the fan’s way. Get rid of this obstruction and that should take care of the problem. Look carefully at it before you call up a service technician.
If it must be in a corner, get one with moving vents.
Be sure to select an experienced and competent HVAC company. Good companies attend to their customers in a timely manner. Someone skilled in their profession should be able to come out and give you answers right away. After they see what the problem is, they should be able to get the work done quickly for your sake.
Ask a contractor about their experience.You need to know that they have the type of experience needed to work on your particular system.
When determining the location of your air conditioning unit, think about which way the air flows. If all you have is a corner spot, ensure that the air is not directed towards a wall.
Always make sure to get references prior to hiring any contractor.
Find out how much experience a given contractor has before you hire him or her. Make sure they are experienced doing the kind of work that you need. Though some workers with less experience are great, you do not want to risk it.
Any HVAC contractor you hire should have an emergency number available to customers around the clock.They need to be able to come to you when they are needed, no matter how extreme the weather or what time of day it may be.
When you hire a contractor, make sure you ask for some references. You need to know if previous clients have gotten what they needed, like timely service within their budget. That is why it is vital that you check references, so you don’t run into those shady contractors!
Always follow up on any references that are given to you by an HVAC contractor.
Avoid using any contractor for HVAC repairs or installation, unless they provide you with a 24-hour number for emergency situations. They need to be able to come to a home when needed, whether during a heatwave or a terrible snowstorm.
These energy because they adhere to efficiency guidelines. These guidelines have been set up by the U.S. They are called the environment and human health. Taking time to fully research various units may help you get long-term savings on energy costs.
Ask every prospective contractor to do a heat-loss assessment. You need it to know how many BTUs are necessary. There are several factors involved, including your insulation and how many outside windows and doors you have.
One of the more vital parts of your home is the HVAC system. You can save money by using the advice above. Remember that not following them could end up costing you thousands of dollars.
To save money, try going with an HVAC unit that is an Energy Star unit. Qualified energy products such as these are efficient due to the fact that they must meet stringent guidelines. These guidelines are federally set. This is vital if you want to cut your costs. You will save money by paying attention to these details.
