A great HVAC system is an important part of your home. A lot of homeowners spend money fixing them up when broken, but if they were able to figure out how to fix things on their own it would have been avoided.The following article will help you tips for keeping your HVAC running great.
Before you ever begin looking for an HVAC contractor, first consider the entire job that you’ll need completed. You might not be able to get a price quote unless you let the contractor see your current system first. It will be more difficult for him to assist you over the phone without the information readily available. Thus, it is worthwhile to have this knowledge ahead of time.
Know what type of your HVAC system you currently have before calling someone to fix it. This will enable you to give your new contractor all the information they might need.
Cleaning the blades and coils will help the system run better. Except when you do superficial cleaning, you need to always make sure the power is off on the unit. Keep the exterior of the condenser unit free of debris.
If your HVAC is running into problems, check the entire house before contacting someone to come for repairs. This will help the contractor determine where the problem is.
Many homeowners forget to oil their condenser at least once per year, but it is required. You can find these ports covered with rubber or metal caps. Put about ten drops or less of a good non-detergent SAE 20 oil into each port.
Clean any debris that accumulates on an external condenser units. You don’t know when things are going to pile up, especially after a windy or rainy storm, and that can ruin your system. It could overheat and cause your system to malfunction by overheating.
When it gets cold outside, the outdoor condenser unit should be turned off. If it’s lower than 60 degrees, the time has come to turn it off. This will help keep it in good condition for many years.
Don’t let grass clippings pile up against your outside unit. Aim your grass in a different direction away from your unit. This applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in the yard.
Update the windows in your home to double-paned if you own it. To keep your home cool, investing in double pane windows is a must. Conversely, they keep warm air in during the winter.
Lubricate the oil ports on your condenser once a year. These ports are usually covered by a rubber or metal cap. Use a lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.
Make sure to have your unit serviced once a year. When they visit to service the unit they’re going to inspect the motors, oil the parts that move, and see how much freon is in your system. These simple tasks will help keep your HVAC system running smoothly.
Be sure to have the HVAC unit in your home checked about two times every year. This should be done in the fall and the spring.
If nobody is home, turn off the air conditioner to save money. By raising the temperature from, for example 78 to 80, your house will be warmer, but only up to 80 before your AC kicks in. If you decide to set the temperature to 82 or 83 or so on, your AC won’t go on until it reaches that temperature. Leaving the system on all day will cost a lot of money in terms of electricity.
Turn off any outdoor condensers you have when weather gets cold. This should turn it off to prevent damage if the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This can keep your HVAC running efficiently for many years to come.
Do not let your house get dangerously hot. A simple AC unit will usually only cool the home around 20 degrees within a short period of time. If you have your home at above 100 degrees then you can only get it to about 80 or above. While it depends on the humidity, this is not safe for a human to sleep in to recover from the heat of the summer.
It is a good idea to replace single-paned windows for double panes. This will also help you keep the warm air inside.
Air conditioners occasionally freeze up, literally. There can be occasional freezes in their drain lines, and these are usually confused with plumbing leaks. Turn your unit to the fan setting to turn off the compressor. Once you know the problem, contact a local HVAC professional and let them know what’s going on in your system.
A programmable thermostat can really help you save money on your air conditioning bill. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from your smart phone or other device.
Ask people that you know and trust for contractor recommendations. If a person had a good experience with a company, they are likely to share it. You will also find out who NOT to use!
During a maintenance visit, professionals can help by inspecting the system’s motor, inspect the motor and the freon levels. These simple tasks will help keep your HVAC system running at peak performance.
Make certain that you get written estimates before you hire a contractor. This will reduce your overall spending. Call around 5 contractors so that you can get the best deal possible.
Look for calculators online to truly understand what size of unit you need for your room or home.Look at the manual or on the manufacturer website for air conditioners.
Do you want to find a quality HVAC? You probably have many options available to you. Systems are rated by the amount of area the system can heat and cool effectively. Getting a unit that’s a little larger than you need will be better than getting one that’s smaller.
Ask for helpful information when you can find a HVAC contractor. People that have had a good experience are often happy to share this information. This will also help you with good information on which contractors you should avoid.
When thinking of what kind of air conditioner you should get, you should measure the area that you need to cool. For each square foot you’ll need 20 BTU of cooling power. If you have a lot of rooms to keep cool, get their square footage added together.
There are quite a few sites now that allow customers share their service experiences. This will be an excellent way to locate people you who is great and people that may not work well with you.
Find a HVAC company that knows its stuff. Reliable companies keep a close eye on their technicians and ensure they honor their appointments. An experienced person will quickly know what is going on with your unit. Once the technician figures out what’s wrong, they can help resolve the problems in a timely and cost-effective manner.
Contractors determine their own fee levels, so make sure you get quotes from several contractors before you make any hiring decision. You can save a bit of cash simply by doing your homework. You may want to call at least five contractors in order to know what you should be paying.
When placing your AC unit, think about the direction the air will flow. Put it in a corner where the air does not flow into the wall.
Determine which way your home faces.If there is less heat in the home from sunlight, your AC will work less.
Prior to hiring any HVAC contractor, you ought to ask about their level of experience. It is best to match the job you have to a company with that kind of experience. This will help to maximize their productivity.
If you hear a clicking noise coming from the HVAC unit, see if there are any obstructions right away. Sometimes debris interferes with the fan’s way. Check this out before spending on a contractor.
Only hire a contractor to install or repair your HVAC system if they offer a 24-hour hotline for emergencies. You should have the ability to get them out to your home, whether it is the midst of a horrible heat wave or a snow storm.
Pick out an HVAC business that is fast and works quickly to solve the problem. The best companies will ensure that their technicians stay on schedule. A licensed technician will also easily diagnose any potential faults with your HVAC. Once the problem is identified, they should also know how to get them resolved efficiently and quickly.
When you get someone to work on your HVAC, make sure you know what the total cost includes. The contractors can overcharge later for items like material and fee costs and charges. Having a signed contract can help to avoid issues like that.
If you have to place it in a corner of your home, be sure you can change the direction of air flow to avoid having it hit the wall.
Before you hire an HVAC contractor, research their references. Sometimes, they just got good reviews because their price is low. This will not take a lot of your time.
Ask any potential contractor about their experience prior to hiring them. You need to verify they have the type of work you require.
Take advantage of the opportunity to add a programmable thermostat when you are putting in new heating and air-conditioning or repairing your old system. 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.
Always make sure to get references prior to hiring any contractor.
Buy an Energy Star HVAC unit to save money. These energy devices are guaranteed to meet very strict efficiency guidelines. These are put in place by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This is vital if you want to cut your costs. Choosing an Energy Star system will save you money over the life of the unit.
Cover your condenser when the winter. This will help your condenser considerably. Use the fan setting only to avoid putting strain on the condenser unit.
Seek out HVAC contractors who only use products that carry the Energy Star label. This ensures efficiency that is required by the EPA. The end result should be you seeing a money saved each year on your energy bills.
Always follow up on any references that are given to you by an HVAC contractor.
For the most efficient operating of your HVAC system, schedule regular cleaning of your unit’s heating ducts. Make sure the ducts for heating get inspected every once in a while so you know there aren’t dents, punctures, or disconnected parts. Damaged ducts can cause your heating bill to rise.
Consider have a programmable thermostat. This device can save you a great deal of money on your energy bills because your lifestyle.
As it gets colder outside, you need to get your condenser unit protected. Just cover it with a thick top. Don’t use this unit if you’re working in temperatures below around 60 degrees because your system won’t work that well below temperatures like this.
You might be surprised to discover that as much as 66% of all homes have ducts that leak. These can account for up to one fourth of your home’s utility costs. It is not difficult to seal your ducts, and it will save you on your bills every month.
When handling your HVAC system, have the owner’s manual handy. The manual offers quite a few suggestions to use for your specific unit, and it may become necessary to look it over if you notice a serious problem. If you are unable to locate your manual, you usually can find it on the website of the manufacturer.
As previously stated, HVAC systems are crucial parts to any home, so it is vital that they are kept in working order. You can save money by using the advice above. You have to be sure you follow these things so you don’t end up having to be someone that pays a bunch of money getting things fixed you may have prevented.
