The only way your home is heated and cooled is important. That is why it is important to keep your HVAC has to be in tip top shape. If you don’t properly care for your unit, then your repair costs can mount while your living conditions deteriorate. Here are some great tips to get you keep your HVAC system running smoothly.
Check out the system that you have before you call a professional. Know what the manufacturer’s name is, which particular model you have and what’s gone on with the unit in the past. This will help make sure that the contractor you hire has all the necessary information.
Know the name and type of your HVAC system you currently have before looking for a repair person. This will ensure that you to give your chosen contractor any information they need.
If the outside of your home has condenser units, ensure they are constantly cleaned. Wind can pile up all sorts of debris against its grill. Overheating can occur, which often spells disaster for your system.
If your HVAC is giving you problems, do a tour of your house before you call in help. This information will help the repairman determine what the problem is and how to fix it.
The coils and blades on the fans should be cleaned once a year. Turn the power off so nothing moves. Pull out each of the blades and clean them one by one.
Know what you want done before you select an HVAC contractor. It will be difficult for a contractor to give you with an estimate on the phone without knowing what your current system. It will be way more difficult for him to assist you can’t figure out what they need to do.
If the fan condenser on your unit has ports for oil, make sure you lubricate it once a year. You will notice these ports have a rubber or metal cap covering them. Your oil should be an SAE 20. This particular oil is very lightweight and it only requires about 10 drops per port.
Clean any debris on an external condenser unit. You don’t know when things are going to pile up, especially after a windy or rainy storm, and that can throw a wrench in your system. It can cause your unit.
It’s a good idea to put your outdoor compressor in a shady area. If you have a unit taking in air that’s cooler, it won’t have to work so hard to cool air that it sends to your home.
Don’t get grass clippings pile up against your outdoor condenser. Aim the grass in a different direction from your unit. This applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in debris.
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. This simple tip will help keep the system running efficiently for many years to come.
Your HVAC units might suffer when your trees begin dropping their leaves. Make sure the fan’s grill is cleaned frequently when the leaves begin to fall. The fan needs to have an unobstructed path for air to enter the unit, and if it becomes blocked, it could cause your system to break down.
Don’t let your home get overly hot. It takes quite a while to cool a home by more than 20 degrees. If your home become 100F or more, it will only cool off to about 80F. Depending on how humid it is, this isn’t really that safe for a person to sleep in when it’s really hot.
10 Drops
Always take the time to check out the reputation of any HVAC contractor before you consider hiring them. Inquire with the BBB and look elsewhere for other reviews from customers. This will help you to choose a contractor that is of high quality.
Lubricate the oil ports on your fan condenser once each year. You can easily find the ports have a rubber or metal cap covering them. Use a lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, putting 10 drops in each port.
Icing up is common in air conditioners. The drain line can freeze, making you think it’s a plumbing leak. If this happens, put your thermostat over to fan. If the issue persists, call in help.
Put outdoor unit in the shade if you are installing them.
If you are purchasing an AC unit, there are calculators on the Internet that can help you figure out the right size. If you buy a unit that is too big, it won’t do an efficient job. Always look through the manual as well.
Turn off any outdoor condensers you have when the weather turns cold. This should turn it off to prevent damage if the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit. This can keep your unit is working well throughout the years without the cost of repairs.
Before hiring an HVAC company, you need to find out how long they have been in business. Companies that are well established have track records that can help you decide if they’re worth your money and time. Hiring a contractor who is just starting out can be risky.
A programmable thermostat can help save money on air conditioning bill. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from a computer.
If you need help locating someone to help take of your HVAC system, a great place to seek advice is online at a review site. There are plenty of websites online that offer reviews and referrals for HVAC repair and other important service. This is an awesome way to find contractors to work with.
During a maintenance visit, they will inspect the motor of the system, inspect the motor and the freon levels. These simple things will help your system running at its peak performance.
Check the ducts to find any leaks if you you feel your existing system is not up to snuff. Call the utility company to test for you, it will usually be cheaper than a contractor. If you do have leaks that are repaired, this testing will pay for itself.
Don’t allow your home temperature get dangerously hot. Air conditioners really can only cool down unreasonably high temps. If your house’s interior temperature hits 100 degrees Fahrenheit, then you will only be able to reasonably cool to around 80. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Get a more efficient HVAC system by looking at the 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.
Air conditioners tend to ice up.The drain line might also freeze up.If you see this, switch your thermostat to fan only to disable the compressor. You should leave the repair to a professional, even if switching it to its fan setting starts making the ice melt.
Be sure the HVAC contractor you pick is fast and knowledgeable. A reliable company will ensure their technicians keep appointments and stay on their schedule. These techs should be able to figure out what is up with an HVAC rather quickly. Once the technician figures out what’s wrong, they can help resolve the problems in a timely and cost-effective manner.
Look for air conditioner sizing calculators online to help you determine the size of unit you need for your home. Look in the manual to determine the manufacturer website for this information.
When determining the location of your air conditioning unit, think about which way the air flows. If it must be in a corner, make certain that the air does not point towards a wall.
Ask your friends and family for their HVAC contractor recommendations. People who have had a good experience are worth calling. This will also help you to avoid scammers.
Make certain the contractor you hire has the appropriate experience. The contractor should be experienced in handling the kind of work that you require. While someone with less experience might be able to do a great job too, you do not want to take that chance.
Contractors determine their own fee levels, so make sure you get quotes from several contractors before you make any hiring decision. You should save some cash if you take the time to call around before you decide. You want to call at least five contractors in order to know what reasonable rates are.
Avoid using any contractor for HVAC repairs or installation, unless they provide you with a 24-hour number for emergency situations. It’s crucial that they can go to your home at any time you need them.
Make certain they are tightly sealed so air inside. You can get these tested at little to no charge by a professional to test them all for you and often this testing is free.
Any time that you are given a quote for HVAC work, it’s vital that you them to do a heat-loss calculation, too. This helps ensure that you get a unit with the right BTUs to ensure your home is always comfortable, regardless of the outside weather. They should also count the number of doors and windows, check your insulation, and measure the amount of internal space in your home.
Replace the air filter to keep your HVAC system every month. This will maximize the simplest thing that you can do to keep your unit running in tip top shape.
Ask the contractor to install a programmable thermostat on your unit if it doesn’t already have one. 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.
If you have to put the unit in a corner, try buying a unit that lets you change its air flow direction away from your wall.
Opt for an HVAC unit with the Energy Star rating. These great products help you save on energy because they adhere to efficiency guidelines. These guidelines have been set up by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Environmental Protection Agency generally. Choosing an Energy Star system will save you money over the life of the unit.
Always request references prior to hiring any contractor.
Believe it or not, approximately 66 percent of all homes have leaking ducts! This alarming percentage is responsible for nearly one quarter of your total utility expense! Getting your ducts sealed is not expensive and isn’t hard. You can probably do it on your own and it will help you to save on things each year.
Any HVAC contractor or installer should have a 24-hour emergency number available to customers around the clock. They should be able to get to your home whenever you need them there, no matter what.
Look for an HVAC contractor that uses Energy Star products and equipment. Anything carrying the Energy Star logo has met guidelines for efficiency as established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Energy Star label is one way for consumers to be certain that their HVAC system and those who work on it comply with standards outlined by the EPA.
Some contractors attempt to add charges on later for items like materials and fuel. Having a good written contract can help you avoid any issues like this.
As it gets colder outside, you need to get your condenser unit protected. Use a thick cover. Don’t use the unit if the outside temperature drops below 60 degrees because systems are not effective below that temperature.
Seek a HVAC contractors that only use products that carry the Energy Star equipment and products. This rating means that is required by the EPA. This means that they can help you save more on your bills year round.
The owner’s manual should be kept in a safe and easy to locate place. You can find great information about how to take care of your unit, and this could come in very handy. Replacement manuals are often available from the online website of the manufacturer.
Keep your system operating efficiently by cleaning the heating ducts from time to time. Look at the ducts to make sure they are in good shape. Damaged ones raise your energy bill.
Now you know how to maintain the HVAC in your home. You must stay on top of things! These tips will keep your home comfortable year-round.
