It can be quite upsetting to arrive home at the end of the day to discover your air conditioner or heating unit isn’t working right.The following tips that follow will assist you in this process.
Before calling someone to repair your system, make sure you know what kind of HVAC system you actually have. Know the model and brand and find it’s maintenance history, if possible. If you have to have someone come out to repair the unit, you will be able to help the contractor understand more about what is going on.
If your HVAC system is acting up, look around your home before calling in people to help. This will help the contractor determine where the problem is.
Before the summer you should clean out your condenser fan’s blades and coils. Before you clean the surface, be sure to turn off the power. Clean the outdoor condenser as well.
Clean your fan blades and coils when the weather begins to warm. Clean the outside of your condenser unit.
Make sure that you do not cover your outdoor components with grass clippings when you are trimming the grass. Turn your lawnmower in the opposite direction. This includes grass clippings and leaves.
Sae 20 Oil
HVAC units may suffer when leaves are falling off the trees. Whenever leaves are falling, consistently clean the fan grill. The fan needs to be able to get proper air inside without any blockages, and extra blockage can later develop into more serious problems.
Lubricate the oil ports on your fan condenser once each 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.
If you have oil ports as part of the fan condenser, annual lubrication is key. Most of these ports have some sort of protective cap covering them. 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.
Have the HVAC system serviced twice a year. This should be checked often for debris and the spring.
If you can choose the place where your outdoor compressor goes, pick a spot with lots of shade. 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.
Turn off any outdoor condensers you have when weather gets cold. This means that you should be done when the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This simple tip will help keep the system running and can save you money on repairs.
For maximum efficiency, place outdoor units in a shady spot. As your air conditioner sucks in cool air, little will have to be done to cool it any further, saving you a ton on your energy bills.
A programmable thermostat can help you save money on air conditioning costs. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from your smart phone or computer.
Getting a programmable thermostats can be a terrific way to realize savings. A programmable thermostat can save you up to ten percent on your cooling and heating costs by simply turning the thermostat back ten to fifteen percent for eight hours a day. Take advantage of the convenience of the ability to control many programable thermostats from your favorite electronic device.
During your service visit, the system motor will be inspected, the moving parts will be oiled and the freon levels will be checked These repairs will keep your system running at peak performance.
To help keep your energy costs down, have your heating and cooling system serviced at least once a year. This inspection will ensure that your unit is working efficiently, including a freon level and motor check, and oiling moving parts. Your unit will last longer this way.
Research the companies before hiring them. Check with different references to determine the BBB and look for your situation. This will help you make a smart decision.
If you are going to be gone during the day or on vacation, turn the temperature up on your air conditioning unit. You may want to turn your unit off if your house will not become extremely hot or cold. It will use more electricity if you keep it running.
Look for air conditioner sizing calculators online to truly understand what size of unit is necessary for your home. Look at the manual or on the recommended size for this information.
Avoid allowing your home to ever get exceedingly hot. Air conditioners really can only cool a home down about 20 degrees Fahrenheit within a reasonable amount of time. So, if your home temp reaches 100 degrees, your air conditioning will only bring that temp down to about 80 degrees. This can still be way too warm for you.
Companies that are around awhile have a better record than those that can help you decide if they’re worth your money and time. Hiring a newer contractor who is just starting out can be risky.
Look for air conditioner sizing calculators online to truly understand what size of unit is necessary for your room or home. If you buy something too large it won’t be efficient as it cools the same. Look at the manual to determine the recommended size for air conditioners.
Ask friends and relations for contractor recommendations. People that have had quality work done are usually more than willing to share the information they know about it. This is also a great way to get names of those companies that should be avoided.
Turn to online reviews if you’re not sure how you should hire to perform HVAC maintenance. A simple search should yield a number of sites with informative reviews. You will be able to make a more informed choice if you do this.
There are now different online that offer reviews and referrals for HVAC repair and other important service. This is a good way to find contractors that do good work with.
It is always a wise move to obtain a few quotes from different contractors because prices can vary. You can save tons of money by asking for many quotes. Call around 5 contractors so that you can get the best deal possible.
Check for duct leaks if you you feel your unit seems to not up to snuff. If you do have leaks that are repaired, the money spent on finding and repairing the leak will pay for itself.
All of your windows and doors must be air-tight, in order for your HVAC system to run at maximum efficiency. Make sure that their seals are tight and that they do not allow air to seep in or out. It is wise to hire someone to test them out, and this often costs nothing.
Determine which way your home faces.The less heat, the less you’ll have to use your air conditioner to cool things off.
When considering what size AC unit your home needs, be sure to measure the immediate area you need to cool. You can usually substitute 20 BTU for each square foot in the area to be cooled. Make certain that you calculate using all of the rooms the unit will be treating.
Make sure they have tight seals to keep air can’t seep in. You can also hire a professional to test them.
Replacing your unit’s air filter each month is a key maintenance task. It’s a simple thing to do to keep it running properly. They are very inexpensive and well worth the time and money to replace.
Use the tips you’ve just read to keep your HVAC system up and running. If you don’t, your home may quickly become uncomfortable. Imagining the cost to repair your system is even scarier. With these tips, all of this may be prevented. Maintain your system and enjoy the benefits.
Think about which direction air is going to flow from an air conditioner unit when you pick out where to put it. If it has to be placed in a corner, get a unit where the air won’t be trapped against the wall.
