Many people don’t think about their HVAC until it quits working. It can be hard to get a repairman to fix your system correctly. This article will help you through this process.
Check out the system that you have before you call a professional. Look for the maintenance history and brand and model. That way you can provide the contractor with all the necessary information.
Be sure to clean debris from external condenser units. You never know when things can pile up, like right after it’s windy or rains, and that can ruin your system. It will damage the system to malfunction by overheating.
Before an HVAC expert comes to your home to do any repair work, walk around the home and check out the temps in every room. Figure out which rooms are too cool or warm. This will help the repairman determine what the problem is.
Don’t get grass clippings on your outdoor condenser. Aim your grass in a different direction from the unit. This also applies when you are taking care of the leaves in the yard.
Cleaning the blades and coils will help the system run better. If you are doing more than a light surface cleaning, make sure that the power is shut off to the HVAC unit. Also, be sure to clear leaves and debris from your condenser unit.
Your outdoor HVAC unit may suffer when trees start to lose their leaves. Make sure you clean out your fan grill is cleaned frequently when the leaves begin to fall. The fan needs to have an unobstructed path for air to enter the unit, and if debris is blocking this air flow, you will have to contend with problems.
If there are condenser units as part of your HVAC system, clean them often as they tend to have lots of debris. Particularly after bad weather, you should inspect your unit. Left unchecked, your unit is more likely to break down.
Lubricate your condenser once each year. You can find the ports 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.
Every spring you should clean the coils and fan blades on your condenser fan. First, the power should be turned off so things don’t move as you work. Then, take off the grill and get the blades out. Clean everything with care.
Put your outdoor condensers in places with shade.
When you’re trying to cut your grass, don’t cover a unit outside with the clippings. When you work with your lawn mower, make sure it spits the grass to the side opposite of your unit. This also applies to blowing leaves or moving debris. Just be careful with that exterior HVAC unit.
Have the HVAC system serviced at least yearly. This should be checked often for debris and the spring.
Lubricate your fan condenser if it has oil ports. They are usually fitted with a rubber or metal cap. Buy an SAE 20 product that is lightweight, and then put no more than ten drops into the ports.
Turn off your outdoor condensers you have when it becomes cold out. This means that you should be done when the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit. This simple tip will help keep the system working for many years to come.
A shady spot is always a good choice for the placement of your outdoor compressor. Your unit won’t have to work as hard to cool the inside air if the outside air it sucks from is cooler.
It is always a good idea to replace single-paned windows for double pane ones. This also help you keep in heat when it gets cold.
Have the HVAC system checked twice a year at the least. This should be checked often for debris and malfunctions. Even if you do not detect a problem, you can identify and fix any potential problems when you have it checked.
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 computer.
Outdoor condenser units need to be turned off when the weather turns cold. This means that you should turn it off to prevent damage if the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit. This will allow your system to work well every year, and that saves you quite a bit on making repairs.
Never allow the temperature in your home reach a dangerously high level. Air conditioners can cool a home down about 20 degrees Fahrenheit within a short time. If the temperature in your home rises to 100 degrees F or higher, it will only cool off to about 80F. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Make use of a thermostat when you are installing an HVAC. It may save you as much as 10 percent of your overall utility bill if you turn your thermostat down by 10-15 degrees for a portion of the day. Take advantage of the convenience of the ability to control many programable thermostats from your favorite electronic device.
Air conditioners tend to ice up.The drain line may also freeze over. If you see this happen, switch your thermostat to fan only to disable the compressor. If the issue persists, call a professional.
To keep your system running smoothly have your system serviced once a year. This inspection will ensure that your unit is working efficiently, including a freon level and motor check, and oiling moving parts. These repairs will keep your HVAC system running smoothly.
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 new contractor may be taking a bigger risk.
Your home should not have temperatures that are too hot. Air conditioners really can only cool a home down about 20 degrees Fahrenheit within a reasonable amount of time. If you have your home at above 100 degrees then you can only get it to about 80 or above. This won’t be a healthy environment to live in.
Ask friends and trust for contractor recommendations. People who have been happy with work they have had done in the past are usually willing to tell of it. This can also a great way to get names of businesses that you should avoid at all costs.
Icing up is common in air conditioners. You may even mistake the frozen drains as an issue for a plumber. If this happens, disable the compressor by switching the thermostat to run the fan only. Once you know the problem, contact a local HVAC professional and let them know what’s going on in your system.
Contractors determine their own fee levels, so make sure that you acquire multiple estimates. You can save a lot of money by doing your homework. You want to get quotes from at least a handful of contractors to determine what you should be paying.
Before you hire any HVAC company, ask them how long they’ve been open for business. Companies that have been around for longer have a proven track record that you can use to decide if they are worth the time and money. Taking risks is not something that you want to do in this area.
Do you wish to buy a new HVAC system? You will need to know some things into account. Systems get rated according to the total area they effectively cool and heat. You are better off purchasing a unit that is slightly too large for your needs than purchasing one that is a smaller one.
If you don’t know who to call to maintenance, repair, or install your HVAC, search for reviews online. There are plenty of websites online that offer reviews and referrals for HVAC repair and other important service. This is a great way to find people you want to work with and those you don’t want to work with.
Square Footage
All contractors charge differently for their services, so get at least four or five quotes before hiring a particular person. You can save quite a bit of money when you call different companies for price quotes. Call at least four or five different HVAC specialist to find the best rates.
Measure the living area you wish to cool before buying a unit. You will need about 20 BTU for each square footage of the area to be cooled. If multiple rooms need cooling, get their square footage added together.
You need to check your windows and outside doors to make certain your HVAC runs well. Each of these should have an airtight seal on them. You could have a professional run a test for you, and sometimes this testing is done at no charge.
Replace the air filter in your HVAC system working well.This is the simplest thing to do to keep your HVAC system running in tip top shape.
If you’re only wanting to do the minimal amount of HVAC maintenance, you should work on replacing your air filter. It will improve the efficiency of your unit. Filters only cost a few bucks, and it’s a small price to pay.
Pick out an HVAC business that understands the unit and knows what to do. The best companies keep the technicians will always be on schedule. A licensed technician will also easily diagnose any potential faults with your HVAC. After a quick diagnosis, they should be able to get the work done quickly for your sake.
Prior to hiring any HVAC contractor, you ought to ask about their level of experience. They should have a good history of working with HVAC units. While a worker with less experience may be capable of doing a good job, you will be taking a risk.
Always get references from a contractor.
Only hire a contractor to install or repair your HVAC system if they offer a 24-hour hotline for emergencies. They must be able to reach your home at any time, in any weather.
Cover your condenser in the winter time. This can help your condenser last longer when not being used. Use the fan setting only to avoid straining the condenser unit.
Be sure that both parties understand the terms involved when it comes to any HVAC work that you hire a contractor to perform. Some contractors overcharge for add-ons like travel expense or fees for additional materials. Ensure your contract is solid to avoid any problems.
This determines the number of BTUs your system has to be.
An Energy Star system is really the way to go when it comes to your HVAC. Energy Star units must meet certain guidelines. These guidelines have been set up by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Environmental Protection Agency. By taking the extra time to look into this information could help with long-term energy and money savings.
Consider have a programmable thermostat. This lowers your system some downtime while you are warm in your bed.
Make sure to periodically clean your heating ducts on the HVAC unit to keep it heating efficiently and providing fresh, clean air. Always inspect your heating ducts to ensure all the connected parts are there, and no dents or punctures are present. If they are damaged, your bills will rise.
Look for HVAC contractors that use Energy Star products and products. This rating means that is required by the EPA standards for efficiency. This will help you can save cash on the bills when it comes to your cooling and heating costs.
If you are working on an HVAC system, then it’s only smart to keep the manual nearby. The manual will contain many useful tips and tricks specific to your particular unit, and it may prove essential if there is a serious problem. If the manual has been lost, it can likely be printed from the manufacturer’s own website.
After reading this, you probably know more about HVAC systems. If you have a system in need of repair or replacement, you know what you need to do. Keep this advice in mind to find the right system.
