Follow these helpful tips to put yourself in the best position.
Before contacting a repair service, do a short tour of the entire home. Know what part of the house is cold and which is hot. That will help your repairman figure out where the problem is, and how he can fix it easily and quickly.
If you’ve been having trouble with an HVAC system, take a tour of the house prior to calling a professional. This will help the repairman determine where the problem is and how to fix it.
To make sure your condenser fan works properly, keep the fan blades and the coils clean. If you are doing more than a light surface cleaning, make sure that the power is shut off to the HVAC unit. The outside condenser unit should be kept free of leaves and other debris.
Know what you want done before you hire a contractor. It will be difficult for a contractor to provide you a price estimate over the phone if they have not seen your current setup is. It will be more difficult for him to assist you can’t figure out what they need to do.
Clean the coils on the condenser fan from time to time. Before you do anything, however, turn the power off. Take the grill off and pull the blades out to clean them.
Clean the debris off your outdoor condenser units. You don’t know when things are going to pile up, like right after it’s windy or rains, and that can throw a wrench in your system. It can also cause the unit to overheat and break down.
When you’re trying to cut your grass, don’t cover a unit outside with the clippings. Now so the grass clippings are shot away from your unit. This also applies when you blow leaves, so be very careful near your exterior HVAC units when you move debris.
Don’t get grass clippings pile up against your outdoor condenser. Aim the grass in a different direction from your unit. This applies when you are taking care of the leaves in debris.
You can boost the efficiency of your HVAC unit by replacing it with a new energy efficient one or moving your old one to a shady outside location. When your unit sucks in cooler air, then much less is required to cool it further, which saves you money on energy bills.
Put outdoor unit in places with shade.
During cold weather , be sure to turn off outdoor condenser units. When the temperature goes below 60 degrees, shut off the unit in order to prevent damage. Your system will work longer for you this way.
During your service visit, professionals can help by inspecting the system’s motor, inspect the motor and the freon levels. These simple tasks will help keep your HVAC system to run its best.
A good way to save money with your air conditioning is by installing a programmable thermostat. It may save you as much as 10 percent of your overall utility bill if you turn your thermostat down by 10-15 degrees for a portion of the day. Furthermore, there are a few programmable thermostats that you can control from your computer or any other web-connected device.
Research and check the companies before hiring them. Check them out at the BBB and look for reviews as well. Doing these things beforehand will allow you make a smart decision.
When everyone is gone, turn your AC off. By raising the temperature from, for example 78 to 80, your house will be warmer, but only up to 80 before your AC kicks in. If you decide to set the temperature to 82 or 83 or so on, your AC won’t go on until it reaches that temperature. If it’s left on all day, it will fight the heat all day, which uses quite a bit of electricity.
Air conditioners tend to ice up.The drain line might also freeze up.If this is something that’s happening to you, put the fan on to shut the compressor off. You can call a HVAC professional, even if switching it to its fan setting starts making the ice melt.
Don’t ever let your home temperature get dangerously high. It is only possible for an air conditioner to lower the temperature in a home by 20 degrees F in a short time. This limits their overall benefit. If humidity is high, this temp is still unsafe for people.
Companies with proven track record that you can use to decide if they are worth the time and money. It is always risky to hire someone who does not have a long history.
Before you invest in any HVAC contractor, make sure you spend a good deal of time researching their reputations and credentials. Check with the BBB and online reviews as well. This can help you make the right choice.
Ask people that you know and family for contractor recommendations. People who’ve had great service are often happy to share the name of their contractor. It’s also a good way to learn which companies should avoid.
You can get ice in your air conditioner. This can also happen on the drain line. If this happens, turn the thermostat so it is on fan only mode, which will disable the compressor. If this doesn’t work, call a professional.
There are plenty of websites online that give people the opportunity to leave comments about the service they received. This works both in finding those you with all the information you don’t.
There are plenty of online tools, such as sizing calculators, which can help you find the best unit to cool your home. If you get something that’s too big, it won’t work as well for you in the end. Check the manual to see what the manufacturer rates the unit to cool for accurate information.
Contractors charge different rates, so make sure to get multiple quotes. You have the potential to save tons of money by asking for many quotes. You may want to call at least five contractors in order to know what you should be paying.
Consider how long a given HVAC company has been in existence before giving them your business. Companies with proven track records typically provide better service. Hiring a contractor who is just starting out can be risky.
If your HVAC system is clicking, immediately start looking for any obstructions. Sometimes there is debris interferes with the cooling system fans. Check it out before you waste time contacting a repairman.
Check reviews online to find professional help. In many cases you will find local review sites where previous customers will share the experience they had with companies they used. This will be an excellent way to locate people you should work with and people that may not work well with you.
The HVAC in your house is a vital part of your daily life whether you know it or not. Failing to maintain this type of system will lead to discomfort. Never let this happen to you; keep in mind all the advice here to make sure that your HVAC system is providing you good air.
Pick a contractor who gets back to you quickly and understands the job. Many reliable companies ensure techs keep their appointments to stay on schedule. The best workers can take a look at your system rather quickly and diagnose the trouble. Also, they should be able to service it quickly.
