Guides and Tools

Stop Making Mistakes When Purchasing HVAC Equipment With This Advice

Posted on by Dave From Contractors Finder
06
Feb

If you’re not familiar with HVAC and you need to be in the know, then it’s best to arm yourself with these helpful tips first. This article will lead you get more acquainted with the right direction. Take some time to read the article and you will do well.

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. So be aware of this information ahead of time.

TIP! When you call an HVAC system for help, you need to be aware of what you need them to do before calling. It’s hard to get an estimate since they haven’t look at your system.

Clean your condenser’s fan and coils come spring. Clean off any leaves or debris from your external condenser unit regularly.

By the end of spring, the fan blades and coils of your condenser should be thoroughly cleaned, so operation can proceed with greater efficiency. If you are doing more than a light surface cleaning, make sure that the power is shut off to the HVAC unit. Remove leaves and debris from the outdoor unit.

TIP! Clean your condenser’s fan blades and coils come spring. Prior to working on or cleaning the unit, be sure to turn off the power.

Clean the debris on your outdoor condenser unit. You never know when things can pile up, like right after it’s windy or rains, and that can ruin your system. It could overheat and cause your unit.

Make certain that an outdoor unit is in the shade. 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.

TIP! A good place to place your compressor unit outside is in a shady spot. If your unit is sucking in cooler air, it will have less work to do to cool that air as it sends it inside which boosts efficiency.

Don’t let grass clippings pile up against your outside unit. Aim the grass in a different direction from your unit. This also applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in the yard.

Your HVAC system should be checked a few times a year. Checks in the spring as well as in autumn are the best. This will help you to avoid problems.

TIP! Make sure your HVAC systems is checked twice a year. This should be done in the fall and again in the spring.

Your HVAC unit may suffer when your trees lose leaves. Make sure you clean out your fan grill is cleaned frequently when the leaves begin to fall. The fan must be unobstructed to work properly, and if it gets blocked, then your system could suffer.

During cold weather , be sure to turn off outdoor condenser units. Once the temperature drops into the 50s, the unit should no longer be on. This can keep your HVAC running and can save you money on repairs.

TIP! Once it grows cold outside, turn off your outside condenser unit. To avoid damage, units should be turned off when temperatures are below 60 degrees.

Lubricate the oil ports on your condenser once a year. You will see rubber or metal cap covering the ports. Use a lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.

Equipping your home with a programmable thermostat can be an excellent way to cut utility costs. It will help save on your heating and cooling costs by turning itself down at certain times. In addition, some models make things really easy on you, allowing you to adjust them from the computer.

TIP! One great way to save some cash when you’re working on keeping a home cool is to install a thermostat that’s programmable. Turning down the thermostat around 10 percent for 8 hours per day can give you a 10 percent savings using the programmable thermostat.

Put your outdoor units in the shade if you are installing them.

If you want your energy costs to go down, have the heating an cooling system you own serviced every year at least. When they come out for a service visit, expect inspections of freon levels and the motor, and they will oil all the moving parts. This maintenance means that your system will operate optimally.

TIP! To keep your system running smoothly have your system serviced once a year. When they visit to service the unit they’re going to inspect the motors, oil the parts that move, and see how much freon is in your system.

Turn off any outdoor condenser units when the weather turns cold. This means that you should be done when the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit. This can keep your system working order.

Do not let your house get dangerously hot. It takes quite a while to cool a home by more than 20 degrees. The temperature will only reduce to about 80 if your home heats up to 100 degrees. Taking into consideration the humidity level, this may not even be adequate for the human body to recover from excessive heat while sleeping.

TIP! Do not allow your home to reach excessive levels of heat during the summer. AC units will only cool a house down 20 degrees.

A programmable thermostat is a simple way to help you save money on your air conditioning costs. Some can even be controlled from a PC or other device.

Before you hire any HVAC company, ask them how long they’ve been open for business. Companies that are well established have track records that can help you decide if they’re worth your money and time. It is riskier to hire someone who does not have a long history.

TIP! Before you go out there and hire an HVAC contractor, find out the length of time they’ve been in the industry. Obviously, a company with a longer history and a positive reputation is the better choice.

Don’t ever let your house get dangerously high. Air conditioners cannot sufficiently cool a home by just twenty degrees in a short time. If your home become 100F or more, you will only be able to cool it down to 80. This is not a healthy environment to live in.

Make an HVAC system run more efficiently by determining what direction your house faces. Strategically placing trees around your home can block some of the heat coming from the sun, preventing your home from overheating. The less amount of heat inside of your home, the fewer occasions you have to use your air conditioner.

TIP! Get a more efficient HVAC system by looking at the way your home faces. When you determine the parts of your home that get the most sunlight, you can consider strategic landscaping that includes shade trees to somewhat reduce your home’s exposure to heat from direct sunlight.

Research the reputation of companies before hiring them.Check them out at the BBB and look for reviews of potential companies online. These simple steps will help ensure you make the smartest and most informed choice.

Make sure that your doors and windows are efficient. Make sure they are tightly sealed so air can’t seep in. Call a professional to come over to check how good you home is sealed up.

TIP! Your doors and windows need to be as efficient as the HVAC system you use. Your windows and doors should all be tightly sealed.

Air conditioners tend to ice up.The drain line might also freeze up.If you see this, put your thermostat over to fan. If the issue persists, call a professional.

When considering what size AC unit your home needs, be sure to measure the immediate area you need to cool. You generally need 20 BTU for each square foot of room space. If you are cooling more than one room, sum their areas.

TIP! You need to measure the space of your home so you can purchase the proper size unit. You can figure out the unit you need by calculating 20 BTU per square foot.

Look for calculators online to help you determine the size of unit is necessary for your home. Look at the manual or on the manufacturer website for air conditioners.

Replace the air filter as often as possible. This is an easy and essential thing to do. The filters are only a couple dollars, so it is a small monthly investment.

TIP! If you do only one thing for HVAC maintenance, it ought to be replacing the air filter. This will maximize the production of your HVAC.

Make certain they are tightly sealed so air inside. A professional can also test these for you for free.

Find a HVAC company that knows its stuff. A reliable company will ensure their technicians keep appointments and stay on their schedule. A licensed technician should also have no problem diagnosing any potential faults with your HVAC unit quickly. When they know what the problem is, they should know how to fix it quickly so that it works properly.

TIP! Choose an HVAC contractor who know what he is doing and works quickly. Companies who understand their customers are important often require their workers to follow a schedule and show up to all appointments.

If you have to put the unit in a corner, get one with moving vents.

Always get some references before hiring any contractor. Be sure previous customers got the service and value they expected. You will be able to avoid any scammers out there, as long as you follow up on references.

TIP! When hiring a contractor, be sure to ask for a list of references. Be sure previous customers got the service and value they expected.

Ask any potential contractor about their experience prior to hiring them. You need to verify they have done the type of work you require.

Only choose a contractor to repair or install your HVAC unit if they provide a 24 hour hotline in case of emergencies. They must be able to reach your home at any time, in any weather.

TIP! Don’t hire a HVAC repairman unless they offer 24 Hour Emergency service. This includes during extreme weather.

Always make sure to get references when you are considering a HVAC contractor.

Be sure to get a written agreement from your HVAC repair person. Unfortunately, there are a few unscrupulous contractors that will tack un-discussed charges onto your bill. This is why getting estimates in writing is so important.

TIP! When you get someone to work on your HVAC, make sure you know what the total cost includes. Some contractors overcharge for add-ons like travel expense or fees for additional materials.

Any HVAC contractor you hire should have an emergency hotline. They owe it to you to show up to fix anything, be it in the middle of a heatwave or in the worst snowstorm of the year.

Protect your condenser unit from winter weather by placing a cover around it. This will increase the life of your condenser. Also don’t use the compressor when it’s less than about 60 degrees outside. Switch your fan on instead so the unit doesn’t get strained.

TIP! When it’s winter time, get your condenser unit covered so it can be safe. That ensures it isn’t damaged by the cold and snow.

Some contractors will attempt to charge you on material fees and fuel. A written contract that covers the basics will really help you if something like this materializes.

It is always essential to contact the HVAC contractor’s references. You may be horrified by what you find. It only takes a couple minutes to call, so be sure and do it.

TIP! Any HVAC contractor references given to you need checking out. Just because they give you a list doesn’t mean they’re legitimate.

It is no very difficult to understand HVAC if you have the information provided in this article. You just have to apply yourself to learning a bit about the subject. Best of luck to you in all your HVAC endeavors.

Opt for a programmable thermostat when getting your HVAC. This device can save you a great deal of money on your heating and cooling bills because when you adjust the temperature to sync with your lifestyle.

TIP! Talk to your contractor about putting in a smart thermostat. This device can save you a great deal of money on your heating and cooling bills because when you adjust the temperature to sync with your lifestyle.

Dave From Contractors Finder