A properly functioning HVAC system is an important part of your home. A lot of people spend quite a bit to fix things when they don’t work right, but could have avoided such issues if they had maintained them properly. The tips below will help you to keep your purchase.
Check out the system that you have before you call a professional. Find out the brand and model and, if possible, dig out the maintenance history. This will let you know that you’re able to give the contractor the information that can help them.
Know the name and type of your HVAC system before calling someone to fix it. This will enable you to give your new contractor all the information they might need.
Make a circuit around your home before calling for help with your HVAC. Know what part of the house is cold and which is hot. Taking this step aids a contractor in figuring out what the problem is and how to repair it as quickly as possible.
If you have some problems with the HVAC system, take a look around the house prior to calling a contractor. This will help the repairman determine where the problem is and how to fix it.
Before choosing an HVAC contractor, think of what you wish to have done. This will make the quote process much easier. In addition, you need to be able to tell the contractor what you have already tried. Having this information handy will make the process much smoother.
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 condenser unit regularly.
Avoid showering your outdoor unit with grass clippings when you mow the lawn. Make certain the debris goes away from it. Do the same when blowing snow or leaves.
Clean the debris off your outdoor condenser units. You don’t know when things are going to pile up, especially after a windy or rainy storm, and that can throw a wrench in your system. It can cause your system by overheating.
Lubricate your condenser yearly if it has oil ports. These ports have a metal covering. Sometimes it is rubber. Buy an SAE 20 product that is lightweight, and then put no more than ten drops into the ports.
Turn it off so nothing moves.Then, take the grill off, pull the blades out, and begin cleaning the unit and them gently.
A good place to place your compressor unit outside is in a shady spot. If it sucks in cool air, it will need to work less to coll the air inside, which can make it last longer.
Don’t get grass clippings on your outdoor condenser. Aim the grass cuttings in a different direction from your unit. This applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in debris.
Make use of a thermostat when you are installing an HVAC. If you adjust it to keep the house a little warmer or a little cooler during the time you are sleeping, you may see your energy bill go down by as much as ten percent. Some of these thermostats can even be controlled from your smart phone or computer.
Sae 20 Oil
Do not allow your home to reach excessive levels of heat during the summer. Air conditioners can cool a home by just twenty degrees in a short time. If the temperature in your home rises above 100 degrees, you will only be able to cool it down to 80. This can still be way too warm for you.
Lubricate the oil ports on your fan condenser once each year. You will see rubber or metal caps covering them. Use SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.
Do your homework on a number of HVAC companies before selecting the one that has the best reputation and service record. Checking with the BBB is a good idea, and so is checking online reviews to see the experiences that other customers have had with a company. You will make a more informed choice if you use these resources.
Put your outdoor condensers in the shade.
Occasionally, air conditioners ice up. The drain line can freeze, making you think it’s a plumbing leak. If this is something you notice, switch the thermostat in your home to fan only so the compressor is disabled. Once you know the problem, contact a local HVAC professional and let them know what’s going on in your system.
Have your heating and cooling system inspected twice per year. This should happen in the fall and again in the spring.
Look for calculators online to help you determine the size of unit you need for your home. If you buy something too large it won’t be efficient as it cools the same. Read over the owner’s manual to see the manufacturers suggestions as to the cooling capacity of the unit for the most accurate information.
It is always a good idea to swap out single pane windows with ones that have double panes. This will also keeps warm air in during the winter months.
A radiant barrier improves the efficiency of your HVAC. It keeps heat blocked from inside to the outside, and that lowers how much energy it takes to keep your home cool. If done right, you can even start using the attic as living space.
Install a thermostat to save money on cooling your home.Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from your smart phone or other device.
Look for leaks in the ducts if your system isn’t working right. The local utility may be able to test for you, and their services are frequently free or low cost. You’ll see the test pays for itself once all leaks are fixed.
Don’t let your home temperature get dangerously high. Air conditioners are limited in that they can only reduce the indoor temperature 20 degrees or so within a reasonable time period. If the temperature in your home rises to 100 degrees F or higher, you’ll only cool down to still above 80. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Make your HVAC work efficiently when you consider what way your home faces. Block the sun in the morning with trees around your home. The cooler your home already is, the less work your AC will have to do.
Contractors are responsible for their own charges and fees, so make sure to get multiple quotes.You can save tons of money this way. Call around 5 contractors so that you can get the best rates.
You need to check your windows and outside doors to make certain your HVAC runs well. All should be tightly sealed with no air getting inside or out. A professional can sometimes test these for you for free.
Think about having a radiant barrier installed in your attic so support the efficient functioning of your HVAC system can run better. It blocks outside heat from coming in which will make sure you won’t have to use more energy to keep your home cool when it’s hot or cold as it should be. You may even use the attic as part of your living space if it is done right.
In order to determine the size of the air conditioner to purchase, you must measure the area that you want 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.
Check the ducts to find any leaks if you you feel your existing system is not be working efficiently. When the leaks are repaired, you may see that the testing pays for itself.
You should replace the filter on your HVAC system once every month. It will improve the efficiency of your unit. They are very inexpensive and well worth the time and money to replace.
If you HVAC unit is clicking, check immediately for any debris that may have accumulated in it. Often the issue is some sort of debris that’s hitting the fans in your cooling system. Check the fan and coil before spending on a contractor.
Before you decide on the location of your air conditioning unit, take a look at the air flow direction. If you have to put the unit in a corner, use one that doesn’t blow into the wall.
Measure the area you wish to cool before going air conditioner shopping. You can usually substitute 20 BTU for each square foot of room space. If the unit will be cooling several rooms, be sure to add their square footage together.
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.
Ask a contractor about their experience.You need to verify they have the type of work on your particular system.
Know what’s included in any repair work you contract. There are dishonest contractors out there that will overcharge you. When you have a solid contract, these problems can be avoided.
Some contractors will attempt to overcharge you on later for things such as material fees and other charges. Having a solid written contract will let you avoid these types of issues.
Ask the contractor to install a programmable thermostat on your unit if it doesn’t already have one. You can save money while you sleep by lowering the thermostat and lower your power bill at the same time.
Cover your condenser in the winter time. This will allow it to last longer if it is protected when not in use. Use the fan instead to avoid straining the condenser unit.
About two-thirds of homes have ducts that leak. This equals up to 25% of your energy bill. Luckily, it is an easy fix and you should see a difference in your power bill almost immediately.
Always check any references provided to you receive for an HVAC contractor.
Make sure your HVAC heating ducts are cleaned periodically so your system remains efficient and the air remains clean and fresh. Don’t forget to have a good look in the depths of the ducts too, to be sure there’s nothing in there that doesn’t belong, nor has any damage been done. If they are damaged, your bills will rise.
This calculation will ascertain what the number of BTUs your system requires to keep the environment of your home comfortable.
Keep your condenser unit protected in cold weather. This may be accomplished by placing a cover on the condenser unit. Do not implement this unit if the temperature outside dips below 60 degrees, as your system will not be as effective below this temperature.
You might be surprised that as many as two-thirds of households have ducts that are leaky. This can result in as much as one quarter of your total utility bills. It is not difficult to seal your ducts, and it will save you on your bills every month.
The owner’s manual should be kept in a safe and easy to locate place. It has tons of information on maintenance, care and even troubleshooting. If you lost your manual, you can request it on the manufacturer’s website.
The condenser needs to be properly taken care of in cold weather. This can be done by placing an insulating cover that’s thick over it.
Be sure that any estimates you receive from an HVAC estimates. You need to get these estimates written. There are many jobs that you to get written estimates for to see what they take. This procedure helps you get great service. Compare all of the estimates you are offered.
As stated above, your HVAC system is very important and you need to keep it running right. With luck these tips will save you money. If you don’t follow them, you won’t find any benefit, so keep that in mind.
