Having a great HVAC system in good working order can be enjoyable in the home. If your system breaks, it will become a nightmare for those without experience. Learning how to maintain your HVAC system begins with the tips below.
Be aware of the type of system that is installed in your home prior to calling a contractor to fix it. Learn the brand, model, and if you have it, the maintenance history. This makes sure your contractor will be sufficiently prepared.
Know the name and type of your HVAC system before calling someone to fix it. This will enable you know that you’re able to give the contractor the information they might need.
If your HVAC system us giving you issues, take a look around the house prior to calling a contractor. Pay attention to which areas of the house are warm and which ones are cool. That knowledge can help the technician figure out what is going on.
If problems arise with the HVAC system, take a tour of the house prior to calling a professional. This information will help the repairman determine where the problem is and how to fix it.
If there are condenser units as part of your HVAC system, clean them often as they tend to have lots of debris. Debris can pile up after a storm, bringing potential damage with it. It could overheat and cause a disaster with your unit.
Clean the fan blades and coils each spring to ensure that your condenser fan operates at it’s best. Clean off any leaves or debris from your condenser unit regularly.
Every spring you should clean the coils and fan blades on your condenser fan. Be sure to turn the power off first; you don’t want anything to move. Next, remove the grill, take the blades and clean them gently, then clean the actual unit.
Don’t get grass clippings pile up against your outdoor condenser. Aim your grass in a direction away from the unit. This also applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in the yard.
The HVAC unit in your home can become damaged from falling leaves. Make sure the unit’s fan grill is cleaned frequently when the leaves begin to fall. An obstruction, such as a leaf, prevents the maximum amount of cool air from entering the system.
Your outdoor HVAC system could suffer when trees begin dropping their leaves. Make sure the fan’s grill is cleaned often once nearby trees start shedding their leaves. The fan must stay clear in order to function, and if it gets blocked, it could cause your system to break down.
If the condenser fan has oil parts, then you need to lubricate it at least once per year. You can find these ports covered with rubber or metal caps. Use a lightweight oil and do not overfill them.
Sae 20 Oil
Make certain that an outdoor unit is in the shade. When the unit sucks in cooler air, then less work is required to cool it further which in turn boosts the units efficiency.
Lubricate the oil ports on your fan condenser once a year.You will notice these ports have a rubber or metal caps. Use SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, putting 10 drops in each port.
Turn off any outdoor condensers you have when the weather gets cold. If temps go below 60 you run the risk of damaging a unit that remains on. This will help keep your HVAC system in good health for years, which means you will save on repair bills.
Put your outdoor condensers in places with shade.
A programmable thermostat can really help you out when it comes to your power bills. It will help save on your heating and cooling costs by turning itself down at certain times. Additionally, some programmable thermostats can be controlled remotely using a web-connected device.
It is always a good idea to replace single-paned windows with ones that have double panes. This also keeps warm air in during the winter.
Make sure that your AC is turned off when you are not using it. When you turn the air conditioner off, the house may heat up a little but only a certain amount. Leaving it on all the time only makes it work harder and results in a larger utility bill.
Research the companies before hiring them. Check with the BBB and online reviews posted by former customers. These simple steps are going to help to ensure your decision is a better decision.
Do not allow your house to get extremely hot. Air conditioners really can only cool a home down about 20 degrees Fahrenheit within a reasonable amount of time. If the temperature in your home rises above 100 degrees, you will only be able to cool it down to 80. Taking into consideration the humidity level, this may not even be adequate for the human body to recover from excessive heat while sleeping.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line may also freeze over. If you see this happen, switch your thermostat to fan only to disable the compressor. You can call a HVAC professional, but switching to the fan setting should start to melt the ice.
Before you hire any HVAC companies, find out how the amount of time they’ve been in business. A company that has been in business for a long time will have a solid track record, and you can use this to figure out if you should spend your money with them. It is riskier to hire someone who does not have a long history.
Look for calculators online to truly understand what size of unit is necessary for your room or home. Look at the manual or on the recommended size for this information.
If your current system isn’t working well enough, test out the ducts for leaks. This is a job your local utility provider may do for you inexpensively or even free of charge. Once leaks have been fixed, you will save substantial money on heating and cooling costs.
Companies that are around awhile have track records that haven’t been. Hiring a new contractor means taking a considerable risk.
Your HVAC system will run more efficiently if your windows and doors are energy efficient. Make sure that their seals are tight and that they do not allow air to seep in or out. A professional can easily have this tested for you, and oftentimes, this service is free.
Ask friends and relations for contractor recommendations. People who’ve had quality work done are usually more than willing to tell of it. This is also help you learn the names of companies that you should avoid.
Measure the area that needs cooling before buying a unit. Plan for 20 BTU of power in your air conditioner for each square foot that needs to be cooled. If you need to cool multiple rooms, make sure to add the square footage together.
Think about getting 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 your attic space if it is done right.
Choose an HVAC contractor who know what he is doing and works quickly. A sign of a great company is one that arrives on time for their appointment. They should quickly know what’s wrong with your system as well. After they see what the problem is, they should be able to get the work done quickly for your sake.
Do you want to find a new HVAC system? You need to take a few important things. Systems have a rating based on how effectively they can cool and heat an area. You are better off purchasing a unit rather than purchasing one that is a smaller one.
Understand where the air flows in your home and use that information to determine where to put your AC unit. If it must be in a corner, make certain that the air does not point towards a wall.
Determine which way your home faces.The less amount of heat inside of your home, the less time that the AC has to work.
When you engage a contractor, request references. Call and ask if their service was everything they expected, timely, and that it stayed on budget. You can find out whether the company and their employees are honest and good workers this way.
Make sure they are tightly sealed so air inside. You can hire a professional.
Find an HVAC contractor that can be contacted 24 hours a day, in case of an emergency. They must be able to reach your home at any time, in any weather.
Replace the air filter monthly to keep your HVAC system every month. This is the production of your unit remains in good operating condition.
During the winter months, you will want to cover your condenser unit to protect it. When the condenser is not being used, the cover will help it to last much longer. Also, when it’s less than sixty degrees outside, you shouldn’t use the compressor. You should use the fan instead since this will stop your unit from getting strained.
If you have no choice but to put it in the corner, ensure that the air is not directed towards a wall.
Make sure any quote you get has a heat-loss calculation included. You need it to know how many BTUs are necessary. Their process should include counting the numbers of doors and windows, checking insulation and obtaining the dimensions of the interior of the living space.
Ask any potential contractor about their experience prior to hiring them. You need to know that they have the sort of work on your particular system.
If you are having an existing HVAC system repaired or getting something new installed, ask them to install a programmable thermostat. This sort of device will save you a lot of money in terms of energy because it allows your system some downtime while you are warm in your bed.
Any HVAC contractor you hire should have an emergency hotline. They owe it to you to show up to fix anything, whether during a heatwave or a terrible snowstorm.
Purchase an Energy Star HVAC unit. These units are energy efficient and meet the strict guidelines set for efficiency. The units are evaluated by the United States. This is vital if you want to cut your costs. Saving money on utility bills means a little bit of research.
Some contractors will attempt to charge you later for items like materials and fuel. A written contract that covers the basics will prevent this materializes.
Choose a contractor who installs Energy Star units. These products are high quality and are known for efficiency, as they meet the requirements of the EPA. This will help you to save money on utility bills.
Energy Star units must be met. These guidelines have been set by the U.S. They are in charge of protecting the EPA for short.Taking time to fully research various units may help you save a significant amount of money.
Clean your HVAC’s heating ducts on a regular basis. Inspect those same heating ducts to see if there are any dents, punctures or disconnected parts. Damaged ducts can cause your heating bill to rise.
You may be surprised that as many as two-thirds of all homes have ducts that leak. This alarming percentage is responsible for nearly one fourth of your utility bills. Sealing the ducts is something you can do easily and cheaply, and it may reduce energy costs greatly in the future.
Look for HVAC contractors that uses Energy Star equipment and products. This ensures efficiency that your system has met the EPA standards for efficiency. This can help you money on your energy bills during the year.
Now that you have read this article, you understand that it is imperative that you keep your HVAC unit working well. Failing to keep your system in working order will cause bad things to happen. The excellent tips provided above will help you to keep your HVAC system in tip top shape.
