You may feel like it’s nearly impossible to learn too much about HVAC. If you are willing to read the following article, it’s not that hard. This advice should help you out when it comes to HVAC systems.
If your HVAC is running into problems, check out each room in your house before calling for assistance. Note which of your rooms are hot and which are cold. That knowledge can help the technician figure out what is going on.
Turn it off first so nothing moves. Then, pop off its grills, pull the blades out, and gently clean them as well as the unit itself.
Help the outside condenser fan run efficiently by cleaning the coils and fan blades before the summer starts. Turn off the power if you are going to work on your HVAC system. Clean the outside of your condenser unit regularly.
10 Drops
Outdoor condenser units need to be cleaned regularly. Leaves and debris can accumulate quickly, particularly following storms, and that can cause problems for your system. It can cause your system to malfunction by overheating.
Lubricate the oil ports on your fan condenser once a year.These are often covered by a rubber or metal caps. Use SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, putting 10 drops in each port.
Don’t let your outdoor HVAC units get smothered with clippings anytime you mow the yard. Make sure the grass does not get in your unit. This applies when you are taking care of the leaves in the yard.
Put outdoor units in the shade.
The operation of your HVAC system can be in danger when the tree leaves begin to fall. Cleaning your unit is very important for its effectiveness. You can head off future problems that can be caused by blockages by making sure there is a free flow of air to your fan.
Turn off any outdoor condenser units when the weather gets cold. This means that you should be done when the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This can keep the system working for years to come.
Try to choose a shady place to locate the outdoor compressor device. If the unit is taking in cooler air, the efficiency will be boosted since it will not need to work as hard.
It is always a good idea to swap out single pane windows for double panes. This also helps keep it warm air in during the winter.
If at all possible, install double-paned windows in your home instead of those with a single pane. Double pane windows will allow you to use less air during the summer because cooler air will stay in your house. Likewise, in the winter more hot air stays inside during the cold season.
A programmable thermostat can really help you save money on your power bills. Some of these thermostats can even be controlled from a PC or computer.
Putting in a programmable thermostat is a smart way to cut back on air-conditioning costs. Programmable thermostats can reduce your power HVAC energy costs by as much as ten percent, just by dialing back your thermostat ten or fifteen percent up to eight daily hours. Additionally, some models of programmable thermostats actually allow you to control them remotely from your office computer or cell phone.
Research the reputation of companies before hiring them.Check with the BBB and look for your situation. These steps can help to ensure your decision is a wise one.
Service your HVAC yearly. During this service visit, they will inspect the motor of the system, oil the moving parts and check the freon levels in the system. These things will boost the performance of your system.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line might also freeze up.If you see this, disable the compressor by turning your thermostat to the fan only setting. If this doesn’t work, call in help.
Do not let your house get dangerously hot. Air conditioners can only really cool your home down 20 degrees or so within a reasonable time period. The temperature will only reduce to about 80 if your home heats up to 100 degrees. This isn’t a very safe condition for a homeowner to sleep in, especially when the humidity levels are considered.
Look for air conditioner sizing calculators online to help you determine the size of unit you need for your home. Look at the manual to determine the manufacturer website for this information.
Put a bit of time into researching various HVAC specialists; you’re more likely to choose the right one for the job. Checking with the BBB is a good idea, and so is checking online reviews to see the experiences that other customers have had with a company. These steps can help ensure you make the smartest and most informed choice.
There are a few sites now that let customers talk about how they were treated by services. This is useful for finding people you wish to work with and those that you don’t.
Look for calculators online to help you determine the size of unit you need for your home. If you purchase a unit that’s too large, it will not be efficient since it’ll cool the same. Look at the manual for more information.
Contractors are responsible for their own charges and fees, so make sure that you acquire multiple estimates. You can save a lot of money when you call different companies for price quotes. You may want to call at least five contractors in order to know what you should be paying.
Before you hire any HVAC companies, find out how the amount of time they’ve been in business. Companies that are well established have track records that can help you decide if they’re worth your money and time. If you choose to hire a new contractor, you may be risking things.
Check the ducts to find any leaks if your existing system is not be working efficiently. When you get leaks repaired, you’ll find that the testing paid for itself.
When you need the services of an HVAC professional, ask your friends and family if they can recommend someone to you. Someone who has used a contractor in the past is generally willing to let you know what they thought about it. This will prevent you from getting scammed.
Determine the direction that your home faces in order to establish efficient HVAC operation. The less heat in your home, the less work your AC will have to do.
Are you looking at purchasing a HVAC system? There are things you must consider first. Each system has a rating and that rating tells the area that can be effectively temperature controlled. Therefore, you may want to opt for a larger unit.
If you HVAC unit is clicking, look immediately to see if there is an obstruction. Often it is being caused by debris hitting the fans in the cooling system. Look carefully at it before calling in a technician.
If you would like your HVAC unit to be more efficient, simply look at where the front of your home faces. If trees are placed strategically, you can block morning sunlight that can overheat the house. If there’s less heat inside your home, your AC will work less.
Measure the area that needs cooling before going air conditioner shopping. You can easily calculate this by using the formula: 20 BTUs per square foot of room space. When you are cooling more than one room, determine the square footage of each room and then add the numbers together.
The HVAC system is only one piece in an efficient home. You must also consider the quality of your windows and doors. They should have tight seals so outside air cannot get in and inside air can not get out. A professional can sometimes test these for you for free.
Pick out an HVAC business that understands the unit and knows what to do. The best companies make sure their technicians stay on schedule.The technicians will also know how to find the problem quickly. After they see what the problem is, they should then know how to deal with the problem.
Before hiring a contractor to work on your HVAC system, you should inquire about the type of experience they have. You need to verify they have the type of experience needed to work on your particular system. While someone with less experience might be able to do a great job too, you do not want to take that chance.
If you have to put the unit in a corner, make certain that the air does not point towards a wall.
When you hire a contractor, make sure you ask for some references. You should know that the contractor does exactly what he says he’s going to do, and there are no hidden costs involved. This can assure you hire someone trustworthy.
Ask any potential contractor about their experience prior to hiring them. You need to verify they have done the type of work you require.
Any HVAC contractor or installer should have an emergency number available to customers around the clock. A good company will have repairman available in any weather situation.
Some contractors will attempt to overcharge you on material fees and fuel. Having a good written contract will let you avoid issues like this.
When a quote is given, make sure to ask for a heat-loss calculation in addition to the price. This particular equation will help you estimate the number of BTUs needed to keep the home in a comfortable condition. From knowing how many doors and windows there are to how much insulation there is, it’s a must.
Cover your condenser when the winter. This simple cover keeps the condenser operating longer when not using it. Use the fan instead to avoid straining the condenser unit.
You can save money by choosing an Energy Star approved HVAC unit. Products with this logo save money on electricity and are much more environmentally friendly. These also meet every guideline out there for efficiency. EPA. Using units that meet these tough standards will save plenty of money on energy expenses over the years.
Always follow up on any references that you by a prospective HVAC contractor.
Believe it or not, approximately 66 percent of all homes have leaking ducts! These leaky ducts can account for up to one fourth of your total utility costs. You can fix your ducts on your own, plus it’s simple to do and cheap, too.
Consider a programmable thermostat installed.This can save you a great deal on your bills because your settings to ensure optimal performance.
The condenser unit needs to be properly taken care of in cold weather. Just cover it with a thick top. Don’t install a condenser unit if it’s under sixty degrees outside. If you do, the system won’t be as effective.
Clean your ducts on a regular basis. Check your heating ducts for damage or openings often. Damaged ones raise your heating bill and waste warm air.
Always get an estimate in writing when dealing with an HVAC company. It needs to be written. Many tasks call for written cost projections. This helps you get great service. Compare various facets of potential work, not just price, but also things like how long it will take to get the job done. Don’t trust a company just because they have a low estimate, as they may be performing lower quality work.
The condenser unit needs protection in cold weather. A thick cover will help protect the condenser from the weather.
Make sure that you know where the owner’s and operator’s manuals about your HVAC system is running. The manual will help you out if you’re dealing with problems.
If you want to know all about HVAC, the above piece should make things easier. If you use these tips, things will go smoothly. If you use this advice, you will benefit from it.
