A properly running HVAC unit makes home really enjoyable. If your system breaks, it will become a nightmare for those without experience. Learning how to maintain your unit minimizes the chances of a breakdown; these tips below.
Your outside condenser fan can be helped to run better by you cleaning the fan blades and coils prior to summer starting up. If you are doing more than a light surface cleaning, make sure that the power is shut off to the HVAC unit. Also, make sure you remove any debris or leaves from the condenser unit outside.
Know the name and type of your HVAC system you currently have before calling someone to fix it. This makes sure your contractor has the information they will be sufficiently prepared.
If your condenser units are outisde, make sure any debris is cleaned from them regularly. You don’t know when things are going to pile up, like right after it’s windy or rains, and that can ruin your system. It can get overheated, which will cause problems with the whole system.
If your HVAC doesn’t seem to be working properly, look around your home before calling in people to help. This information will help the contractor determine what the problem is and how to fix it.
During the fall, leaves can gather around your HVAC. Cleaning your unit is very important for its effectiveness. Your fan needs an unobstructed way to get air inside, and the more blocked up it becomes, the more headaches will develop for you with the system.
Clean your fan blades and coils prior to summertime. Clean off any leaves or debris from your condenser unit.
If you have a fan condenser with oil ports, it needs to be lubricated every year. You’ll see that the ports here are closed with a rubber or metal cap. 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.
Be sure to regularly clean external condenser units regularly. You never know when things can pile up, especially after a windy or rainy storm, and that can ruin your system. It can also cause your system to malfunction by overheating.
If you want things to be more efficient, get new units outside or have your current one moved into the shade. As it brings in cool air to cool, you will save a lot of money.
Turn the power off first so nothing moves. Next, pop off the grill, put the blades out and start to gently clean them along with the unit.
Check your unit at least twice each 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. Regular inspection will help you avoid unexpected repairs.
Sae 20 Oil
A programmable thermostat can help you save money on your air conditioning bill. It may save you as much as 10 percent of your overall utility bill if you turn your thermostat down by 10-15 degrees for a portion of the day. Additionally, these items can be controlled remotely through your computer.
Lubricate your condenser at least once each year. You can find the ports as they have a rubber or metal cap. Use SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, putting 10 drops in each port.
To help keep your energy costs down, have your heating and cooling system serviced at least once a year. When they come out for a service visit, expect inspections of freon levels and the motor, and they will oil all the moving parts. Doing this simple task can ensure that your system will be running for years with no problem!
It is always a good idea to replace single-paned windows for double pane ones. This same effect also keeps warm in during the winter months.
Don’t let your home get overly hot. An air conditioner can only cool your home by 20ºF quickly. So if your home is 100ºF, you’ll only get the temperature down to about 80. When you factor in humidity, this can still be dangerously hot for the human body at rest.
A programmable thermostat can help you out when it comes to your power bills. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from a computer.
Always take the time to check out the reputation of any HVAC contractor before you consider hiring them. Look at review sites and check with the BBB. This is what you have to do in order to make a smart decision.
During your service visit, professionals can help by inspecting the system’s motor, oil the unit’s moving parts and ensure the unit has proper freon levels. These simple things will keep your system to run its best.
Find an air conditioner calculator online to determine what models are best for you. If you buy something too large it won’t be efficient as it cools the same. Check your manual to learn what it is rated by the manufacturer if you want accurate information.
Never allow your home to get dangerously high level. An AC unit will reduce the internal temperature of your home approximately twenty degrees in a short time span. If your house’s interior temperature hits 100 degrees Fahrenheit, it will only cool off to about 80F. This won’t be a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.
Online reviews are a great source of information about HVAC contractors. A simple search should yield a number of sites with informative reviews. This will be an excellent way to locate people you should work with and people that may not work well with you.
Research the reputation of companies before hiring them.Check with the BBB and online reviews posted by former customers. Doing this will make sure you hire the best company for your HVAC needs.
Each contractor will have their own fee schedule, so make sure you get several different quotes before you hire anybody. You should save some money this way. Never settle for a price until you’ve called at least five contractors to gain a realistic idea of a fair price.
Companies that are well established have track records typically provide better service. Hiring a contractor comes with an element of risk.
If you current HVAC doesn’t work that well, try testing ducts for leaks. Your utility company can test this for you, oftentimes at no charge. If not, it should be less expensive than a HVAC contractor. When these leaks are fixed, the testing will pay for itself in energy savings.
There are quite a few sites these days that other customers talk about their experiences with contractors. This is useful for finding contractors that you are interested in dealing with as well as those that you want to avoid.
You should know the facing direction of your home for the most effective placement of the HVAC system. Strategically placing trees around your home can block some of the heat coming from the sun, preventing your home from overheating. The less heat inside the house, the less time that the AC has to work.
Contractors are responsible for their own charges and fees, so make sure to get multiple quotes.You can save quite a lot of cash simply by doing your homework. You may want to call at least a handful of contractors in order to know what you should be paying.
Gather the level of experience of the company you are working with. The best contractor for the job will have ample experience working with HVAC systems similar to the one you are using. Although there’s no guarantee that a worker with less experience won’t do the work correctly, it’s better to avoid any problems.
Are you thinking about buying a new heating/cooling system? You need to think about several things. Systems are given ratings by how effectively they can cool or heat an area. You are better off purchasing a bigger unit rather than purchasing one that is a bit too small.
When hiring a contractor, be sure to ask for a list of references. Talk to those references to find out if they were pleased with the service they received. That is why it is vital that you check references, so you don’t run into those shady contractors!
If the HVAC unit makes a clicking noise, check for any sort of obstructions immediately. Sometimes debris interferes with the fan’s way. Check it out before you call in the professionals.
Protect your condenser unit from winter weather by placing a cover around it. This simple cover keeps the condenser operating longer when not in use. Additionally, do not use it when the temperature dips below 60. Switch your fan on instead so the unit doesn’t get strained.
Measure the area that requires air conditioner shopping.You will need about 20 BTU per square foot in the area to be cooled. If multiple rooms need cooling, combine all the square footage.
Check in on the contractor’s references. Never assume that just because the contractor gives you references that they will check out well. It only takes a short amount of time to contact someone, so it is important that you do that right away.
You should now have a better idea about why proper HVAC system maintenance is necessary. Nothing good will come out of you ignoring all of the issues that occur. Use these ideas to keep your HVAC running well.
Your contractor should perform a heat loss calculation when coming to give you an estimate. You need it to know how many BTUs are necessary. Windows and doors need to be inspected for drafts, insulation checked for efficiency and the interior dimensions of the house should also be considered.
