A HVAC system is important for an enjoyable home. If an HVAC system should fail, it can be very frustrating. Learning how to maintain your HVAC system begins with the chances of a breakdown; these tips will prove very useful.
Before you start calling to find someone to fix your unit, make sure you know the type of system that is installed. Get information on the make and model, plus if you have information on the history of maintenance, that will help, too. Your contractor will appreciate this information.
Know what type of your HVAC system you currently have before looking for a repair person. This will let you know that you’re able to give your chosen contractor any information that can help them.
If your HVAC is running into problems, check out each room in your house before calling for assistance. Know what part of the house is cold and which is hot. This will help your contractor quickly determine where the issue lies and how to get it fixed quickly and easily.
Hvac Contractor
Understand what you want before talking to a contractor. It’s hard to get an estimate since they haven’t look at your system. If you do not know what you want, the process can become tedious, especially over the phone. So, have this information ready.
Know what work you need before you select an HVAC contractor.It will be hard for an HVAC contractor to give you a price estimate on the phone without knowing what your current system. It will be more difficult for him to assist you can’t figure out what they need to do.
You should clean your condenser fan’s blades and coils every spring. First, turn off the power so that nothing will move as you are working on it. Pull out each of the blades and clean them one by one.
Clean your fan blades and coils come spring. Clean the outdoor condenser unit regularly.
A big mistake that people make is cutting the grass next to the outdoor condenser unit and allowing all of the clippings to blow inside the fan and coil. Aim the grass in a different direction from the unit. This applies when you are taking care of the leaves in the yard.
Clean the debris that accumulates on your condenser units. You never know when things can pile up, especially after a windy or rainy storm, and that can ruin your system. It can cause a disaster with your system to malfunction by overheating.
If your fan condenser has oil ports, you must lubricate it once per year. You will see rubber or metal caps covering the ports. Buy an SAE 20 product that is lightweight, and then put no more than ten drops into the ports.
Be sure to have the HVAC system checks. This should be checked often for debris and again in the spring.
If possible, put your HVAC in a shaded area if it is outside. As you get your air conditioner to suck in cool air it won’t have to do too much work to cool it which saves you some money.
Turn off any outdoor condenser units when weather gets cold. This means that you should be done when the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This helps your system last much longer and will have to be repaired less often.
Consumers are usually advised to have their HVAC systems inspected twice a year. The best time of year to have the system checked is right before the weather begins to change. Even if nothing seems wrong, checking it out can help you find and fix potential issues.
It is always a good idea to replace single-paned windows for double panes.This same effect also keeps warm air in the winter.
Equipping your home with a programmable thermostat can be an excellent way to cut utility costs. It changes the temperature so the system isn’t in use when it’s cooler outside or no one is home. Some newer programmable thermostats have computerized controls you can access from your personal computer, laptop or mobile media device.
During this service visit, they will inspect the motor of the system, the moving parts will be oiled and the freon levels will be checked These simple tasks will help keep your system to run its best.
Try to have your HVAC system looked at every year, because regular maintenance will go a long way in energy efficiency. This visit will include a motor inspection and checking the freon. All of these little jobs will add up to big savings in energy use, with the improved efficiency.
Never allow the temperature in your home to get dangerously high level. Air conditioners cannot sufficiently cool your home down a home by 20 degrees. If the temperature in your home rises above 100 degrees, you’ll only cool down to still above 80. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Make sure that your AC is turned off when you are not using it. With the system off, the house will only heat up to a certain temperature. If it’s left on all day, it will fight the heat all day, which uses quite a bit of electricity.
Look for calculators online to help you determine the size of unit is necessary for your room or home. Look in the manual to determine the recommended size for air conditioners.
Before you invest in any HVAC contractor, make sure you spend a good deal of time researching their reputations and credentials. Check them out at the BBB and look for reviews posted by former customers. You will make a more informed choice if you use these resources.
Ask friends and trust for contractor recommendations. People who have used and if they are often happy to share the name of their contractor. This can also a great way to get names of companies that you should avoid.
Sometimes air conditioners will ice up. In addition, the drain line sometimes freezes, and people often think that there is a plumbing leak. If this happens, disable the compressor by switching the thermostat to run the fan only. Get a professional to deal with this, even if you see the ice start melting because you turned the compressor off.
There are quite a few sites that let customers to share their experiences with different services. This will make it easier for you should work with and people that may not work well with you.
To know how large of an air conditioner you need, look for a calculator online. If you buy something too large it won’t be efficient as it cools the same. Check your manual to learn what it is rated by the manufacturer if you want accurate information.
Contractors charge different rates, so make sure to get multiple quotes. You can save tons of money by doing your homework. You may want to call at least five contractors in order to know what reasonable rates are.
To improve the efficiency of your HVAC unit, put a radiant barrier up inside the attic of your home. It can help keep heat out during the hot summer months, which means you will lower your power bills. It can even make your attic a livable space.
Think about getting a radiant barrier in your attic so support the efficient functioning of your HVAC system. It blocks outside heat from coming in which will serve as a barrier between your home cool when it’s hot outside. You may even use your attic as part of your living space more effectively.
If you are a having trouble with your existing system, check for leaks in the ducts. Call the utility company to test for you, it will usually be cheaper than a contractor. If you do end up paying, you’ll find that fixed leaks are worth the money.
Square Footage
If your HVAC system is clicking, look for blockages right away. Often the problem will be some kind of debris hitting your fans in your cooling system. Simple removal of the debris will solve the problem. Take a look before calling a service technician.
Measure the living area that needs cooling before going air conditioner shopping. You generally need about 20 BTU per square footage of the room.If you have multiple rooms to cool, make sure to add the square footage together.
It is important to think about the direction air flows from your unit. If you can only put it into a corner, try buying a unit that lets you change its air flow direction away from your wall.
Replace the air filter monthly to keep your HVAC system every month. This will help your unit remains in good operating condition.
Always get some references prior to hiring any contractor. Check to see what other customers have experienced with them. This will allow you to stay away from people that will scam you, but only if you’re calling references.
Pick an HVAC business that is fast and works quickly to solve the problem. The most reliable companies will ensure that their technicians stay on schedule. A knowledgeable technician will also easily diagnose any potential faults with your HVAC. Once they are able to locate a problem, they will also be able to quickly and efficiently resolve it.
Always check out any references that are given to you by an HVAC contractor. Often people skip this step, but it is important to follow through and check references. It doesn’t take long to check, so don’t hesitate.
You should now have a better idea about why proper HVAC system maintenance is necessary. Failing to keep your system in working order will cause bad things to happen. Fortunately, you came across the info here, and you now know what you must do to keep your system in working order.
Make sure any quote you get has a heat-loss calculation included. This information is used to determine the number of BTUs your system should be. Their process should include counting the numbers of doors and windows, checking insulation and obtaining the dimensions of the interior of the living space.
