HVAC service and contracting isn’t something too many people are familiar with. This fact can pose a problem when it comes time to handle a household heating or cooling problem in a home.
Before you start calling to find someone to fix your unit, make sure you know the type of system that is installed. Find out the brand and model and, if possible, dig out the maintenance history. This will ensure that you can give your new contractor all the information they need.
Know what type of your HVAC system before calling someone to fix it. This will enable you know that you’re able to give your chosen contractor the information they might need.
Think about what improvements you want made before picking an HVAC contractor. You might not be able to get a price quote unless you let the contractor see your current system first. Getting an estimate will be even more difficult if you cannot adequately describe the problem. It’s important to know this beforehand.
Clean the fan blades and coils come spring. Clean off any leaves or debris from your external condenser unit regularly.
Make sure that you regularly clean debris that might build up on external condenser units. After a wind or rain storm things may pile up, causing problems with your system. It may begin to overheat, causing massive damage.
Turn the power off so you don’t get hurt or break something. Next, pop off the grill, put the blades out and start to gently clean them along with the unit.
Cover your unit when you are mowing the lawn. Make sure the grass does not get in your unit. The same goes for blowing leaves, so always be careful if you are moving debris near your HVAC devices.
Your outdoor HVAC units might suffer when your trees lose their leaves. Make sure you clean out your fan grill often during the fall. The fan needs to have an unobstructed path for air to enter the unit, and if it becomes blocked, you’ll have a lot of headaches eventually.
If you need to decide the best place to put your outdoor compressor unit, consider putting it in a location that is in the shade. If your unit is sucking in cooler air, it will have less work to do to cool that air as it sends it inside which boosts efficiency.
Put your outdoor condensers in places with shade.
If possible, your single pane windows should be replaced with double-paned ones. Double pane windows help minimize your air conditioning use in the summer by keeping the cooler air inside your home. Conversely, they keep warm air in during the winter.
Have the HVAC system serviced twice a year. This should be done in the fall and the spring.
Make use of a thermostat when you are installing an HVAC. A programmable thermostat can save you up to ten percent on your cooling and heating costs by simply turning the thermostat back ten to fifteen percent for eight hours a day. Some newer programmable thermostats have computerized controls you can access from your personal computer, laptop or mobile media device.
It is always a good idea to swap out single pane windows for double panes. This same effect also keeps warm air in the winter months.
Save some cash by shutting down the air-conditioning system when there is no one in the house. This will save you money on your energy bills. Leaving the system on all day will cost a lot of money in terms of electricity.
A programmable thermostat can help save money on air conditioning costs. Some of these thermostats can even be controlled from a PC or computer.
Don’t let your home get overly hot. AC units will only cool a house down 20 degrees. If the temperature in your home reaches 100 degree Fahrenheit, it will only reduce it to 80 or more. If humidity is high, this temp is still unsafe for people.
Research and check the reputation of companies that you consider using. Check with different references to determine the best one for reviews posted by former customers. These steps will help to ensure your decision is a better decision.
To help you pick a good HVAC contractor, be sure to research a number of different companies. A good start would be the BBB to see if there are any complaints, then search online for review sites where you can see what actual customers had to say about their experience. When done in advance you can be sure of making a sound decision.
Air conditioners tend to ice up.The drain line may also freeze over. If you see this, switch your thermostat to fan only to disable the compressor. You should call a pro to fix this problem, but switching to the fan setting should start to melt the ice.
You can get ice in your air conditioner. Many times people think there is a plumbing leak, but instead the drain line has water that is frozen. If this happens, put your thermostat over to fan. This problem will need to be handled by a professional, even though the fan will probably help with the ice situation.
Look for air conditioner sizing calculators online to help you determine the size of unit you need for your home. Look in the manual to determine the manufacturer website for this information.
If you are purchasing an AC unit, there are calculators on the Internet that can help you figure out the right size. If you make the mistake of purchasing a unit that is too large, it will not cool efficiently. Any unit’s manual will be able to give you an accurate idea for the size of the unit versus your home.
Companies that are around awhile have a better record than those that can help you decide if they’re worth your money and time. Hiring a newer contractor may be taking a bigger risk.
You can always search the Internet when you aren’t entirely sure who you should call for proper HVAC repair or maintenance. Many online sites permit customers to let others know about their experiences with various services and contractors. This works both in finding those you want to hire and also with those you want to avoid.
There are many sites that offer reviews and referrals for HVAC repair and other customers can place their reviews. This works both in finding those you with all the information you don’t.
Each contractor establishes his own fees, so before you hire one, obtain a few estimates. Getting several quotes will ultimately help you save lots of money. Ideally, you should call five to six contractors to get a good idea of what a reasonable rate is.
Think about having a radiant barrier in your attic so your HVAC system. It ensures that your home cool when it’s hot or cold as it should be. You may even find that you can use your attic as part of your living space if it is done right.
If you hear a clicking in the HVAC unit at home, see if there are any obstructions right away. Often the issue is some sort of debris that’s hitting the fans in the cooling system. Just clear the debris to remove the problem. Look at the system before you call for help.
Check for duct leaks if your existing system is not be working efficiently. When you get leaks repaired, you’ll find that the testing paid for itself.
You can’t know what sized air conditioner to purchase unless you measure the area you need cooled. Typically, 20 BTUs are required per square foot. If multiple rooms need cooling, add together their square footage to reach this calculation.
If you HVAC unit is clicking, there may be something obstructing it. Often it is being caused by debris hitting fans in the cooling system. Check it out before you waste time contacting a contractor.
Replace the air filter in your HVAC system every month. It is the easiest way to take care of it. It is a small cost to do this.
Measure the living area that requires air conditioner shopping. You generally need 20 BTUs per square foot of room space. If you are cooling more than one room, combine all the square footage.
When you need to find a contractor to handle your HVAC work for you, make sure that the one you choose has a phone number they will answer 24-hours per day. A good company will have repairman available in any weather situation.
Always make sure to get references before hiring any contractor.
Know what’s included in any repair work you contract. The contractors can overcharge later for items like material and fee costs and charges. Solidly written contracts let you prevent such issues.
Some contractors will attempt to overcharge you on later for things such as material fees and fuel charges. Having a solid written contract will help to avoid issues like that.
Do not forget to check the references of a HVAC contractor. When a contractor voluntarily gives references, many assume they are legit. This may be a mistake. It only takes a couple minutes to call to check a person out by calling, so don’t worry about doing that.
Consider a programmable thermostat installed.This can save you a great deal on your energy bills because your settings to ensure optimal performance.
Make sure that any contractor that provides you with a quote also performs a heat-loss calculation. This determines the amount of BTUs your system needs to make sure your home stays comfortable. The contractor should also count the number of doors and windows in your home, as well as check insulation, and measure the internal space.
These energy products are known to meet very strict efficiency guidelines. These guidelines have been set up by the US Environmental Protection Agency. They are called the environment and human health. Taking time to fully research various units may help you save a significant amount of money.
Keep your HVAC system operating efficiently and enjoy clean air by cleaning the heating ducts from time to time. Look often at the ducts to make sure there is nothing wrong with them. Damaged ducts increase the energy bill by wasting air that is warm.
You may be surprised to discover that as much as 66% of all homes have ducts that leak. This alarming percentage is responsible for nearly one quarter of your energy bill. Sealing the ducts is easy and cheap to do yourself, and it can significantly decrease your electrical bill yearly thereafter.
Make sure your condenser unit is protected once the weather begins to get colder. One way to do this is by laying a thick cover on it. If the temperature dips under 60 degrees, don’t implement the unit because it won’t be effective.
Find an HVAC professional who uses Energy Star equipment. This will ensure that the EPA. This will help you save more on your bills throughout the year.
Make sure that your owner’s manual is always handy. There are many tips in this manual that can be of great help should a big issue occur. You can get a replacement manual from the manufacturer if you need one.
Keep your condenser unit protected when it’s getting colder. A nice cover will help protect the condenser from coming in.
Make certain that your HVAC company gives you written estimates before any work is done. These estimates should be on paper. Many tasks call for written cost projections. It will ensure that you get treated fairly. Get a few estimates from different people and pay attention to what each is offering. Avoid hiring the lowest bidder, as this may be an indication of low quality work.
Make sure that you know where the owner’s manual is anytime the system in a convenient place. The information contained within this manual will help you out if you’re dealing with problems.
Working with your broken down HVAC system is one difficulty homeowners dread. This process will be less traumatic if you have educated yourself about the topic ahead of time. Having these tricks and tips handy will help a homeowner solve any HVAC issues affordably and promptly.
