A properly running HVAC unit makes home really enjoyable. But if you experience a failure of your HVAC system, the situation can become frustrating very quickly. Learning about your unit minimizes the tips below.
Get all of the details regarding a broken system before calling for repair. Know the model and brand and find it’s maintenance history, if possible. If you have to have someone come out to repair the unit, you will be able to help the contractor understand more about what is going on.
Know what type of your HVAC system before looking for a repair person.This will enable you to give your new contractor all the information they might need.
Clean the condenser coils and fan at the beginning of the year to help the unit run efficiently. If you are doing more than a light surface cleaning, make sure that the power is shut off to the HVAC unit. If you see debris, get rid of it.
If you are having issues with your HVAC, try touring your home before calling a professional. This will help the contractor determine what the problem is and how to fix it.
Make sure that you regularly clean debris that might build up on external condenser units. You don’t know when things are going to pile up, like right after it’s windy or rains, and that can ruin your system. If you do not, the unit may get too hot and cause additional problems.
Know what work you want done before you hire a contractor. It will be hard for an HVAC contractor to give you with an estimate on the phone if they have not seen your current system. It will be way more difficult for him to assist you can’t figure out what they need to do.
When you cut the grass, make sure your mower isn’t tossing clippings toward your outdoor units. When you work with your lawn mower, make sure it spits the grass to the side opposite of your unit. If you’re blowing leaves, this same problem can occur, so make sure you move around the unit and blow the leaves away from it.
Clean the debris that accumulates on an external condenser unit. Debris can pile up at rates that increase during rainy or windy weather, bringing potential damage with it. It can cause your unit.
When selecting a location for an outdoor compressor, opt for a shady area, if possible. In this way, it will be cooling air that is already somewhat cooled. This saves energy.
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.
Put outdoor units in the shade if you are installing them. This will help ensure that the AC is pulling in cooler air, reducing the amount of work it has to do and saving you money.
Have the HVAC system checked twice a year. This should happen in the fall and again in the spring.
Get your HVAC unit serviced two times per year. The fall and spring are the optimal times for this maintenance. This type if preventative maintenance is highly necessary to ward off any expensive troubles from coming your way.
Turn off your outdoor condenser units when weather turns cold. This means that you should be done when the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This can keep your system running efficiently for years to come.
During cold weather , be sure to turn off outdoor condenser units. This means that you should turn it off to prevent damage if the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit. This will ensure your system works well each year, which could save you quite a bit in repair costs.
It is a good idea to swap out single pane windows for double pane ones. This also keeps warm in during the winter months.
Don’t let your home get too hot. Air conditioners really can only cool a home down about 20 degrees Fahrenheit within a reasonable amount of time. This means that if the weather is above 100 degrees, then you’ll still be baking in 80 degree weather at first! While it depends on the humidity, this is not safe for a human to sleep in to recover from the heat of the summer.
A programmable thermostat can really help you save money on your power bills. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from a PC or computer.
Before you go out there and hire an HVAC contractor, find out the length of time they’ve been in the industry. Companies that are well established have track records that can help you decide if they’re worth your money and time. Working with someone that does not yet have a reputation in the business is a bit riskier.
When it’s checked out, oil the parts that move, and they will oil all the moving parts. These simple tasks will help keep your HVAC system running at peak performance.
Ask your friends and relations for their HVAC contractor recommendations. Someone who has used a contractor in the past is generally willing to let you know what they thought about it. You are likely to also hear about negative experiences.
Do not let your house to get dangerously hot. Air conditioners really can only cool down about 20 degrees Fahrenheit within a reasonable amount of time. If the temperature in your home rises above 100 degrees, then you will only be able to reasonably cool to around 80. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Having a radiant barrier in your attic helps you HVAC system run better. This will block heat from coming in, which means that less energy will be needed to keep your home cool. You may suddenly find that the attic even looks like a great option for another bedroom!
Research the companies before hiring them. Check with the BBB and online reviews of potential companies online. These steps will help make a wise one.
Test your duct work for leaks. Call local utility companies to test it for you since many do it for a small fee or even free, which is lower than HVAC contractors. When you repair the leaks, the tests will pay for themselves.
Ask your friends and relations for contractor recommendations. People who’ve had great service are often happy to share the name of their contractor. This can also a great way to get names of companies that you should be avoided.
Your HVAC can work more efficiently if you take into consideration which way your home faces. Strategically placed trees can block sunlight and help keep the home cooler without the use of an AC unit. If there’s less heat inside your home, your AC will work less.
There are a number of sites these days that let customers talk about their experiences with contractors. This method provides you want to hire and also with and those you don’t want to work with.
When thinking of what kind of air conditioner you should get, you should measure the area that you need to cool. You generally need 20 BTU for each square foot of room space. If multiple rooms need cooling, just add their total square footage.
You should now know more about your HVAC unit. Bad things can happen, so keep your eye out. Hopefully, the tips above will help you remain happy with your HVAC system for years to come.
When deciding where to place your AC, condition the direction of air flow. When it’s being put into a corner, you have to be able to direct the air out into free space.
