It is frustrating to have a failing HVAC system when the weather is at it’s peak.Learning about your HVAC system will help you fix them or maintain them. Read this article to get started on to do that.
Before you ever begin looking for an HVAC contractor, first consider the entire job that you’ll need completed. It’s hard to get an estimate since they haven’t look at your system. If you can’t explain changes you’ve made, the process will be even more difficult. Be sure to find this out ahead of time.
Know the name and type of system before looking for a repair person. This will help you to give your chosen contractor any information they might need.
To make sure your condenser fan works properly, keep the fan blades and the coils clean. Always turn the unit off before you do anything to it, including leaning. Clean the outside of your condenser unit regularly.
If you are having issues with your HVAC, tour your home before calling a technician. This will help the repairman determine where the problem is and how to fix it.
Every spring you need to make sure your condenser fan’s coils and blades on the fan part are clean. Don’t forget to disconnect the power first. Remove the grill and carefully clean the blades and surrounding areas.
Know what you want done before you select an HVAC contractor. A contractor will not be able to give you with an accurate price without accurate information about your system. It will be more hard if you can’t figure out what they need to do.
Don’t get grass clippings on your outside unit. Have the grass shoot in the opposite direction. Also do this when blowing leaves or shoveling snow.
Grass Clippings
If the fan condenser on your unit has ports for oil, make sure you lubricate it once a year. These are usually covered with rubber or metal caps. Use SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.
Don’t get grass clippings pile up against your outside unit. Direct the grass clippings in a direction away from the equipment. This also applies when you are taking care of the leaves in the yard.
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 your unit is bringing in cool air, it will not have to work as hard to cool the air as it moves it inside, boosting efficiency.
Your HVAC units might suffer when trees start to lose leaves. Make sure the fan’s grill is cleaned 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 debris is blocking this air flow, it could cause your system to break down.
You need to have a contractor review your unit twice a year. The normally recommended time for HVAC system inspections is once before the peak cooling season when it gets hot and you’ll be using your AC, and once before the peak heating season, during the cold months when you’re likely to be using your heat. Even if you can’t see anything wrong, checking it may help you locate and repair some possible issues.
10 Drops
Turn off your outdoor condenser when it becomes cold out. If temps go below 60 you run the risk of damaging a unit that remains on. You will save in repair bills and increase the efficiency of your system.
Lubricate the oil ports on your fan condenser once a year.These ports are usually covered by a rubber or metal cap. Use a lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, putting 10 drops in each port.
If you can, use double-paned windows instead of single-paned ones. Try to insulate your windows to prevent air from being lost. This same effect also keeps warm air in during the winter months.
Put your outdoor condensers in places with shade.
A programmable thermostat can really help you out when it comes to your power bills. Programmable thermostats can automatically dial back settings, saving you money. Additionally, some models of programmable thermostats actually allow you to control them remotely from your office computer or cell phone.
Have the HVAC system serviced twice a year. This should be done in the fall and the spring.
Save energy use and money by turning off the air conditioner if there is nobody home. The house will only heat up to a certain point. When you keep it on, you will be using electricity.
Turn off any outdoor condensers you have when weather turns cold. This should turn it off to prevent damage if the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit. This will help keep it in good condition for years and save you a lot on repairs.
Did you know an AC unit can freeze? In addition, the drain line sometimes freezes, and people often think that there is a plumbing leak. If this happens, put your thermostat over to fan. You should call a pro to fix this problem, even if switching it to its fan setting starts making the ice melt.
During a maintenance visit, they will inspect the motor of the system, the moving parts will be oiled and the freon levels will be checked These repairs will keep your system running smoothly.
Use an online sizing calculator to help you calculate the proper size of the air conditioning unit you should purchase. Buying a unit which is too big reduces efficiency. Always look through the manual as well.
Don’t let your house get overly hot. Air conditioners really can cool a home by just twenty degrees in a reasonable amount of time. If your home gets above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, you will only be able to cool it down to 80. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
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. In many cases you will find local review sites where previous customers will share the experience they had with companies they used. Read through them and figure out who you want to try out.
Do you wish to buy a new HVAC system? You need to take a few things first. Systems get rated according to how large an area they effectively cool and heat. You are better off purchasing a unit that is slightly too large for your needs than a bit too small.
Get a handful of quotes before accepting any. By calling around and asking a few different contractors, you can save a ton of money. Contact a minimum of five contractors so you can determine realistically what the price will be.
Figure out which direction your home faces in order to make your HVAC system can work better. The less heat inside the house, the less work your AC will have to do.
Are you considering purchasing a new heating and cooling system? If so, you must consider a number of things. The rating given to a system tells how much are it can cover. You should buy a little bigger than necessary unit over a little smaller than necessary unit.
If your HVAC system is producing any type of clicking sounds, check for any sort of obstructions immediately. Often the issue is some sort of debris that’s hitting fans in your cooling system. Check it out yourself first before calling a repairman.
If the system you’re using now isn’t working great, then check the ducts for some leakage. Call local utility companies to test it for you since many do it for a small fee or even free, which is lower than HVAC contractors. This testing can have large financial benefits.
Measure the area you wish to cool before going air conditioning. You generally need 20 BTU for each square footage of space. When several rooms must be cooled, you must add together all of the square footage.
The one thing you should always do on a monthly basis is change the air filter on your HVAC system. This is the simplest thing that you can do to keep your unit running in tip top shape. Filters only cost a few bucks, and it’s a small price to pay.
You may find it difficult to hire an HVAC expert without a little bit of prior knowledge. However, with the right knowledge, the process need not be so terrible. Hopefully, you’re now ready to tackle any issues that come up with your HVAC system.
When deciding where to place your AC, condition the direction of air flow. For a corner location, check for a unit that has the ability to direct the air flow in a different direction from the wall.
