HVAC service and contracting isn’t something that you may know nothing about. This can pose a problem when an unexpected emergency occurs.
Before choosing an HVAC contractor, think of what you wish to have done. If you can’t describe the problem, you may not get an accurate quote. If you do not know what you want, the process can become tedious, especially over the phone. So be aware of this information ahead of time.
Know what type of system you currently have before looking for a repair person. This will ensure that you to give your chosen contractor all the information they might need.
Clean the debris from outside units often. Leaves, twigs and other troublesome objects can accumulate, particularly after very windy weather, and this will wreak havoc on your system. This can lead to overheating.
If problems arise with the HVAC system, check out each room in your house before calling for assistance. This information will help the repairman determine what the problem is and how to fix it.
When selecting the spot to put the outdoor compressor for your unit, choose somewhere that gets plenty of shade. If you have a unit taking in air that’s cooler, it won’t have to work so hard to cool air that it sends to your home.
Turn it off so nothing moves.Next, pop off the grill, put the blades out and start to gently clean them along with the unit.
Turn off your outdoor condenser when it’s getting cold. If temps go below 60 you run the risk of damaging a unit that remains on. This will allow your system to work well every year, and that saves you quite a bit on making repairs.
Sae 20 Oil
Try to have your HVAC system looked at every year, because regular maintenance will go a long way in energy efficiency. This visit will include a motor inspection and checking the freon. These easy to do things are going to allow your system to run its best.
Lubricate the oil ports on your condenser once a year. You can find the ports covered with rubber or metal cap. Use SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.
Shut off the air conditioning if nobody is home. The house will only heat up to a certain point. If the A/C is on when you’re gone, it’ll be working hard constantly.
Put your outdoor condensers in the shade.
Never let your home reach a dangerously hot temperature. 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 rises to 100 degrees F or higher, cooling it will only drop the temperature to 80 degrees F. While it depends on the humidity, this is not safe for a human to sleep in to recover from the heat of the summer.
Have your HVAC system checked twice a year at least yearly. This should be done in the fall and malfunctions.
Put a bit of time into researching various HVAC specialists; you’re more likely to choose the right one for the job. Look at review sites and check with the BBB. Doing these things beforehand will allow you to make a smart decision.
Turn off any outdoor condenser units when weather turns cold. This should turn it off to prevent damage if the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This can keep your unit is working for years without the cost of repairs.
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. You can look online or do other research to get information from HVAC system manufacturers and sellers in order to determine the best unit size for your needs.
It is always a good idea to swap out single pane windows with ones that have double panes. This also helps retain heated air during the winter.
Speak with family and friends to get a recommendation for a reputable HVAC contractor. People who’ve had great service are usually willing to tell of it. This will prevent you from getting scammed.
A programmable thermostat can help you save money on air conditioning costs. Some of these thermostats can even be controlled from a PC or other device.
An online search will give you further information about any contractor you are considering. Many Internet sites let customers discuss experiences with certain companies. This will help you to sort out the good from the bad.
Research the reputation of companies before hiring them.Check with different references to determine the BBB and look for reviews posted by former customers. These steps are going to help make a wise one.
Contractors are responsible for their own charges and fees, so make sure you get quotes from several contractors before you make any hiring decision. You can save quite a bit of money when you call different companies for price quotes. In an ideal situation, you can estimate a reasonable rate by getting quotes from up to a half-dozen individual contractors or businesses.
Look for air conditioner sizing calculators online to truly understand what size of unit you need for your home. Look in the manual to determine the manufacturer website for this information.
Install a radiant barrier in your attic to boost HVAC efficiency. This blocks heat from entering your home, which lowers how much energy is needed to keep it cool in the warm months. You may even find that you can use the attic space more effectively.
Companies that are around awhile have track records that can help you decide if they’re worth your money and time.Hiring a new contractor may be taking a bigger risk.
Decide which way your house faces to make sure your HVAC system can work its best. Consider where to place trees to reduce the morning sunlight on your home. When there is less heat inside your home, the air conditioner will not have to work as hard.
Think about getting 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 and the outside. You could even find that you can use your attic space if it is done right.
To gain maximum HVAC efficiency, you need efficient windows and doors too. Each of these should have an airtight seal on them. A good professional can test this for you, and they might even do it for free.
Determine which way your home faces.The less heat inside the house, the easier time the air conditioner in your home will have.
When choosing the proper air conditioner size, measure the area that needs cooling. Typically, 20 BTUs are required per square foot. Account for all of the rooms in the house.
If you hear a clicking in the HVAC unit at home, look for blockages right away. Often the issue is some sort of debris hitting fans in your cooling system. Check the fan and coil before calling a contractor.
If you’re only wanting to do the minimal amount of HVAC maintenance, you should work on replacing your air filter. This will maximize the production of your HVAC. Also, this will not cost a lot of money.
Make certain they are tightly sealed so air inside. You can hire someone to test them.
Find out how much experience a given contractor has before you hire him or her. It is best to match the job you have to a company with that kind of experience. You want a top professional on the job.
Measure the living area you wish to cool before going air conditioning. You will need about 20 BTU for each square foot in the room. If multiple rooms need cooling, be sure to add their square footage together.
Ask any contractor you’re thinking of hiring for references. You want to make sure that the contractor has satisfied previous customers. Also, it will prevent you from getting robbed.
Pick out an HVAC business that understands the unit and works quickly to solve the problem. The best companies keep the technicians working honestly and on schedule. The technicians should also know what to do to figure out what’s going wrong with an HVAC in no time. Once the problem is identified, they should also know how to get them resolved efficiently and quickly.
Avoid using any contractor for HVAC repairs or installation, unless they provide you with a 24-hour number for emergency situations. They need to be able to come to a home when needed, whether during a heatwave or a terrible snowstorm.
If you have to place it in a corner of your home, get a unit that lets you direct air flow away from any walls.
In the winter, keep your condenser unit properly covered. This extends the lifespan of your condenser. Additionally, do not use it when the temperature dips below 60. You should use the fan instead since this will stop your unit from getting strained.
Any HVAC contractor or installer should have an emergency hotline. They must be able to reach your home at any time, no matter what.
Always look for the ENERGY STAR logo on a unit before you make the purchase. These are qualified energy products that meet strict efficiency guidelines. The Environmental Protection Agency is what sets these guidelines. Environmental Protection Agency. Taking time to look into these units may help you get long-term savings on energy costs.
Handling a faulty HVAC system represents a serious headache for any homeowner. But, with a little of research the problem may not be as big as you expect. By keeping the above tips and tricks handy, any homeowner can have what it takes to solve such issues promptly and affordably.
Up to 66 percent of homes have ducts that leak. These can cost you as much as twenty five percent of what you pay for utilities. Sealing up your ducts is cheap and easy, you can even do it yourself, and it can reduce your electricity bills significantly every year thereafter.
