Letting the HVAC system fall into ruin is an incredibly foolish decision for any homeowner.You probably came to this article to learn all you can to make your HVAC last a long time. This article will provide you exactly what you need to know.
Be aware of the type of system that is installed in your home prior to calling a contractor to fix it. Find out the brand and model and, if possible, dig out the maintenance history. This will help you give the new contractor the necessary information.
Know what type of your HVAC system before looking for a repair person.This will facilitate the process when your contractor any information they might need.
Each spring, try cleaning the fan blades and coils on the condenser fan. First, turn the power off so nothing moves when you’re working with it. Secondly, pop the grill off, take the blades off and clean them as well as the actual unit.
If your HVAC doesn’t seem to be working properly, check out your home before calling a contractor. This will help the contractor determine what the problem is and how to fix it.
Your HVAC unit may suffer when trees start to lose their leaves. Make sure you clean out your fan grill often once nearby trees start shedding their leaves. A blocked unit can quickly become a broken unit.
Clean your outdoor condenser unit. 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 also cause your system to malfunction by overheating.
If you are choosing where to place your outdoor compressor device, try to put it in a place where there is plenty of shade. When it draws in air for cooling, it will be more efficient because it will not need to work as hard to cool down the air.
Your HVAC units might suffer when trees start to lose their leaves. Make sure the fan’s grill often during the fall. The fan needs to have an unobstructed path for air to enter the unit, and if it gets blocked, you’ll have a lot of headaches eventually.
Turn off your outdoor condenser when it becomes cold out. If it’s less than 60 degrees outside, turn the unit off. This helps the system last much longer and will have to be repaired less often.
10 Drops
Replace single pane windows by installing double pane, if possible. During the summer, the use of double-pane windows will help keep the cool air locked inside of the home. It also facilitates heat retention in winter.
Lubricate the oil ports on your condenser at least once a year. You will notice these ports covered with rubber or metal cap covering them. Use SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, putting 10 drops in each port.
A programmable thermostat can help you save money on your air conditioning bill. Programmable thermostats can reduce your power HVAC energy costs by as much as ten percent, just by dialing back your thermostat ten or fifteen percent up to eight daily hours. Furthermore, there are a few programmable thermostats that you can control from your computer or any other web-connected device.
Turn off any outdoor condenser when it’s getting cold. This means that you should turn it off to prevent damage if the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This can keep the system running efficiently for many years to come.
Get your HVAC unit serviced yearly. The service will include motor inspection, oiling of moving parts, and a freon level check. This maintenance means that your system will operate optimally.
Never allow the temperature in your home to rise to a dangerously hot inside. An air conditioning unit will reduce the temperature of your home approximately twenty degrees in a short time span. If your home happens to get near 100 degrees Fahrenheit, you will only be able to cool it down to 80. This won’t be a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.
If nobody is home, turn off the AC. You don’t need to keep the house cool if you aren’t there. If the A/C is on when you’re gone, it’ll be working hard constantly.
Research the reputation of companies that you consider using. Check them out at the BBB and look for reviews of potential companies online. These steps will help ensure you make a better decision.
Avoid allowing your home to ever get exceedingly hot. It takes quite a while to cool a home by more than 20 degrees. If your home become 100F or more, it will only cool off to about 80F. This isn’t a very safe condition for a homeowner to sleep in, especially when the humidity levels are considered.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line might also freeze up.If you see this, disable the compressor by turning your thermostat to the fan only setting. You can call a HVAC professional, even if switching it to its fan setting starts making the ice melt.
Problems with an air conditioning unit happen when it ices up. Drain lines can also suffer an occasional freeze, and these are sometimes mistaken for plumbing leak issues. If this happens, disable the compressor by switching the thermostat to run the fan only. 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.
Companies that are well established have track records that haven’t been. It is always risky to hire a long history.
When you need an HVAC contractor, obtain recommendations from friends and family members. People usually love to boast about the wonderful work they have had done, so you should be given great leads to follow. This will also help you to avoid undesirable companies.
Contractors are responsible for their own charges and fees, so make sure to get multiple quotes.You can save tons of money by doing your homework. You want to call at least a handful of contractors to determine what price you can reasonably expect to pay.
Use online reviews to help you find a source for HVAC maintenance. There are plenty of online websites that give people the opportunity to leave comments about the service they received. This method provides you with all the information you need to make the best hiring decisions.
Are you considering purchasing a new HVAC system? You could keep a few things into account. Systems get rated according to how large an area they effectively cool and heat. You are wise to err on the side of a bigger unit that is slightly too large for your needs than purchasing one that is a smaller one.
Check the ducts to find any leaks if you you feel your existing system is not up to snuff. You can call a utility company in your area to help you with testing, and that doesn’t cost much or nothing at all usually. When you repair the leaks, you’ll see that the tests paid for themselves.
It should now be apparent that you can prevent HVAC disasters with proper maintenance. When your HVAC system breaks, it is going to cost you a lot. Make sure that this does not happen in your home; remember the advice that you read here.
Your HVAC system will run more efficiently if your windows and doors are energy efficient. Make sure the seal is impenetrable from outdoor drafts, and that none of the air you’re paying to heat or cool escapes either. You can also hire someone to test them.
