You think anything to do with HVAC is complicated. This is probably due to the right information on hand.
Before choosing an HVAC contractor, think of what you wish to have done. It will be difficult for an HVAC contractor to provide you with an estimate on the phone without knowing what your current setup is. It’s even harder if you’re not able to explain what you’ve done. Having this information handy will make the process much smoother.
Know what type of system before looking for a repair person. This helps make sure the contractor has the information they will be sufficiently prepared.
Clean the fan blades and coils prior to summertime. The power to the unit should be removed before you begin any maintenance, even cleaning. Remove leaves and debris from the condenser outside.
If your HVAC system us giving you issues, check things out yourself prior to calling in a technician. This will help the repairman determine where the problem is and how to fix it.
Avoid showering your outdoor unit with grass clippings when you mow the lawn. Direct the clippings away from the equipment. This is the same if you are using a leaf blower.
Know what you want done before you select an HVAC contractor. It will be difficult for a contractor to provide you with an estimate on the phone without knowing what your current setup is. It will be way more hard if you don’t know what’s wrong.
Fall is a hard time on HVAC units. At least twice a week, you need to clean the grill of your fan. The fan must not have anything in the way so that air can flow into it, and if it is clogged, you’ll have a lot of headaches eventually.
Put outdoor condensers in places with shade.
If your condenser comes with oil ports, you should lubricate it yearly. You will notice these ports have a rubber or metal cap covering them. Put 10 drops of lightweight, non-detergent SAE oil in each port. Be careful not to use too much.
Make sure your HVAC system checked twice a year. This should happen in the fall and again in the spring.
To boost the efficiency of your HVAC system, you should put your unit in a shady place. The air in the shade is cooler and can help save on energy costs.
It is always a good idea to replace single-paned windows with ones that have double pane ones. This also keeps warm in the winter.
If you can, use double-paned windows instead of single-paned ones. Try to insulate your windows to prevent air from being lost. Likewise, heat is better retained during the winter.
A programmable thermostat is a simple way to help save money on air conditioning bill. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from your smart phone or other device.
Try to have your HVAC system looked at every year, because regular maintenance will go a long way in energy efficiency. The motor should be checked, the parts oiled and the freon levels inspected. This will keep you energy efficient and comfortable.
During the visit, the system motor will be inspected, oil the moving parts and check the freon levels in the system. These simple things will help keep your system running smoothly.
If there isn’t anyone at home, then there’s no need for the AC unit to be running and wasting electricity. When you turn the air conditioner off, the house may heat up a little but only a certain amount. If the A/C is on when you’re gone, it’ll be working hard constantly.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line might also freeze up.If you notice this, put the fan on to shut the compressor off. If the issue persists, call a professional.
Do not allow your home to reach excessive levels of heat during the summer. Expect an air conditioning unit to drop the temperature down 20 degrees within a short amount of time. If your home happens to get near 100 degrees Fahrenheit, then you will only be able to reasonably cool to around 80. Depending on humidity levels, this isn’t even a safe temperature for a human body to sleep at to recover from summer heat.
Think about getting a radiant barrier in your attic so support the efficient functioning of your HVAC system can run better. It blocks outside heat from coming in which will serve as a barrier between your home and the outside. You may even find that you can use your attic as part of your living space more effectively.
To choose a reliable HVAC contractor, the best thing to do is to do your homework on a number of possible firms and check out their reputations. It is always wise to check their status with the BBB. In addition, check out customer reviews that appear online. This will help you make the best choice.
Check for duct leaks if you you feel your existing system is not be working efficiently.If you do have leaks that are repaired, the money spent on finding and repairing the leak will pay for itself.
It is possible for air conditioners to ice over. There are sometimes also freezes that happen in a drain line, and this can be confused for a plumbing leak. Try switching to fan-mode and disabling your compressor to test whether the water is a leak or melting ice. If this doesn’t work, call a professional.
Determine the direction that your home faces in order to establish efficient HVAC operation. The less your home is heated, the easier time the air conditioner in your home will have.
Measuring the space you want to cool is the first step to figure how large of an air conditioner you need. Typically, 20 BTUs are required per square foot. Combine the square footage of all rooms, in the event that you will be cooling more than one.
If your HVAC system is clicking, look for an obstruction. Often it is being caused by debris hitting fans in the cooling system. Check the fan and coil before spending on a repairman.
Replace the air filter monthly to keep your HVAC system working well. This represents an easy way to keep your system working well. Also, this will not cost a lot of money.
Square Footage
Consider which direction the air flows out of your air conditioner when you decide where to place it. If you have no choice but to put it in the corner, be sure to buy a unit which allows for the air flow direction to be changed away from the wall.
Measure the area you wish to cool before going air conditioning. You generally need 20 BTUs per square footage of space. If the unit will be cooling several rooms, combine all the square footage.
Prior to hiring any HVAC contractor, you ought to ask about their level of experience. They should have a good history of working with HVAC units. Although it is certainly possible for an inexperienced contractor to do the job right, it is best not to flirt with danger.
If you have to place it in a corner of your home, be sure you can change the direction of air flow to avoid having it hit the wall.
Always make sure to get references from a contractor. Previous customers can provide information about timeliness of job completion and if the contractor stayed within their budget. You will be able to avoid any scammers out there, as long as you follow up on references.
Ask any potential contractor about their experience prior to hiring them. You need to verify they have done the type of work you require.
You need a cover for your condenser during the cold months. When the condenser is not being used, the cover will help it to last much longer. If the temperature outside is lower than sixty, do not use the compressor. Instead, switch only the fan on.
Any HVAC contractor you hire should have a 24-hour emergency number available to customers around the clock. They need to be able to come to you when they are needed, be it in the middle of a heatwave or in the worst snowstorm of the year.
When a contractor comes in to give you a quote, be sure they complete a heat-loss calculation. This tells you the number of BTUs your system requires to keep the environment of your home comfortable. This number comes after examining the windows and doors where heat and escape.
Getting familiar with the HVAC unit is something that this article should have helped you with. You must stay motivated when learning about this unit. This will ensure you great success.
When your install or repair an HVAC system, find out about installing a thermostat that you can program. 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.
