A properly functioning HVAC system is important part of your home.A lot of people spend quite a bit to fix things when they don’t work right, but could have avoided such issues if they had maintained them properly. The tips below will help you to make the most of your purchase.
Check out the system that you have before you call a professional. Write down what brand your system is along with the model number and, if they’re available, maintenance records. This will help make sure that the contractor you hire has all the necessary information.
Know what type of your HVAC system you currently have before looking for a repair person. This will enable you give your chosen contractor the necessary information.
Before an HVAC expert comes to your home to do any repair work, walk around the home and check out the temps in every room. Note which of your rooms are hot and which are cold. Give this information to your contractor when they arrive.
Know what work you need before you select an HVAC contractor.It will be hard for a contractor to provide you a price estimate over the phone if they have not seen your current setup is. It will be way more hard if you don’t know what’s wrong.
Do not allow grass clippings to cover the outdoor unit of your HVAC system. Direct the grass clippings in a direction away from the HVAC unit. This applies when you are taking care of the leaves in the yard.
Clean your outdoor condenser unit. You don’t know when things are going to pile up, especially after a windy or rainy storm, and that can throw a wrench in your system. It can cause it to overheat.
Lubricate your fan condenser if it has oil ports. These are usually covered with rubber or metal caps. Look for an oil that is lightweight and then put about 10 drops inside the port. You don’t want to put in too much.
Don’t let grass clippings on your outdoor condenser.Aim the grass cuttings in a different direction away from your unit. This applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in debris.
In order for your new unit to be as efficient as possible, or to make older units more efficient, make sure it’s put in a shaded area. This will ensure cool air is sucked in, meaning less cooling must be done by the unit.
Put your outdoor unit in the shade.
When it gets cold outside, the outdoor condenser unit should be turned off. Avoid damaging the unit by turning it off when the outdoor temperature drops below 60 degrees. You will save in repair bills and increase the efficiency of your system.
Turn off any outdoor condensers you have when weather gets cold. This should turn it off to prevent damage if the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit. This simple tip will help keep the system working for many years and save you a lot on repairs.
If you own your own home or have permission from your landlord, replace your single pane windows with double paned versions. Double pane windows will help keep your home cooler in the summer. This also works during the cold months to keep the warm air inside.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line might also freeze up.If you see this happen, switch your thermostat to fan only to disable the compressor. You can call a HVAC professional, even if switching it to its fan setting starts making the ice melt.
One way to save some money with A/C is by having a programmable thermostat installed. A thermostat that’s programmable is going to save you around ten percent on the heating and cooling costs you have to pay when you turn it back about fifteen percent for a part of the day. Also, you’ll find that you can program your thermostat from a computer or anything connected to the web.
Ask your friends and trust for contractor recommendations. People that have used and if they are worth calling. This can also be used to see who you learn the names of those companies that you should avoid.
To choose a HVAC contractor, it is important to check their reputations. Check with different references to determine the best one for your situation. These steps are going to help to ensure your decision is a wise one.
There are quite a few sites these days that other customers to share their service experiences. This is useful for finding people that you wish to work with and those you need to make the best hiring decisions.
Sometimes air conditioners get iced up. In addition, the drain line sometimes freezes, and people often think that there is a plumbing leak. If you see this, immediately put your thermostat on the fan setting to turn off your compressor. You can call a HVAC professional, but switching to the fan will make the ice melt.
Contractors determine their own fee levels, so make sure that you acquire multiple estimates. You can save tons of cash simply by doing your homework. You may want to call at least a handful of contractors to determine what reasonable rates are.
When you’re purchasing an HVAC system, make sure that you get a unit that is properly sized for your space. If you buy a unit that is too big, it won’t do an efficient job. Read over the owner’s manual to see the manufacturers suggestions as to the cooling capacity of the unit for the most accurate information.
Think about getting a radiant barrier in your attic so support the efficient functioning of your HVAC system. 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 use your attic space more effectively.
Ask people that you know and trust for contractor recommendations. Someone who has used a contractor in the past is generally willing to let you know what they thought about it. It’s also important to do this to learn which companies should not be contracted for work.
Are you thinking about buying a new heating/cooling system? You need to think about a few things into account. Systems have a rating based on how well the system is able to cool and heat an area well. You are wise to err on the side of a unit rather than purchasing one that is a bit too small.
A radiant barrier is an awesome device which will help improve the efficiency of your HVAC unit. This will block the heat that comes in. If this is installed correctly, it will give you the ability to actually use your attic as extra space to live in.
Check the ducts to find any leaks if your unit seems to not up to snuff. If a leak is found, this testing will pay for itself.
If your HVAC system is clicking, look for blockages right away. Frequently the cause is some kind of debris that is making contact with the cooling system of the fan. Simply get rid of the debris to get rid of the issue. See if you can do it yourself before getting a professional.
Determine the direction that your home faces in order to establish efficient HVAC operation. The cooler your home already is, the less you’ll have to use your air conditioner to cool things off.
In order to determine the size of the air conditioner to purchase, you must measure the area that you want to cool. You will need about 20 BTU per square footage of the room. If you need to cool multiple rooms, make sure to add the square footage together.
If your HVAC system is producing any type of clicking sounds, look immediately to see if there is an obstruction. Sometimes debris that gets in the fan’s way. Look before calling in a service technician.
Each month, you need to get a new air filter and install it in your unit. This is the simplest thing that you can do to keep your unit running in tip top shape. Filters cost only a few dollars, so it’s a small monthly price to pay.
Measure the living area that needs cooling before going air conditioner shopping. You can figure out the unit you need 20 BTU for each square foot. If you have multiple rooms to cool, just add their total square footage.
Make certain that you hire an experienced contractor with a good reputation. You want one that maintains a schedule. These techs that come out should be quickly able to figure out the issue and remedy the problem right away. After they see what the problem is, they should be able to get the work done quickly for your sake.
If you have to put the unit in a corner, be sure you can change the direction of air flow to avoid having it hit the wall.
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, make sure your unit permits airflow to be redirected.
Ask a contractor about their experience.You need to verify they have done the type of experience needed to work you require.
When you hire a contractor, make sure you ask for some references. It helps to find out whether prior customers were satisfied with their overall experience. The references will help you avoid wasting your money on someone that is not professional.
Always make sure to get references before hiring any contractor.
The services you are paying a contractor to do should be clearly spelled out in your contract. Do not get scammed with material fees and fuel charges. Having a written contract will let you avoid these types of issues.
Some contractors attempt to overcharge you after the work is complete for things such as material fees and fuel charges. Having a good written contract will help avoid any issues like this.
When it’s winter time, get your condenser unit covered so it can be safe. This will increase the life of your condenser. Also, you shouldn’t use your compressor if the temperature outside drops to below 60 degrees. Switch your fan on instead so the unit doesn’t get strained.
Cover your condenser when the winter. This simple tip will ensure that your condenser considerably. Use the fan setting only to avoid putting strain on the unit.
Your contractor should perform a heat loss calculation when coming to give you an estimate. You need it to know how many BTUs are necessary. Doors and windows should be counted, insulation checked, and the internal space of your house measured.
Always follow up on any references that you receive for an HVAC contractor.
Look for an HVAC system that is rated as Energy Star compliant, as that will save you the most amount of money. Products with this logo save money on electricity and are much more environmentally friendly. These are put in place by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These guidelines have been set up by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. If you take the time to do your research, you may save a lot of money in the process.
This tells you the number of BTUs will be used.
Seek out HVAC contractors that only use products that carry the Energy Star label. This will ensure that your system has met the EPA standards for efficiency. This will help you to save money on utility bills.
The condenser needs to be properly taken care of in cold weather. This may be accomplished by placing a thick cover on it.
Clean the heating ducts on your HVAC system periodically in order to allow efficient heating and have clean, fresh air. Examine the ducts on a regular basis to ensure they are in good working order. Warm air can be wasted and your bill will sky rocket.
Always get estimates for HVAC services. It is important that it is in writing. There are many jobs that you have to get multiple estimates for to see what they take. This procedure helps you get adequate service. Compare all of the estimates you receive.
As this article has said before, your HVAC system is something that really is important, and you have to be sure you keep it working well. These simple tips that you have read above can save loads of money on expensive repairs. All you have to do is follow them, and you can avoid spending lots of money on preventable damages.
