A properly running HVAC system is something you need in a home so you have to be sure you maintain this equipment right at all times. 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 found here will help you need to know about HVAC in running order.
Tour your home before calling a contractor. Make note of which rooms are cold and which are hot. That will help your repairman figure out where the problem is, and how he can fix it easily and quickly.
Know what type of your HVAC system you currently have before calling someone to fix it. This will ensure that you can give your new contractor any information they might need.
Before you choose someone to do HVAC work, figure out what they need to do for you. It will be difficult for an HVAC contractor to provide you with an estimate on the phone without knowing what your current setup is. They need to come look at the unit. It’s a good idea to learn this information in advance.
Clean your condenser’s fan and coils when the weather begins to warm. Clean the outside of your external condenser unit.
Clean your condenser’s fan blades and coils come spring. If you are doing more than a light surface cleaning, make sure that the power is shut off to the HVAC unit. If you see debris, get rid of it.
Clean the debris regularly. Debris can pile up after a storm, and this can foul up the inner workings of your system.It could overheat and cause a disaster with your system to malfunction by overheating.
If the outside of your home has condenser units, ensure they are constantly cleaned. Leaves, twigs and other troublesome objects can accumulate, particularly after very windy weather, and this will wreak havoc on your system. It will damage the system by overheating.
Don’t let grass clippings on your outside unit. Aim your grass in a different direction away from the unit. This also applies when you are taking care of the leaves in the yard.
Some fan condensers may contain oil parts, and if yours does, ensure it is lubricated at least once per year. These ports are often covered by a rubber or metal cap. Use SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.
Your outdoor HVAC units might suffer when trees start to lose leaves. Make sure the fan’s grill is cleaned frequently when the fall. The fan must stay clear in order to function, and if it becomes blocked, you’ll have a lot of headaches eventually.
If you are choosing where to place your outdoor compressor device, try to put it in a place where there is plenty of shade. If your unit is sucking in cooler air, it will have less work to do to cool that air as it sends it inside which boosts efficiency.
Have your heating and cooling system serviced twice per year. This should be done in the fall and the spring.
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. If your air conditioner is able to constantly suck in cool air, it won’t have to work overtime to cool your space, which can in turn save you money on your electricity bills.
A programmable thermostat can help you save money on air conditioning costs. Some of these thermostats can even be controlled from a PC or computer.
Replace any single-paned windows with double-paned versions. Double pane windows will allow you to use less air during the summer because cooler air will stay in your house. This same effect also keeps warm air in during the winter months.
Don’t let your house get way too hot to where it’s dangerous. Air conditioners can only really cool a home down 20 degrees or so within a reasonable time period. So, if you house heats up to about 95, your air conditioning will only bring that temp down to about 80 degrees. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Never allow the temperature in your home to rise to a dangerously high level. An air conditioning unit is really only able to reduce the temperature by twenty degrees in a short time span. So, if your home temp reaches 100 degrees, your air conditioning will only bring that temp down to about 80 degrees. While it depends on the humidity, this is not safe for a human to sleep in to recover from the heat of the summer.
Air conditioners tend to ice up.The drain line might also freeze up.If you see this, switch your thermostat to fan only to disable the compressor. If this doesn’t work, call in help.
Sometimes air conditioners get iced up. Many times people think there is a plumbing leak, but instead the drain line has water that is frozen. Turn your unit to the fan setting to turn off the compressor. Once you know the problem, contact a local HVAC professional and let them know what’s going on in your system.
Companies with proven track record that you can use to decide if they are worth the time and money. It is riskier to hire a contractor with little experience.
Look for calculators online to help you determine the size of unit you need for your home. If you purchase something too large, you will be throwing away money. You can also check the owner’s manual to find specific numbers provided for the manufacturer. These numbers indicate the particular unit to cool a particular area.
There are quite a few sites that let customers to share their experiences with contractors. This can help filter out the people you find a top notch professional.
For greater efficiency, put a radiant barrier in your attic. It will block the heat and lower the energy necessary to keep your home cool in the summertime. It can even make your attic a livable space.
Contractors are responsible for their own charges and fees, so make sure to get multiple quotes.You can save tons of money if you make several calls prior to reaching a final decision. You should try to contact 5 to 6 contractors to determine what price you can reasonably expect to pay.
Do you need a new HVAC system? If so, you must consider a number of things. HVAC systems have a rating to determine how much space you should use it on. It is better to purchase a slightly larger than needed unit, rather than a slightly smaller than needed unit.
Think about having a radiant barrier installed in your attic so support the efficient functioning of your HVAC system can run better. It ensures that your unit stays hot outside. You could even use the attic space more effectively.
If your system doesn’t seem to be working efficiently, check your ducts for leaks. Your local energy company may do such testing at a reduced cost or maybe even for free. If a leak is found, the money spent on finding and repairing the leak will pay for itself.
Are you going to buy a HVAC system? You will need to take a few points in mind.Systems are given ratings by how well the system is able to cool or heat an area. You are wise to err on the side of a bigger unit rather than purchasing one that is a smaller one.
Figure out the direction your home is facing so your HVAC system can work better. If trees are placed strategically, you can block morning sunlight that can overheat the house. You will reduce the need for AC when your home is naturally cooler.
If your HVAC system is clicking, see if there is any debris in it. The issue may be debris getting into the fans of the cooling system. Check the fan and coil before you waste time contacting a contractor.
If you hear a clicking noise coming from your HVAC unit, immediately start looking for any obstructions. Many times you will find debris hitting that knock up against the fans inside the cooling unit. Get rid of the debris and this will no longer be an issue. Look carefully at it before you call up a service technician.
Make certain they are tightly sealed so air can’t seep in. You can get these tested at little to no charge by a professional to test them all for you and often this testing is free.
To keep your HVAC unit running at full capacity, you should have quality doors and windows installed that are efficient. All should be tightly sealed with no air getting inside or out. Ask a contractor to test them for you.
Square Footage
It is important that you know the measurements of the area you need to cool. Typically, 20 BTUs are required per square foot. If you need to cool multiple rooms, make sure to add the square footage together.
Measure the living area that requires air conditioning. You generally need 20 BTUs per square footage of room space. If you have multiple rooms to cool, add together their square footage to reach this calculation.
Before hiring a contractor to work on your HVAC system, you should inquire about the type of experience they have. Make sure they are experienced doing the kind of work that you need. This doesn’t mean a less experienced person may be bad, but you shouldn’t take any chances with your HVAC.
Pick an HVAC companies that understands the unit and can work quickly. The best companies keep the technicians will always be on schedule. A licensed technician should also easily diagnose any problems with your HVAC unit quickly. Once the problem is identified, they should also know how to get them resolved efficiently and quickly.
Use a fully-enclosing cover to protect your condenser unit in the winter. In this way, you can extend the life of the unit. Additionally, it’s important to remember not to utilize the compressor if your outside temperatures drop below 69 degrees. Switch your fan on instead so the unit doesn’t get strained.
If you can only put the unit in the corner, use one that doesn’t blow into the wall.
Prior to hiring an HVAC contractor, check out their references. Sometimes people assume the legitimacy of references because the contractor offered them, but this can be a mistake. It just takes a couple minutes to check them out.
Ask a contractor about their experience.You need to verify they have the sort of experience needed to work you require.
Consider a programmable thermostat. This can help you save a ton on your utility bills as you let your system rest overnight while you are sleeping comfortably in your beds.
Always get references before hiring any contractor.
It is amazing that 66 percent of homes have ducts that leak. This can result in as much as one fourth of your utility bills. Sealing your ducts is both easy and cheap, and it is something you can do yourself, saving you money on your utility bills every year from then on.
Cover your condenser in the weather becomes less than optimal. This helps the condenser last longer when it is not using it. Use the fan setting only to avoid putting strain on the unit.
Choose a contractor who installs Energy Star units. These systems meet strict efficiency guidelines set by the EPA. This will help you save cash on energy all year.
Always check out any references that are given to you by a prospective HVAC contractor.
Be sure to ask for written HVAC estimates. It pays to get things in writing. You never know when someone will try and change the terms of a verbal agreement. This procedure helps to ensure you get the best service. Try comparing things like price, time completion, and other things. Don’t trust a company just because they have a low estimate, as they may be performing lower quality work.
You may be surprised that as much as 66% of all homes have ducts that are leaky. These can lead to as much as a quarter of the utility costs you have. Sealing your ducts is both easy and cheap, and it is something you can do yourself, and it can reduce your electricity bills significantly every year thereafter.
Keep your system running efficiently and enjoy clean air by cleaning the heating ducts. Look at the ducts to make sure they are in good shape. Damaged ducts can cause your heating bill and waste warm air.
Your HVAC is what keeps your family comfortable and happy. With luck these tips will save you money. By following some simple preventive measures to maintain your HVAC system, you can frequently reduce your risk of having to spend money on some types of expensive repairs.
