This article can help to those that are looking to familiarize yourself with the subject.
Before calling someone to repair your system, make sure you know what kind of HVAC system you actually have. Write down what brand your system is along with the model number and, if they’re available, maintenance records. This will facilitate the process when your contractor asks for this information.
If your HVAC system is acting up, check things out yourself prior to calling in a technician. This will help the contractor determine what the problem is and how to fix it.
If your HVAC system us giving you issues, take a look around the house prior to calling a contractor. Note which of your rooms are hot and which are cold. You can then relay this information to the technician so that they can more easily figure out what the problem is.
Know what work you need before you hire a contractor. It will be hard for a contractor to give you with an estimate over the phone without knowing what your current system. It will be more hard if you over the phone without the information readily available.
Prior to choosing an HVAC customer, try to have an idea of what you want done. Discussing the problem is simplified if you understand what has happened with the unit. It will be even harder if you cannot explain what you have done. It’s important to know this beforehand.
Clean any debris on an external condenser units. Debris can pile up at rates that increase during rainy or windy weather, bringing potential damage with it. It can cause it to overheat.
Be sure to clean the fan blades and coils of the condenser fan. Turn the power off so nothing moves. Then, pop off its grills, pull the blades out, and begin cleaning the unit and them gently.
Your outdoor HVAC unit may suffer when trees lose their leaves. Make sure the fan’s grill is cleaned often once nearby trees start shedding their leaves. The fan needs unobstructed air flow, and if it is clogged, it could cause your system to break down.
Do not allow grass clippings to cover the outdoor unit of your HVAC system. When you work with your lawn mower, make sure it spits the grass to the side opposite of your unit. The same goes for when you blow leaves, so make sure your are careful when moving any debris in the vicinity of your HVAC devices.
Put your outdoor unit in the shade if you are installing them.
Your HVAC unit may suffer when trees start to lose their leaves. When you see nearby trees shedding their leaves, clean the fan grill on your unit constantly. The fan needs to be able to get proper air inside without any blockages, and extra blockage can later develop into more serious problems.
Have the HVAC system serviced at least yearly. This should happen in the fall and again in the spring.
Lubricate your fan condenser at least once a year. You’ll see that the ports here are closed with a rubber or metal cap. Put 10 drops of lightweight, non-detergent SAE oil in each port. Be careful not to use too much.
Turn off outdoor condenser when it becomes cold out. This should be done when the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit.This helps your system remain in good condition for many years.
Look for shade when placing a compressor outdoors. When it draws in air for cooling, it will be more efficient because it will not need to work as hard to cool down the air.
It is a good idea to swap out single pane windows with ones that have double pane ones. This will also helps keep in the winter.
Have your HVAC serviced at least yearly. The best time of year to have the system checked is right before the weather begins to change. Even if nothing seems wrong, checking it out can help you find and fix potential issues.
During your service visit, the serviceman will inspect the unit’s motor, inspect the motor and the freon levels. These things will boost the performance of your system to run its best.
Consider getting a programmable thermostat for your AC. 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. You can often control it from your mobile phone!
Never allow the temperature in your home to get dangerously hot inside. An AC unit is really only able to reduce the temperature of your home approximately twenty degrees in a fair time. If your home happens to get near 100 degrees Fahrenheit, cooling it will only drop the temperature to 80 degrees F. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Service your HVAC unit at least one time 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.
Companies with proven track records that can help you decide if they’re worth your money and time. Hiring an inexperienced contractor who is just starting out can be risky.
Shut off the air conditioning if nobody is home. Turning it off does allow the temperature to rise, but only so far. Leaving it on for the entire day means that it is struggling to keep things cool, something that takes lots of energy.
There are a lot of sites these days that let customers talk about the service they received. This is a great way to find decent people you want to work with and those you don’t want to work with.
To choose a HVAC contractor, it is important to check their reputations. Check reputations at the BBB, and read online reviews to gauge customer satisfaction. Doing this can help you make a better decision.
A radiant barrier is an awesome device which will help improve the efficiency of your HVAC. It blocks outside heat from coming in which will serve as a barrier between your home and the outside. You could even find that you can use your attic space more effectively.
Problems with an air conditioning unit happen when it ices up. Sometimes the drain line will freeze, causing leaks. If this happens, put your thermostat over to fan. This problem will need to be handled by a professional, even though the fan will probably help with the ice situation.
Do you need a quality HVAC? There are a number of things to consider. Systems have ratings according to how large an area they effectively cool and heat. You are better off purchasing a unit that is slightly too large for your needs than a bit too small.
Determine the direction your home is facing to help get your HVAC system functioning efficiently. It’s always a good idea to plant trees in areas that will help block the scorching sun that heats up your home and causes your AC unit to work harder. This will reduce the work of your AC unit.
If you hear a clicking noise coming from your HVAC unit, immediately check for any type of obstruction. Often the issue is some sort of debris hitting fans in the cooling system. Take a look before you call a service technician.
It is important that you know the measurements of the area you need to cool. This calculation will tell you how many BTU’s you need. If the unit will be cooling several rooms, combine their square footage in your calculations.
Ask a contractor about their experience.You need to know that they have the type of experience needed to work on your particular system.
If you do only one thing for HVAC maintenance, it ought to be replacing the air filter. It is the easiest and cheapest way you can take care of it. Filters are relatively cheap, so it does not cost much to do this.
Always request references when you are considering a contractor.
Consider what potential direction your air conditioner’s flow will have when choosing where to put 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.
Any HVAC contractor or installer should have an emergency hotline. They need to be able to come to a home when needed, no matter how extreme the weather or what time of day it may be.
Prior to hiring any HVAC contractor, you ought to ask about their level of experience. Confirm that they have done this work before. You minimize the chances of bad service this way.
Some contractors attempt to overcharge you later for fuel or extra material. Having a signed contract can help you avoid issues like this.
Check in on the references for your contractor. Previous customers can provide information about timeliness of job completion and if the contractor stayed within their budget. Make certain to follow through and contact the references provided.
Always check out any references provided to you by an HVAC contractor.
Any HVAC contractor or installer should have an emergency number available to customers around the clock. This includes during extreme weather.
This will help you to figure out how many BTUs the BTU your system needs to have to keep a home comfortable.
The services you are paying a contractor to do should be clearly spelled out in your contract. Do not get scammed with material fees and fuel charges. You can avoid these issues if you have a contract that is written out.
These qualified energy devices are known to meet strict efficiency guidelines. These are set up by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. They are called the environment and human health. Taking the time to look into these units may help you save a significant amount of money.
Did you know that nearly 70 percent of all homes experience ducts with leaks? This equals up to 25% of your energy bill. It’s not difficult or expensive to seal the ducts around your home by yourself.
With the right information, even an HVAC system is simple enough to understand. Move slow and take your time learning through experience and research. Use these guidelines to make it work.
Clean your HVAC’s heating ducts on a regular basis. Don’t forget to have a good look in the depths of the ducts too, to be sure there’s nothing in there that doesn’t belong, nor has any damage been done. Damaged ones raise your electric bill.
