It is not easy for many homeowners to know where to turn when the HVAC system isn’t working properly. To prevent a situation like this from mushrooming into a disaster, knowledge is power. This article was written to help homeowners get the proper help they have to get.
Help the outside condenser fan run efficiently by cleaning the coils and fan blades before the summer starts. Before you do clean the coils and fan blades, always take the precaution of turning off all power to the unit. Leaves and debris can build up inside the unit and cause damage.
Know what type of system you currently have before looking for a repair person. This will enable you give the new contractor the necessary information.
Every spring you need to make sure your condenser fan’s coils and blades on the fan part are clean. Before you begin cleaning the unit, make sure that it is unplugged. Then you need to get the grill popped off and get the blades out so you can clean them and your unit gently.
If you are having issues with your HVAC, take a tour of the house prior to calling a professional. This will help the repairman determine where the problem is and how to fix it.
Don’t let your outdoor HVAC units get smothered with clippings anytime you mow the yard. Make sure you shoot the clippings in the other direction from the unit. The same should happen if you are blowing leaves, so be especially careful when you are going by your exterior HVAC devices whenever you are moving debris.
Know what you need before you select an HVAC contractor. It will be difficult for a contractor to provide you with an estimate over the phone if they have not seen your current system. It will be more hard if you over the phone without the information readily available.
Lubricate your condenser yearly if it has oil ports. You will see rubber or metal caps covering the ports. Choose a SAE 20 oil whch is lightweight and non-detergent and place 10 drops or less into each port, ensuring it doesn’t overfill.
Clean your condenser’s fan blades and coils each spring to ensure that your condenser fan operates at it’s best. Clean the outside of your condenser as well.
If you are choosing where to place your outdoor compressor device, try to put it in a place where there is plenty of shade. When your unit is bringing in cool air, it will not have to work as hard to cool the air as it moves it inside, boosting efficiency.
Clean the debris on your condenser unit. You don’t know when things are going to pile up, especially after a windy or rainy storm, and that can throw a wrench in your system. It could overheat and cause your unit.
For maximum efficiency, place outdoor units in a shady spot. Your air conditioner won’t have to work so hard if the air is sucks in is already cool.
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.
If possible, your single pane windows should be replaced with double-paned ones. Double pane windows will help keep your home cooler in the summer. It also facilitates heat retention in winter.
Your HVAC system could suffer when your trees lose leaves. Make sure the fan’s grill often during the fall. The fan needs unobstructed air flow, and if debris is blocking this air flow, it could cause your system to break down.
If there isn’t anyone at home, then there’s no need for the AC unit to be running and wasting electricity. You may want to turn your unit off if your house will not become extremely hot or cold. If it is on all day, it is trying to maintain a cool temperature constantly, using a great deal of electricity to fight the heat.
Turn off outdoor condensers you have when weather gets cold.This should be done when the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit.This can keep your unit is working for years and save you a lot on repairs.
Do not allow your house to get extremely hot. AC units will only cool a house down 20 degrees. This limits their overall benefit. Depending on humidity levels, this isn’t even a safe temperature for a human body to sleep at to recover from summer heat.
Don’t let your home get way too hot. An air conditioning unit is really only able to reduce the internal temperature of your home approximately twenty degrees in a short time span. If your house’s interior temperature hits 100 degrees Fahrenheit, it will only reduce it to 80 or more. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Use an online sizing calculator to help you calculate the proper size of the air conditioning unit you should purchase. Buying a unit that is too large for your home is a poor decision that wastes money. Check your manual to learn what it is rated by the manufacturer if you want accurate information.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line may also freeze over. If you see this, change the setting on your thermostat to the fan setting and this will disable the compressor. If the issue persists, call a professional.
Ask for quotes from multiple contractors. You should save some money this way. You want to call at least a handful of contractors to determine what reasonable rates are.
There are plenty of sites these days that offer reviews and referrals for HVAC repair and other important service. This is useful for finding people that do good work with and those that are poor.
Decide which way your house faces to make sure your HVAC system can work its best. If you have trees placed in strategic areas, you can block the sunlight in the morning. When you do what you can to less how much heat comes into your home, your AC unit can work less, which will save money.
Contractors determine their own fee levels, so make sure that you acquire multiple estimates. You can save a lot of money by doing your homework. You want to get quotes from at least a handful of contractors in order to know what reasonable rates are.
Look for leaves or other debris if you notice a thumping sound in your unit. Often the issue is some sort of debris that’s hitting the fans in the cooling system. You just have to take out the obstruction and the problem is solved. Check this out before calling a repairman.
Think about getting a radiant barrier installed in your attic so support the efficient functioning of your HVAC system. It blocks outside heat from coming in which will serve as a barrier between your home and the outside. You may even find that you can use your attic space if it is done right.
Make sure your windows and doors are efficient. Seal them tightly to prevent air from coming in. Have them inspected by a professional. This is often a free service.
Check for duct leaks if your existing system is not up to snuff. When these leaks are fixed, you’ll find that the testing paid for itself.
Replace the air filter monthly to keep your HVAC system working well. This is the simplest thing that you can do to keep your unit running in tip top shape. The filters are only a couple dollars, so it is a small monthly investment.
Figure out the direction your home faces in order to make your HVAC system more efficient. The less amount of heat inside of your home, the less work your AC will have to do.
When placing your unit, think about the direction the air will flow from the unit. If it must be in a corner, make certain that the air does not point towards a wall.
Make sure they have tight seals to keep air can’t seep in. A professional can sometimes test the windows and many times the testing is free.
Always get some references before hiring any contractor. You must know whether or not their customers have had an issues, and this includes trouble with the quote they were given or workers not showing up on time. That is why it is vital that you check references, so you don’t run into those shady contractors!
Measure the area that requires air conditioner shopping.You can usually substitute 20 BTU per square footage of the room. If you have a lot of rooms to keep cool, combine all the square footage.
Hire contractors that can repair or install HVAC systems with 24-hour emergency services. It’s crucial that they can go to your home at any time you need them.
Hvac System
Follow through on the references provided by the contractor. Don’t assume that references given are automatically legitimate. Calling a reference only takes a few minutes and can save you a lot of time and trouble hiring the wrong company.
Replace the air filter to keep your HVAC system every month. This is the simplest thing to do to keep your HVAC system running in tip top shape.
Make sure that any contractor that provides you with a quote also performs a heat-loss calculation. This factors in the amount of BTU your heating system will consume when regulating the temperature in your house. To properly calculate the heat-loss calculation, a service tech will count the number of windows and doors, calculate the square footage and determine the amount of insulation in the home.
Always make sure to get references before hiring any contractor.
Incredibly, two-thirds of homes have ducts that leak! They may add up to 25 percent of your utility bill. It’s not difficult or expensive to seal the ducts around your home by yourself.
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.
The Energy Star label indicates specific criteria for HVACs designed to indicate high quality to consumers. These systems meet strict efficiency guidelines set by the EPA. That means they’ll save you a ton on your utility bills.
Always follow up on any references that are given to you by a prospective HVAC contractor.
Keep your HVAC system operating efficiently and enjoy clean air by cleaning the heating ducts from time to time. Inspect those same heating ducts to see if there are any dents, punctures or disconnected parts. Damaged ducts waste warm air, potentially increasing your heating bill.
When a homeowner’s HVAC unit stops working, they could find themselves in a real pickle. However, if they know in advance how to handles situations like that, they will be in good shape. The suggestions in this article can help anyone homeowner with their decisions in HVAC services.
For the best operation of your unit, always have the owner’s manual handy. The manual will contain many useful tips and tricks specific to your particular unit, and it may prove essential if there is a serious problem. If your manual gets lost, it can be requested on the website of your manufacturer.
