Even though it is important to have a well functioning HVAC system, not all homeowners understand how to keep it in good shape. Learning the best HVAC professional to maintain or repair your system is a wise move for any smart homeowner. The article can help.
If your HVAC system is acting up, take a tour of the house prior to calling a professional. Find out which rooms are hot and which are cold. That knowledge can help the technician figure out what is going on.
If problems arise with the HVAC system, check things out yourself prior to calling in a technician. This will help the contractor 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. If you can’t explain changes you’ve made, the process will be even more difficult. You need to know this before you begin.
Know what you need before you select an HVAC contractor. A contractor cannot give an over-the-phone estimate if unfamiliar with your system. It will be way more hard if you don’t know what’s wrong.
Clean the coils and blades in your condenser at the beginning of summer. Except when you do superficial cleaning, you need to always make sure the power is off on the unit. Keep the exterior of the condenser unit free of debris.
Turn the power off first so nothing moves. Next, pop the grill off, pull out the blades and start cleaning them and the unit itself off gently.
If your condenser units are outisde, make sure any debris is cleaned from them regularly. You don’t know when things are going to pile up, like right after it’s windy or rains, and that can ruin your system. Overheating may be the result if you don’t.
Don’t get grass clippings pile up against 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 the yard.
When you are cutting the grass, be sure not to cover your outdoor units with clippings. Get the grass shot away from your unit. Be just as mindful when you blow leaves to not blow them toward your HVAC equipment.
Leaves and debris can damage your HVAC unit. Make sure you clean out your fan grill is cleaned often once nearby trees start shedding their leaves. The fan needs unobstructed air flow, and if it is clogged, it could cause your system to break down.
As the leaves are falling off the trees, your HVAC system can really take a hit. Clean the fan grill often when leaves are falling. You can head off future problems that can be caused by blockages by making sure there is a free flow of air to your fan.
Turn off outdoor condensers you have when weather turns cold. This means that you should be done when 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 the fan condenser on your unit has ports for oil, make sure you lubricate it once a year. You will notice these ports have a rubber or metal cap covering them. Pick a type of SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight. Place 10 or less drops into every port to avoid overfilling.
A programmable thermostat is a simple way to help you save money on air conditioning bill. Some can even be controlled from a PC or other device.
Your system should be checked twice a year. The best times to have the system checked is spring and fall, so you are sure everything is running at peak performance before the heating and cooling seasons. Although there might not be any noticeable issues, it is important to provide regular upkeep to prevent bad things from happening.
Don’t ever let your home get way too hot to where it’s dangerous. Air conditioners can only cool a home down about 20 degrees in a short time. If the temperature in your home rises above 100 degrees, cooling it will only drop the temperature to 80 degrees F. This won’t be a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.
Once it gets cold outside, you should turn off the outdoor condenser unit. If you get into temperatures that are less than 60 degrees you need the unit to be shut off so it doesn’t get damaged. This will allow your system to work well every year, and that saves you quite a bit on making repairs.
Research the reputation of companies that you consider using. Check with different references to determine the BBB and look for reviews of potential companies online. This can help you have to do in order to make a smart decision.
Do not allow your house to get extremely hot. AC units will only cool a house down 20 degrees. If your home happens to get near 100 degrees Fahrenheit, then you will only be able to reasonably cool to around 80. Depending on humidity levels, this isn’t even a safe temperature for a human body to sleep at to recover from summer heat.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line might also freeze up.If this is something you notice, change the setting on your thermostat to the fan setting and this will disable the compressor. If this doesn’t work, call in help.
Spend some time on researching for reliable HVAC companies to ensure that they have a good reputation. A good start would be the BBB to see if there are any complaints, then search online for review sites where you can see what actual customers had to say about their experience. Doing all of this will make sure you hire the best company for your HVAC needs.
Companies that are well established have track records that haven’t been. Hiring a new contractor may be taking a considerable risk.
If you need a HVAC contractor, try and get recommendations from family and friends. You should be able to find someone that has had a good experience. This will also provide you with good information on which contractors you should avoid hiring.
Are you looking at purchasing a new HVAC system installed? There are a number of things to consider. Systems have ratings according to how large an area they can effectively cool and heat. You are wise to err on the side of a unit that is slightly too large for your needs than purchasing one that is a bit too small.
Check reviews online to find professional help. In many cases you will find local review sites where previous customers will share the experience they had with companies they used. This is a great way to find people you want to work with and those you don’t want to work with.
Check for duct leaks if your unit seems to not up to snuff. When these leaks are fixed, the tests will pay for themselves.
You should think about putting in a radiant barrier in order to help your system run efficiently. It will block the heat and lower the energy necessary to keep your home cool in the summertime. If done right, you can even start using the attic as living space.
Figure out which direction your home is facing so your HVAC system more efficient. The less heat inside the house, the less work your AC will have to do.
Be sure to test for leaks in the ducts if your system seems inefficient. 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. Once leaks have been fixed, you will save substantial money on heating and cooling costs.
If you hear a clicking noise coming from the HVAC unit, check immediately for any debris that may have accumulated in it. Often it is being caused by debris hitting the fans in your cooling system. Check it out yourself first before calling a repairman.
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. Combine the square footage of all rooms, in the event that you will be cooling more than one.
Make certain they have tight seals to keep 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.
As you are thinking about where to put your AC unit, consider how the air moves out of it. If you can only put the unit in the corner, get a unit that lets you direct air flow away from any walls.
Replace the air filter to keep your HVAC system every month. This represents an easy thing to do and it will keep your system working well.
Always find out how much experience a contractor has in the business. The best contractor for the job will have ample experience working with HVAC systems similar to the one you are using. Though it is possible that a newer contractor will be just fine, you may not want to take the risk.
Ask any potential contractor about their experience prior to hiring them. You need to verify they have the sort of work you require.
Check in on the references for your contractor. This will show you their overall experience. This will help you stay away from scam artists, but only if you call those references!
Always get some references from a contractor.
Ideally, your contractor should have emergency services available. They must be able to reach your home at any time, in any weather.
Any HVAC contractor you hire should have a 24-hour emergency number available to customers around the clock. They must be able to reach your home at any time, even if when the weather gets to be extreme.
In the winter, protect the condenser unit with a cover that fits around it. When the condenser is not being used, the cover will help it to last much longer. Don’t turn it on if the temperature is below 60 either. Use the fan.
There are some contractors out there that try to charge you more later for such things like material fees and fuel charges. Having a good written contract will let you avoid these types of issues.
If you would like to save some money, try buying a system that has an Energy Star label on it. They are very efficient models which meet exacting standards. The standards are set forth by the EPA. The EPA is who governs Energy Star guidelines. If you take the time to do your research, you may save a lot of money in the process.
There are few things more important to a comfortable home environment than a properly working HVAC system. However, big issues can occur when one doesn’t know much about them. These suggestions should help you to keep your system running well.
Look for an HVAC contractor that uses Energy Star products and equipment. If they have Energy Star logo, then you know that the product has met the standards set for energy efficiency set forth by the EPA. The Energy Star label is one way for consumers to be certain that their HVAC system and those who work on it comply with standards outlined by the EPA.
