Letting your HVAC system break is not something you want to deal with. You are probably here because you wish to learn all you can to make your HVAC system last a very long time. The article has many solid tips for you!
You should clean your condenser fan’s blades and coils every spring. For safety, always turn the power off first. Then, remove the grill, then remove the blades and begin the cleaning process of the blades and the unit.
Know what work you need before you select an HVAC contractor.It will be hard for a contractor to provide you a price estimate on the phone without knowing what your current system. It will be way more hard if you over the phone without the information readily available.
Cover your unit when you are mowing the lawn. Aim your grass cuttings in a direction away from your unit. Do the same when blowing snow or leaves.
Clean your condenser’s fan and coils when the weather begins to warm. Clean the outside of your condenser unit.
Leaves falling from trees can wreak havoc with your HVAC unit. When you notice your trees shedding, frequently clean your unit’s fan grill. When blockages restrict the flow of air to the fan, you could end up with serious issues on your hands.
Clean any debris on an external condenser unit. You don’t know when things are going to pile up, like right after it’s windy or rains, and that can throw a wrench in your system. It can cause your unit.
If the fan on your condenser includes oil ports, they must be lubricated annually. Such ports tend to have coverings made of rubber or metal. 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.
Lubricate your condenser at least once each year. These ports are usually covered with rubber or metal cap. Use a lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.
Try to choose a shady place to locate the outdoor compressor device. The unit will operate more efficiently to cool your home if the intake air is cooler to begin with.
Put outdoor unit in the shade.
Be sure you have the HVAC unit in your home checked about two times every year. This should be done in Fall and Spring to prepare it for the extreme months. Check it out just to be safe even if there is nothing broken.
Make sure you have your HVAC systems is checked twice a year. This should be done in the fall and malfunctions.
Consider getting a programmable thermostat for your AC. In fact, you can save as much as 10 percent on both heating and cooling when you turn your thermostat by by 10-15 percent for at least 8 hours daily. Additionally, these items can be controlled remotely through your computer.
Turn off any outdoor condenser when it becomes cold out. This should turn it off to prevent damage if the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit. This simple tip will help keep the system working for years to come.
Get your HVAC unit serviced yearly. During a maintenance visit, professionals can help by inspecting the system’s motor, oil the different moving parts as well as check the system’s freon levels. These repairs will keep your HVAC system running smoothly.
It is a good idea to swap out single pane windows with ones that have double panes. This same effect also helps keep it warm in during the winter.
If you are going to be gone during the day or on vacation, turn the temperature up on your air conditioning unit. When you turn the air conditioner off, the house may heat up a little but only a certain amount. If it is on all day, it is trying to maintain a cool temperature constantly, using a great deal of electricity to fight the heat.
Air conditioners tend to ice up.The drain line might also freeze up.If this is something that’s happening to you, try switching your thermostat to just the fan so that it disables the compressor. You can call a HVAC professional, even if switching it to its fan setting starts making the ice melt.
Don’t allow your home to overheat. It takes quite a while to cool a home by more than 20 degrees. Assuming the temperature in your home rises to a hundred degrees, you will only be able to reduce that by twenty degrees. Depending on how humid it is, this isn’t really that safe for a person to sleep in when it’s really hot.
Ask friends and trust for their HVAC contractor recommendations. People that have gotten great work done are usually more than willing to share this information. This will also provide you to figure out some names of businesses that you should avoid hiring.
Look online for a/c sizing calculators so you can really understand the unit size needed for your home or room. Buying a unit that is too large for your home is a poor decision that wastes money. Check your manual to figure out what the rating is from the manufacturer to be sure you’re getting the right information.
Contractors are responsible for their own charges and fees, so make sure to get multiple quotes.You can save quite a lot of cash simply by doing your homework. You want to call at least five contractors to determine what reasonable rates are.
Always check to see how long a company or contractor has been working for. Obviously, a company with a longer history and a positive reputation is the better choice. It’s a risk to hire a new one.
Think about getting a radiant barrier installed in your attic so 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 home cool when it’s hot or cold as it should be. You may even find that you can use the attic as part of your living space if it is done right.
You shouldn’t rely on a single quote from one contractor to gauge the cost, because different specialists set their own price. You should be able to hire the best contractor for the job if you take the time to do this. Compare the rates of at least 5 or 6 contractors to help you decide on the most reasonable rate for the job you need done.
Make certain they are tightly sealed so air inside. You can also hire someone to test them all for you and often this testing is free.
You should think about putting in a radiant barrier in order to help your system run efficiently. It keeps heat blocked from inside to the outside, and that lowers how much energy it takes to keep your home cool. It it’s installed properly, you might even be able to use your attic as an extra room.
Measure the living area that needs cooling before buying a unit. You generally need 20 BTUs per square foot of space. If more than one room needs AC service, sum their areas.
Do you want to buy a new cooling and heating system? Many considerations must be scrutinized. Each system has a rating and that rating tells the area that can be effectively temperature controlled. It is best to get a bigger unit than you need, instead of a smaller one.
Replace the air filter monthly to keep your HVAC system every month. This is an easy thing to do and it will keep your system working well.
It is important that you know the measurements of the 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. If multiple rooms need cooling, just add their total square footage.
Ask a contractor about their experience.Make sure they are experienced doing the kind of work that is needed.
The most important thing to do to your HVAC system each month is replace the air filter. It will improve the efficiency of your unit. Filters are cheap, and changing them regularly adds up to long term savings.
Some contractors will attempt to add charges on later for fuel charges. Having a signed contract will let you avoid these types of issues.
Before you decide on the location of your air conditioning unit, take a look at the air flow direction. If you have no choice but to put it in the corner, be sure to buy a unit which allows for the air flow direction to be changed away from the wall.
Cover your condenser unit for protection in the weather becomes less than optimal. This will help your condenser last longer when not using it. Use the fan setting only to avoid putting strain on the condenser unit.
In the winter, protect the condenser unit with a cover that fits around it. This will allow it to last longer when you’re not using it. The unit’s compressor should never be on when the temperature is 60 degrees or below. Switch on the fan instead and do not put strain on the unit.
Always follow up on any references that you receive for an HVAC contractor.
If you want to get a brand new HVAC system installed or you just want to repair one, speak with the contractor to see if they’re going to install a thermostat that’s programmable. A programmable thermostat will save you tons on your power bills and even gives your system a chance to rest at night while everyone sleeps or is not at home.
This determines the number of BTUs your system has to be.
Purchase an Energy Star HVAC unit. They are very efficient models which meet exacting standards. These guidelines are enforced by the federal government. Choosing to invest in such a unit can help you save on your energy bills in the long-term. Investing in a search for the most energy efficient unit will pay off in considerable long-term savings on utility bills.
Consider a programmable thermostat installed.This lowers your energy bills because your system rests while you are comfortably warm asleep in bed.
About two-thirds of homes have ducts that leak. These can cost you as much as twenty five percent of what you pay for utilities. It’s easy to seal up any ducts, and you should notice a big difference in your bills.
Hvac System
Be sure to regularly clean the HVAC’s heating ducts so the air will be clean and the heat will work properly. Always inspect your heating ducts to ensure all the connected parts are there, and no dents or punctures are present. Damaged ducts could increase your energy bill.
Clearly, taking proper care of the HVAC system is essential. If you have your HVAC system go bad it can cost you a lot of money to get it fixed. Don’t let this happen; work on using the advice you were given above.
It is important to provide shelter for your condenser unit in cold weather. Place a thick blanket over the unit to help protect it from the elements. If the temperature dips under 60 degrees, don’t implement the unit because it won’t be effective.
