A well-maintained HVAC system is something you need in a home so you have to be sure you maintain this equipment right at all times. A lot of homeowners spend money fixing them up when broken, but if they were able to figure out how to fix things on their own it would have been avoided.The article below can help you about proper HVAC system maintenance so you will not experience this cost.
Check out the system that you have before you call a professional. Know the brand name and model number. It is also helpful to have the maintenance history. Your contractor will appreciate this information.
Know the name and type of your HVAC system you currently have before looking for a repair person. This will help make sure that the new contractor you hire has all the necessary information.
If your HVAC system us giving you issues, take a look around the house prior to calling a contractor. Make a list of the rooms which are comfortable and which just aren’t. That way, the contractor will have an easier time diagnosing the problem and repairing it fast.
Clean the fan blades and coils come spring. Clean the outside of your condenser unit.
The coils and blades on the fans should be cleaned once a year. Before you do anything, however, turn the power off. Next, pop the grill off, put the blades out and start to gently clean them along with the unit.
Turn the power off first so you don’t get hurt or break something. Then, pop off its grills, pull the blades out, and gently clean them as well as the unit itself.
A shady spot is always a good choice for the placement of your outdoor compressor. 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.
Don’t get grass clippings on your outdoor condenser. Aim your grass in a different direction away from your unit. This also applies when you are taking care of the leaves in the yard.
Be sure you have the HVAC unit in your home checked about two times every year. The best time of year to have the system checked is right before the weather begins to change. Regular inspection will help you avoid unexpected repairs.
Sae 20 Oil
During cold weather , be sure to turn off outdoor condenser units. To avoid damage, units should be turned off when temperatures are below 60 degrees. This will ensure your system stays in good working order every year, saving you money on costly repairs.
Lubricate your condenser once a year. You will notice these ports have a rubber or metal caps covering the ports. Use SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, putting 10 drops in each port.
Spend some time on researching for reliable HVAC companies to ensure that they have a good reputation. It is always wise to check their status with the BBB. In addition, check out customer reviews that appear online. This is what you have to do in order to make a smart decision.
Put outdoor unit in places with shade.
Always check to see how long a company or contractor has been working for. This will ensure that you find someone who knows their stuff. Hiring a new company will be riskier.
It is a good idea to replace single-paned windows with ones that have double pane ones. This same effect also helps retain heated air in during the winter months.
Your friends or family likely have recommendations for a local HVAC specialist. Anyone that has previously needed work done on their HVAC unit are more than happy to tell you their experiences. You can also get company names that you should stay away from.
A programmable thermostat can really help you save money on your air conditioning bill. Some of these thermostats can even be controlled from a PC or other device.
Checkout online reviews if you do not know which contractor to call for installation, maintenance or repair of your HVAC system. There are quite a few sites now that allow customers to share their experiences with different services. This will be an excellent way to locate people you should work with and people that may not work well with you.
Air conditioners tend to ice up.The drain line might also freeze up.If this happens, switch your thermostat to fan only to disable the compressor. You should call a pro to fix this problem, but switching to the fan setting should start to melt the ice.
Make certain that you get written estimates before you hire a contractor. You have the potential to 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 price you can reasonably expect to pay.
Ask your friends and trust for contractor recommendations. People that have had quality work done are usually more than willing to tell of it. This is also a great way to get names of companies that should avoid.
If your current system isn’t working well enough, test out the ducts for leaks. Your utility company can test this for you, oftentimes at no charge. If not, it should be less expensive than a HVAC contractor. The testing will pay for itself once you find and repair the leaks.
There are quite a few sites these days that allow customers talk about their experiences with contractors. This is an awesome way to find contractors to work and ones that are poor.
If you would like your HVAC unit to be more efficient, simply look at where the front of your home faces. Block the sun in the morning with trees around your home. You will reduce the need for AC when your home is naturally cooler.
Are you thinking about having a new heating/cooling system? You will need to think about a few things into account. Systems are given ratings by how well the system is able to cool and heat an area. You are better off purchasing a unit rather than a bit too small.
If your HVAC system is producing any type of clicking sounds, there may be something obstructing it. Often the issue is some sort of debris that’s hitting the fans in the cooling system. Cleaning the debris will likely stop the noise. Check it out before spending on a contractor.
Check for duct leaks if your existing system is not up to snuff. When you get leaks repaired, you’ll find that the testing paid for itself.
Make sure your windows and doors are efficient. Be sure that they’re sealed well so that air from the outside or inside doesn’t come in or escape. Ask a contractor to test them for you.
As you read in the preceding article, a well-functioning HVAC system is a vital feature of your home. Luckily, these tips will help you avoid expensive repairs. It is your job to ensure you know all you can about your HVAC unit and you understand everything that has been discussed in this article.
When considering what size AC unit your home needs, be sure to measure the immediate area you need to cool. For each square foot you’ll need 20 BTU of cooling power. If you have a lot of rooms to keep cool, get their square footage added together.
