The comfort of comfort experienced within a home has a lot to do with whether or not it is being heated or cooled properly. This means that it is of utmost importance your HVAC system needs to be in top shape.If you don’t care for your HVAC, you will be costing yourself a lot of money. Here are some tips to help you started.
Before calling anyone to repair your system, know what system you have. Look for the model and brand number. This will help make sure that the contractor you hire has all the necessary information.
If your HVAC is giving you problems, take a tour of the house prior to calling a professional. This will help the contractor determine what the problem is and how to fix it.
Clean the condenser coils and fan at the beginning of the year to help the unit run efficiently. Except when cleaning the outside, turn the unit off when performing any type of maintenance. Also, it is important to clear the outside condenser unit from any debris that maybe trapped inside.
Clean any debris on an 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 system to malfunction by overheating.
Do not allow grass clippings to cover the outdoor unit of your HVAC system. Make sure the grass does not get in your unit. This is the same if you are using a leaf blower.
10 Drops
During the fall, leaves can gather around your HVAC. The grill on the fan can become cluttered with debris, which will cause a serious operating deficiency. A blocked unit can quickly become a broken unit.
Lubricate your condenser once each year. You can easily find these ports as they have a rubber or metal cap. 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.
As the temperature outside drops, remember to turn off your outdoor condenser unit. To avoid damage, units should be turned off when temperatures are below 60 degrees. This will ensure your system works well each year, which could save you quite a bit in repair costs.
Put your outdoor units in the shade if you are installing them.
If the house is yours or you’re permitted to, replace the windows that are single pane with windows that are double pane. You can reduce your energy costs from energy leaking out through your windows by installing window that are double-paned. This also works during the cold months to keep the warm air inside.
Turn off outdoor condenser units when it becomes cold out. This means that you should turn it off to prevent damage if the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This helps your system remain in good condition for many years.
Putting in a programmable thermostat is a smart way to cut back on air-conditioning costs. These convenient thermostats may shave ten percent or more off of your bills, because they significantly cut energy use when you’re not around. You can often control it from your mobile phone!
It is always a good idea to replace single-paned windows with ones that have double pane ones. This same effect also keeps warm air in during the winter.
Keep energy costs from rising by having your system serviced annually. During the visit, the contractor will oil parts, inspect the motor and the freon levels. This ensures your system runs smoothly.
A programmable thermostat can really help you out when it comes to your air conditioning bill. Some of these thermostats can even be controlled from a PC or other device.
If there isn’t anyone at home, then there’s no need for the AC unit to be running and wasting electricity. When it’s off the house will get hot, but only by a certain amount. Obviously, if you leave your air conditioning set at a low temperature all day long even if you’re not home, you’ll be paying to maintain that low temperature.
Research the reputation of companies that you consider using. Check with the BBB and look for reviews posted by former customers. These simple steps will help to ensure your decision is a better decision.
Sometimes air conditioners get iced up. Sometimes the drain line will freeze, causing leaks. If this happens, disable the compressor by switching the thermostat to run the fan only. You should leave the repair to a professional, but switching to the fan setting should start to melt the ice.
Look for calculators online to help you determine the size of unit you need for your room or home. Look at the manual or on the recommended size for this information.
Look for calculators online to help you determine the size of unit you need for your home. Buying a unit that is too large for your home is a poor decision that wastes money. Look at the manual to determine the recommended size for air conditioners.
Companies that are around awhile have a better record than those that can help you decide if they’re worth your money and time. Hiring a newer contractor means taking a bigger risk.
Make sure that your ducts are not leaking. Your utility company can test this for you, oftentimes at no charge. If not, it should be less expensive than a HVAC contractor. Once leaks have been fixed, you will save substantial money on heating and cooling costs.
Ask friends and trust for their HVAC contractor recommendations. People that have had quality work done are usually more than willing to share the name of their contractor.This is also a great way to get names of businesses that you should be avoided.
If you HVAC unit is making a clicking sound, check immediately for any debris that may have accumulated in it. The problem may be debris getting into the fans of the cooling system. Removing the debris will quickly fix the issue. Always check for yourself before getting someone out to repair the unit.
Contractors are responsible for their own charges and fees, so make sure that you acquire multiple estimates. You can save tons of money if you make several calls prior to reaching a final decision. You may want to call at least a handful of contractors in order to know what you should be paying.
To gain maximum HVAC efficiency, you need efficient windows and doors too. Make sure the seal is impenetrable from outdoor drafts, and that none of the air you’re paying to heat or cool escapes either. Professional testing is available, and it is often free of charge.
Think about having a radiant barrier installed 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 outside.You may even find that you can use the attic space if it is done right.
In order to determine the size of the air conditioner to purchase, you must measure the area that you want to cool. In general, you need 20 BTU for each square foot. When you are cooling more than one room, you must add together all of the square footage.
Make sure they are tightly sealed so air inside. You can hire someone to test them.
The most important thing to do to your HVAC system each month is replace the air filter. That’s the easiest thing to do so your unit continues running in good shape. Also, this will not cost a lot of money.
This article has given you some excellent basics on keeping your HVAC system maintained correctly. Don’t let it go bad on you by not paying attention to regular maintenance. Use the tips in this article to keep it operating efficiently, and you can avoid coming home to a home that is too cold or too hot.
Consider which direction the air flows out of your air conditioner when you decide where to place it. If you have to place it in a corner of your home, be sure you’re getting a unit that has air flow coming from a direction that’s not facing the wall.
