Follow these tips on dealing with your HVAC system.
Make a circuit around your home before calling for help with your HVAC. Figure out which rooms are too cool or warm. This will help your contractor quickly determine where the issue lies and how to get it fixed quickly and easily.
Lubricate your condenser at least once each year. You can easily find the ports have a rubber or metal cap covering them. Use a lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.
Clean your fan blades and coils each spring to ensure that your condenser fan operates at it’s best. Turn off the power if you are going to work on your HVAC system. In addition, always remove all debris such as leaves from the outside condenser unit.
Have your heating and cooling system checked twice a year. This should happen in the fall and malfunctions.
Clean the debris off your outdoor condenser unit. You never know when things can pile up, especially after a windy or rainy storm, and that can throw a wrench in your system. It can get overheated, which will cause problems with the whole system.
Turn off any outdoor condensers you have when it becomes cold out. This means that you should be done when the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This simple tip will help keep the system running efficiently for years to come.
Do not allow grass clippings to cover the outdoor unit of your HVAC system. Aim the grass in a different direction from the unit. Do the same when blowing snow or leaves.
During this service visit, the serviceman will inspect the unit’s motor, oil the moving parts and check the freon levels in the system. These simple tasks will keep your system.
If the fan on your condenser includes oil ports, they must be lubricated annually. They generally have a rubber or metal cap on them. Choose a SAE 20 oil whch is lightweight and non-detergent and place 10 drops or less into each port, ensuring it doesn’t overfill.
Don’t let your house get overly hot. Air conditioners cannot sufficiently cool down a home by 20 degrees. If your home gets above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, it will only reduce it to 80 or more. This won’t be a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.
A good way to save money with your air conditioning is by installing a programmable thermostat. A programmable thermostat can save you up to ten percent on your cooling and heating costs by simply turning the thermostat back ten to fifteen percent for eight hours a day. Some can even be controlled from a computer.
Research the reputation of companies that you consider using. Check them out at the best one for reviews posted by former customers. These simple steps are going to help make a wise one.
Get your HVAC unit serviced yearly. During your service visit, the serviceman will inspect the unit’s motor, oil the unit’s moving parts and ensure the unit has proper freon levels. This will help your system run better.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line might also freeze up.If this is something you notice, try switching your thermostat to just the fan so that it disables the compressor. You can call a HVAC professional, even if switching it to its fan setting starts making the ice melt.
Shut off the air conditioning if nobody is home. With the system off, the house will only heat up to a certain temperature. If it’s left on all day, it will fight the heat all day, which uses quite a bit of electricity.
Look for calculators online to help you determine the size of unit is necessary for your home. Look in the manual to determine the manufacturer website for this information.
Make certain you properly investigate any company prior to hiring them. Look at review sites and check with the BBB. Doing this can help you make a better decision.
Ask people that you know and family for contractor recommendations. People who’ve had a good experience are usually willing to tell of it. This can also be used to see who you learn the names of those companies that you should avoid hiring.
Some air conditioners can ice up. There are also occasional freezes in the drain line, which are often confused for plumbing leaks. If you see this happen, disable the compressor by turning your thermostat to the fan only setting. Get a professional to deal with this, even if you see the ice start melting because you turned the compressor off.
There are many sites now that let customers share their reviews. This is useful for finding people that you want to hire and those that you don’t.
If you are purchasing an AC unit, there are calculators on the Internet that can help you figure out the right size. If the unit is too large, it won’t cool more than a smaller unit, just less efficiently. Check your manual to figure out what the rating is from the manufacturer to be sure you’re getting the right information.
Contractors charge different rates, so make sure you get quotes from several contractors before you make any hiring decision. You can save a great deal of money by asking for many quotes. You want to call at least a handful of contractors to find out what price you can reasonably expect to pay.
Make certain the HVAC company you choose has a proven track record. Established companies that are doing well will usually be the best ones to go with. Otherwise, you are taking a huge risk with the person you hire.
Think about getting a radiant barrier installed in your attic so support the efficient functioning of your HVAC system. It ensures that your home cool when it’s hot or cold as it should be. You may even find that you can use your attic as part of your living space if it is done right.
Are you looking at purchasing a HVAC system? If so, you must consider a number of things. System ratings are based on the area that can be cooled and heated effectively by the system. It is always better to buy a unit that is a little bit bigger rather than one that might be slightly smaller.
Figure out the direction your home faces in order to make your HVAC system can work better. The less amount of heat inside of your home, the less work your AC will have to do.
Be sure to test for leaks in the ducts if your system seems inefficient. Call your utility company and ask if they test for free, as many do. You’ll see the test pays for itself once all leaks are fixed.
Make certain they have tight seals to keep air can’t seep in.You can also hire a professional to test them.
Determine which way your home faces in order to establish efficient HVAC operation. You can help keep your home cool with the strategic placement of trees. If there is less heat in the home from sunlight, then the HVAC will require less work to actually cool the home.
Measure the area that requires air conditioner shopping.You will need 20 BTU for each square foot of the room. If you need to cool multiple rooms, get their square footage added together.
If you hear a clicking in the HVAC unit at home, see if there are any obstructions right away. Often the problem will be some kind of debris hitting your fans in your cooling system. Get rid of this obstruction and that should take care of the problem. Prior to placing a service, it is worth taking a look.
If all you have is a corner spot, use one that doesn’t blow into the wall.
When choosing the proper air conditioner size, measure the area that needs cooling. You can figure out the unit you need by calculating 20 BTU per square foot. If more than one room needs AC service, combine all the square footage.
Ask any potential contractor about their experience prior to hiring them. You need to verify they have done the type of experience needed to work you require.
Choose an HVAC contractor who know what he is doing and works quickly. Good firms ensure they are always on schedule. The technicians should also be able to diagnose problems in your HVAC in no time. After they know what the problem is, it’s just a matter of time before they have it back and running properly.
Some contractors overcharge you on material fees for additional materials. Having a written contract can help avoid these types of issues.
Ask a contractor about their experience prior to hiring them. It is important that you hire someone that has enough background experience to get the work done properly. While someone with less experience might be able to do a great job too, you do not want to take that chance.
Always follow up on any references that are given to you by a prospective HVAC contractor.
Only choose a contractor to repair or install your HVAC unit if they provide a 24 hour hotline in case of emergencies. They need to be able to come to you when they are needed, even if when the weather gets to be extreme.
This determines the amount of BTUs your system needs to make sure your home comfortable.
To keep your HVAC unit from having trouble, make sure to give proper protection to the condenser with the help of a cover. That ensures it isn’t damaged by the cold and snow. The unit’s compressor should never be on when the temperature is 60 degrees or below. Switch on the fan instead and do not put strain on the unit.
Consider a programmable thermostat installed.This sort of device will save you to save quite a bit of money on utilities as your system gets to rest as you do things like sleep.
When you have a contractor come to give you an estimate, make sure they perform a heat-loss calculation. This calculation will ascertain what the correct BTU is for the system you need for your home or business. Windows and doors need to be inspected for drafts, insulation checked for efficiency and the interior dimensions of the house should also be considered.
You might be surprised to discover that as many as two-thirds of households have ducts that are leaky. This equals up to 25% of your utility costs. Sealing up your ducts is cheap and easy, you can even do it yourself, saving you money on your utility bills every year from then on.
The next time that you have an HVAC technician at your home or business, ask them to put in a thermostat that is programmable. You will save money because you can let the system take a break when you are sleeping at night.
Keep your system operating efficiently by cleaning the heating ducts from time to time. Look often at the ducts to make sure they are in good shape. Damaged ducts increase the energy bill.
To save money, try going with an HVAC unit that is an Energy Star unit. These qualified energy products are known to meet strict guidelines for efficiency. These guidelines have been set up by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Environmental Protection Agency. Investing in a search for the most energy efficient unit will pay off in considerable long-term savings on utility bills.
Keep your condenser protected in cold weather. Try putting a thick cover on top of it.
You might be surprised to discover that as many as two-thirds of all homes have ducts that are leaky. This will kick up your utility costs. Sealing up your ducts is cheap and easy, you can even do it yourself, and it can reduce your electricity bills significantly every year thereafter.
Be sure you get an estimate that’s written HVAC company. It pays to get your agreement in writing. There are many jobs that you have to get multiple estimates of the cost. This procedure helps you get adequate service. Compare all of the estimates you receive.
If you want to live comfortably, your HVAC has to be in good working condition. Without proper maintenance, you will not feel comfortable in your home. Avoid this by using the tips listed here.
