Anyone who has a HVAC system in their house knows the importance of properly maintaining it. An HVAC system wastes a lot of money. The article you’re about to read is composed of multiple tips concerning HVAC and repairs.
It is important to have some knowledge of your present system and needs before calling a contractor. It is going to be hard to get a price estimate on the phone if the current system isn’t something they’ve seen. They need to come look at the unit. Thus, it is worthwhile to have this knowledge ahead of time.
If your HVAC is running into problems, do a tour of your house before you call in help. This will help the repairman determine where the problem is and how to fix it.
Clean the coils and blades in your condenser at the beginning of summer. The power to the unit should be removed before you begin any maintenance, even cleaning. Also, it is important to clear the outside condenser unit from any debris that maybe trapped inside.
Turn the power off so you don’t get hurt or break something. Then, take the grill off, pull the blades out, and begin cleaning the unit and them gently.
As the leaves are falling off the trees, your HVAC system can really take a hit. When you notice your trees shedding, frequently clean your unit’s fan grill. The fan needs to be able to get proper air inside without any blockages, and extra blockage can later develop into more serious problems.
Don’t let grass clippings pile up against your outside unit. Aim the grass in a different direction away from the unit. This also applies when you are taking care of the leaves in debris.
You must keep your HVAC systems oil ports lubricated annually. A rubber or metal cap is typically placed over such ports. Pick a type of SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight. Place 10 or less drops into every port to avoid overfilling.
Your HVAC system could suffer when your trees lose leaves. Make sure the fan’s grill is cleaned frequently when the leaves begin to fall. The fan must not have anything in the way so that air can flow into it, and if debris is blocking this air flow, you will have to contend with problems.
Your HVAC unit requires regular maintenance at least two times per each year. Generally, you want it done in the fall and the spring. This will help you to avoid problems.
Put outdoor units in the shade.
When colder weather arrives, switch off all outdoor condenser units. If it’s lower than 60 degrees, the time has come to turn it off. You’ll pay less for repairs which you follow this tip.
Have the HVAC serviced at least yearly. This should be done in the fall and the spring.
In order to keep energy costs down, make sure heating and cooling systems are services at least once per year. During this service visit, they will inspect the motor of the system, oil the moving parts and check the freon levels in the system. This will keep you energy efficient and comfortable.
It is always a good idea to swap out single pane windows with ones that have double pane ones. This same effect also keeps warm in the winter months.
If nobody is home, turn off the air conditioner to save money. The house will only heat to certain level and a decent HVAC system can quickly cool this down once you are home. When the AC is left running, your power bill will go up quite a bit.
Install a programmable thermostat you can program to save money on cooling your home. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from your smart phone or other device.
Never let your home reach a dangerously hot temperature. An air conditioning unit is really only able to reduce the temperature by twenty degrees in a short time span. 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.
During this service visit, the system motor will be inspected, inspect the motor and the freon levels. These easy to do things will keep your system to run its best.
AC units will tend to get ice on them due to the cold. The drain line might also freeze over. If this is something that’s happening to you, change the setting on your thermostat to the fan setting and this will disable the compressor. The fan setting can help melt some of the ice, but you should still call a professional to check your unit out.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line might also freeze up.If this is something that’s happening to you, disable the compressor by switching the thermostat to run the fan only. You can call a HVAC professional, even if switching it to its fan setting starts making the ice melt.
Contractor set their own prices; this is why you should get many quotes. Getting several quotes will ultimately help you save lots of money. To get the best picture and get an idea of what rates are reasonable, call five or six different contractors.
Companies that are well established have a better record than those that can help you decide if they’re worth your money and time. It is always risky to hire someone who does not have a long history.
Consider installing a radiant barrier to your attic to help your HVAC system run more efficiently. It blocks the heat from inside out, reducing the energy that’s needed for your home to get cooled during the summer. It can even make your attic a livable space.
Ask friends and relations for their HVAC contractor recommendations. People that have had a good experience are usually more than willing to share this information. This will also be used to see who you should avoid hiring.
Do you need a new HVAC unit? You probably have many options available to you. Learn about the size systems need to be for optimal efficiency. You are wise to err on the side of a bigger unit rather than a smaller one.
There are now different online that offer reviews and referrals for HVAC repair and other important service. This is a great way to find people you want to hire and also with and those that you want to avoid.
Your HVAC can work more efficiently if you take into consideration which way your home faces. Strategically placed trees can block sunlight and help keep the home cooler without the use of an AC unit. When there is less heat inside your home, the air conditioner will not have to work as hard.
Check for duct leaks if you you feel your unit seems to not up to snuff. If you do have leaks that are repaired, the money spent on finding and repairing the leak will pay for itself.
To run your HVAC at full efficiency, you must have efficient doors and windows in place as well. All should be tightly sealed with no air getting inside or out. A professional can also test the windows and many times the testing is free.
Make sure they have tight seals to keep air inside. You can hire a professional to test them.
Take measurements of the space you are trying to cool. You’ll need about 20 BTU per square foot of living space. When several rooms must be cooled, determine the square footage of each room and then add the numbers together.
Pick an HVAC companies that understands the unit and works quickly to solve the problem. The best companies keep the technicians working honestly and on schedule. The tech will be able to help you and offer the best possible options. When they know the issue, they should know how to fix it quickly so that it works properly.
Replacing your unit’s air filter each month is a key maintenance task. This is a very simple job and it keeps the system running at maximum efficiency. Filters only cost a few bucks, and it’s a small price to pay.
If you can only put it into a corner, get a unit where the air won’t be trapped against the wall.
Consider what potential direction your air conditioner’s flow will have when choosing where to put it. If you have to put the unit in a corner, use one that doesn’t blow into the wall.
Do you better understand the job of your HVAC system now? Do you understand simple maintenance techniques and how to keep your system operating year-round? You certainly don’t want it to break on you. Keep these tips handy so you can refer to them as needed.
Prior to engaging the services of a contractor to handle your HVAC system, be sure to find out about the kind of experience he has. You want to make sure that they have experience with the type of work you need done. Less experienced workers could work out just fine, but you really shouldn’t take any chances.
