If you want to increase your understanding of HVAC maintenance, this article is for you. This article will help you get more acquainted with the process of keeping your knowledge base. Take the time to read along and you will do just fine.
Be aware of the type of system that is installed in your home prior to calling a contractor to fix it. You need to know who manufactured the product and the item number. Also, get the maintenance records from your files if you have them. This will enable you to give your chosen contractor any information they might need.
If you are having issues with your HVAC, take a tour of the house prior to calling a professional. This will help the contractor determine where the problem is and how to fix it.
If your HVAC system is acting up, take a tour of the house prior to calling a professional. Make note of which rooms are cold and which are hot. That way, the contractor will have an easier time diagnosing the problem and repairing it fast.
Know what you want done before you hire a contractor. A contractor will be hard pressed to provide you with an over-the-phone estimate without looking at your system. It will be more difficult for him to assist you can’t figure out what they need to do.
Know what work you want done before you select an HVAC contractor. You can’t get a decent estimate over a telephone, so disregard those numbers and wait until they view your system. You need to know how to describe any issues. Know this stuff ahead of time.
Clean your condenser’s 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 condenser unit.
Clean any debris that accumulates on an external condenser unit. Your HVAC system may run into problems after storms if it is surrounded by debris. It could overheat and cause a disaster with your unit.
Don’t let grass clippings pile up against your outside unit. Aim the grass in a direction from your unit. This applies when you are taking care of the leaves in debris.
To increase the efficiency of your HVAC unit, be sure to keep it in the shade. The unit will have to do less work cooling this air.
10 Drops
Make use of a thermostat when you are installing an HVAC. Such thermostats help you save around ten percent when it comes to energy costs. There are also some programmable thermostats that can be controlled with a computer or other web-connected advice.
Lubricate your condenser if it has oil ports. These ports are often covered by a rubber or metal caps. Use a lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, putting 10 drops in each port.
Save some cash by shutting down the air-conditioning system when there is no one in the house. When it’s off the house will get hot, but only by a certain amount. Leaving it on for the entire day means that it is struggling to keep things cool, something that takes lots of energy.
Make sure you have your HVAC system checked twice a year. This should be done in the fall and the spring.
Don’t allow your home to become dangerously hot. Air conditioners only cool down a home by 20 degrees. If your home gets above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, you’ll only cool down to still above 80. Depending on how humid the environment is, that is not a healthy temperature for the human body when it rests during sleep.
Turn off outdoor condensers you have when the weather gets cold. This should be done when the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit.This simple tip will help keep your system working for many years to come.
Air conditioners occasionally freeze up, literally. Drain lines can also suffer an occasional freeze, and these are sometimes mistaken for plumbing leak issues. If you see this happen, disable the compressor by turning your thermostat to the fan only setting. While switching the system to the fan setting should begin the ice melting process, the best thing to do is to hire a professional to deal with the problem.
It is a good idea to replace single-paned windows for double pane ones. This also keeps warm air in during the winter months.
Check any company you are considering to see how long it has been around. Firms that have been in business for a long time are easier to assess. It is always risky to hire a contractor with little experience.
Install a programmable thermostat you can program to save energy costs. Some of these thermostats can even be controlled from your smart phone or other device.
In order for your HVAC system to run more efficiently, think about putting a radiant barrier in your attic. This type of barrier will help to block heat, which in turn will help your system work less at cooling your home. If this is installed correctly, it will give you the ability to actually use your attic as extra space to live in.
Research and check the companies before hiring them. Check with different references to determine the BBB and look for your situation. Doing this makes it more likely that you make a better decision.
Are you looking into getting a new heating/cooling system? You need to think about a few important things. An HVAC system gets its rating by how effective it will heat and cool an area. You are better off purchasing a unit that is slightly too large for your needs than purchasing one that is a bit too small.
Look for air conditioner sizing calculators online to truly understand what size of unit you need for your room or home. Look at the manual or on the recommended size for this information.
If you are a having trouble with your existing system, check for leaks in the ducts. Your utility company will usually test the unit for free or for a small fee. If a leak is found, the money spent on finding and repairing the leak will pay for itself.
Companies that are well established have a better record than those that haven’t been. Hiring a newer contractor means taking a bigger risk.
Figure out which direction your home faces in order to make your HVAC system more efficient. Strategically placed trees can block sunlight and help keep the home cooler without the use of an AC unit. If there’s less heat inside your home, your AC will work less.
Contractors are responsible for their own charges and fees, so make sure to get multiple quotes.You can save a great deal of money if you make several calls prior to reaching a final decision. You should try to contact 5 to 6 contractors to find out what reasonable rates are.
If you want your HVAC to run well, you need to have doors and windows that work well with things too. Make sure that their seals are tight and that they do not allow air to seep in or out. A good professional can test this for you, and they might even do it for free.
Check the ducts to find any leaks if your existing system is not up to snuff. When you repair the leaks, you may see that the testing pays for itself.
Never hire a contractor before asking about the work experience they have when it comes to dealing with HVAC units. You need to be sure that they’re able to do the work and have done it before. That isn’t to say that a worker with less experience can’t handle the job, we all have to start somewhere, but it’s not a chance you should take.
Make certain they are tightly sealed so air inside. You can also hire someone to test things and a lot of the time the testing costs nothing.
It may be tempting to hire the first HVAC company in the phone book, but it’s important to get references from them. You need to know if previous clients have gotten what they needed, like timely service within their budget. That is why it is vital that you check references, so you don’t run into those shady contractors!
Measure the living area that requires air conditioner shopping. You will need about 20 BTU per square foot in the room. If you are cooling more than one room, add together their square footage to reach this calculation.
Only hire a contractor to install or repair your HVAC system if they offer a 24-hour hotline for emergencies. They need to be able to come to you when they are needed, even if when the weather gets to be extreme.
If you must position it in a corner, use one that doesn’t blow into the wall.
Make sure you know about the cost of HVAC work when getting a contractor to work on it. Sometimes, contractors will not include everything in order to secure the job. You can avoid these issues if you have a contract that is written out.
Ask a contractor about their experience.You need to know that they have the sort of experience needed to work you require.
Place a cover around your condenser in the winter months. This helps the condenser last longer if it is protected when not in use. Another bit of great advice is to not run the unit’s compressor if it’s under 60 degrees outside. Switch on the fan instead and do not put strain on the unit.
It’s not that hard to work with HVAC if you have info like this article provided you with. Just take the time to do it right and avoid any issues. Good luck in all things HVAC.
Always follow up on any references provided to you by a prospective HVAC contractor. People often assume references are legit when a contractor provides them, but that is not always true. It will just take minutes to check out a contractor, so you shouldn’t hesitate.
