When you want to gain some knowledge with regard to HVAC, you need the right information. This piece will lead you in the right direction. Take the time to read carefully and you will do well.
What system do you have? You need this information to tell your contractor. Look for the maintenance history and brand and model. This will facilitate the process when your contractor asks for this information.
Know what type of system before looking for a repair person. This will enable you to give your new contractor all the information they might need.
Before you choose an HVAC contractor, have an idea in your mind of what needs to be done. A contractor will not be able to give you an accurate price without accurate information about your system. Getting an estimate will be even more difficult if you cannot adequately describe the problem. Having this information handy will make the process much smoother.
If you’ve been having trouble with an HVAC system, check the entire house before contacting someone to come for repairs. This will help the repairman determine what the problem is and how to fix it.
When spring rolls around, give the condenser fan blades and coils a good clean. Before you do so, shut off the power to ensure that none of the parts will move while you work on it. Next, pop off the grill, pull out the blades and start cleaning them and the unit itself off gently.
Clean your fan blades and coils when the weather begins to warm. Clean off any leaves or debris from your external condenser unit regularly.
Keep your outdoor units free of debris when you are mowing the lawn. Turn your lawnmower in the opposite direction. The same goes for blowing leaves, so always be careful if you are moving debris near your HVAC devices.
Clean the debris on an external condenser unit. You never know when things can pile up, like right after it’s windy or rains, and that can throw a wrench in your system. It could overheat and cause your system to malfunction by overheating.
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. Your fan needs an unobstructed way to get air inside, and the more blocked up it becomes, the more headaches will develop for you with the system.
Turn the power off first so you don’t get hurt or break something. Next, pop off the grill, put the blades out and start to gently clean them along with the unit.
If the current location of your HVAC unit outside isn’t working, try having it moved to an area with more shade. If the air your machine draws in is already cooler, it will require less energy to regulate before it’s filtered into your home.
Don’t get grass clippings on your outdoor condenser. Direct the clippings away from the HVAC unit. This also applies when you are taking care of the leaves in debris.
Make sure you have your HVAC system checked at least twice a year. Your system should be inspected in Spring and Fall. Although there might not be any noticeable issues, it is important to provide regular upkeep to prevent bad things from happening.
Your outdoor HVAC units might suffer when trees lose leaves. Make sure you clean out your fan grill is cleaned frequently when the leaves begin to fall. The fan must stay clear in order to function, and if it is clogged, you will have to contend with problems.
When it gets cold outside, turn off the outdoor condensers. To prevent damage, turn off your unit if the outside temperature is less than 60 degrees. This can ensure your unit is working well throughout the years without the cost of repairs.
Lubricate your condenser if it has oil ports. These are often covered with rubber or metal caps. Use a lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.
If you can, install double-paned windows throughout your home. During the summer, the use of double-pane windows will help keep the cool air locked inside of the home. This same effect also keeps warm air in during the winter months.
Put outdoor unit in the shade if you are installing them.
Service your HVAC unit at least one time a year. 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. These few simple things will help your system to run at its peak performance.
It is always a good idea to swap out single pane windows with ones that have double panes. This also keeps warm air during the colder months.
Don’t let your home get way too hot to where it’s dangerous. It takes quite a while to cool a home by more than 20 degrees. If the temperature in your home rises to 100 degrees F or higher, cooling it will only drop the temperature to 80 degrees F. This isn’t a very safe condition for a homeowner to sleep in, especially when the humidity levels are considered.
When they come out for a service visit, the motor will be inspected, moving parts well oiled and the level of freon adjusted if necessary.These simple things will help your system running at peak performance.
You can get ice in your air conditioner. The drain line can freeze, making you think it’s a plumbing leak. If this is something that’s happening to you, change the setting on your thermostat to the fan setting and this will disable the compressor. Talk to a professional if you are unsure of how to do this.
Don’t ever let your home temperature get too hot. Air conditioners really can only cool a home down about 20 degrees in a reasonable amount of time. If your home become 100F or more, it will only reduce it to 80 or more. This won’t be a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.
Online reviews are a great source of information about HVAC contractors. There are a lot of sites these days that let customers talk about their experiences with contractors. This method provides you with all the information you need to make the best hiring decisions.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line may also freeze over. If this is something that’s happening to you, switch your thermostat to fan only to disable the compressor. If the issue persists, call a professional.
If you HVAC unit is making a clicking sound, check immediately for any debris that may have accumulated in it. Many times you will find debris hitting that knock up against the fans inside the cooling unit. Get rid of this obstruction and that should take care of the problem. Always check for yourself before getting someone out to repair the unit.
Companies with proven track records that can help you decide if they’re worth your money and time. Hiring a newer contractor means taking a considerable risk.
When considering what size AC unit your home needs, be sure to measure the immediate area you need to cool. The area’s calculation can help you figure out what the size is and there are 20 BTUs for every foot squared in this area. Combine the square footage of all rooms, in the event that you will be cooling more than one.
Ask for helpful information when you can find a HVAC contractor. People will tell you who they have used and if they are usually more than willing to share this information. It’s also a good way to learn which companies should avoid.
Replace the air filter in your HVAC system every month. This will help your unit run properly. It is a small cost each month to do this.
There are plenty of great sites out there that let customers talk about how they were treated by services. This works both in finding those you want to hire and also with and those that you don’t want to work with.
Understand where the air flows in your home and use that information to determine where to put your AC unit. If you can only put the unit in the corner, get a unit that lets you direct air flow away from any walls.
You can learn how to maintain your system and keep it running right. Just don’t rush it or you may make things even worse than they already are! Hopefully, you can now ensure your HVAC unit is working up to your standards!
Ask for references from any contractor you’re considering. Be sure previous customers got the service and value they expected. The references will help you avoid wasting your money on someone that is not professional.
