A great HVAC system is something you need in the 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 maximize your HVAC running great.
Before making that repair phone call, make sure you know the specifics about your particular system. Know the model and brand and find it’s maintenance history, if possible. This helps make sure the contractor has the information they will need.
Know what type of your HVAC system before calling someone to fix it. This will help you to give your chosen contractor any information they might need.
Keeping the outside condenser clean of debris and leaves will improve the system’s efficiency. Before you clean the surface, be sure to turn off the power. In addition, always remove all debris such as leaves from the outside condenser unit.
If your HVAC system us giving you issues, take a tour of the house prior to calling a professional. This will help the repairman determine where the problem is.
Make sure that you regularly clean debris that might build up on external condenser units. Debris can pile up at rates that increase during rainy or windy weather, and this can foul up the inner workings of your system. It will damage the system by overheating.
Know what work you want done before you hire a contractor. A contractor will not be able to give you an over-the-phone estimate if unfamiliar with your system. It will be way more hard if you over the phone without the information readily available.
Fall is a hard time on HVAC units. Make sure you clean out your fan grill often once nearby trees start shedding their leaves. The air needs to be unobstructed into the fan, and any blockages create performance issues for the whole system.
Clean the debris on an external condenser unit. You don’t know when things are going to pile up, especially after a windy or rainy storm, and that can throw a wrench in your system. It could overheat and cause your system to malfunction by overheating.
If you have a fan condenser with oil ports, it needs to be lubricated every year. These are usually covered with rubber or metal caps. Buy an SAE 20 product that is lightweight, and then put no more than ten drops into the ports.
Lubricate your condenser once each year. These are usually covered by a rubber or metal cap. Use a lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.
Make certain that an outdoor unit is in the shade. If your unit is sucking in cooler air, it will have less work to do to cool that air as it sends it inside which boosts efficiency.
Be sure to have the HVAC unit in your home checked about two times every year. This should be done in the fall and malfunctions.
Make sure you have your HVAC system checked at least twice a year. This should happen in the fall and the spring. Regular inspection will help you avoid unexpected repairs.
A programmable thermostat is a simple way to help save money on your air conditioning costs. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from a PC or computer.
Turn off your outdoor condenser when it becomes cold out. If the temperature drops to under 60 degrees, you risk damage to the unit if you leave it on. This will help keep it in good condition for many years.
During this service visit, the contractor will oil parts, oil the different moving parts as well as check the system’s freon levels. These few simple things will boost the performance of your system to run at its peak performance.
One way to save some money with A/C is by having a programmable thermostat installed. In fact, you can save as much as 10 percent on both heating and cooling when you turn your thermostat by by 10-15 percent for at least 8 hours daily. Plus, some models allow you to control them over the internet or from a smartphone.
Research the companies before hiring them. Check with the BBB and look for reviews as well. Doing this can help you to make a better decision.
You should have your HVAC system inspected at least once, but preferably twice, per year. This inspection will ensure that your unit is working efficiently, including a freon level and motor check, and oiling moving parts. These few simple things will help your system to run at its peak performance.
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.
Never let your home reach a dangerously hot temperature. Air conditioners can cool a home by just twenty degrees in a short time. This limits their overall benefit. When you factor in humidity, this can still be dangerously hot for the human body at rest.
Companies that are around awhile have a better record than those that can help you decide if they’re worth your money and time. Hiring a newer contractor means taking a bigger risk.
Look online for a/c sizing calculators so you can really understand the unit size needed for your home or room. Buying one that’s too large will not cool that well. Look at the manual for more information.
There are a few sites these days that allow customers to share their experiences with contractors. This will tell you to sort out the good from the bad.
Check any company you are considering to see how long it has been around. The older they are, the more likely it will be for you to find out their history, which will help you gauge their quality. Hiring a new company will be riskier.
Do you need a new cooling and heating system? There are a number of things you must consider first. Systems are given ratings by how well the system is able to cool or heat an area. You are better off purchasing a unit rather than a smaller one.
If your system isn’t working right, try looking for leaks in the ducts. 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. If a leak is found, the money spent on finding and repairing the leak will pay for itself.
As stated above, your HVAC system is very important and you need to keep it running right. You can save money by using the advice above. If you don’t follow them, you won’t find any benefit, so keep that in mind.
Your HVAC system will run more efficiently if your windows and doors are energy efficient. Be sure that they’re sealed well so that air from the outside or inside doesn’t come in or escape. You can get a professional out to help you test things and a lot of the time the testing costs nothing.
