A reliable HVAC system can make one’s home life more pleasant. However, if the system fails, it can cause a lot of headaches. Learning how to maintain your HVAC system begins with the chances of a breakdown; these tips below.
Before you start calling to find someone to fix your unit, make sure you know the type of system that is installed. It is important to understand what model it is and which brand it is. Also, if it has been serviced before, you should have that information handy. The contractor will likely need all of this information.
Know what work you need before you hire a contractor. It will be difficult for an HVAC contractor to give you with an estimate on the phone without knowing what your current setup is. It will be way more hard if you don’t know what’s wrong.
When you call an HVAC system for help, you need to be aware of what you need them to do before calling. It will be hard for a contractor to give you a price estimate over the phone if they have not seen your current system. If you don’t have any idea, they will have trouble giving you any sort of quote. So, have this information ready.
Clean any debris on an external condenser units. Debris can pile up after a storm, and this can foul up the inner workings of your system.It can cause your unit.
The coils and blades on the fans should be cleaned once a year. Before you get started, cut the power. Then you need to get the grill popped off and get the blades out so you can clean them and your unit gently.
Put your outdoor condensers in the shade.
Make sure that you do not cover your outdoor components with grass clippings when you are trimming the grass. Aim the grass in a different direction from the unit. If you’re blowing leaves, this same problem can occur, so make sure you move around the unit and blow the leaves away from it.
Your HVAC system should be checked a few times per each year. This should happen in the fall and malfunctions.
If you can, use double-paned windows instead of single-paned ones. In warmer months, these windows will help to maintain the cooler inside temperature. When it is cold in the winter months, these same windows will keep the warm air inside as well.
Turn off outdoor condenser units when it’s getting cold. This means that you should be done when the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This helps your unit is working well throughout the years without the cost of repairs.
Install a thermostat you can program to save money on cooling your home. It will help save on your heating and cooling costs by turning itself down at certain times. Plus, some models allow you to control them over the internet or from a smartphone.
Never let your home to get dangerously hot inside. Air conditioners can only reduce the indoor temperature 20 degrees Fahrenheit in a reasonable time limit. If the temperature in your home rises above 100 degrees, it will only cool off to about 80F. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Keep energy costs from rising by having your system serviced annually. Make sure the person takes a look at the motor and examines the levels of freon. Doing this simple task can ensure that your system will be running for years with no problem!
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. 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 will make the ice melt.
Do not allow your house to get extremely hot. Your average AC unit can only reduce the temperature in your home by about 20 degrees in a normal span of time. If your home gets above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, you’ll only cool down to still above 80. Depending on how humid the environment is, that is not a healthy temperature for the human body when it rests during sleep.
Look for calculators online to help you determine the size of unit is necessary for your room or home. Look in the manual to determine the recommended size for this information.
Check any company you are considering to see how long it has been around. This gives you some history so that you can be sure the company is reliable. If you hire someone that’s new that this then you’ll be risking your money.
Ask for helpful information when you can find a HVAC contractor. People that have had quality work done are usually more than willing to share the name of their contractor.It’s also a good way to learn the names of contractors you should not be contracted for work.
Ask people that you know and trust for contractor recommendations. Someone who has used a contractor in the past is generally willing to let you know what they thought about it. This will prevent you from getting scammed.
There are many sites these days that let customers can place their experiences with different services. This will tell you would like to work with.
If you need help locating someone to help take of your HVAC system, a great place to seek advice is online at a review site. There are now different online sites that let customers share their service experiences. This will make it easier for you to find the right contractor.
Are you thinking of getting a new heating/cooling system? There are several things you need to keep in mind. The rating given to a system tells how much are generally rated based on the area they cover. You are wise to err on the side of a unit rather than a smaller one.
You shouldn’t rely on a single quote from one contractor to gauge the cost, because different specialists set their own price. If you call people before you work on hiring one person, you can save some money overall. Contact a minimum of five contractors so you can determine realistically what the price will be.
Check the ducts to find any leaks if your unit seems to not be working efficiently. When you get leaks repaired, you’ll see that the tests paid for themselves.
Do you need a new HVAC system? You should first think about several things. Systems have a rating based on how well the system is able to cool or heat an area well. It is best to get a bigger unit than you need, instead of a smaller one.
Make sure they have tight seals to keep air can’t seep in. You can get these tested at little to no charge by a professional to test them all for you and often this testing is free.
Figure out the direction your home is facing so your HVAC system can work better. Strategically placed trees can block sunlight and help keep the home cooler without the use of an AC unit. The less your home is heated, the less you’ll have to use your air conditioner to cool things off.
If you have no choice but to put it in the corner, get a unit where the air won’t be trapped against the wall.
To keep your HVAC unit running at full capacity, you should have quality doors and windows installed that are efficient. Make sure they are tightly sealed so air can’t seep in. You can get a professional out to help you test things and a lot of the time the testing costs nothing.
Always request references before hiring any contractor.
Measure the area that requires air conditioning. Generally, 20 BTU per square foot is ideal. If you have a lot of rooms to keep cool, get their square footage added together.
Any HVAC contractor or installer should have a 24-hour emergency hotline. They need to be able to come to you when they are needed, be it in the middle of a heatwave or in the worst snowstorm of the year.
If there’s only one thing that you do in terms of HVAC maintenance monthly, it should be to replace your air filter. This is an easy way to help you keep things running well for you overall. Many chain stores sell filters for under $5.00, and that low price is worth it.
Some contractors attempt to add charges on material fees and fuel charges. A contract will really help you if something like this possible problem.
When determining the location of your air conditioning unit, think about which way the air flows. If you can only put the unit in the corner, get a unit that lets you direct air flow away from any walls.
This calculation will ascertain what the number of BTUs your system requires to keep the environment of your home comfortable.
Ask any contractor you’re thinking of hiring for references. This will show you their overall experience. That way, you can avoid scammers more easily.
Consider a programmable thermostat installed.This will save you a lot of money in terms of energy because it allows your system some downtime while you are warm in your bed.
Cover your condenser in the winter. In this way, you can extend the life of the unit. If the temperature outside is lower than sixty, do not use the compressor. Turn the fan on instead, to avoid putting undue stress on the system.
These qualified energy products are guaranteed to meet very strict guidelines for efficiency. These guidelines have been set by the U.S. They are called the environment and human health. Taking time to fully research various units may help you save a significant amount of money.
Did your contractor calculate your heat-loss ratio before giving you their quote? This tells you the number of BTUs your system requires to keep the environment of your home comfortable. They should be counting windows and doors, checking insulation, and measuring your home’s internal space as well.
Your HVAC unit is vital to your home. Nothing good will come out of you ignoring all of the issues that occur. Thankfully, you came across this article, and you now have great tips to follow to help ensure that your HVAC system has the right kind of air coming out.
The next time your HVAC is being looked at, think about getting a programmable thermostat added to the unit. This will allow you to save quite a bit of money on utilities as your system gets to rest as you do things like sleep.
