When you wish to learn about HVACs, it is best to start small. This article will help you learn the way so you can become a master at this. Take some time to read carefully and you will so fine.
If your HVAC system is acting up, take a tour of the house prior to calling a professional. Determine which rooms are hotter or colder than they should be. If you do this, it will be a great help to the future contractor, who will now be able to quickly locate the problem issue.
Know what you need before you select an HVAC contractor. A contractor cannot give an over-the-phone estimate if unfamiliar with your system. It will be more hard if you over the phone without the information readily available.
Before choosing an HVAC contractor, think of what you wish to have done. It is going to be hard to get a price estimate on the phone if the current system isn’t something they’ve seen. In addition, you need to be able to tell the contractor what you have already tried. Having this information handy will make the process much smoother.
Be sure to regularly clean external condenser units. 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 also cause your system to malfunction by overheating.
Clean your fan and coils when the weather begins to warm. Always make sure you shut off the power before you do any work on the unit other than superficial cleaning. Additionally, remove leaves and any other debris from the outside condenser unit.
Your HVAC unit may suffer when trees lose leaves. Make sure the unit’s fan grill is cleaned frequently when the fall. The fan must not have anything in the way so that air can flow into it, and if it gets blocked, it could cause your system to break down.
Each spring, clean the fan blades and coils on your condenser. Make sure to turn off the fan’s power first to be safe. Then you need to get the grill popped off and get the blades out so you can clean them and your unit gently.
Put your outdoor units in the shade if you are installing them.
In order to boost efficiency, place new outdoor units or move your current unit to a place which resides in the shade. As it brings in cool air to cool, you will save a lot of money.
Have your heating and cooling system serviced twice per year. This should happen in the fall and malfunctions.
Turn off your outdoor condenser when it becomes cold out. To prevent damage, turn off your unit if the outside temperature is less than 60 degrees. This will maximize the life of your unit.
It is always a good idea to replace single-paned windows with ones that have double pane ones. This same effect also helps keep it warm in during the winter.
Update the windows in your home to double-paned if you own it. You can reduce your energy costs from energy leaking out through your windows by installing window that are double-paned. This also helps keep it warm in the winter.
A programmable thermostat can help save money on your air conditioning bill. Some of these thermostats can even be controlled from your smart phone or other device.
Getting a programmable thermostats can be a terrific way to realize savings. This will help you to keep the temperature at optimal levels. This will save you a lot of money during the year.
Air conditioners tend to ice up.The drain line may also freeze over. If this is something that’s happening to you, disable the compressor by switching the thermostat to run the fan only. You should leave the repair to a professional, even if switching it to its fan setting starts making the ice melt.
To help keep your energy costs down, have your heating and cooling system serviced at least once a year. When they visit to service the unit they’re going to inspect the motors, oil the parts that move, and see how much freon is in your system. These simple tasks will help keep your HVAC system running smoothly.
Look for air conditioner sizing calculators online to truly understand what size of unit you need for your home. Look in the manual to determine the recommended size for air conditioners.
To help you pick a good HVAC contractor, be sure to research a number of different companies. Inquiring with the Better Business Bureau is always a good idea, as is looking for online review sites where previous customers can post their experiences. This is what you have to do in order to make a smart decision.
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 contractor may be taking a considerable risk.
Sometimes air conditioners get iced up. There are sometimes also freezes that happen in a drain line, and this can be confused for a plumbing leak. Change your thermostat in situations like this. It is best to call a professional in to fix this particular issue, even though the switch to fan setting should cause the ice to start melting.
Ask around so you are looking for a reputable HVAC contractor. People that have had quality work done are usually willing to tell of it. This can also help you learn the names of those companies that you should avoid at all costs.
Make certain the HVAC company you choose has a proven track record. Fly-by-night companies are those you want to avoid. Hiring a newer contractor may be taking a considerable risk.
Contractors are responsible for their own charges and fees, so make sure to get multiple quotes.You can save tons of money this way. You may want to get quotes from at least five contractors in order to know what reasonable rates are.
If you are purchasing an AC unit, take measurements. You need to know how big the area is that you want to have cooled off. For each square foot you’ll need 20 BTU of cooling power. Calculate the total square footage of all rooms if you will use the air conditioner to cool more than one room.
Make certain they are tightly sealed so air inside. You can hire a professional to test them.
Replace your air filters every month. It will improve the efficiency of your unit. Filters are inexpensive, so there is no excuse for not doing it.
Square Footage
Always get some references before hiring any contractor. This will show you their overall experience. This will keep the scam artists away, but this only works by actually following up on the references.
Measure the living area that requires air conditioning. You can usually substitute 20 BTU for each square footage of the area to be cooled. If the unit will be cooling several rooms, make sure to add the square footage together.
Only hire a contractor to install or repair your HVAC system if they offer a 24-hour hotline for emergencies. Whether a hurricane just blew through or it’s the hottest day of the year, they need to be able to come and fix your system.
Ask a contractor about their experience.You need to verify they have done the sort of work you require.
Be certain you know what to expect when you hire contractors to do a certain job. Some contractors attempt to charge you later for items like materials and fuel. Having a solid written contract will help you avoid any issues like this.
Always get some references from a contractor.
In the winter, keep your condenser unit properly covered. This simple cover keeps the condenser operating longer when not in use. The unit’s compressor should never be on when the temperature is 60 degrees or below. Do this by simply turn on the fan so that you don’t cause the unit unnecessary strain.
Any HVAC contractor you hire should have an emergency number available to customers around the clock.They should be able to get to your home whenever you need them there, whether during a heatwave or a terrible snowstorm.
Be sure to investigate the references you are given by any HVAC professional. You may be horrified by what you find. It doesn’t take long to check out someone’s references, so do it.
Some contractors attempt to add charges on material fees and other charges. Having a solid written contract will help to avoid issues like this.
Ask the contractor to install a programmable thermostat on your unit if it doesn’t already have one. This sort of device will save you a lot of money in terms of energy because it allows your system some downtime while you are warm in your bed.
Cover your condenser when the winter time. This simple cover keeps the life of your condenser last longer if it is protected when not in use. Use the fan setting only to avoid putting strain on the unit.
To save money, try going with an HVAC unit that is an Energy Star unit. This will save you a ton of money during the year. These are put together by the US. The EPA is the Environmental Protection Agency. You will save money by paying attention to these details.
This determines the number of BTUs your system should be.
You might be surprised to discover that as many as two-thirds of all homes have ducts that are leaky. This can greatly increase your electric bill. Sealing the ducts is easy and cheap to do yourself, and it may reduce energy costs greatly in the future.
Consider a programmable thermostat installed.This lowers your energy bills because your lifestyle.
Use a contractor that makes use of Energy Star products. These systems meet strict efficiency guidelines set by the EPA. The end result should be you seeing a money saved each year on your energy bills.
You might be surprised that as many as two-thirds of all homes have ducts that are leaky. This alarming percentage is responsible for nearly one quarter of utility costs. Sealing your ducts is both easy and cheap, you can even do it yourself, and it can reduce your electricity bills significantly every year thereafter.
Keep the condenser on your HVAC unit protected during the cold weather. Use a thick cover. Your unit will not work as efficiently if you do this when the outdoor temperature is less than 60 degrees.
Seek a HVAC contractors that only use products that carry the Energy Star label. This rating means that the EPA standards for efficiency. This can help you reduce your heating and cooling bills throughout the year.
Always get estimates in writing. These estimates should be written down on paper. Any estimate for work on your HVAC system should include everything that is needed to complete the job. This can ensure you are getting a good deal on your service. Compare written estimates in terms of price, completion time, etc. Don’t place your trust in a company that gives an estimate that’s too low as the work may also be poor.
This information should make dealing with HVAC a snap. Using the above information, you should be able to continue your HVAC education without risking breaking parts or making costly mistakes. Now you know how to make your system run optimally.
