Anyone that has an HVAC unit in their house knows the importance of properly maintained. A HVAC system can cost a lot of money. The following tips will help you care for your HVAC maintenance and repairs.
Know the name and type of your HVAC system before looking for a repair person. Write down the make, model, and any maintenance history. This will let you know that you’re able to give the contractor the information that can help them.
Know the name and type of system you currently have before looking for a repair person. This will let you to give the contractor any information they might need.
Check the whole house before you call for help. Determine which rooms are hotter or colder than they should be. That knowledge can help the technician figure out what is going on.
If your HVAC doesn’t seem to be working properly, check out your home before calling a contractor. This information will help the repairman determine where the problem is and how to fix it.
What do you need done? Know this before calling a contractor. This will make the quote process much easier. It will be more difficult for him to assist you over the phone without the information readily available. You need to know this before you begin.
Know what work you need before you hire a contractor. It will be hard for a contractor to provide you with an estimate on the phone without knowing what your current setup is. It will be more difficult for him to assist you can’t figure out what they need to do.
By the end of spring, the fan blades and coils of your condenser should be thoroughly cleaned, so operation can proceed with greater efficiency. Always turn the unit off before you do anything to it, including leaning. Remove leaves and debris from the condenser outside.
Clean any debris that accumulates on an external condenser units. You don’t know when things are going to pile up, especially after a windy or rainy storm, and that can ruin your system. It will damage the system to malfunction by overheating.
Lubricate your fan condenser if it has oil ports. A rubber or metal cap is typically placed over such ports. You should select an SAE 20 oil since it is lightweight and does not contain detergent. Be sure to use just 10 drops or so, or your system may overfill.
10 Drops
A shady spot is always a good choice for the placement of your outdoor compressor. In this way, it will be cooling air that is already somewhat cooled. This saves energy.
Lubricate the oil ports on your condenser at least once a year. They generally have a rubber or metal cap. Use SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, putting 10 drops in each port.
If you want things to be more efficient, get new units outside or have your current one moved into the shade. It will help you save on your energy bill when you do this.
Put your outdoor units in the shade if you are installing them.
Your system should be checked twice a year. It’s best to have it checked before you turn it on for the summer and again for the winter. Even if nothing seems wrong, checking it out can help you find and fix potential issues.
Turn off outdoor condenser when it’s getting cold. This should turn it off to prevent damage if the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This simple tip will help keep your system working for years to come.
Turn off your outdoor condenser when it’s getting cold. To avoid damage, units should be turned off when temperatures are below 60 degrees. Doing this keeps your system working well for years and saves you from having to spend money to repair it.
It is always a good idea to swap out single pane windows with ones that have double pane ones. This also keeps warm air in during the winter.
Turn off your air conditioner when no one is home to help save money. You don’t need to keep the house cool if you aren’t there. Leaving your heating or cooling running full blast while you are away is a waste of money and energy.
During the visit, the serviceman will inspect the unit’s motor, oil the unit’s moving parts and ensure the unit has proper freon levels. These few simple things will keep your HVAC system to run at its peak performance.
Ask those you know for the name of a great HVAC technician, should you need one. Those who have had this work done will know the best options. You will also find out who NOT to use!
Never allow your home reach a dangerously hot inside. Air conditioners really can only cool down about 20 degrees Fahrenheit within a reasonable amount of time. If the temperature in your home rises to 100 degrees F or higher, you will only be able to cool it down to 80. This won’t be a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.
Having a radiant barrier installed in your attic is an excellent way to make sure that your HVAC runs better. This helps block the heat from outside, and will reduce the energy needed for cooling your home during the summer. If it’s done right, the attic can become another useful living space.
Research the reputation of companies before hiring them.Check with different references to determine the BBB and look for reviews posted by former customers. Doing this makes it more likely that you make a better decision.
Do you wish to buy a new cooling and heating system? You will need to take a few things into account. An HVAC system gets its rating by how effective it will heat and cool an area. You should buy a little bigger than necessary unit over a little smaller than necessary unit.
Contractors determine their own fee levels, so make sure that you acquire multiple estimates. You can save quite a bit of cash simply by doing your homework. You should try to contact 5 to 6 contractors to find out what reasonable rates are.
If you HVAC unit is making a clicking sound, check immediately for any debris that may have accumulated in it. Sometimes debris interferes with the cooling system fans. Simply clear away the debris or remove any foreign objects and your problem is solved. Always check for yourself before getting someone out to repair the unit.
If the HVAC unit makes a clicking noise, look for an obstruction. Often it is being caused by debris that’s hitting the fans in your cooling system. Check the fan and coil before calling a contractor.
It is important that you know the measurements of the area you need to cool. Plan for 20 BTU of power in your air conditioner for each square foot that needs to be cooled. If more than one room needs AC service, combine all the square footage.
Make sure they are tightly sealed so air inside. You can get a professional out to help you test them.
Replace the air filter monthly to keep your HVAC system working well. This is such a simple thing that takes little time, and it can save you money by helping to keep your system running longer. Filters are inexpensive, so there is no excuse for not doing it.
Hvac System
Hire an HVAC contractor that is efficient and quick. A reliable company will arrive on time and have the job finished in a jiffy. A professional can also perform a quick diagnosis on a faulty machine to locate the problem. Once the problem is identified, fixing it should be quick and easy.
Replace the air filter in your HVAC system working well.This is an easy thing to do and it will keep your HVAC system running in tip top shape.
When placing your unit, think about the direction the air will flow from the unit. If you have to put the unit in a corner, use one that doesn’t blow into the wall.
Pick an HVAC companies that understands the unit and works quickly to solve the problem. The best companies keep the technicians will always be on time. A knowledgeable technician should also have no problem diagnosing any problems with your HVAC. After they know what the problem is, they should then know how to deal with the problem.
Never hire a contractor before asking about the work experience they have when it comes to dealing with HVAC units. You need to be sure that they’re able to do the work and have done it before. This will help to maximize their productivity.
If you can only put it into a corner, be sure you can change the direction of air flow to avoid having it hit the wall.
Seek references when hiring an HVAC contractor. Talk to those references to find out if they were pleased with the service they received. You can avoid scam artists, yet only when you actually check up on references.
Ask a contractor about their experience.You need to verify they have the type of work on your particular system.
A thick cover over the outdoor condenser will protect it from serious damage during the cold, winter months. This helps the condenser last longer if it is protected when not in use. Additionally, do not use it when the temperature dips below 60. Use the fan instead to avoid putting strain on the condenser unit.
Always make sure to get some references from a contractor.
When a contractor comes in to give you a quote, be sure they complete a heat-loss calculation. This needs to be factored in when figuring out the best sized unit for your home. Windows and doors should be counted, and insulation should be checked along with measuring the internal space of your home.
Cover your condenser unit for protection in the weather becomes less than optimal. This simple cover keeps the condenser considerably. Use the fan setting only to avoid putting strain on the condenser unit.
Make certain that a new HVAC has the Energy Star on it. It will be much more efficient if you do. These standards are determined by the United State Environmental Protection Agency. This is vital if you want to cut your costs. You will save money by paying attention to these details.
Always check out any references provided to you by an HVAC contractor.
Be sure to regularly clean the HVAC’s heating ducts so the air will be clean and the heat will work properly. Look often at the ducts to make sure there is nothing wrong with them. A bit of damage can drastically effect efficiency.
This information is used to determine the number of BTUs your system has to be.
Be sure to protect your condenser as the weather turns colder. A thick cover should be placed on top of it to prevent any debris from coming in. Don’t use the cover until the temperature is below 60 degrees.
Heating Ducts
Keep your system operating efficiently by cleaning the heating ducts from time to time. Check your heating ducts for damage or openings often. Damaged ducts can raise your heating bill to rise.
The condenser unit needs protection in cold weather. Try placing a thick cover on it that will help it to stay warm.
Make sure the owner’ manual is always handy. The manual will be very useful.
Hopefully, you have gained a solid understanding of what needs to be done to keep your system in check. Faulty HVAC systems can cost you quite a bit of money in maintenance and bills. Keep these tips in mind, because they will only help you out over the life of your system.
