Everyone with a home HVAC knows that maintenance is key. An improperly or inefficiently functioning HVAC system that doesn’t work right is something that costs quite a lot of money. This article can help you tips to make sure your HVAC unit in tip top shape.
Prior to putting in a service call on your HVAC, be able to identify it. It is important to understand what model it is and which brand it is. Also, if it has been serviced before, you should have that information handy. This helps make sure the contractor has the information they will need.
If you’ve been having trouble with an HVAC system, check the entire house before contacting someone to come for repairs. This will help the repairman determine what the problem is and how to fix it.
Before choosing an HVAC contractor, think of what you wish to have done. Discussing the problem is simplified if you understand what has happened with the unit. Being unable to explain what has been already done will make it even harder. So, know this information in advance.
Know what work you want done before you hire a contractor. It will be difficult for an HVAC contractor to provide you with an estimate on the phone if they have not seen your current setup is. It will be way more hard if you over the phone without the information readily available.
To make sure your condenser fan works properly, keep the fan blades and the coils clean. Always make sure you shut off the power before you do any work on the unit other than superficial cleaning. Keep the exterior of the condenser unit free of debris.
Clean the debris that accumulates on an external condenser unit. You never know when things can pile up, like right after it’s windy or rains, and that can ruin your system. It could overheat and cause a disaster with your system to malfunction by overheating.
If there are condenser units as part of your HVAC system, clean them often as they tend to have lots of debris. You don’t know the amount of stuff that can pile up right after heavy winds or a storm. Debris like this can cause it to overheat, which could be detrimental to your system.
Turn the power off so you don’t get hurt or break something. Then, take the grill off, pull the blades out, and begin cleaning the unit and them gently.
The coils and blades on the fans should be cleaned once a year. Make sure to turn off the fan’s power first to be safe. Then take off the grill, take the blades out, and gently clean them.
Your HVAC unit may suffer when trees begin dropping their leaves. Make sure you clean out your fan grill often during the fall. The fan must be unobstructed to work properly, and if it becomes blocked, you will have to contend with problems.
Try to prevent debris from getting in your HVAC unit. At least twice a week, you need to clean the grill of your fan. When the fan becomes obstructed, you will lose out on quality air.
Put your outdoor units in the shade if you are installing them.
If you have a fan condenser with oil ports, it needs to be lubricated every year. These are usually covered with rubber or metal caps. Put about ten drops or less of a good non-detergent SAE 20 oil into each port.
It is always a good idea to replace single-paned windows with ones that have double panes. This will also works during the cold months to keep the warm air inside.
It is very important that your HVAC system is serviced two times a year. Most homeowners choose to have their unit inspected during the spring and the fall months. This helps prepare for the coming weather changes of summer and winter. Whether you know of problems or not, good maintenance will help you to avoid future issues.
Don’t let your home temperature get way too hot to where it’s dangerous. An AC unit will reduce the temperature of your home approximately twenty degrees in a short time span. If your home happens to get near 100 degrees Fahrenheit, it will only reduce it to 80 or more. This won’t be a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.
When it gets cold outside, the outdoor condenser unit should be turned off. This should be done when the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This will ensure your system stays in good working order every year, saving you money on costly repairs.
Research and check the companies before hiring them. Check with different references to determine the best one for reviews posted by former customers. These simple steps will help ensure you make a better decision.
Installing double paned windows can save a lot of money over single panes, so upgrade if you are able. Double-pane windows keep inside air cooler, allowing you to reduce AC usage in the summertime. Likewise, in the winter more hot air stays inside during the cold season.
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.
Install a thermostat you can program to save money on cooling your home. These convenient thermostats may shave ten percent or more off of your bills, because they significantly cut energy use when you’re not around. Additionally, some models of programmable thermostats actually allow you to control them remotely from your office computer or cell phone.
Companies that are well established have track records that haven’t been. Hiring an inexperienced contractor who is just starting out can be risky.
Get your HVAC unit serviced yearly. This visit will include a motor inspection and checking the freon. These easy to do things are going to allow your system to run its best.
There are a lot of sites out there that let customers talk about their experiences with contractors. This is a good way to locate contractors that you wish to work and ones that are poor.
Don’t let your house get too hot. Your average AC unit can only reduce the temperature in your home by about 20 degrees in a normal span of time. A home that is over one hundred degrees will only be cooled to around eighty. Depending on the humidity level, this temperature isn’t considered a safe sleeping temperature for the human body to be able to recover from the summer heat.
Contractors are responsible for their own charges and fees, so make sure that you acquire multiple estimates. You can save quite a lot of money when you call different companies for price quotes. You should try to contact 5 to 6 contractors to determine what price you can reasonably expect to pay.
Look online for a/c sizing calculators so you can really understand the unit size needed for your home or room. While you might think that a larger HVAC system is always better, in fact, larger systems sometimes are not the best choice for a particular space. You can also check the owner’s manual to find specific numbers provided for the manufacturer. These numbers indicate the particular unit to cool a particular area.
Think about having a radiant barrier installed in your attic so your HVAC system can run better. It will serve as a barrier between your home cool when it’s hot outside. You could even use your attic as part of your living space more effectively.
Ask for helpful information when you are looking for a HVAC contractor. People that have gotten great work done in the past generally love to share the information they know about it. This is also a great way to get names of companies that should be avoided.
Check the ducts to find any leaks if your unit seems to not be working efficiently. When you repair the leaks, the testing has paid for itself.
If you would like your HVAC unit to be more efficient, simply look at where the front of your home faces. If trees are placed strategically, you can block morning sunlight that can overheat the house. The less amount of heat inside of your home, the fewer occasions you have to use your air conditioner.
If your HVAC system is clicking, immediately check for any type of obstruction. Often the issue is some sort of debris hitting the fans in your cooling system. Look carefully at it before you call for help.
When deciding what size of an air conditioner is right for you, you will need to measure how much area it will have to cool. Normally, you need 20 BTU for each square foot that you wish to cool. Account for all of the rooms in the house.
Make certain they are tightly sealed so air can’t seep in. A professional can also test these for you for free.
Replace the air filter monthly to keep your HVAC system working well. This represents an easy way to keep your system working well. Many chain stores sell filters for under $5.00, and that low price is worth it.
Square Footage
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. The best contractor for the job will have ample experience working with HVAC systems similar to the one you are using. Although there’s no guarantee that a worker with less experience won’t do the work correctly, it’s better to avoid any problems.
Measure the area you wish to cool before buying a unit. You will need 20 BTU for each square footage of room space. If more than one room needs AC service, be sure to add their square footage together.
When you engage a contractor, request references. You want to be able to ask if what was expected is what the homeowner got, such as being on time and on budget. This will keep the scam artists away, but this only works by actually following up on the references.
Replace the air filter to keep your HVAC system every month. This represents an easy way to keep your HVAC system working well.
Understand the costs beforehand with your HVAC unit. Some contractors overcharge for add-ons like travel expense or fees for additional materials. Solidly written contracts let you prevent such issues.
If you’re stuck with putting it in a corner, try buying a unit that lets you change its air flow direction away from your wall.
Drape a cover over your condenser unit in the winter to protect it. This extends the lifespan of your condenser. However, if the temperature manages to drop beneath 60 degrees Fahrenheit, then you should cease use of the condenser all together. Instead, switch only the fan on.
Always get references prior to hiring any contractor.
Make sure any quote you get has a heat-loss calculation included. This helps ensure that you get a unit with the right BTUs to ensure your home is always comfortable, regardless of the outside weather. Their process should include counting the numbers of doors and windows, checking insulation and obtaining the dimensions of the interior of the living space.
Cover your condenser when the winter. This will allow it to last longer when you’re not in use. Use the fan instead to avoid straining the condenser unit.
Use a contractor that makes use of Energy Star products. Energy Star items meet the efficiency guidelines set by the EPA. This will help you save more on your bills year round.
These types of units meet very strict efficiency guidelines. These guidelines are established by the federal government. 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.
Protect the condenser unit when it gets cold. Buy a cover to keep it safe. Don’t use the unit if the outside temperature drops below 60 degrees because systems are not effective below that temperature.
Keep your HVAC system operating efficiently by cleaning the heating ducts from time to time. Check your ducts weekly. Damaged ones raise your heating bill and waste warm air.
The condenser needs to be properly taken care of in cold weather. This may be accomplished by placing a thick cover on it.
Now you know a lot about HVAC, so you can ensure yours stays running for many years. Faulty HVAC systems can cost you quite a bit of money in maintenance and bills. As a homeowner, proper HVAC system maintenance should help you save money.
