Anyone that uses HVAC system in a house knows how it important it is to have it running right. A HVAC system can cost a ton of money. The following tips concerning HVAC maintenance and learn what to do if you eventually need to replace it.
What system do you have? You need this information to tell your contractor. Write down the brand and the model and have all maintenance records on hand. That way you can provide the contractor with all the necessary information.
Know what type of system you currently have before looking for a repair person. This will facilitate the process when your chosen contractor any information they might need.
Keep your outdoor units free of debris when your cutting grass. Instead, make sure that the grass is shooting in the opposite direction. This also applies when you blow leaves, so be very careful near your exterior HVAC units when you move debris.
Clean your condenser’s fan and coils each spring to ensure that your condenser fan operates at it’s best.Clean off any leaves or debris from your condenser unit.
Leaves and debris can damage your system. When you see nearby trees shedding their leaves, clean the fan grill on your unit constantly. You can head off future problems that can be caused by blockages by making sure there is a free flow of air to your fan.
Turn the power off first so you don’t get hurt or break something. Then, pop off its grills, pull the blades out, and gently clean them as well as the unit itself.
When selecting the spot to put the outdoor compressor for your unit, choose somewhere that gets plenty of shade. The cooler the air which goes in, the less work the unit will have to do.
Leaves falling from trees can wreak havoc with your system. Make sure you clean out your fan grill is cleaned frequently when the leaves begin to fall. The fan needs unobstructed air flow, and if it is clogged, you’ll have a lot of headaches eventually.
If possible, put your HVAC in a shaded area if it is outside. This will help you save on your energy bill.
Lubricate your condenser at least once a year. These ports are usually covered by a rubber or metal cap. Use a lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.
You need to have a contractor review your unit twice a year. Your system should be inspected in Spring and Fall. Even if you do not detect a problem, you can identify and fix any potential problems when you have it checked.
Be sure to have the HVAC unit in your home checked about two times every year. This should happen in the fall and again in the spring.
One great way to save some cash when you’re working on keeping a home cool is to install a thermostat that’s programmable. In fact, you can save as much as 10 percent on both heating and cooling when you turn your thermostat by by 10-15 percent for at least 8 hours daily. In addition, some models make things really easy on you, allowing you to adjust them from the computer.
Turn off any outdoor condensers you have when weather turns cold. This should be done when the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit.This can keep your system working well throughout the years without the cost of repairs.
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. If you leave it on all day, it’s fighting the heat constantly, meaning it’s using a lot of electricity to do its job.
It is always a good idea to replace single-paned windows with ones that have double pane ones. This same effect also keeps warm air in the winter.
Do not let your house get dangerously hot. Air conditioners only cool down a home by 20 degrees. If the temperature in your home rises above 100 degrees, you will only be able to cool it down to 80. Depending on the levels of humidity, that is not a safe temperature when it comes to sleeping or escaping from the heat of summer.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line might also freeze up.If this is something you notice, change the setting on your thermostat to the fan setting and this will disable the compressor. You should leave the repair to a professional, but switching to the fan will make the ice melt.
Sometimes air conditioners get iced up. You may even mistake the frozen drains as an issue for a plumber. Change your thermostat in situations like this. 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.
Look for calculators online to truly understand what size of unit is necessary for your room or home. Look at the manual or on the recommended size for this information.
If you need a HVAC contractor, try and get recommendations from family and friends. People who have had a good experience are often happy to share the name of their contractor. This will also provide you with good information on which contractors you should avoid hiring.
Companies that are around awhile have track records that haven’t been. Hiring a newer contractor who is just starting out can be risky.
Search online for reviews to find an HVAC customer you can trust. There are a number of great sites out there that let customers talk about how they were treated by services. This is a good way to locate contractors that do good work and ones that are poor.
Ask your friends and relations for contractor recommendations. People who’ve had great service are usually willing to tell of their contractor. This can also help you with good information on which contractors you should avoid.
Think about having 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 make sure you won’t have to use more energy to keep your home cool when it’s hot outside. If done right, you can even start using the attic as living space.
There are now different online sites that let customers share their experiences with contractors. This is an awesome way to find decent people to hire.
Check out your ductwork for leaks if your whole home isn’t being cooled or heated. You can call in your local utility company to do the testing for you, often for free or at a lower cost than a contractor. When you get leaks repaired, you may see that the testing pays for itself.
Having read this article concerning heating, ventilation and air conditioning, you now have a thorough comprehension of what you need to do to keep things running well for the long-term. A faulty HVAC unit is every homeowner’s worst nightmare. It can cost a lot of money to repair and eat up a lot of time. Remember this advice in order to ensure that your HVAC remains in tip top condition.
Determine which way your home faces in order to establish efficient HVAC operation. Strategically placing trees around your home can block some of the heat coming from the sun, preventing your home from overheating. The less heat in your home, the less time your air conditioner will have to work.
