A quality HVAC system that works is important for an enjoyable home. If an HVAC system should fail, it can be very frustrating. Learning how to maintain your HVAC system begins with the tips below.
Before you contact people to assist you in getting your system fixed, know what kind of system you’re working with in the first place. It is important to understand what model it is and which brand it is. Also, if it has been serviced before, you should have that information handy. This makes sure your contractor will be sufficiently prepared.
Know what type of system you currently have before looking for a repair person. This will ensure that you can give your new contractor all the information they might need.
Before selecting a HVAC repairman, know what you need done. If you can’t describe the problem, you may not get an accurate quote. If you can’t explain changes you’ve made, the process will be even more difficult. Learn this information to start with.
Clean the fan blades and coils come spring. Clean off any leaves or debris from your external condenser unit regularly.
Your HVAC system could suffer when trees begin dropping their leaves. Whenever leaves are falling, consistently clean the fan grill. An obstruction, such as a leaf, prevents the maximum amount of cool air from entering the system.
Clean the debris on an external 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 also cause your system to malfunction by overheating.
If the fan on your condenser includes oil ports, they must be lubricated annually. You can easily find the ports as they have a rubber or metal cap. Use a lightweight oil and do not overfill them.
Grass Clippings
Look for shade when placing a compressor outdoors. In this way, it will be cooling air that is already somewhat cooled. This saves energy.
Don’t let grass clippings on your outside unit. Direct the grass clippings away from the equipment. This applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in the yard.
Place your HVAC unit in the shade to boost efficiency. This will help you save on your energy bill.
Your outdoor HVAC unit may suffer when your trees start to lose their leaves. Make sure the fan’s grill often during the fall. The fan needs to have an unobstructed path for air to enter the unit, and if debris is blocking this air flow, you will have to contend with problems.
Your system should be checked twice a year. This should be done in Fall and Spring to prepare it for the extreme months. Even though it may seem as nothing is wrong with the unit, a simple inspection can prove otherwise.
Turn off any outdoor condenser when it becomes cold out. This means that you should turn it off to prevent damage if the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This helps the system remain in good working order.
When it gets cold outside, it is necessary to turn off outdoor condenser units. If the temperature outside is less than 60ºF, be sure to turn off the unit so that you don’t damage it. Doing this keeps your system working well for years and saves you from having to spend money to repair it.
Never allow the temperature in your home to get dangerously high level. An air conditioning unit will reduce the internal temperature of your home approximately twenty degrees in a fair time. If your home become 100F or more, it will only reduce it to 80 or more. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Having a programmable thermostat installed is a money saving idea. It will help save on your heating and cooling costs by turning itself down at certain times. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from a PC or other device.
Research and check the companies that you consider using. Check them out at the BBB and online reviews posted by former customers. These steps are going to help make a better decision.
Turn your AC off if no one is at home. You don’t need to keep the house cool if you aren’t there. Obviously, if you leave your air conditioning set at a low temperature all day long even if you’re not home, you’ll be paying to maintain that low temperature.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line might also freeze up.If this is something you notice, put your thermostat over to fan. You should call a pro to fix this problem, but switching to the fan setting should start to melt the ice.
Your home should never reach a dangerous temperature. Your average AC unit can only reduce the temperature in your home by about 20 degrees in a normal span of time. The temperature will only reduce to about 80 if your home heats up to 100 degrees. When you factor in humidity, this can still be dangerously hot for the human body at rest.
Companies that are around awhile have track records that haven’t been. It is always risky to hire a long history.
Do your homework on a number of HVAC companies before selecting the one that has the best reputation and service record. Check with the BBB (Better Business Bureau), and look them up on review sites online to see what previous customers have to say about their experience. Taking these steps will help ensure that you make a wise decision.
There are quite a lot of sites these days that allow customers to share their experiences with different services. This will be an excellent way to locate people you who is great and who isn’t.
Research what size air conditioner you should purchase for the size of your home by using online calculators they have for this purpose. If you purchase a unit that’s too large, it will not be efficient since it’ll cool the same. Use the manual to determine what size is right for you.
Contractors determine their own fee levels, so make sure that you acquire multiple estimates. You will be likely to save a lot of cash simply by doing your homework. You may want to get quotes from at least five contractors to determine what you should be paying.
To find out which HVAC company is worth hiring, make sure to use the Internet to look for reviews about any company you’re interested in. There are plenty of online websites that give people the opportunity to leave comments about the service they received. This will tell you who is great and who isn’t.
Figure out which direction your home is facing so your HVAC system can work better. If there’s less heat inside your home, then your air conditioning unit won’t have to work as hard.
If your current system isn’t working well enough, test out the ducts for leaks. Your utility company can test this for you, oftentimes at no charge. If not, it should be less expensive than a HVAC contractor. When these leaks are fixed, the testing will pay for itself in energy savings.
If you hear a clicking in the HVAC unit at home, look for an obstruction. Often it is being caused by debris that’s hitting the fans in your cooling system. Take a look before calling a technician out.
If you hear a clicking noise coming from the HVAC unit, see if there is any debris in it. The problem may be debris getting into the fans of 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.
Make certain they have tight seals to keep air can’t seep in.You can also hire someone to test them all for you and often this testing is free.
Make sure your windows and doors are efficient. Seal them tightly to prevent air from coming in. Ask a contractor to test them for you.
Square Footage
Speed should be a concern when you are looking for an HVAC specialist. They should be able to get in and get the job done quickly. The best companies will ensure that their technicians will always be on schedule. Techs must be knowledgeable about diagnosing and repairing your system quickly. When they know what the problem is, they should know how to fix it quickly so that it works properly.
Measure the living area you wish to cool before buying a unit. You will need about 20 BTU per square footage of room space. If more than one room needs AC service, be sure to add their square footage together.
Gather the level of experience of the company you are working with. He or she may not have experience working with your type of system or performing the work that you need done. Though some workers with less experience are great, you do not want to risk it.
You should now know more about your HVAC unit. Bad things will happen when you don’t do regular maintenance inspections. Use these ideas to keep your HVAC running well.
It may be tempting to hire the first HVAC company in the phone book, but it’s important to get references from them. This will show you their overall experience. References ensure you don’t end up with a scammer.
