HVAC service and contracting isn’t something that you may know nothing about. This can be problematic when it breaks down.
If problems arise with the HVAC system, check the entire house before contacting someone to come for repairs. Make a list of the temperatures in each room and whether they are hot or cold. This information will help the contractor determine where the problem is and how to fix it.
Know what work you need before you select an HVAC contractor.It will be difficult for a contractor to give you a price estimate over the phone if they have not seen your current setup is. It will be way more hard if you don’t know what’s wrong.
Clean the coils and blades in your condenser at the beginning of summer. Be safe and turn off the power supply before working on your HVAC unit. Also, be sure to clear leaves and debris from your condenser unit.
Clean your fan and coils come spring. Clean the outside of your condenser unit.
Do not allow grass clippings to cover the outdoor unit of your HVAC system. Make sure the grass does not get in your unit. This also applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in debris.
Sae 20 Oil
HVAC units may suffer when leaves are falling off the trees. The grill on the fan can become cluttered with debris, which will cause a serious operating deficiency. The fan must stay clear in order to function, and if it gets blocked, you will have to contend with problems.
Lubricate your condenser at least once each year. These ports are usually covered with rubber or metal caps. Use SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, putting 10 drops in each port.
If you can choose the place where your outdoor compressor goes, pick a spot with lots of shade. This will limit the work that it has to do.
Turn off your outdoor condenser units when weather turns cold. This means that you should be done when the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit. This can keep the system running efficiently for many years to come.
If the current location of your HVAC unit outside isn’t working, try having it moved to an area with more shade. If your air conditioner is able to constantly suck in cool air, it won’t have to work overtime to cool your space, which can in turn save you money on your electricity bills.
It is a good idea to swap out single pane windows for double pane ones. This will also help you keep in during the winter months.
You can keep energy costs in your home lower by choosing to have professional maintenance done on your HVAC unit. This visit will include a motor inspection and checking the freon. Small problems can occur in any of these areas and lead to serious issues if ignored for too long.
A programmable thermostat can help you save money on your power bills. Some can even be controlled from a PC or other device.
If you are going to be gone during the day or on vacation, turn the temperature up on your air conditioning unit. You don’t need to keep the house cool if you aren’t there. Leaving your heating or cooling running full blast while you are away is a waste of money and energy.
There are now different online sites that let customers talk about their experiences with contractors. This is an awesome way to find contractors that do good work with.
Do not allow your home to reach excessive levels of heat during the summer. An air conditioning unit is really only able to reduce the temperature by twenty degrees in a short time span. If your home happens to get near 100 degrees Fahrenheit, then you will only be able to reasonably cool to around 80. Depending on the levels of humidity, that is not a safe temperature when it comes to sleeping or escaping from the heat of summer.
Check for duct leaks if you you feel your unit seems to not up to snuff. When these leaks are fixed, the tests will pay for themselves.
Each contractor will have their own fee schedule, so make sure you get several different quotes before you hire anybody. This can help you to save money by knowing what people are charging. To get the best picture and get an idea of what rates are reasonable, call five or six different contractors.
Determine which way your home faces.The less heat, the less time that the AC has to work.
To help your heating and cooling system run efficiently, install a radiant barrier in your attic. This mechanism will prevent outside heat from coming in, reducing your energy consumption when cooling. If you install the unit properly, you can even begin to use the attic as a bedroom as it will be so comfortable!
Make sure they are tightly sealed so air inside. You can also hire someone to test things and a lot of the time the testing costs nothing.
Do you need a new HVAC system? There are some things to consider. Systems are given ratings by how effectively they can cool and heat an area. If you are debating the size of the unit, always get one that is just a little bigger rather than one that is a little too small.
Square Footage
If you current HVAC doesn’t work that well, try testing ducts for leaks. Call your utility company if they are leaking to see about getting a test. Once leaks have been fixed, you will save substantial money on heating and cooling costs.
Measure the living area that requires air conditioner shopping. You generally need 20 BTU per square footage of the room. If you have a lot of rooms to keep cool, make sure to add the square footage together.
For top efficiency, figure out what direction your home faces. Strategically placing trees around your home can block some of the heat coming from the sun, preventing your home from overheating. The less heat in your home, the less time your air conditioner will have to work.
If you must position it in a corner, get a unit that lets you direct air flow away from any walls.
To keep your HVAC unit running at full capacity, you should have quality doors and windows installed that are efficient. Make sure they are tightly sealed so air can’t seep in. You can get these tested at little to no charge by a professional.
Ask a contractor about their experience.You need to know that they have done the type of experience needed to work on your particular system.
Replacing your unit’s air filter each month is a key maintenance task. This is the easiest step to take to ensure that your unit remains in good operating condition. Also, this will not cost a lot of money.
Always request references when you are considering a contractor.
Ask a contractor about their experience prior to hiring them. You need to ensure that they are experienced with the work that you need done. Though some workers with less experience are great, you do not want to risk it.
Some contractors will attempt to overcharge you after the work is complete for things such as material fees and fuel charges. Having a solid written contract will help avoid any issues like this.
Seek references when hiring an HVAC contractor. Ask these references if the job was what they expected, if it was done in a timely manner and on budget. You can find out whether the company and their employees are honest and good workers this way.
Cover your condenser in the weather becomes less than optimal. This will help it last longer. Use the fan setting only to avoid putting strain on the condenser unit.
Any HVAC contractor you hire should have a 24-hour emergency hotline. You should have the ability to get them out to your home, whether it is the midst of a horrible heat wave or a snow storm.
Always check out any references that are given to you by a prospective HVAC contractor.
Did your contractor calculate your heat-loss ratio before giving you their quote? This factors in the amount of BTU your heating system will consume when regulating the temperature in your house. The contractor should also count the number of doors and windows in your home, as well as check insulation, and measure the internal space.
This tells you how many BTUs your system requires to keep the environment of your home comfortable.
If you are having an existing HVAC system repaired or getting something new installed, ask them to install a programmable thermostat. A programmable thermostat will save you tons on your power bills and even gives your system a chance to rest at night while everyone sleeps or is not at home.
Consider have a programmable thermostat. This can save you a great deal on your heating and cooling bills because your lifestyle.
Believe it or not, approximately 66 percent of all homes have leaking ducts! This can cost around a quarter of utility costs. Sealing up your ducts is cheap and easy, you can even do it yourself, and it can reduce your electricity bills significantly every year thereafter.
Dealing with broken HVAC systems can be a nightmare that many homeowners do not want to deal with. But, with a little of research the problem may not be as big as you expect. With some knowledge close at hand, problems can be solved efficiently and quickly.
Seek out HVAC contractors who only use products that carry the Energy Star label. When a product line carries the famous ENERGY STAR logo it has met the difficult standards and guidelines that the EPA has set forth. That means they’ll save you a ton on your utility bills.
