The comfort of a home has a lot to do with whether or not it is being heated and cooled properly. This is why your HVAC system is constantly checked and you ensure it is properly working. If you have a poor HVAC, it can lead to expensive repairs and an uncomfortable way of living. Here are some great tips to help you out.
Prior to choosing an HVAC customer, try to have an idea of what you want done. If you can’t describe the problem, you may not get an accurate quote. It will be more difficult for him to assist you over the phone without the information readily available. Know the right information ahead of time.
Know the name and type of your HVAC system before calling someone to fix it. This will help make sure that the new contractor the necessary information.
In order to keep your outside condenser fan running efficiently, make sure the coils and the fan blades are cleaned before the cooling season begins. Be safe and turn off the power supply before working on your HVAC unit. Remove leaves and debris from the outside condenser.
If your HVAC doesn’t seem to be working properly, do a tour of your house before you call in help. This information will help the contractor determine what the problem is and how to fix it.
Clean the condenser on your debris regularly. Your HVAC system may run into problems after storms if it is surrounded by debris. This can lead to overheating.
Clean your fan blades and coils when the weather begins to warm. Clean the outside of your external condenser unit regularly.
Cover your unit when you are mowing the lawn. Direct the grass clippings in a direction away from the HVAC unit. This also applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in debris.
Clean the debris that accumulates on an external condenser units. 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 system to malfunction by overheating.
Put outdoor units in the shade if you are installing them. The air in the shade is cooler and can help save on energy costs.
Put your outdoor unit in the shade if you are installing them.
Outdoor condenser units need to be turned off when the weather turns cold. If the temperature outside is less than 60ºF, be sure to turn off the unit so that you don’t damage it. This helps the system last much longer and will have to be repaired less often.
It is a good idea to swap out single pane windows for double pane ones. This also keeps warm air during the winter months.
It is always a good idea to swap out single pane windows for double pane ones. Try to insulate your windows to prevent air from being lost. This also works during the cold months to keep the warm air inside.
During your service visit, the serviceman will inspect the unit’s motor, the moving parts will be oiled and the freon levels will be checked These few simple tasks will help your system to run at its peak performance.
Regular maintenance of your unit should be performed annually. When they come out for a service visit, expect inspections of freon levels and the motor, and they will oil all the moving parts. Doing this simple task can ensure that your system will be running for years with no problem!
Never let your home to rise to a dangerously hot temperature. Air conditioners can only cool a home down about 20 degrees Fahrenheit within a reasonable amount of time. If your home become 100F or more, then you will only be able to reasonably cool to around 80. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Don’t let your home get way too hot to where it’s dangerous. An air conditioning unit is really only able to reduce the temperature by twenty degrees in a short time span. If your home become 100F or more, it will only cool off to about 80F. 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 you see this happen, put your thermostat over to fan.You should call a pro to fix this problem, but switching to the fan will make the ice melt.
Find out how many years an HVAC company has been in business before you hire them. Companies that are around awhile have a better record than those that haven’t been. It’s a risk to hire a new one.
Companies that are around awhile have a better record than those that can help you decide if they’re worth your money and time. It is riskier to hire a contractor with little experience.
Turn to online reviews if you’re not sure how you should hire to perform HVAC maintenance. There are different sites that let customers share experiences of different services. This will help you to sort out the good from the bad.
Ask around so you are looking for a reputable HVAC contractor. People who’ve had great service are normally more than happy to recommend their contractors. This can also help you avoid scammers.
Consider installing a radiant barrier to your attic to help your HVAC system run more efficiently. It ensures that your unit stays hot or cold as it should be. If done correctly, this also enables you to start using your attic as a living space.
There are many sites you can check out. This is useful for finding people that do good work and those that you don’t.
Know which direction the house faces so that your HVAC system operates more efficiently. Trees in certain areas can provide shade, which means your house will stay cooler. If there’s less heat inside your home, your AC will work less.
Contractors determine their own fee levels, so make sure that you acquire multiple estimates. You should save tons of money this way. Call around to find out what the best rates.
Check for debris if you hear clicking in the HVAC unit. The issue may be debris hitting the fans of the cooling system. Get rid of the debris and this will no longer be an issue. Check it out before spending on a contractor.
Check the ducts to find any leaks if you you feel your unit seems to not up to snuff. If a leak is found, this testing will pay for itself.
Replace the air filter monthly. It is the easiest way to take care of it. A new air filter is only a couple of bucks at your local hardware store.
If you HVAC unit is making a clicking sound, immediately start looking for any obstructions. Often the issue is some sort of debris that’s hitting fans in the cooling system. Look before you call up a service technician.
Consider which direction the air flows out of your air conditioner when you decide where to place it. If you have to place it in a corner, get one with moving vents.
Measure the living area that requires air conditioning. You generally need by calculating 20 BTU per square foot. If you have a lot of rooms to keep cool, sum their areas.
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. It’s important that a contractor is experienced in the area of the kind of work you require. Less experienced workers could work out just fine, but you really shouldn’t take any chances.
Replace the air filter monthly to keep your HVAC system every month. This will maximize the easiest step to take to ensure that your HVAC.
Only hire someone to help you with an HVAC system if there is a 24 hour line you can call when you have problems. Particularly if you have a family, you may need service at odd hours or on weekends.
Ask any potential contractor about their experience prior to hiring them. You need to verify they have the type of work on your particular system.
Use a fully-enclosing cover to protect your condenser unit in the winter. This will allow it to last longer when you’re not using it. Also, you shouldn’t use your compressor if the temperature outside drops to below 60 degrees. Do this by simply turn on the fan so that you don’t cause the unit unnecessary strain.
Some contractors may try to charge you more for things such as material fees and fuel charges. Having a good written contract will help you avoid issues like this.
When you have a contractor come to give you an estimate, make sure they perform a heat-loss calculation. This particular equation will help you estimate the number of BTUs needed to keep the home in a comfortable condition. They should be counting windows and doors, checking insulation, and measuring your home’s internal space as well.
This information is used to determine the number of BTUs your home.
It’s best to keep an eye open for environmentally friendly professionals who utilize ENERGY STAR certified equipment. This will ensure that your system has met the EPA standards for efficiency. Which means lower cooling and heating bills for you!
These types of units are energy efficient and meet strict efficiency guidelines. These guidelines have been set up by the U.S. They are in charge of protecting the EPA for short.Taking time to look into these units may help you save a significant amount of money.
For the most efficient operating of your HVAC system, schedule regular cleaning of your unit’s heating ducts. Check your heating ducts weekly. Your heating bill will increase if the ducts are damaged.
You may be surprised that as much as 66% of all homes have ducts that are leaky. This equals up your utility costs. Sealing your ducts is both easy and cheap, you can even do it yourself, and it can reduce your electricity bills significantly every year thereafter.
The condenser unit needs to be properly taken care of in cold weather. This can be done by placing a cover that’s thick over it. Don’t use the cover until the temperature is below 60 degrees.
Keep your HVAC system operating efficiently and enjoy clean air by cleaning the heating ducts. Look often at the ducts to make sure they are in good shape. Damaged ducts can raise your energy bill.
Keep the owner’s manual close to you while you’re working on any kind of unit. Such material has a ton of advice specific to your own unit and might be critical in an HVAC emergency. If you can’t find the manual, check online.
Make sure that your condenser unit is protected once the weather begins to get colder.This may be accomplished by putting a thick cover on the condenser unit.
Always get an estimate in writing. Estimates should always come in writing. This is an important step that should not be overlooked. This ensures that you receive good service. Get a few estimates from different people and pay attention to what each is offering. Don’t just choose a company that comes in with the lowest estimate because they may not do good work.
Make sure that your owner’s manual is anytime the system is running. The information contained within this manual will help you out if you’re dealing with problems.
You can now see how important a properly maintained HVAC system is. Don’t allow things to go bad because you don’t pay attention to doing maintenance. Apply the above advice to keep it in good shape, avoiding unpleasant surprises.
