The way your home has a lot to do with whether or not it is being heated and cooled properly. This is why your HVAC system is constantly checked and you ensure it is properly working. If you have a poor HVAC, it can lead to expensive repairs and an uncomfortable way of living. Here are some great tips to get you keep your HVAC system running smoothly.
Before you contact people to assist you in getting your system fixed, know what kind of system you’re working with in the first place. Know the model and brand and find it’s maintenance history, if possible. In this way, you can be sure your repair person has all vital information.
Know what type of system before calling someone to fix it. This will enable you know that you’re able to give the contractor any information that can help them.
Before you hire an HVAC contractor, have some sort of idea of the work that needs to be done. This will make the quote process much easier. They also won’t be able to offer you a quote if they don’t have a detailed idea of what you want done. So, have this information ready.
If problems arise with the HVAC system, check out each room in your house before calling for assistance. This information will help the contractor determine what the problem is and how to fix it.
Your outside condenser fan can be helped to run better by you cleaning the fan blades and coils prior to summer starting up. Make sure your power is off before doing more than cleaning, such as working on the unit. Remove leaves and debris from the outside condenser.
Know what work you need before you hire a contractor. It will be difficult for an HVAC contractor to provide you a price estimate over the phone without knowing what your current setup is. It will be more hard if you can’t figure out what they need to do.
Outdoor condenser units need to be cleaned regularly. Things pile up after storms and damage your system. Debris like this can cause it to overheat, which could be detrimental to your system.
Be sure to clean external condenser units. You don’t know when things are going to pile up, especially after a windy or rainy storm, and that can throw a wrench in your system. It can cause a disaster with your unit.
As the trees around your home lose leaves, it can cause your HVAC unit trouble. Be sure to clean your fan grill frequently when trees nearby are shedding. The fan must stay clear in order to function, and if it gets blocked, you will have to contend with problems.
Turn it off so you don’t get hurt or break something. Next, pop the grill off, pull out the blades and start cleaning them and the unit itself off gently.
If the fan condenser on your unit has ports for oil, make sure you lubricate it once a year. You can easily find the ports as they have a rubber or metal cap. Pick a type of SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight. Place 10 or less drops into every port to avoid overfilling.
Your HVAC unit may suffer when trees begin dropping their leaves. Make sure the unit’s fan grill is cleaned often during the fall. The fan needs unobstructed air flow, and if it becomes blocked, then your system could suffer.
Place your HVAC unit in the shade to boost efficiency. The unit will have to do less work cooling this air.
Have the HVAC serviced twice per year. This should happen in the fall and malfunctions.
Have your heating and cooling system inspected twice a year. This should be done in Fall and Spring to prepare it for the extreme months. Even if everything seems fine, check things out to find potential problems.
During the service check, they will inspect the motor of the system, oil the different moving parts as well as check the system’s freon levels. These things will keep your system running at peak performance.
It is a good idea to replace single-paned windows with ones that have double panes. Double pane windows will allow you to use less air during the summer because cooler air will stay in your house. They help in the winter, too, keeping the heat in.
Never let your home reach a dangerously hot inside. Air conditioners can only really cool down a home by 20 degrees. If your home happens to get near 100 degrees Fahrenheit, you’ll only cool down to still above 80. This won’t be a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.
Save some cash by shutting down the air-conditioning system when there is no one in the house. The house will heat up, but not too much. The unit will use a large amount of electricity to combat the heat during the day when the house is empty.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line may also freeze over. If this is something you notice, put your thermostat over to fan. You should leave the repair to a professional, even if switching it to its fan setting starts making the ice melt.
Think about getting a radiant barrier in your attic so your HVAC system can run better. This mechanism will prevent outside heat from coming in, reducing your energy consumption when cooling. You may even find that you can use the attic space more effectively.
Ask around so you are looking for a HVAC contractor. People that have had a good experience are usually more than willing to share this information. This can also provide you with good information on which contractors you should avoid hiring.
Are you looking at purchasing a HVAC system? There are many things to consider. HVAC systems have a rating to determine how much space you should use it on. You should buy a little bigger than necessary unit over a little smaller than necessary unit.
Contractors determine their own fee levels, so make sure you get quotes from several contractors before you make any hiring decision. You will be likely to save a lot of cash simply by doing your homework. Call around to find out what the best deal possible.
If your system isn’t working as it should, test its ducts for leaks. Call the utility company to test for you, it will usually be cheaper than a contractor. The testing will pay for itself once you find and repair the leaks.
You now see what you need to do in order to maintain your HVAC system. Do not neglect your system. These tips will help you to maintain your unit and avoid breakdowns.
For top efficiency, figure out what direction your home faces. Trees in certain areas can provide shade, which means your house will stay cooler. You will reduce the need for AC when your home is naturally cooler.
