If you’re unfamiliar with HVAC and you need to learn about it, this article is for you. This piece will help you learn the things you need to know about this. Take some time to read along and you will do just fine.
Know the name and type of your HVAC system before looking for a repair person. Get information on the make and model, plus if you have information on the history of maintenance, that will help, too. Your contractor will appreciate this information.
Know the name and type of your HVAC system you currently have before calling someone to fix it. This makes sure the contractor has the information they will need.
Go through your home before you call HVAC professional. Figure out which rooms are too cool or warm. That knowledge can help the technician figure out what is going on.
Turn the power off first so nothing moves. Then, pop off its grills, pull the blades out, and gently clean them as well as the unit itself.
Clean your fan and coils when the weather begins to warm. Turn off the power if you are going to work on your HVAC system. Also, it is important to clear the outside condenser unit from any debris that maybe trapped inside.
Don’t let grass clippings on your outside unit. Aim your grass cuttings in a different direction from the unit. This applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in debris.
When you are cutting the grass, be sure not to cover your outdoor units with clippings. Turn your lawnmower in the opposite direction. The same should happen if you are blowing leaves, so be especially careful when you are going by your exterior HVAC devices whenever you are moving debris.
10 Drops
When the trees are losing their leaves, your HVAC unit can suffer. Clean outdoor units often to remove leaves. The fan needs unobstructed air flow, and if debris is blocking this air flow, then your system could suffer.
Lubricate the oil ports on your fan condenser at least once each year. You can find the ports as they have a rubber or metal caps. Use SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, putting 10 drops in each port.
Lubricate your fan condenser if it has oil ports. These are usually covered with rubber or metal caps. You should select an SAE 20 oil since it is lightweight and does not contain detergent. Be sure to use just 10 drops or so, or your system may overfill.
Be sure to have the HVAC system checks. This should happen in the fall and malfunctions.
If you’re away from home during the day, raise the temperature setting on your air conditioner to save money. The house will heat up, but not too much. If will be constantly fighting the heat and using lots of electricity if it is left on all day.
Turn off outdoor condenser when it’s getting cold. This means that you should be done when the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This can keep your unit is working for years and save you a lot on repairs.
Never allow the temperature in your home to rise to a dangerously high level. It is only possible for an air conditioner to lower the temperature in a home by 20 degrees F in a short time. If your house’s interior temperature hits 100 degrees Fahrenheit, you would only be able to cool it down just above 80 degrees. While it depends on the humidity, this is not safe for a human to sleep in to recover from the heat of the summer.
Install a programmable thermostat you can program to save energy costs. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from a PC or computer.
Do your homework on a number of HVAC companies before selecting the one that has the best reputation and service record. Check out the online reviews, and run a quick search on the BBB website to make sure they have been good to past customers. This will help you to choose a contractor that is of high quality.
During the service check, professionals can help by inspecting the system’s motor, oil the different moving parts as well as check the system’s freon levels. These things will keep your HVAC system running smoothly.
You can get ice in your air conditioner. There can be occasional freezes in their drain lines, and these are usually confused with plumbing leaks. If this happens, put your thermostat over to fan. You should still call a professional to help regardless.
Don’t let your home temperature get way too hot to where it’s dangerous. An air conditioning unit will reduce the internal temperature by twenty degrees in a fair time. If the temperature in your home rises above 100 degrees, then you will only be able to reasonably cool to around 80. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
How long has the contractor been in business? Companies that are around awhile have a better record than those that haven’t been. New companies are just too risky.
Fan Setting
Turn to online reviews if you’re not sure how you should hire to perform HVAC maintenance. There are many review sites you can check out. This is a good way to locate contractors that do good work and ones that are poor.
Air conditioners tend to ice up.The drain line might also freeze up.If this happens, change the setting on your thermostat to the fan setting and this will disable the compressor. You can call a HVAC professional, even if switching it to its fan setting starts making the ice melt.
All contractors charge differently for their services, so get at least four or five quotes before hiring a particular person. You will be likely to save some cash if you take the time to call around before you decide. Never settle for a price until you’ve called at least five contractors to gain a realistic idea of a fair price.
Speak with someone close to you to see if they can recommend someone good to service their HVAC contractor. People that have had great service are usually more than willing to tell of it. This can also help you to avoid undesirable companies.
You should think about putting in a radiant barrier in order to help your system run efficiently. This helps block the heat from outside, and will reduce the energy needed for cooling your home during the summer. If done correctly, this also enables you to start using your attic as a living space.
There are a few sites now that allow customers to share their experiences with different services. This is useful for finding people that you are interested in dealing with as well as those that you want to avoid.
Do you need a new cooling system? There are many things to consider. Systems are given ratings by how effectively they can cool and heat an area. It is better to purchase a slightly larger than needed unit, rather than a slightly smaller than needed unit.
Find your away around the HVAC system with the tips listed here. Use these tips for maintenance and repair questions. Hopefully, you will be able to get things working well now.
Your HVAC can work more efficiently if you take into consideration which way your home faces. 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. When you do what you can to less how much heat comes into your home, your AC unit can work less, which will save money.
