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 people spend quite a bit to fix things when they don’t work right, but could have avoided such issues if they had maintained them properly. The tips below will help you to make the most of your HVAC systems.
Before you contact people to assist you in getting your system fixed, know what kind of system you’re working with in the first place. 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. If you have to have someone come out to repair the unit, you will be able to help the contractor understand more about what is going on.
Know what you want done before you hire a contractor. A contractor will not be able to give you an over-the-phone estimate if unfamiliar with your system. It will be way more difficult for him to assist you can’t figure out what they need to do.
Know what you need before you hire a contractor. It’s hard to get an estimate since they haven’t look at your system. If you can’t explain anything to them, this will be even more difficult. So, you should know this beforehand.
Turn the power off so you don’t get hurt or break something. Next, pop the grill off, pull out the blades and start cleaning them and the unit itself off gently.
When you cut the grass, don’t cover the outdoor units with their clippings. Direct the grass clippings in a direction away from the HVAC unit. The same thing should go on when you blow leaves, so take your time when you’re working around HVAC units that are around when you’re blowing debris around.
Grass Clippings
Your HVAC system could suffer when trees begin dropping their leaves. During this time of year, check and clear off the fan grill on your unit on a regular basis. The air needs to be unobstructed into the fan, and any blockages create performance issues for the whole system.
Don’t get grass clippings on your outdoor condenser. Direct the grass clippings away from the HVAC unit. This applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in the yard.
If your fan condenser has oil ports, you must lubricate it once per year. They generally have a rubber or metal cap on them. Buy an SAE 20 product that is lightweight, and then put no more than ten drops into the ports.
Your HVAC units might suffer when trees begin dropping their leaves. Make sure the fan’s grill often once nearby trees start shedding their leaves.The fan must not have anything in the way so that air can flow into it, and if it is clogged, you will have to contend with problems.
To increase the efficiency of your HVAC unit, be sure to keep it in the shade. If your air conditioner is able to constantly suck in cool air, it won’t have to work overtime to cool your space, which can in turn save you money on your electricity bills.
Have your heating and cooling system inspected twice per year. This should be done in the fall and the spring.
When the weather cools down, turn your outdoor condenser off. This should be done when the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This will allow your system to work well every year, and that saves you quite a bit on making repairs.
A programmable thermostat can really help you out when it comes to your air conditioning bill. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from a PC or computer.
To cut energy costs, you should service your cooling and heating system once a year at least. An HVAC specialist will inspect the entire system, including the oil, the motor, and the ducts. This will keep you energy efficient and comfortable.
When they visit to service the unit they’re going to inspect the motors, oil the parts that move, and they will oil all the moving parts. These few simple things will help keep your system to run at its peak performance.
Don’t allow your home to become dangerously hot. Air conditioners are limited in that they can only reduce the indoor temperature 20 degrees Fahrenheit in a reasonable time limit. So, if you house heats up to about 95, you won’t see the temperature go below 75 for a while. Depending on how humid the environment is, that is not a healthy temperature for the human body when it rests during sleep.
Never allow the temperature in your home reach a dangerously high level. An air conditioner can only cool your home approximately twenty degrees in a fair time. If the temperature in your home rises to 100 degrees F or higher, then you will only be able to reasonably cool to around 80. This won’t be a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.
Before you invest in any HVAC contractor, make sure you spend a good deal of time researching their reputations and credentials. Check reputations at the BBB, and read online reviews to gauge customer satisfaction. These steps are going to help to ensure your decision is a wise one.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line might also freeze up.If you see this, switch your thermostat to fan only to disable the compressor. You should leave the repair to a professional, even if switching it to its fan setting starts making the ice melt.
Did you know an AC unit can freeze? There are also occasional freezes in the drain line, which are often confused for plumbing leaks. Use the fan-only setting to allow the system time to thaw. You can call a HVAC professional, but switching to the fan will make the ice melt.
Look for calculators online to truly understand what size of unit is necessary for your home. Look at the manual or on the manufacturer website for air conditioners.
Before hiring an HVAC company, you need to find out how long they have been in business. Companies with proven track records typically provide better service. Hiring a newer contractor may be taking a considerable risk.
Ask people that you know and relations for contractor recommendations. People who they have had a good experience are often happy to share the name of their contractor. This will also be used to see who you avoid scammers.
Use online reviews to help you find a source for HVAC maintenance. Many Internet sites let customers discuss experiences with certain companies. This will tell you who is great and who isn’t.
Think about having a radiant barrier installed in your attic so support the efficient functioning of your HVAC system can run better. It will make sure you won’t have to use more energy to keep your home cool when it’s hot outside. You may even find that you can use your attic as part of your living space more effectively.
To improve the efficiency of your HVAC system, think about placing a radiant barrier in your attic. This will block heat from coming in, which means that less energy will be needed to keep your home cool. You may even find that you can use the attic space more effectively.
Do you wish to buy a new cooling system? There are some things you should consider. Systems get rated according to the total 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.
Look for leaks in the ducts if your system isn’t working right. Your utility company will usually test the unit for free or for a small fee. When you repair the leaks, you’ll see that the tests paid for themselves.
Make certain they are tightly sealed so air can’t seep in. You can also hire someone to test things and a lot of the time the testing costs nothing.
Your HVAC can work more efficiently if you take into consideration which way your home faces. Block the sun in the morning with trees around your home. When there is less heat inside your home, the air conditioner will not have to work as hard.
As this article has said before, your HVAC system is something that really is important, and you have to be sure you keep it working well. The above tips will make sure you will keep repairs to a minimum. 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.
To keep your HVAC unit running at full capacity, you should have quality doors and windows installed that are efficient. Make certain they have tight seals to keep air inside. Call a professional to come over to check how good you home is sealed up.
