Your house will feel comfortable when you have an HVAC system. Lots of houses have these built in, they sometimes need to be replaced or have additions added after some time.Knowing what issues to look for will save you need when it comes to an HVAC system may help with buying the right one.
Before you hire an HVAC contractor, have some sort of idea of the work that needs to be done. This will make the quote process much easier. 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 what type of your HVAC system you currently have before looking for a repair person. This will enable you give the new contractor the necessary information.
When you are cutting the grass, be sure not to cover your outdoor units with clippings. When you work with your lawn mower, make sure it spits the grass to the side opposite of your 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.
If your HVAC system us giving you issues, do a tour of your house before you call in help. This will help the contractor determine where the problem is.
During the fall, leaves can gather around your HVAC. Frequently clean the fan grill when trees are shedding leaves. When blockages restrict the flow of air to the fan, you could end up with serious issues on your hands.
Clean the debris on an external condenser units. Debris can pile up after a storm, and this can foul up the inner workings of your system.It can also cause your system to malfunction by overheating.
Lubricate your condenser yearly if it has oil ports. Most of these ports have some sort of protective cap covering them. Pick out a SAE 20 type of oil because it has no detergent, is lightweight, and you should put around 10 drops in the ports but make it to where they don’t get too full.
Grass Clippings
For maximum efficiency, place outdoor units in a shady spot. As your air conditioner sucks in cool air, little will have to be done to cool it any further, saving you a ton on your energy bills.
Don’t let grass clippings on your outdoor condenser.Aim your grass clippings in a direction away from your unit. This applies when you are taking care of the leaves in debris.
Service your hearing and cooling systems once each year. An HVAC specialist will inspect the entire system, including the oil, the motor, and the ducts. Those things are going to help your system at peak performance.
Lubricate your fan condenser once a year. You will notice these ports have a rubber or metal caps covering the ports. 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.
Don’t allow your home to become dangerously hot. Expect an air conditioning unit to drop the temperature down 20 degrees within a short amount of time. If the temperature in your home rises to 100 degrees F or higher, cooling it will only drop the temperature to 80 degrees F. Depending on the levels of humidity, that is not a safe temperature when it comes to sleeping or escaping from the heat of summer.
Put outdoor unit in the shade.
Always take the time to check out the reputation of any HVAC contractor before you consider hiring them. Inquire with the BBB and look elsewhere for other reviews from customers. Doing this makes it more likely that you choose wisely..
It is always a good idea to swap out single pane windows with ones that have double panes. This same effect also keeps warm air in the winter.
Sometimes air conditioners will ice up. The drain line can freeze, making you think it’s a plumbing leak. If this is something that’s happening to you, change the setting on your thermostat to the fan setting and this will disable the compressor. The fan setting can help melt some of the ice, but you should still call a professional to check your unit out.
Research the companies before hiring them. Check with the BBB and look for your situation. Doing all of this makes it more likely that you hire the best company for your HVAC needs.
To know how large of an air conditioner you need, look for a calculator online. If you buy a unit that is too big, it won’t do an efficient job. Look at the manual for more information.
Look for air conditioner sizing calculators online to truly understand what size of unit you need for your room or home. Look in the manual to determine the manufacturer website for air conditioners.
Prior to hiring any HVAC contractor, you should ask how long their business has operated. Companies that have been around for longer have a proven track record that you can use to decide if they are worth the time and money. It is riskier to hire someone who does not have a long history.
Companies that are well established have track records that haven’t been. Hiring a contractor may be taking a considerable risk.
Check reviews online to find professional help. There are now different online sites that let customers share their service experiences. This is an excellent method of finding contractors that you are interested in dealing with as well as those that you want to avoid.
Contractors are responsible for their own charges and fees, so make sure to get multiple quotes.You can save tons of money this way. You may want to call at least five contractors to determine what you should be paying.
Do you need a new cooling system? There are some things to consider. Those systems get rated by the area amount they are able to cool and heat effectively. It may be wise to get a unit that is a bit larger than needed. Just don’t get one that is smaller than you need.
Think about having a radiant barrier in your attic so support the efficient functioning of your HVAC system. It will make sure you won’t have to use more energy to keep your home cool when it’s hot outside. You may even use the attic space if it is done right.
Determining the direction in which your house faces can help make the HVAC system efficient. Strategically placing trees around your home can block some of the heat coming from the sun, preventing your home from overheating. The less heat inside the house, the less time that the AC has to work.
Are you considering purchasing a new heating/cooling system? There are things to think about first. Systems are given ratings by how well the system is able to cool or heat an area. You are wise to err on the side of a bigger unit rather than purchasing one that is a bit too small.
If you HVAC unit is making a clicking sound, check immediately for any debris that may have accumulated in it. It could be that debris has made its way into the system. Just pull it out and clean the blade off. Take a look for yourself before you call a technician out.
Figure out which direction your home is facing so your HVAC system more efficient. The less heat in your home, the fewer occasions you have to use your air conditioner.
If you want your HVAC to run well, you need to have doors and windows that work well with things too. They should have tight seals so outside air cannot get in and inside air can not get out. Call a professional to come over to check how good you home is sealed up.
If the HVAC unit makes a clicking noise, immediately start looking for any obstructions. Often the issue is some sort of debris hitting the fans in your cooling system. Check the fan and coil before you waste time contacting a repairman.
When determining which size of air conditioner to buy, first measure the area which needs to be cooled. This calculation will tell you how many BTU’s you need. When several rooms must be cooled, determine the square footage of each room and then add the numbers together.
Make sure they have tight seals to keep air inside. A professional can also test these for you for free.
Replace the air filter in your HVAC system every month. It is an easy thing to do yourself in order to have your system running well. A new air filter is only a couple of bucks at your local hardware store.
If all you have is a corner spot, get a unit where the air won’t be trapped against the wall.
Pick a contractor who gets back to you quickly and understands the job. Good firms ensure they are always on schedule. Contractors ought to be able to find the problem quickly. Once they know what’s wrong, they should also know how to get them resolved efficiently and quickly.
Ask a contractor about their experience.You need to verify they have done the sort of work you require.
When you hire a contractor, always ask for references. Ask these references if the job was what they expected, if it was done in a timely manner and on budget. The references will help you avoid wasting your money on someone that is not professional.
Any HVAC contractor or installer should have a 24-hour emergency number available to customers around the clock. They need to be able to come to a home when needed, in any weather.
Check in on the contractor’s references. Lots of folks take them at face value, but that is not always smart. Calling a person and checking him out takes just a couple of minutes, so go ahead and do it.
Some contractors will attempt to add charges on later for fuel charges. A written contract will prevent this possible problem.
Use a contractor that makes use of Energy Star products. An Energy Star unit has been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency. Which means lower cooling and heating bills for you!
Cover your condenser when the winter. This helps the life of your condenser last longer if it is protected when not in use. Use the fan instead to avoid straining the condenser unit.
Make sure to periodically clean your heating ducts on the HVAC unit to keep it heating efficiently and providing fresh, clean air. Inspect the ducts regularly for dents, punctures, and disconnected parts. Damaged ones raise your electric bill.
Consider a programmable thermostat installed.This sort of device will help you money on your utility bill and give your unit needed rest.
When working on your HVAC unit, refer to the manual as needed. It has tons of information on maintenance, care and even troubleshooting. The manufacturer should have them available on their website if you can not locate yours.
Utility Bills
Make sure you get a written estimate from your HVAC company. Estimates must be committed to paper. There are many jobs that require having an estimate to know what needs to be purchased. Also, you will get great service upon installation. Compare prices and time for completion. Do not trust companies that low-ball your estimate.
You might be surprised to discover that as many as two-thirds of households have ducts that are leaky. This can cost around a quarter of utility bills. Sealing up your ducts is cheap and easy, you can even do it yourself, saving you money on your utility bills every year from then on.
Keep your HVAC system running efficiently by cleaning the heating ducts. Check your ducts at least once per month. Ducts that are damaged can increase your heating bill by wasting the area warm.
Always get written estimates in writing. You need these estimates written down for you. There are many jobs that you to get multiple estimates of the cost. This helps ensure you get the best service. Compare various elements of the deals that you are offered.
HVACs are great investments since they can keep your home comfy all year. When it comes to maintaining your HVAC, installing a new one or finding the right contractor, this article has hopefully answered most of your questions. This advice will make sure you buy a system that will satisfy you.
