It is frustrating to have a failing HVAC system when the weather is at it’s peak.Learning as much as you can about HVAC units will help you choose the right company. Read on to find out more about that.
If the condenser for your HVAC system is located outside, make sure you clear away any debris that might settle in or around it. Excess debris can really affect your system’s quality. It could get too hot, leading to even more problems.
If you struggle with your HVAC, tour your home before calling a technician. This will help the contractor determine where the problem is.
Do not allow grass clippings to cover the outdoor unit of your HVAC system. Get the grass shot away from your unit. This includes grass clippings and leaves.
Know what work you want done before you hire a contractor. It will be hard for a contractor to provide you with an estimate on the phone without knowing what your current system. It will be way more difficult for him to assist you can’t figure out what they need to do.
If the condenser fan has oil parts, then you need to lubricate it at least once per year. They are usually fitted with a rubber or metal cap. You should select an SAE 20 oil since it is lightweight and does not contain detergent. Be sure to use just 10 drops or so, or your system may overfill.
Don’t get grass clippings pile up against your outdoor condenser. Aim your grass cuttings in a different direction from the unit. This applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in debris.
Put outdoor units in the shade if you are installing them. As it brings in cool air to cool, you will save a lot of money.
Sae 20 Oil
Be sure you have the HVAC unit in your home checked about two times every year. The fall and spring are the optimal times for this maintenance. It doesn’t matter if your unit seems to be properly working, it is still advisable that you perform maintenance and resolve any potential problems.
Lubricate your condenser if it has oil ports. 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, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.
In order to keep energy costs down, make sure heating and cooling systems are services at least once per year. An HVAC specialist will inspect the entire system, including the oil, the motor, and the ducts. This maintenance means that your system will operate optimally.
Put outdoor condensers in the shade if you are installing them.
When everyone is gone, turn your AC off. When it’s off the house will get hot, but only by a certain amount. The longer the unit stays on, the more it ends up costing you in energy bills.
Turn off any outdoor condenser units when the weather gets cold. This means that you should turn it off to prevent damage if the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This simple tip will help keep it in good condition for many years.
Research and check the reputation of companies before hiring them. A good start would be the BBB to see if there are any complaints, then search online for review sites where you can see what actual customers had to say about their experience. Taking these steps will help ensure that you make a wise decision.
A programmable thermostat can really help you save money on your power bills. Some can even be controlled from a PC or other device.
If you don’t know who you should contact to do your HVAC maintenance or any installations, look online to see if you can find reviews. There are many review sites you can check out. This is a good way to find decent people to hire.
Never allow the temperature in your home reach a dangerously high level. Air conditioners can only really cool your home down a home by 20 degrees. If your home happens to get near 100 degrees Fahrenheit, you would only be able to cool it down just above 80 degrees. This won’t be a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.
Do you wish to buy a new cooling and heating system? You could keep a few points in mind. Learn about the size systems need to be for optimal efficiency. Therefore, you may want to opt for a larger unit.
Research and check the reputation of companies that you consider using. Check with the BBB and look for reviews as well. This will help you have to do in order to make the right choice.
If your HVAC system is producing any type of clicking sounds, there may be something obstructing it. Many times it could be debris hitting the cooling system fans. Get rid of the debris and this will no longer be an issue. Always check for yourself before getting someone out to repair the unit.
Air conditioners tend to ice up.The drain line might also freeze up.If this is something that’s happening to you, switch your thermostat to fan only to disable the compressor. You should leave the repair to a professional, but switching to the fan will make the ice melt.
When considering what size AC unit your home needs, be sure to measure the immediate area you need to cool. You will need approximately 20 BTU per square foot, so calculate the necessary size based on that formula. When several rooms must be cooled, determine the square footage of each room and then add the numbers together.
Look for calculators online to truly understand what size of unit is necessary for your room or home. Look in the manual to determine the manufacturer website for this information.
If you do only one thing for HVAC maintenance, it ought to be replacing the air filter. This is an easy way to help you keep things running well for you overall. They are very inexpensive and well worth the time and money to replace.
There are quite a few sites that let customers share their experiences with contractors. This is a good way to locate contractors to work and ones that are poor.
Be sure the HVAC contractor you pick is fast and knowledgeable. The best HVAC companies do their best to maintain their appointments and get to their customers quickly. The best workers can take a look at your system rather quickly and diagnose the trouble. Once, they find the problem, they will fix it fast.
Check for duct leaks if your existing system is not up to snuff. When these leaks are fixed, you may see that the testing pays for itself.
Before you hire an HVAC contractor to perform work on your system, learn about their experience level. It’s important that a contractor is experienced in the area of the kind of work you require. While someone with less experience might be able to do a great job too, you do not want to take that chance.
Figure out which direction your home is facing so your HVAC system more efficient. If there is less heat coming into your home, then the HVAC will require less work to actually cool the home.
It may be tempting to hire the first HVAC company in the phone book, but it’s important to get references from them. It helps to find out whether prior customers were satisfied with their overall experience. You can avoid scam artists, yet only when you actually check up on references.
If you hear a clicking in the HVAC unit at home, see if there is any debris in it. Often it is being caused by debris hitting the fans in the cooling system. Check this out yourself first before you call in the professionals.
The estimate needs to state exactly what is included. Sometimes, contractors will not include everything in order to secure the job. When you have a solid contract, these problems can be avoided.
Replace the air filter to keep your HVAC system every month. This is the simplest thing that you can do to keep your unit remains in good operating condition.
Use a fully-enclosing cover to protect your condenser unit in the winter. This helps the condenser last longer if it is protected when not in use. Don’t turn it on if the temperature is below 60 either. Only use the fan during those times.
Ask a contractor about their experience.You need to verify they have the type of work you require.
Check in on the contractor’s references. Too many people take for granted that reference are indeed legitimate, when in fact they may not be. It doesn’t take long to check, so don’t hesitate.
Always make sure to get some references prior to hiring any contractor.
Make sure any quote you get has a heat-loss calculation included. This needs to be factored in when figuring out the best sized unit for your home. This includes counting doors and windows, checking all the insulation and measuring the total internal space of your home.
Any HVAC contractor you hire should have a 24-hour emergency number available to customers around the clock. They need to be able to come to you when they are needed, in any weather.
Consider have a programmable thermostat installed. These newer thermostats will help you to save more money on electricity because you can program them to shut off anytime you want them to.
There are contractors out there that will try to overcharge you later for things like fuel charges and material fees. Having a solid written contract can help to avoid any issues like this.
Always look for the ENERGY STAR logo on a unit before you make the purchase. Products with this logo save money on electricity and are much more environmentally friendly. These guidelines are enforced by the federal government. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Choosing an Energy Star system will save you money over the life of the unit.
Consider have a programmable thermostat. This can save you a great deal on your bills because when you adjust the temperature to sync with your system rests while you are comfortably warm asleep in bed.
Be sure to protect your condenser as the weather turns colder. You can do this by putting a thick cover over the top of it. Do not keep this unit on when the temperature is too cold.
You might be surprised that as many as two-thirds of households have ducts that leak. These leaky ducts can represent one fourth of your utility costs. Sealing the ducts is easy and cheap to do yourself, and it can significantly decrease your electrical bill yearly thereafter.
Make sure you know where the owner’s manual is anytime the system is running. There are many tips in this manual that can be of great help should a big issue occur. The manufacturer should have them available on their website if you can not locate yours.
Keep your HVAC system operating efficiently and enjoy clean air by cleaning the heating ducts. Look at the ducts to make sure they are in good shape. Damaged ducts could increase the energy bill by wasting air that is warm.
Always get written estimates for HVAC services. It needs to be written. Many job necessities require estimates. This helps ensure you get adequate service. Try to compare the items like price, time completion, and more. Don’t trust a company just because they have a low estimate, as they may be performing lower quality work.
When you have no education on HVAC, finding the best HVAC contractor can be hard. With the right information, it doesn’t have to be that bad. Hopefully, you’re now ready to tackle any issues that come up with your HVAC system.
