Letting your HVAC system break is not something you want to deal with. You may be here to learn about getting your HVAC system to last. The article below has some helpful tips for you.
When you start making calls to get someone to help with your HVAC system, it’s a good idea to know what system you have before that phone call. Write down the brand and the model and have all maintenance records on hand. This information will be helpful to any contractor you hire to repair it.
Know the name and type of system you currently have before looking for a repair person. This will enable you know that you’re able to give your chosen contractor any information that can help them.
Before contacting a repair service, do a short tour of the entire home. Jot down the rooms that are hot and the ones that are cold. That will help your repairman figure out where the problem is, and how he can fix it easily and quickly.
If your HVAC system is acting up, try touring your home before calling a professional. This information will help the contractor determine what the problem is and how to fix it.
What do you need done? Know this before calling a contractor. A contractor will not be able to give you an accurate price without accurate information about your system. It will be more difficult for him to assist you over the phone without the information readily available. Learn this information to start with.
Know what you want done before you hire a contractor. It will be hard for an HVAC contractor to give you a price estimate over the phone without knowing what your current setup is. It will be more difficult for him to assist you can’t figure out what they need to do.
Clean the coils and blades in your condenser at the beginning of summer. Turn off the power if you are going to work on your HVAC system. Clean off any leaves or debris from your external condenser unit.
Clean your condenser’s fan and coils each spring to ensure that your condenser fan operates at it’s best.Clean the outside of your condenser as well.
If you have condenser units outside your home, be sure to clean out the debris from them often. You don’t know the amount of stuff that can pile up right after heavy winds or a storm. Debris like this can cause it to overheat, which could be detrimental to your system.
Don’t let grass clippings on your outdoor condenser.Aim the grass cuttings in a different direction away from the unit. This applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in the yard.
When spring rolls around, give the condenser fan blades and coils a good clean. Start by turning off the power to avoid having anything move when you work on it. Then you need to get the grill popped off and get the blades out so you can clean them and your unit gently.
Trees Start
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. 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.
Your outdoor HVAC units might suffer when your trees start to lose their leaves. Make sure the fan’s grill is cleaned often once nearby trees start shedding their leaves. The fan must be unobstructed to work properly, and if it gets blocked, you will end up with many headaches with the unit.
A shady spot is always a good choice for the placement of your outdoor compressor. The cooler the air which goes in, the less work the unit will have to do.
Put outdoor condensers in the shade if you are installing them.
Be sure to place your outdoor unit in a shady spot to maximize efficiency. The unit will have to do less work cooling this air.
Research and check the reputation of companies that you consider using. Check them out at the best one for reviews posted by former customers. These simple steps can help ensure you make a better decision.
Once it grows cold outside, turn off your outside condenser unit. Avoid damaging the unit by turning it off when the outdoor temperature drops below 60 degrees. This will allow your system to work well every year, and that saves you quite a bit on making repairs.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line may also freeze over. If this is something that’s happening to you, disable the compressor by turning your thermostat to the fan only setting. You should leave the repair to a professional, but switching to the fan will make the ice melt.
Double pane your windows to prevent drafts. To keep your home cool, investing in double pane windows is a must. Conversely, this also works to keep warm air in during colder months.
Think about getting a radiant barrier in your attic so support the efficient functioning of your HVAC system can run better. It blocks outside heat from coming in which will make sure you won’t have to use more energy to keep your unit stays hot or cold as it should be. You could even find that you can use your attic space if it is done right.
Equipping your home with a programmable thermostat can be an excellent way to cut utility costs. These can save you around 10 percent on your heating and cooling costs by just turning it back 10 percent to 15 percent for around eight hours each day. Some can even be controlled from a computer.
Do you wish to buy a new HVAC unit? There are several things you need to keep in mind. Systems are given ratings by how effectively they can cool or heat an area well. You are better off purchasing a bigger unit that is slightly too large for your needs than a bit too small.
Don’t allow your home to overheat. An air conditioner can only cool your home by 20ºF quickly. The temperature will only reduce to about 80 if your home heats up to 100 degrees. Depending on how humid the environment is, that is not a healthy temperature for the human body when it rests during sleep.
Determine which way your home faces.The less heat inside the house, the less time your air conditioner will have to work.
Problems with an air conditioning unit happen when it ices up. Freezing drain lines are also possible and can be mistaken for leaks. If you see this, put the fan on to shut the compressor off. Talk to a professional if you are unsure of how to do this.
Make sure they have tight seals to keep air can’t seep in. You can hire someone to test them all for you and often this testing is free.
There are sizing calculators available to determine the proper sized system for your home. If you get something that’s too big, it won’t work as well for you in the end. To get the right information, look in the manual to find out the rating the manufacturer gives the unit for cooling.
Measure the area that requires air conditioner shopping.You will need about 20 BTU per square foot of the room. If you have a lot of rooms to keep cool, sum their areas.
If you are a having trouble with your existing system, check for leaks in the ducts. You can call in your local utility company to do the testing for you, often for free or at a lower cost than a contractor. If you do have leaks that are repaired, this testing will pay for itself.
Hvac System
Look for leaves or other debris if you notice a thumping sound in your unit. Often the problem will be some kind of debris hitting your fans in your cooling system. You can solve the issue by removing debris. Check it out yourself first before you call in the professionals.
As you can see from reading the above article, it is vital that you take good care of your HVAC system to prevent it from going bad. Having an HVAC system repair from serious damage can cost serious cash. Remember these suggestions to minimize your risks.
When thinking of what kind of air conditioner you should get, you should measure the area that you need to cool. You will need approximately 20 BTU per square foot, so calculate the necessary size based on that formula. If you are cooling more than one room, sum their areas.
