The way your home has a lot to do with whether or not it is being heated and cooled properly. This is why your HVAC system is constantly checked and you ensure it is properly working. If you have a poor HVAC, you can expect costly repairs and miserable living conditions. Here are some suggestions to help you keep your HVAC system running smoothly.
To make sure your condenser fan works properly, keep the fan blades and the coils clean. Turn off your power before doing any job like this. Take away all of the debris as well.
Clean the fan blades and coils each spring to ensure that your condenser fan operates at it’s best. Clean off any leaves or debris from your external condenser unit regularly.
Make sure that you regularly clean debris that might build up on external condenser units. After a wind or rain storm things may pile up, causing problems with your HVAC system. It can overheat, leading to disaster within your system.
Turn it off so nothing moves.Next, pop the grill off, pull out the blades and start cleaning them and the unit itself off gently.
When you mow your lawn, take care that you don’t get grass clippings all over your outdoor unit. Direct the grass clippings in a direction away from the HVAC unit. This also applies to blowing leaves or moving debris. Just be careful with that exterior HVAC unit.
Sae 20 Oil
When the leaves start to fall, the HVAC equipment can be harmed. Clean outdoor units often to remove leaves. The fan should have a clear path for air to come in. If it is blocked, your system will suffer.
Lubricate your condenser once a year. You can easily find the ports covered with rubber or metal cap. Use SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, putting 10 drops in each port.
Some fan condensers may contain oil parts, and if yours does, ensure it is lubricated at least once per year. You will see rubber or metal caps covering the ports. Use SAE 20 oil that is lightweight and detergent free, and put ten drops or fewer into each one. Make sure not to overfill them.
It is always a good idea to swap out single pane windows with ones that have double pane ones. This same effect also keeps warm air in the winter months.
When choosing the area for placing an outdoor compressor device, place it in a shady area. If the unit is taking in cooler air, the efficiency will be boosted since it will not need to work as hard.
Never allow the temperature in your home to rise to a dangerously hot temperature. An air conditioning unit will reduce the temperature by twenty degrees in a short time span. If the temperature in your home rises above 100 degrees, cooling it will only drop the temperature to 80 degrees F. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Put outdoor units in the shade if you are installing them. The air in the shade is cooler and can help save on energy costs.
Research and check the companies that you consider using. Check with different references to determine the BBB and look for reviews posted by former customers. These steps can help to ensure you make the smartest and most informed choice.
It is always a good idea to swap out single pane windows for double pane ones. Double pane windows can minimize the use of your air conditioner in hot weather since they keep the indoor air cooler. This also helps retain heated air during the colder months.
Ask your friends and family for their HVAC contractor recommendations. People who have had great service are usually willing to tell of their contractor. This will also a great way to get names of companies to stay away from.
Make use of a thermostat when you are installing an HVAC. You have greater control over the temperature settings with these. In addition, some models make things really easy on you, allowing you to adjust them from the computer.
There are now different online sites that let customers share their reviews. This method provides you with those you don’t want to work with.
Spend some time on researching for reliable HVAC companies to ensure that they have a good reputation. A good start would be the BBB to see if there are any complaints, then search online for review sites where you can see what actual customers had to say about their experience. It would be wise of you to take these steps.
Contractors are responsible for their own charges and fees, so make sure that you acquire multiple estimates. You can save quite a lot of cash simply by doing your homework. You want to get quotes from at least a handful of contractors to determine what you should be paying.
Figure out how long the HVAC company you choose has been in business. A company that has been in business for a long time will have a solid track record, and you can use this to figure out if you should spend your money with them. Hiring a contractor who is just starting out can be risky.
Figure out which direction your home faces in order to make your HVAC system can work better. The less your home is heated, the less work your AC will have to do.
Before you hire a contractor, make sure you get different quotes. If you make a few calls before you decide, it can result in great savings. Ideally, five or six contractors should be called so you can get a good ball park figure of a reasonable rate.
If there’s a clicking in your HVAC unit, see if there is any debris in it. The issue may be debris getting into the fans of the cooling system. Check it out before spending on a repairman.
Having a radiant barrier in your attic helps you HVAC system run better. This helps block the heat from outside, and will reduce the energy needed for cooling your home during the summer. If you do things right your attic can be used as a living space too.
Make sure they have tight seals to keep air can’t seep in. You can also hire someone to test them all for you and often this testing is free.
Test your duct work for leaks. The local utility may be able to test for you, and their services are frequently free or low cost. Paying for the test is fine as repairing the leaks will pay for itself quickly.
Measure the area you wish to cool before going air conditioning. You will need 20 BTU per square foot of room space. If you need to cool multiple rooms, just add their total square footage.
Look for leaves or other debris if you notice a thumping sound in your unit. The problem may be debris getting into the fans of the cooling system. Cleaning the debris will likely stop the noise. Take a look before calling a service technician.
Hvac System
Your doors and windows need to be as efficient as the HVAC system you use. Seal them tightly to prevent air from coming in. Talk to a professional to determine the best way to do this.
Replace the air filter monthly to keep your HVAC system every month. This is an easy thing to do and it will maximize the production of your HVAC system running well.
The one thing you should always do on a monthly basis is change the air filter on your HVAC system. It will improve the efficiency of your unit. These filters are only a couple dollars.
Pick out an HVAC business that is fast and works quickly to solve the problem. The best companies make sure their technicians will always be on schedule and keep appointments. A licensed technician should also have no problem diagnosing any problems with your HVAC. After they see what the problem is, they should then know how to deal with the problem.
The services you are paying a contractor to do should be clearly spelled out in your contract. There are some contractors that try to charge you more later for such things like material fees and fuel charges. Avoid issues such as these by procuring a written contract.
Ask a contractor about their experience.You need to verify they have done the sort of work you require.
Drape a cover over your condenser unit in the winter to protect it. This helps protect your unit from damage. Also, it is not a good idea to run a compressor when the temperature dips below 60 degrees. Avoid placing a strain on your unit by using the fan instead.
Now you will be able to take good care of your HVAC system. Avoid letting it fail by regularly maintaining the system. Use the above tips to make sure it keeps working properly.
Always check any references that you receive for an HVAC contractor. Often people skip this step, but it is important to follow through and check references. It just takes a couple of minutes to contact someone to check people out, so take your time with it.
