It is frustrating to have a failing HVAC system when the weather is at it’s peak.Learning as much as you can about HVAC systems prior to contacting a professional will help you fix them or maintain them. Read on and you will get the topic right now.
Always make sure you are up-to-date about your HVAC unit. Look for the maintenance history and brand and model. Your contractor will appreciate this information.
Know what type of your HVAC system you currently have before looking for a repair person. This will enable you know that you’re able to give the contractor the information they might need.
If the outside of your home has condenser units, ensure they are constantly cleaned. After a wind or rain storm things may pile up, causing problems with your HVAC system. Debris like this can cause it to overheat, which could be detrimental to your system.
Clean your condenser’s fan blades and coils prior to summertime. Clean the outside of your external condenser unit regularly.
Clean the coils on the condenser fan from time to time. Shut the power off before you do anything. After you have turned the power off, you simply remove the grill and the blades to perform a gentle cleansing.
Don’t let grass clippings on your outdoor condenser.Direct the clippings in a direction away from the equipment. This applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in debris.
Many homeowners forget to oil their condenser at least once per year, but it is required. A rubber or metal cap is typically placed over such 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.
Sae 20 Oil
Get your HVAC unit serviced two times per year. Ideally, you should have it looked at in the spring and fall so you know everything is set for the hot and cold months. Check it out just to be safe even if there is nothing broken.
Lubricate the oil ports on your fan condenser at least once each year. These ports are usually covered with rubber or metal caps. Use SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.
Replace single pane windows by installing double pane, if possible. Double pane windows will help keep your home cooler in the summer. They help in the winter, too, keeping the heat in.
Put outdoor condensers in the shade if you are installing them.
Don’t let your house get too hot. A simple AC unit will usually only cool the home around 20 degrees within a short period of time. If your home happens to get near 100 degrees Fahrenheit, then you will only be able to reasonably cool to around 80. This isn’t a very safe condition for a homeowner to sleep in, especially when the humidity levels are considered.
Have your HVAC serviced at the least. This should be done in the fall and the spring.
Icing up is common in air conditioners. Sometimes the drain line will freeze, causing leaks. 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. Talk to a professional if you are unsure of how to do this.
Turn off any outdoor condenser when the weather gets cold. This should turn it off to prevent damage if the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This will help keep the system running efficiently for many years to come.
Consider how long a given HVAC company has been in existence before giving them your business. You are more likely to get good service this way. Hiring an inexperienced contractor can be risky.
It is a good idea to swap out single pane windows with ones that have double panes. This also helps keep in the winter.
When you need an HVAC contractor, obtain recommendations from friends and family members. Find someone that has a lot of quality work under their belt. This will also help you avoid scammers.
A programmable thermostat can help save money on your air conditioning bill. Some of these thermostats can even be controlled from a PC or computer.
If you don’t know who to call to maintenance, repair, or install your HVAC, search for reviews online. There are a lot of sites these days that let customers talk about their experiences with contractors. You will be able to make a more informed choice if you do this.
During this service visit, the serviceman will inspect the unit’s motor, inspect the motor and the freon levels. These repairs will boost the performance of your HVAC system running smoothly.
Each contractor establishes his own fees, so before you hire one, obtain a few estimates. Save yourself some money by calling around before you make your final decision. You should try to contact 5 to 6 contractors to find out what price you can reasonably expect to pay.
Research and check the companies that you consider using. Check with different references to determine the best one for reviews posted by former customers. Doing this makes it more likely that you make a better decision.
To improve the efficiency of your HVAC system, think about placing a radiant barrier in your attic. It blocks the heat from inside, reducing how much energy you need to cool down your home during summer. If it’s done right, the attic can become another useful living space.
Companies that are well established have track records that haven’t been. Hiring a newer contractor means taking a considerable risk.
Decide which way your house faces to make sure your HVAC system can work its best. You can help keep your home cool with the strategic placement of trees. The less your home is heated, the less you’ll have to use your air conditioner to cool things off.
Ask friends and trust for contractor recommendations. People that have had quality work done are often happy to share this information. This is also provide you with good information on which contractors you should avoid hiring.
If the HVAC unit makes a clicking noise, look immediately to see if there is an obstruction. Often the problem will be some kind of debris hitting your fans in your cooling system. Removing the debris will quickly fix the issue. Look carefully at it before you call up a service technician.
There are plenty of online websites that let customers talk about the service they received. This is a good way to locate contractors that do good work with and ones that are poor.
Measuring the space you want to cool is the first step to figure how large of an air conditioner you need. Plan for 20 BTU of power in your air conditioner for each square foot that needs to be cooled. If the unit will be cooling several rooms, combine their square footage in your calculations.
Contractors are responsible for their own charges and fees, so make sure to get multiple quotes.You can save tons of money by doing your homework. You want to call at least five contractors to determine what reasonable rates are.
Pick a contractor who gets back to you quickly and understands the job. The most reliable companies make sure their technicians stay on schedule and keep appointments. The tech will also know how to find the problem quickly. Once the technician figures out what’s wrong, they can help resolve the problems in a timely and cost-effective manner.
Think about getting a radiant barrier installed in your attic so your HVAC system can run better. It blocks outside heat from coming in which will make sure you won’t have to use more energy to keep your unit stays hot or cold as it should be. You may even find that you can use your attic space more effectively.
A thick cover over the outdoor condenser will protect it from serious damage during the cold, winter months. When the condenser is not being used, the cover will help it to last much longer. Never operate your unit when the temperatures are lower than 60 degrees. Just use the fan so that you do not stress the unit.
If you hear a clicking noise coming from your HVAC unit, check immediately for any debris that may have accumulated in it. The issue may be debris getting into the fans of the cooling system. Look carefully at the system before you call up a service technician.
Sometimes an HVAC specialist will offer references for other professionals. You should still do the necessary research to clear the name first. Many people make the mistake of assuming references are legitimate just because they were give up freely, but this is not always the case. It will just take minutes to check out a contractor, so you shouldn’t hesitate.
Engaging in HVAC professional services may be overwhelming without proper information. This process does not have to be scary. Now you should be prepared to deal with any issues.
You should ask the contractor if they included heat-loss calculations inside their initial quote. This needs to be factored in when figuring out the best sized unit for your home. They need to count your windows, doors, check the insulation, and measure how much space your home has in it.
