Many people forget about their HVAC until they all the sudden quit working. It is sometimes tricky to find the right individual to fix a good HVAC contractor. The tips here will ensure you have no issues with this process.
Clean your fan blades and coils each spring to ensure that your condenser fan operates at it’s best. Make sure your power is off before doing more than cleaning, such as working on the unit. In addition, always remove all debris such as leaves from the outside condenser unit.
Know what you want done before you hire a contractor. It will be difficult for a contractor to give you with an estimate over 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.
Clean the condenser on your debris regularly. Particularly after bad weather, you should inspect your unit. It can cause the unit to overheat and break down.
Clean the debris off your condenser units. You don’t know when things are going to pile up, like right after it’s windy or rains, and that can throw a wrench in your system. It could overheat and cause your system to malfunction by overheating.
Every spring you should clean the coils and fan blades on your condenser fan. Before you do so, shut off the power to ensure that none of the parts will move while you work on it. Pull out each of the blades and clean them one by one.
Don’t get 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.
As the trees around your home lose leaves, it can cause your HVAC unit trouble. Cleaning your unit is very important for its effectiveness. An obstruction, such as a leaf, prevents the maximum amount of cool air from entering the system.
Leaves and debris can damage your HVAC unit. Make sure the unit’s fan grill is cleaned frequently when the fall. The fan must stay clear in order to function, and if debris is blocking this air flow, it could cause your system to break down.
In order for your new unit to be as efficient as possible, or to make older units more efficient, make sure it’s put in a shaded area. The air in the shade is cooler and can help save on energy costs.
Put outdoor condensers in the shade if you are installing them.
You need to have a contractor review your unit twice a year. This should be done in the fall and again in the spring. Check it out just to be safe even if there is nothing broken.
Be sure you have the HVAC system checks. This should happen in the fall and again in the spring.
Update the windows in your home to double-paned if you own it. Double-pane windows keep inside air cooler, allowing you to reduce AC usage in the summertime. Likewise, heat is better retained during the winter.
Turn off your outdoor condenser when weather turns 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 your HVAC running efficiently for many years to come.
Make sure that your AC is turned off when you are not using it. 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. If will be constantly fighting the heat and using lots of electricity if it is left on all day.
A programmable thermostat is a simple way to help save money on air conditioning bill. Some of these thermostats can even be controlled from your smart phone or other device.
Your home should not have temperatures that are too hot. Even the best air conditioners can only realistically cool your home approximately 20 degrees Farenheit. If you have your home at above 100 degrees then you can only get it to about 80 or above. If humidity is high, this temp is still unsafe for people.
Degrees Fahrenheit
Icing up is common in air conditioners. There are also occasional freezes in the drain line, which are often confused for plumbing leaks. When you see ice, turn the unit to fan. If the issue persists, call in help.
Do not let your house get extremely hot. Air conditioners can only cool a home down about 20 degrees Fahrenheit within a short time. If your home gets above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, you will only be able to cool it down to 80. This won’t be a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.
Prior to hiring any HVAC contractor, you should ask how long their business has operated. Companies that have been around for longer have a proven track record that you can use to decide if they are worth the time and money. Hiring a newer contractor may be taking a considerable risk.
Look for calculators online to truly understand what size of unit is necessary for your home. Look at the manual to determine the manufacturer website for this information.
If you need help locating someone to help take of your HVAC system, a great place to seek advice is online at a review site. Lots of sites exist where customers can leave feedback and reviews. Read through them and figure out who you want to try out.
Ask your friends and trust for their HVAC contractor recommendations. People who’ve had done in the past are normally more than happy to recommend their contractors. This will also be used to see who you should be avoided.
If you are a having trouble with your existing system, check 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. Having these repaired is worth the cost of testing if you had to hire a contractor to do the job.
There are different sites that other customers talk about how they were treated by services. This is an awesome way to locate contractors to work with.
Which way does your home face? You can help keep your home cool with the strategic placement of trees. If there is less heat in the home from sunlight, then the HVAC will require less work to actually cool the home.
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 unit stays hot or cold as it should be. You could even find that you can use your attic space more effectively.
Inspect your HVAC unit quickly for blockage if you become away of any clicking sound. Sometimes there is debris that gets in the fan’s way. You just have to take out the obstruction and the problem is solved. Check the fan and coil before you waste time contacting a professional.
Are you considering purchasing a HVAC system? There are a number of things you should consider. Systems get rated according to the total area they effectively heat or cool. You are wise to err on the side of a unit rather than a smaller one.
The one thing you should always do on a monthly basis is change the air filter on your HVAC system. This will help your unit run properly. It only costs a couple of bucks to replace the filter.
Figure out which direction your home is facing so your HVAC system can work better. The less amount of heat inside of your home, the less time your air conditioner will have to work.
When determining the location of your air conditioning unit, think about which way the air flows. Make sure you have plenty of air flow control options if you are forced to install the unit in a corner.
Now you know a lot about HVAC care. There are certain things you need to do and certain things you should avoid doing. Remember this so you can find the proper system.
Ask any contractor you’re thinking of hiring for references. You should know that the contractor does exactly what he says he’s going to do, and there are no hidden costs involved. This will help you stay away from scam artists, but only if you call those references!
