It might seem overwhelming to learn all about HVAC at first. If you review the information in this article, then this won’t be the case. This advice will help you with all of the novice when it comes to simple repairs on your HVAC system.
Before you call someone to help you fix your system, be sure to know what sort of system you have in place. Know the model and brand and find it’s maintenance history, if possible. Then, you’ll be ready to tell the contractor what they need to know.
Know what type of system you currently have before looking for a repair person. This will enable you to give the new contractor any information they might need.
In order to keep your outside condenser fan running efficiently, make sure the coils and the fan blades are cleaned before the cooling season begins. If you are doing more than a light surface cleaning, make sure that the power is shut off to the HVAC unit. Additionally, it’s important to clear out leaves and other debris from the outside condenser unit.
If your HVAC is running into problems, do a tour of your house before you call in help. This will help the repairman determine where the problem is and how to fix it.
Clean the condenser on your debris regularly. You don’t know the amount of stuff that can pile up right after heavy winds or a storm. Left unchecked, your unit is more likely to break down.
Turn it off so nothing moves.Next, pop the grill off, pull out the blades and start cleaning them and the unit itself off gently.
When you cut the grass, make sure your mower isn’t tossing clippings toward your outdoor units. Make certain the debris goes away from it. The same goes for when you blow leaves, so make sure your are careful when moving any debris in the vicinity of your HVAC devices.
Your outdoor HVAC unit may suffer when trees start to lose their leaves. Make sure the fan’s grill is cleaned often during the leaves begin to fall. When the fan becomes obstructed, you could end up with serious issues on your hands.
You must keep your HVAC systems oil ports lubricated annually. A rubber or metal cap is typically placed over such ports. 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.
Be sure to have the HVAC unit in your home checked about two times every year. This should be checked often for debris and the spring.
In order to boost efficiency, place new outdoor units or move your current unit to a place which resides in the shade. The air in the shade is cooler and can help save on energy costs.
A programmable thermostat is a simple way to help save money on your air conditioning bill. Some of these thermostats can even be controlled from a computer.
When it gets cold outside, turn off the outdoor condensers. If the temperature outside is less than 60ºF, be sure to turn off the unit so that you don’t damage it. This simple tip will help keep the system running efficiently for many years to come.
Degrees Fahrenheit
If you are a home owner, replace whatever single pane windows you have with more efficient double-paned versions. You can reduce your energy costs from energy leaking out through your windows by installing window that are double-paned. It also facilitates heat retention in winter.
Do not allow your house to get dangerously hot. Air conditioners only cool down about 20 degrees Fahrenheit within a reasonable amount of time. If your home gets above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, it will only cool off to about 80F. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Installing a programmable digital thermostat can help save money. If you adjust it to keep the house a little warmer or a little cooler during the time you are sleeping, you may see your energy bill go down by as much as ten percent. Take advantage of the convenience of the ability to control many programable thermostats from your favorite electronic device.
Research and check the reputation of companies that you consider using. Check them out at the BBB and look for reviews of potential companies online. This will help you have to do in order to make the right choice.
Regular maintenance of your unit should be performed annually. When they visit to service the unit they’re going to inspect the motors, oil the parts that move, and see how much freon is in your system. These simple things will keep your system running at peak performance.
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 contractor can be risky.
If there isn’t anyone at home, then there’s no need for the AC unit to be running and wasting electricity. Turning it off does allow the temperature to rise, but only so far. However, leaving it on increases your electric bill and wear and tear on the system.
Speak with someone close to you to see if they can recommend someone good to service their HVAC contractor. People that have had great service are usually more than willing to share this information. This can also help you to avoid undesirable companies.
There are plenty of online tools, such as sizing calculators, which can help you find the best unit to cool your home. While you might think that a larger HVAC system is always better, in fact, larger systems sometimes are not the best choice for a particular space. Any unit’s manual will be able to give you an accurate idea for the size of the unit versus your home.
There are a few sites out there that let customers to share their experiences with different services. This is an excellent method of finding contractors that you wish to work with and those that you don’t.
Ask your friends, relatives, and coworkers about their experiences with HVAC contractors in your area. People that have had quality work done are usually more than willing to share this information. This will also help you avoid bad companies.
Contractors determine their own fee levels, so make sure that you acquire multiple estimates. You can save a bit of cash simply by doing your homework. Call around 5 contractors so that you can get the best rates.
Are you considering purchasing a new heating and cooling system? You need to know some things first. The systems are generally rated based on the area they cover. It is better to purchase a slightly larger than needed unit, rather than a slightly smaller than needed unit.
Figure out the direction your home is facing so your HVAC system more efficient. The less heat, the less time your air conditioner will have to work.
Obstructions often cause a clicking noise in a compressor. Often the issue is some sort of debris that’s hitting the fans in the cooling system. Get rid of this obstruction and that should take care of the problem. Before you call a technician, look at it yourself.
If you HVAC unit is making a clicking sound, see if there is any debris in it. Sometimes there is debris interferes with the cooling system fans. Look carefully at this prior to calling a service technician.
You can’t get the most out of your HVAC unit, unless you have efficient windows and doors installed. Be sure their seal is tight so no exterior air gets in or interior air gets out. A professional can sometimes test these for you for free.
Make sure they are tightly sealed so air inside. A professional can also test these for you for free.
You should replace the filter on your HVAC system once every month. This is an easy way to help you keep things running well for you overall. The filters are only a couple dollars, so it is a small monthly investment.
Measure the living area that requires air conditioner shopping. You can figure out the unit you need by calculating 20 BTU for each square foot of room space. If you need to cool multiple rooms, get their square footage added together.
When determining the location of your air conditioning unit, think about which way the air flows. If it has to be placed in a corner, get a unit where the air won’t be trapped against the wall.
Pick an HVAC business that is fast and knows what to do. The best companies make sure their technicians will always be on schedule and keep appointments. The technicians will be able to help you and offer the problem quickly. Once the problem is identified, they can help resolve the problems in a timely and cost-effective manner.
Always make sure to get references from a contractor. You must know whether or not their customers have had an issues, and this includes trouble with the quote they were given or workers not showing up on time. That way, you can avoid scammers more easily.
If you have an interest in HVAC, that information should have been quite valuable. If you use this advice, it will make it easier to deal with your HVAC system. Use it wisely and you may even be able to turn this into a way to make money!
Any time that you are given a quote for HVAC work, it’s vital that you them to do a heat-loss calculation, too. This will tell you how many BTUs will be used. This number comes after examining the windows and doors where heat and escape.
