Letting your HVAC system break is not something you want to deal with. You may be here because you wish to learn how to keep your HVAC system running and healthy for a long time. This article will help you with the information you seek.
Prior to choosing an HVAC customer, try to have an idea of what you want done. It’s hard to get an estimate since they haven’t look at your system. It can be harder if you don’t know what’s wrong. So, know this information in advance.
If your HVAC is giving you problems, look around your home before calling in people to help. This will help the repairman determine where the problem is.
Keeping the outside condenser clean of debris and leaves will improve the system’s efficiency. If you are doing more than a light surface cleaning, make sure that the power is shut off to the HVAC unit. Keep the exterior of the condenser unit free of debris.
Turn the power off first 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.
Don’t let grass clippings pile up against your outdoor condenser. Make sure you shoot the clippings in the other direction from the unit. This also applies when you blow leaves, so be very careful near your exterior HVAC units when you move debris.
Your outdoor HVAC system could suffer when your trees begin dropping their leaves. Make sure the unit’s fan grill is cleaned frequently when the fall. The fan needs to have an unobstructed path for air to enter the unit, and if it gets blocked, you will end up with many headaches with the unit.
As you notice the tress begin to lose their leaves, keep an eye on your outdoor condenser unit. When the leaves fall from nearby trees, clean the grill of your fan often. A blocked unit can quickly become a broken unit.
10 Drops
Check to determine if the fan condenser on your HVAC system is equipped with oil ports, and if it is, be sure to lubricate every year. These ports are often covered by 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.
Lubricate the oil ports on your fan condenser at least once each year. You will see rubber or metal caps. Use SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, putting 10 drops in each port.
When selecting the spot to put the outdoor compressor for your unit, choose somewhere that gets plenty of shade. The cooler air entering the unit will require less work to get to the proper temperature.
Turn off any outdoor condensers you have when weather gets cold. This should turn it off to prevent damage if the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit. This can ensure your system working well throughout the years and save you a lot on repairs.
Put your outdoor unit in places with shade. As you get your air conditioner to suck in cool air it won’t have to do too much work to cool it which saves you some money.
Degrees Fahrenheit
Consumers are usually advised to have their HVAC systems inspected twice a year. Ideally, you should have it looked at in the spring and fall so you know everything is set for the hot and cold months. Even though it may seem as nothing is wrong with the unit, a simple inspection can prove otherwise.
Do not allow your house get extremely hot. Air conditioners can only cool a home down about 20 degrees Fahrenheit within a reasonable amount of time. If your home happens to get near 100 degrees Fahrenheit, you’ll only cool down to still above 80. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
If possible, your single pane windows should be replaced with double-paned ones. Double pane windows will allow you to use less air during the summer because cooler air will stay in your house. Your home will also stay warmer in the winter.
Research and check the companies that you consider using. Check them out at the BBB and look for reviews as well. These steps will help to ensure your decision is a better decision.
One way to save some money with A/C is by having a programmable thermostat installed. Programmable thermostats can automatically dial back settings, saving you money. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from a PC or other device.
Air conditioners tend to ice up.The drain line may also freeze over. If this happens, disable the compressor by turning your thermostat to the fan only setting. You should call a pro to fix this problem, but switching to the fan will make the ice melt.
Keep energy costs from rising by having your system serviced annually. This visit will include a motor inspection and checking the freon. These simple things will keep your system running at peak performance.
Companies with proven track record that you can use to decide if they are worth the time and money. It is riskier to hire someone who does not have a contractor with little experience.
Save some cash by shutting down the air-conditioning system when there is no one in the house. You may want to turn your unit off if your house will not become extremely hot or cold. The unit will use a large amount of electricity to combat the heat during the day when the house is empty.
Ask your friends and family for their HVAC contractor recommendations. People that have had quality work done in the past generally love to share this information. This can also help you learn the names of companies that you should avoid.
Don’t let your home get overly hot. Your average AC unit can only reduce the temperature in your home by about 20 degrees in a normal span of time. If you have your home at above 100 degrees then you can only get it to about 80 or above. Depending on the humidity level, this temperature isn’t considered a safe sleeping temperature for the human body to be able to recover from the summer heat.
There are quite a few sites these days that allow customers to share their experiences with contractors. This method of finding contractors that you with all the information you need to make the best hiring decisions.
Before you invest in any HVAC contractor, make sure you spend a good deal of time researching their reputations and credentials. The BBB is always great when you are looking for references or online reviews. Investing the time to check out potential contractors can save you money and headaches.
Contractors charge different rates, so make sure to get multiple quotes. You can save a lot of money when you call different companies for price quotes. You may want to get quotes from at least a handful of contractors to determine what reasonable rates are.
You should think about putting in a radiant barrier in order to help your system run efficiently. It can help keep heat out during the hot summer months, which means you will lower your power bills. If it’s done right, the attic can become another useful living space.
Think about having a radiant barrier in your attic so 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 use the attic as part of your living space if it is done right.
Do you wish to buy a new cooling and heating system? You probably have many options available to you. HVAC systems have a rating to determine how much space you should use it on. If you are debating the size of the unit, always get one that is just a little bigger rather than one that is a little too small.
If there’s a clicking in your HVAC unit, look for blockages right away. Often it is being caused by debris that’s hitting fans in the cooling system. Check this out yourself first before spending on a contractor.
Which way does your home face? You can help keep your home cool with the strategic placement of trees. The less heat, the easier time the air conditioner in your home will have.
Square Footage
It’s important to have doors and windows that are efficient for the most efficiency for your HVAC unit. Be sure that they’re sealed well so that air from the outside or inside doesn’t come in or escape. It is wise to hire someone to test them out, and this often costs nothing.
Measure the area you wish to cool before going air conditioning. You generally need 20 BTU per square footage of room space. If you need to cool multiple rooms, be sure to add their square footage together.
Measuring the space you want to cool is the first step to figure how large of an air conditioner you need. You will need approximately 20 BTU per square foot, so calculate the necessary size based on that formula. Make certain that you calculate using all of the rooms the unit will be treating.
Replace the air filter in your HVAC system working well.It will improve the easiest way to take care of it.
Hire an HVAC contractor that is efficient and quick. The best HVAC companies do their best to maintain their appointments and get to their customers quickly. Contractors ought to be able to find the problem quickly. Once the problem is identified, they will also be able to quickly and efficiently resolve it.
If you have to place it in a corner, get a unit where the air won’t be trapped against the wall.
Before you hire a HVAC contractor, you should find out what their experience is. You need to know that they have done the sort of work you require. You want a top professional on the job.
You should care for your HVAC system so nothing goes wrong with it. If you don’t do this and your system breaks, the repair bill can be very costly. Use these tips to keep this from happening.
Be certain you know what the HVAC work costs include. They may tack on fees that are ridiculous, like a fuel surcharge. Having a written contract will let you avoid these types of issues.
