Lots of homes have HVAC systems placed in their homes. An HVAC system helps your home’s temperature comfortable for you throughout the year. You will generally need a professional to install it and maintain your unit. Keep reading for great tips on keeping an HVAC ideas you can use.
Clean the coils of your condenser fan each month. Always turn the unit off before you do anything to it, including leaning. Clean off any leaves or debris from your external condenser unit.
Know the name and type of system you currently have before looking for a repair person. This helps make sure your contractor will need.
Regularly remove debris from outside condenser units. Particularly after bad weather, you should inspect your unit. If you do not, the unit may get too hot and cause additional problems.
Hvac Contractor
Each spring, clean the fan blades and coils on your condenser. Before you begin cleaning the unit, make sure that it is unplugged. Secondly, pop the grill off, take the blades off and clean them as well as the actual unit.
Know what you need before you select an HVAC contractor. It will be hard for an HVAC contractor to give you with an estimate on the phone if they have not seen your current setup is. It will be way more difficult for him to assist you can’t figure out what they need to do.
When you cut the grass, make sure your mower isn’t tossing clippings toward your outdoor units. Have the grass shoot in the opposite direction. The same should happen if you are blowing leaves, so be especially careful when you are going by your exterior HVAC devices whenever you are moving debris.
Don’t get grass clippings pile up against your outdoor condenser. Aim your grass in a different direction away from the unit. This applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in the yard.
HVAC units may suffer when leaves are falling off the trees. When the leaves fall from nearby trees, clean the grill of your fan often. You can head off future problems that can be caused by blockages by making sure there is a free flow of air to your fan.
Put outdoor unit in places with shade.
You can boost the efficiency of your HVAC unit by replacing it with a new energy efficient one or moving your old one to a shady outside location. It will help you save on your energy bill when you do this.
Turn off any outdoor condensers you have when it becomes cold out. This should turn it off to prevent damage if the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit. This can keep your HVAC running efficiently for many years to come.
A good way to save money with your air conditioning is by installing a programmable thermostat. These can save you around 10 percent on your heating and cooling costs by just turning it back 10 percent to 15 percent for around eight hours each day. Plus, some models allow you to control them over the internet or from a smartphone.
It is a good idea to swap out single pane windows for double panes. This also helps keep it warm air in during the winter months.
To keep your system running smoothly have your system serviced once a year. During your service visit, the serviceman will inspect the unit’s motor, oil the unit’s moving parts and ensure the unit has proper freon levels. These few simple things will help your system to run at its peak performance.
A programmable thermostat is a simple way to help you out when it comes to your power bills. Some can even be controlled from your smart phone or computer.
If nobody is home, turn off the AC. The house will only heat up to a certain point. If you leave it on all day, it’s fighting the heat constantly, meaning it’s using a lot of electricity to do its job.
Never allow the temperature in your home to rise to a dangerously hot temperature. An AC unit is really only able to reduce the temperature by twenty degrees in a short time span. If the temperature in your home reaches 100 degree Fahrenheit, you’ll only cool down to still above 80. This won’t be a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.
Never allow the temperature in your home to rise to a dangerously high level. Your average AC unit can only reduce the temperature in your home by about 20 degrees in a normal span of time. If the temperature in your home reaches 100 degree Fahrenheit, it will only reduce it to 80 or more. This isn’t a very safe condition for a homeowner to sleep in, especially when the humidity levels are considered.
Research the companies before hiring them. Check them out at the BBB and look for reviews of potential companies online. These steps are going to help ensure you make the smartest and most informed choice.
Always take the time to check out the reputation of any HVAC contractor before you consider hiring them. Check with the BBB and online reviews as well. Investing the time to check out potential contractors can save you money and headaches.
Ask for helpful information when you can find a HVAC contractor. People who’ve had a good experience are usually willing to tell of their contractor. This can also a great way to get names of businesses that you should avoid at all costs.
Problems with an air conditioning unit happen when it ices up. The drain line can freeze, making you think it’s a plumbing leak. If you see this happen, disable the compressor by turning your thermostat to the fan only setting. 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 out there that let customers to share their experiences with different services. This will make it easier for you who is great and who isn’t.
Before you go out there and hire an HVAC contractor, find out the length of time they’ve been in the industry. Someone that has been in the business for a while probably isn’t going to scam you. Hiring a contractor who is just starting out can be risky.
Contractors determine their own fee levels, so make sure that you acquire multiple estimates. You can save quite a lot of cash simply by doing your homework. You may want to get quotes from at least a handful of contractors in order to know what reasonable rates are.
If your system isn’t working as it should, test its ducts for leaks. This is a job your local utility provider may do for you inexpensively or even free of charge. When you have leaks repaired, the testing has paid for itself.
Are you thinking about having a new HVAC system? You need to think about a few things into account. Systems have a rating based on how effectively they can cool and heat an area well. You are wise to err on the side of a bigger unit rather than purchasing one that is a bit too small.
If you hear a clicking in the HVAC unit at home, see if there are any obstructions right away. Often it is being caused by debris hitting fans in your cooling system. You can solve the issue by removing debris. Have a look at the fan prior to putting in a call for service.
Check the ducts to find any leaks if your unit seems to not up to snuff. When you have leaks repaired, you may see that the testing pays for itself.
Replacing your unit’s air filter each month is a key maintenance task. This represents an easy way to keep your system working well. The filters are only a couple dollars, so it is a small monthly investment.
Figure out the direction your home faces in order to make your HVAC system more efficient. The less your home is heated, the fewer occasions you have to use your air conditioner.
Always make sure to get references from a contractor. You should know that the contractor does exactly what he says he’s going to do, and there are no hidden costs involved. The references will help you avoid wasting your money on someone that is not professional.
System Working
Only hire someone to help you with an HVAC system if there is a 24 hour line you can call when you have problems. You want a company that will be there when you need them.
Replace the air filter in your HVAC system working well.This is the simplest thing that you can do to keep your system working well.
A thick cover over the outdoor condenser will protect it from serious damage during the cold, winter months. This extends the lifespan of your condenser. However, if the temperature manages to drop beneath 60 degrees Fahrenheit, then you should cease use of the condenser all together. Use the fan.
As you are now aware, a number of things can be done well when you need to deal with home HVAC systems and the contractors that work on them. Ensure that the unit is installed correctly, and don’t forget to maintain it. Use the advice you read above and you’ll make the right decision every time when it comes to getting your HVAC unit working right.
When a contractor comes in to give you a quote, be sure they complete a heat-loss calculation. This will help determine the amount of BTUs you will need in your new system in order to keep the temperature in your home comfortable. Windows and doors should be counted, and insulation should be checked along with measuring the internal space of your home.
