The only way your home can always be a desirable temperature is if you are properly heating and cooled is important. That is why it is important to keep your HVAC has to be in tip top shape. If you don’t take good care of it, it can lead to expensive repairs and an uncomfortable way of living. Here are some tips to help you keep your HVAC system running smoothly.
Before calling for help, know the system you have. 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 work you need before you select an HVAC contractor.It will be hard for a contractor to give you a price estimate on the phone if they have not seen your current system. It will be more hard if you can’t figure out what they need to do.
If your HVAC system us giving you issues, take a look around the house prior to calling a contractor. Determine which rooms are hotter or colder than they should be. Give this information to your contractor when they arrive.
Clean your fan blades and coils when the weather begins to warm. Clean the outside of your condenser as well.
Clean the debris from outside units often. Leaves and debris can accumulate quickly, particularly following storms, and that can cause problems for your system. It will damage the system by overheating.
Your outdoor HVAC unit may suffer when your trees start to lose their leaves. Make sure the fan’s grill is cleaned frequently when the leaves begin to fall. The fan needs unobstructed air flow, and if it gets blocked, it could cause your system to break down.
Each spring, clean the fan blades and coils on your condenser. Make sure to turn off the fan’s power first to be safe. Then, remove the grill, then remove the blades and begin the cleaning process of the blades and the unit.
Put your outdoor units in places with shade.
A big mistake that people make is cutting the grass next to the outdoor condenser unit and allowing all of the clippings to blow inside the fan and coil. Have the grass shoot in the opposite direction. This same tip applies when you are blowing fallen leaves around the yard. Grass and leaves pose a serious problem for the internal functioning of your unit.
Turn off any outdoor condenser units when the weather turns cold. This means that you should turn it off to prevent damage if the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This helps the system last much longer and save you a lot on repairs.
If the fan condenser on your unit has ports for oil, make sure you lubricate it once a year. The port usually has either a rubber or metal cap on top of it. Put about ten drops or less of a good non-detergent SAE 20 oil into each port.
A programmable thermostat is a simple way to help save money on your air conditioning costs. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from your smart phone or computer.
Make sure your HVAC systems is checked twice a year. This should be done in Fall and Spring to prepare it for the extreme months. This will help you to avoid problems.
During the visit, they will inspect the motor of the system, oil the moving parts and check the freon levels in the system. These few simple things will help your system.
As the temperature outside drops, remember to turn off your outdoor condenser unit. 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.
Don’t ever let your home get way too hot to where it’s dangerous. Air conditioners cannot sufficiently cool down a home by 20 degrees. If your home happens to get near 100 degrees Fahrenheit, you’ll only cool down to still above 80. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Getting a programmable thermostats can be a terrific way to realize savings. These can save you around 10 percent on your heating and cooling costs by just turning it back 10 percent to 15 percent for around eight hours each day. Also, you can find a thermostat that is controllable from a computer or smart phone.
Research the reputation of companies before hiring them.Check them out at the BBB and online reviews posted by former customers. Doing this will make sure you choose wisely..
Use online AC sizing calculators to figure out what size unit you need. If you get a unit that is too large, it will cost a lot in energy costs. Always look through the manual as well.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line might also freeze up.If this is something you notice, put the fan on to shut the compressor off. You can call a HVAC professional, but switching to the fan setting should start to melt the ice.
Find out how many years an HVAC company has been in business before you hire them. This will ensure that you find someone who knows their stuff. If you choose to hire a new contractor, you may be risking things.
Companies that are well established have track records typically provide better service. Hiring a newer contractor comes with an element of risk.
Each contractor will have their own fee schedule, so make sure you get several different quotes before you hire anybody. Save yourself some money by calling around before you make your final decision. You may want to get quotes from at least five contractors in order to know what you should be paying.
Speak with family and friends to get a recommendation for a reputable HVAC unit.People who’ve had a good experience are usually willing to tell of their contractor. This will also help you should avoid hiring.
Think about getting a radiant barrier in your attic so your HVAC system can run better. It blocks the heat from inside out, reducing the energy that’s needed for your home to get cooled during the summer. If it is done correctly, it is even possible to convert the attic as a living space.
Check the ducts to find any leaks if you you feel your unit seems to not be working efficiently. Once leaks have been fixed, the savings will be more than worth the hassle.
Are you looking at purchasing a HVAC system? You will need to take a few things into account. For example, the ratings on most systems describe how much space they can work to cool or heat. It is always better to buy a unit that is a little bit bigger rather than one that might be slightly smaller.
If your HVAC system is clicking, immediately check for any type of obstruction. Often it is being caused by debris hitting the fans in the cooling system. Check it out before you call in the professionals.
If your current system isn’t working well enough, test out the ducts 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 the leaks are repaired, you’ll find that the testing paid for itself.
Measure the living area that needs cooling before buying a unit. You generally need 20 BTU per square footage of room space. If you have multiple rooms to cool, just add their total square footage.
Obstructions often cause a clicking noise in a compressor. Sometimes, debris will be the cause of the disturbance. Cleaning the debris will likely stop the noise. Check the fan and coil before you waste time contacting a professional.
Pick an HVAC business that know what they’re doing and can work quickly. The most reliable companies make sure their technicians stay on schedule. A licensed technician will also easily diagnose any problems with your HVAC unit quickly. After they know what the problem is, they should be able to get the work done quickly for your sake.
Measure the area that needs cooling before buying a unit. In general, you need 20 BTU for each square foot. Add the square footage for multiple rooms together.
Ask any potential contractor about their experience prior to hiring them. Make sure they are experienced doing the kind of work that is needed.
It is important to think about the direction air flows from your unit. Make sure you have plenty of air flow control options if you are forced to install the unit in a corner.
Always request references when you are considering a contractor.
Prior to engaging the services of a contractor to handle your HVAC system, be sure to find out about the kind of experience he has. The contractor should be experienced in handling the kind of work that you require. Less experienced workers could work out just fine, but you really shouldn’t take any chances.
Any HVAC contractor you hire should have an emergency hotline. They should be there when you need them, be it in the middle of a heatwave or in the worst snowstorm of the year.
Always be very clear about what will be included in your estimate of cost on any HVAC work you have someone do. There are contractors that will try to overcharge you later for things like fuel charges and material fees. You can avoid these issues if you have a contract that is written out.
Some contractors attempt to charge you later for fuel or extra material. Having a written contract can help avoid issues like this.
Fit the condenser on your HVAC with a protective cover during the colder winter months. This simple cover keeps the condenser operating longer when not in use. Also don’t use the compressor when it’s less than about 60 degrees outside. Use the fan.
Cover your condenser when the winter. This will allow it to last longer if it is protected when you’re not in use. Use the fan instead to avoid putting strain on the unit.
Check in on the contractor’s references. Too many people just assume these contactors are legitimate becuase they offered these references freely, but if you don’t actually check them out, there could be serious consequences. Calling a person and checking him out takes just a couple of minutes, so go ahead and do it.
Running Smoothly
Did your contractor calculate your heat-loss ratio before giving you their quote? This information is used to determine the number of BTUs your system should be. Windows and doors should be counted, and insulation should be checked along with measuring the internal space of your home.
Now you know how to keep your HVAC running smoothly. Never allow it to falter just because you have of of paid attention to maintenance. Use these tips to keep your HVAC system from failing when it should be running smoothly. It’s not really a tough job at all!
Sixty-six percent of houses have leaky ducts. These can represent one fourth of your home’s utility costs. You can fix your ducts on your own, plus it’s simple to do and cheap, too.
