Follow these tips on dealing with your HVAC system.
Before making that repair phone call, make sure you know the specifics about your particular system. Get information on the make and model, plus if you have information on the history of maintenance, that will help, too. In this way, you can be sure your repair person has all vital information.
If you’ve been having trouble with an HVAC system, take a tour of the house prior to calling a professional. This will help the repairman determine where the problem is and how to fix it.
Before you hire an HVAC contractor, have some sort of idea of the work that needs to be done. This is necessary so that they can give you a quote before doing any work. 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 work you need before you select an HVAC contractor.It will be difficult for a contractor to provide you a price estimate over the phone if they have not seen your current setup is. It will be way more hard if you over the phone without the information readily available.
Make sure that you regularly clean debris that might build up on external condenser units. Things pile up after storms and damage your system. It can cause your system to malfunction by overheating.
Clean the debris that accumulates on your condenser units. You never know when things can pile up, like right after it’s windy or rains, and that can throw a wrench in your system. It can cause it to overheat.
Be sure to clean the fan blades and coils of the condenser fan. Before you begin cleaning the unit, make sure that it is unplugged. Next, remove the grill, take the blades and clean them gently, then clean the actual unit.
Don’t let grass clippings on your outside unit. Aim the grass cuttings in a direction away from the unit. This applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in debris.
Get your HVAC unit serviced two times per year. The fall and spring are the optimal times for this maintenance. Regular inspection will help you avoid unexpected repairs.
Your outdoor HVAC unit may suffer when your trees start to lose leaves. Make sure you clean out your fan grill often during the fall. The fan needs unobstructed air flow, and if it is clogged, you will end up with many headaches with the unit.
When the weather starts to cool down, make sure you turn off outdoor condenser units. If you get into temperatures that are less than 60 degrees you need the unit to be shut off so it doesn’t get damaged. This will ensure your system stays in good working order every year, saving you money on costly repairs.
Put outdoor unit in the shade if you are installing them.
In order to keep energy costs down, make sure heating and cooling systems are services at least once per year. When it’s checked out, the motor will be inspected, moving parts well oiled and the level of freon adjusted if necessary. This ensures your system runs smoothly.
Turn off your outdoor condensers you have when it becomes cold out. This should turn it off to prevent damage if the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This can ensure your system working for years and save you a lot on repairs.
Your home should not have temperatures that are too hot. Air conditioners only cool down a home by 20 degrees. A home that is over one hundred degrees will only be cooled to around eighty. This won’t be a healthy environment to live in.
It is a good idea to swap out single pane windows for double panes. This same effect also keeps warm in during the winter.
Did you know an AC unit can freeze? The drain line might also freeze over. If you see this, immediately put your thermostat on the fan setting to turn off your compressor. Once you know the problem, contact a local HVAC professional and let them know what’s going on in your system.
During your service visit, they will inspect the motor of the system, oil the unit’s moving parts and ensure the unit has proper freon levels. This will help keep you energy efficient and comfortable.
When you need an HVAC contractor, obtain recommendations from friends and family members. When people have had great service, they are generally pleased to pass on a good word. This will also help you avoid bad companies.
Look for calculators online to truly understand what size of unit is necessary for your home. Look in the manual to determine the recommended size for air conditioners.
To improve the efficiency of your HVAC system, think about placing a radiant barrier in your attic. This blocks heat from entering your home, which lowers how much energy is needed to keep it cool in the warm months. If it’s done right, the attic can become another useful living space.
Ask people that you know and family for contractor recommendations. People who’ve had a good experience are often happy to share the name of it. This is also a great way to get names of companies that you should be avoided.
Have you been thinking about buying a new HVAC system? You will need to take a few things into account. Systems have ratings according to the total area they effectively heat or cool. It is always better to buy a unit that is a little bit bigger rather than one that might be slightly smaller.
There are plenty of great sites out there that let customers talk about the service they received. This is an excellent method of finding contractors that you are interested in dealing with and those that you want to avoid.
If you are a having trouble with your existing system, check for leaks in the ducts. Call your utility company and ask if they test for free, as many do. If you do end up paying, you’ll find that fixed leaks are worth the money.
Contractors determine their own fee levels, so make sure that you acquire multiple estimates. You will be likely to save a lot of cash if you take the time to call around before you decide. You may want to get quotes from at least a handful of contractors to determine what you should be paying.
Make an HVAC system run more efficiently by determining what direction your house faces. If your home is surrounded by strategically planted trees, they can often block out the morning sunlight. The cooler your home already is, the less work your AC will have to do.
Determine which way your home faces.The less amount of heat inside of your home, the less work your AC will have to do.
If you HVAC unit is clicking, immediately check for any type of obstruction. A small amount of debris is often the cause of this problem. Removal of the debris should solve the issue. Check it out yourself first before you call in the professionals.
Make sure they have tight seals to keep air inside. You can also hire a professional to test them.
Make sure your windows and doors are efficient. Each of these should have an airtight seal on them. A professional can sometimes test these for you for free.
Hvac System
When considering what size AC unit your home needs, be sure to measure the immediate area you need to cool. In general, you need 20 BTU for each square foot. If multiple rooms need cooling, just add their total square footage.
Replace the air filter in your HVAC system working well.This is an easy thing to do and it will keep your HVAC system running at maximum efficiency.
Choose an HVAC company that is quick and knows what they are doing. Many reliable companies ensure techs keep their appointments to stay on schedule. Techs must be knowledgeable about diagnosing and repairing your system quickly. This will maximize your overall satisfaction.
Pick HVAC business that know what they’re doing and can work quickly. The best companies will ensure that their technicians will always be on time. A knowledgeable technician should also easily diagnose any potential faults with your HVAC. After a quick diagnosis, they should be able to get the work done quickly for your sake.
It may be tempting to hire the first HVAC company in the phone book, but it’s important to get references from them. You should know that the contractor does exactly what he says he’s going to do, and there are no hidden costs involved. Make certain to follow through and contact the references provided.
Ask any potential contractor about their experience prior to hiring them. You need to verify they have the sort of work you require.
Any HVAC contractor you hire should have a 24-hour emergency hotline. Whether a hurricane just blew through or it’s the hottest day of the year, they need to be able to come and fix your system.
Always make sure to get references when you are considering a contractor.
When you get someone to work on your HVAC, make sure you know what the total cost includes. Some contractors attempt to charge you later for items like materials and fuel. Having your contract in writing is obviously a must.
Any HVAC contractor or installer should have a 24-hour emergency number available to customers around the clock. They need to be able to come to a home when needed, in any weather.
Check all references given to you from an HVAC contractor. Too many people take for granted that reference are indeed legitimate, when in fact they may not be. It doesn’t take long to check out someone’s references, so do it.
Some contractors attempt to overcharge you on later for things such as material fees and other charges. Having a solid written contract will let you avoid any issues like this.
Any contractor that is giving you a quote should do a calculation on heat-loss. This determines the amount of BTUs your system needs to make sure your home stays comfortable. They need to consider all doors and windows, insulation and room sizes.
Consider have a programmable thermostat. This lowers your energy bills because your settings to ensure optimal performance.
Almost 2/3 of homes have ducts that are leaking. These can cost you as much as twenty five percent of what you pay for utilities. Sealing the ducts is easy and cheap to do yourself, and it may reduce energy costs greatly in the future.
Choose a contractor who installs Energy Star products. This rating means that your system has met the EPA standards for efficiency. This can help you save money on your heating and cooling bills throughout the year.
The condenser unit needs to be properly taken care of in cold weather. This can be done by placing a cover that’s thick over it. Don’t use the unit if the outside temperature drops below 60 degrees because systems are not effective below that temperature.
Keep your condenser protected in cold weather. This can be done by placing a cover on it.
Make sure your owner’s manual in handy when you use the unit. The information contained within this manual is going to give you quite a few things to learn about the unit you have and will help you out if you’re dealing with problems.
A well running HVAC is critical to keeping your home comfortable. Without maintenance, you may find yourself very uncomfortable. Use the tips located above to help you maintain your system or choose a new system.
