HVAC: What You Should Know Before You Begin

Having a solid HVAC system helps your home remain comfortable regardless of the weather outside.While many homes come with these systems in place, you may need to upgrade or replace it at some point. Understanding how to properly maintain your system will help you out when the time is right.

Make sure your condenser fan is in good working order by wiping down the fan blades and the coils. First, make sure the power is off to ensure nothing moves while you are working. Then, remove the grill, then remove the blades and begin the cleaning process of the blades and the unit.

TIP! Be sure to clean the fan blades and coils of the condenser fan. First, the power should be turned off so things don’t move as you work.

Know what type of your HVAC system before looking for a repair person.This will help make sure that the contractor the necessary information.

Avoid showering your outdoor unit with grass clippings when you mow the lawn. Now so the grass clippings are shot away from your unit. Do the same when blowing snow or leaves.

TIP! Don’t let grass clippings pile up against your outdoor condenser. Direct the clippings away from the equipment.

If you struggle with your HVAC, do a tour of your house before you call in help. This will help the contractor determine where the problem is and how to fix it.

Leaves falling from trees can wreak havoc with your HVAC unit. Be sure to clean your fan grill frequently when trees nearby are shedding. The fan needs to be able to get proper air inside without any blockages, and extra blockage can later develop into more serious problems.

TIP! As you notice the tress begin to lose their leaves, keep an eye on your outdoor condenser unit. Whenever leaves are falling, consistently clean the fan grill.

Know what work you need before you select an HVAC contractor.It will be hard for a contractor to give you with an estimate over the phone if they have not seen your current setup is. It will be way more hard if you over the phone without the information readily available.

Many homeowners forget to oil their condenser at least once per year, but it is required. You will see rubber or metal caps covering the ports. Pick a type of SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight. Place 10 or less drops into every port to avoid overfilling.

TIP! If you have a fan condenser with oil ports, it needs to be lubricated every year. A rubber or metal cap is typically placed over such ports.

Your HVAC unit may suffer when your trees start to lose leaves. Make sure you clean out your fan grill is cleaned frequently when the leaves begin to fall. When the fan becomes obstructed, you could end up with serious issues on your hands.

Have the HVAC system serviced twice per year. The fall and spring are the optimal times for this maintenance. Even if everything seems okay, it doesn’t hurt to check things out.

TIP! Have the HVAC system checked twice a year at the least. Your system should be inspected in Spring and Fall.

Sae 20 Oil

When it gets cold outside, turn off the outdoor condensers. If the outside temp is under 60 degrees, turn the unit off to prevent damage. This will ensure your system stays in good working order every year, saving you money on costly repairs.

TIP! Once it grows cold outside, turn off your outside condenser unit. If temps go below 60 you run the risk of damaging a unit that remains on.

Lubricate your condenser at least once each year. You can find the ports covered with rubber or metal cap. Use SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.

If you want your energy costs to go down, have the heating an cooling system you own serviced every year at least. Make sure the person takes a look at the motor and examines the levels of freon. These simple things will keep your system running at peak performance.

TIP! Regularly having your HVAC system serviced can help keep your heating and cooling bills down. Make sure the person takes a look at the motor and examines the levels of freon.

Be sure to have the HVAC unit in your home checked about two times every year. This should happen in the fall and again in the spring.

If you’re away from home during the day, raise the temperature setting on your air conditioner to save money. When you turn it off, the house heats up, but only to a certain threshold. When you keep it on, you will be using electricity.

TIP! If you’re away from home during the day, raise the temperature setting on your air conditioner to save money. By raising the temperature from, for example 78 to 80, your house will be warmer, but only up to 80 before your AC kicks in.

Turn off your outdoor condenser units when weather turns cold. This should be done when the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit.This can keep the system running and can save you money on repairs.

Your home should not have temperatures that are too hot. Even the best air conditioners can only realistically cool your home approximately 20 degrees Farenheit. This means that if the weather is above 100 degrees, then you’ll still be baking in 80 degree weather at first! Depending on how humid it is, this isn’t really that safe for a person to sleep in when it’s really hot.

TIP! Your home should never reach a dangerous temperature. An AC unit will reduce the internal temperature of your home approximately twenty degrees in a fair time.

It is a good idea to swap out single pane windows with ones that have double panes. This also helps keep it warm air in during the winter months.

Do your homework on a number of HVAC companies before selecting the one that has the best reputation and service record. 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. When done in advance you can be sure of making a sound decision.

TIP! Spend some time on researching for reliable HVAC companies to ensure that they have a good reputation. Inquiring with the Better Business Bureau is always a good idea, as is looking for online review sites where previous customers can post their experiences.

A programmable thermostat can really help save money on air conditioning costs. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from your smart phone or other device.

Prior to hiring any HVAC contractor, you should ask how long their business has operated. 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. If you choose to hire a new contractor, you may be risking things.

TIP! Before you go out there and hire an HVAC contractor, find out the length of time they’ve been in the industry. Established companies that are doing well will usually be the best ones to go with.

During this service visit, they will inspect the motor of the system, inspect the motor and the freon levels. These few simple things will boost the performance of your system to run at its peak performance.

It is always a wise move to obtain a few quotes from different contractors because prices can vary. You have the potential to save a great deal of money if you make several calls prior to reaching a final decision. Get in touch with more than a few contractors to best understand the going rate.

TIP! All contractors charge differently for their services, so get at least four or five quotes before hiring a particular person. This can help you to save money by knowing what people are charging.

Don’t let your home to overheat. Air conditioners really can cool a home by just twenty degrees in a short time. If the temperature in your home reaches 100 degree Fahrenheit, you will only be able to cool it down to 80. This won’t be a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.

Do you need a new HVAC system? You need to know some things first. Systems get rated according to how large an area they can effectively cool and heat. It’s a good idea to buy something that’s larger than you’d need instead of getting something that’s not big enough.

TIP! Do you need a new HVAC system? You probably have many options available to you. These machines are categorized according to the space they are able to efficiently heat and cool.

Research and check the companies before hiring them. Check them out at the BBB and look for your situation. Doing this will make sure you hire the best company for your HVAC needs.

If you are a having trouble with your existing system, check for leaks in the ducts. Call the utility company to test for you, it will usually be cheaper than a contractor. When you have leaks repaired, the testing has paid for itself.

TIP! Be sure to test for leaks in the ducts if your system seems inefficient. Your local energy company may do such testing at a reduced cost or maybe even for free.

Look for calculators online to truly understand what size of unit you need for your room or home.Look in the manual to determine the recommended size for this information.

Decide which way your house faces to make sure your HVAC system can work its best. If trees are placed strategically, you can block morning sunlight that can overheat the house. The less heat inside the house, the less time that the AC has to work.

TIP! To increase the efficiency of your HVAC unit, determine the direction that your home faces. It’s always a good idea to plant trees in areas that will help block the scorching sun that heats up your home and causes your AC unit to work harder.

Companies that are well established have track records that haven’t been. Hiring a contractor may be taking a considerable risk.

If you are purchasing an AC unit, take measurements. You need to know how big the area is that you want to have cooled off. For each square foot you’ll need 20 BTU of cooling power. If the unit will be cooling several rooms, combine their square footage in your calculations.

TIP! When considering what size AC unit your home needs, be sure to measure the immediate area you need to cool. You will need about 20 BTU per square footage of the room.

There are a lot of sites these days that allow customers talk about their experiences with contractors. This is an excellent method of finding people that you are interested in dealing with as well as those that you don’t.

You should replace the filter on your HVAC system once every month. It is the easiest and cheapest way you can take care of it. They are very inexpensive and well worth the time and money to replace.

TIP! Replace the air filter as often as possible. It’s a simple thing to do to keep it running properly.

Are you thinking about having a new HVAC system that’s new? There are a number of things you must consider first. The systems are it can cover.You are wise to err on the side of a bigger unit rather than purchasing one that is a bit too small.

Be sure the HVAC contractor you pick is fast and knowledgeable. Companies that are most reliable stick to the appointment time they give you. Good technicians are also able to diagnose issues quickly. After a quick diagnosis, they resolve issues swiftly.

TIP! Choose an efficient and knowledgeable HVAC company. The best companies keep the technicians working honestly and on time.

A heating and air conditioning system is a crucial part of many homes. If you must replace your system, keep the information located above in mind. This information will allow you to make a wise choice when it comes time to purchase a good HVAC system.

Think about the air flow direction of your A/C when figuring out where to put it. If it has to be placed in a corner, make sure your unit permits airflow to be redirected.

TIP! When determining the location of your air conditioning unit, think about which way the air flows. If all you have is a corner spot, ensure that the air is not directed towards a wall.