Anyone that has an HVAC systems in their home knows what it means to have it running right. An HVAC unit that runs poorly will only end up costing you money all year round! This article can help you tips to keep your HVAC unit in optimal condition.
Tour your home before calling a contractor. Figure out which rooms are hot and cold. You can then relay this information to the technician so that they can more easily figure out what the problem is.
Know the name and type of your HVAC system you currently have before calling someone to fix it. This will help you give the new contractor you hire has all the necessary information.
Before choosing a HVAC company find out what the company offers. Discussing the problem is simplified if you understand what has happened with the unit. They need to come look at the unit. Thus, it is worthwhile to have this knowledge ahead of time.
If your HVAC doesn’t seem to be working properly, take a look around the house prior to calling a contractor. This will help the contractor determine where the problem is.
Every spring you should clean the coils and fan blades on your condenser fan. Make sure to turn off the fan’s power first to be safe. Then remove the grill, remove the blades and clean it from top to bottom gently.
Know what work you want done before you hire a contractor. A contractor will be hard pressed to provide you with an accurate estimate if unfamiliar with your system. It will be way more hard if you over the phone without the information readily available.
Cover your unit when you are mowing the lawn. Make certain the debris goes away from it. The same goes for when you blow leaves, so make sure your are careful when moving any debris in the vicinity of your HVAC devices.
Put your outdoor condensers in places with shade.
Leaves and debris can damage your system. When you see nearby trees shedding their leaves, clean the fan grill on your unit constantly. When the fan becomes obstructed, you will lose out on quality air.
Have the HVAC system inspected twice per year. This should be checked often for debris and the spring.
Many homeowners forget to oil their condenser at least once per year, but it is required. Such ports tend to have coverings made of rubber or metal. Your oil should be an SAE 20. This particular oil is very lightweight and it only requires about 10 drops per port.
A programmable thermostat is a simple way to help you save money on your air conditioning bill. Some can even be controlled from your smart phone or computer.
When choosing the area for placing an outdoor compressor device, place it in a shady area. Your unit won’t have to work as hard to cool the inside air if the outside air it sucks from is cooler.
During this service visit, they will inspect the motor of the system, the moving parts will be oiled and the freon levels will be checked These simple things will boost the performance of your system to run at its peak performance.
Check your unit at least twice each 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.
Don’t ever let your home get overly hot. An air conditioning unit will reduce the internal temperature of your home approximately twenty degrees in a short time span. If the temperature in your home reaches 100 degree Fahrenheit, it will only cool off to about 80F. This won’t be a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.
If you are a home owner, replace whatever single pane windows you have with more efficient double-paned versions. Good double pane windows keep cool air in during the summer and minimize your utility expenses. This will help you save a lot of money.
Air conditioners tend to ice up.The drain line may also freeze over. If this is something you notice, switch your thermostat to fan only to disable the compressor. You should call a pro to fix this problem, but switching to the fan setting should start to melt the ice.
A programmable thermostat is a simple way to help save money on air conditioning costs. A thermostat that’s programmable is going to save you around ten percent on the heating and cooling costs you have to pay when you turn it back about fifteen percent for a part of the day. Also, you can find a thermostat that is controllable from a computer or smart phone.
Look for air conditioner sizing calculators online to help you determine the size of unit you need for your room or home. Look in the manual to determine the recommended size for air conditioners.
Service your HVAC yearly. When it’s checked out, the motor will be inspected, moving parts well oiled and the level of freon adjusted if necessary. These few simple things will help your system to run at its peak performance.
Contractors charge different rates, so make sure to get multiple quotes. You can save quite a lot of money when you call different companies for price quotes. You want to get quotes from at least five contractors to determine what reasonable rates are.
Never let your home reach a dangerously hot temperature. An air conditioner can only cool your home by 20ºF quickly. If the temperature in your home rises above 100 degrees, you will only be able to cool it down to 80. This is not a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.
Think about getting a radiant barrier installed in your attic so support the efficient functioning of your HVAC system. It ensures that your home cool when it’s hot outside. You may even find that you can use the attic space if it is done right.
Before you invest in any HVAC contractor, make sure you spend a good deal of time researching their reputations and credentials. Check with different references to determine the best one for your situation. Investing the time to check out potential contractors can save you money and headaches.
Do you want to find a new HVAC system? You will need to take a few points in mind.Systems have a rating based on how well the system is able to cool and heat an area well. You are wise to err on the side of a unit that is slightly too large for your needs than purchasing one that is a bit too small.
Air conditioners occasionally freeze up, literally. The drain line also occasionally freezes, which can be misdiagnosed as a plumbing leak. If you see this, immediately put your thermostat on the fan setting to turn off your compressor. It’s a good idea to call up professionals to help with this even though you can get the ice to melt when you switch everything to the fan.
Check the ducts to find any leaks if your unit seems to not up to snuff. When these leaks are fixed, you may see that the testing pays for itself.
Check any company you are considering to see how long it has been around. A company that has been in business for a long time will have a solid track record, and you can use this to figure out if you should spend your money with them. Hiring a new contractor comes with an element of risk.
Make certain they are tightly sealed so air can’t seep in. You can also hire someone to test them all for you and often this testing is free.
Checkout online reviews if you do not know which contractor to call for installation, maintenance or repair of your HVAC system. There are plenty of online websites that give people the opportunity to leave comments about the service they received. This will tell you who is great and who isn’t.
Hvac System
To improve the efficiency of your HVAC unit, put a radiant barrier up inside the attic of your home. It will block the heat and lower the energy necessary to keep your home cool in the summertime. If you install the unit properly, you can even begin to use the attic as a bedroom as it will be so comfortable!
Replace the air filter in your HVAC system working well.This is an easy thing to do and it will keep your HVAC system running in tip top shape.
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. Ask a contractor to test them for you.
Any HVAC contractor you hire should have an emergency hotline. They need to be able to come to a home when needed, even if when the weather gets to be extreme.
It is important that you know the measurements of the area you need to cool. You will need about 20 BTU per square footage of the room. When you are cooling more than one room, you must add together all of the square footage.
Some contractors will attempt to add charges on material fees and fuel charges. Having a solid written contract can help to avoid any issues like this.
Replace the air filter monthly. This is such a simple thing that takes little time, and it can save you money by helping to keep your system running longer. It is a small cost to do this.
Always check any references that you by a prospective HVAC contractor.
Which way does the air come out of the air conditioner? If you must position it in a corner, be sure you can change the direction of air flow to avoid having it hit the wall.
This tells you the number of BTUs your home.
Make sure to get references when hiring your contractor. You need to know if previous clients have gotten what they needed, like timely service within their budget. The references will help you avoid wasting your money on someone that is not professional.
Consider a programmable thermostat installed.This lowers your energy bills because your system rests while you are comfortably warm asleep in bed.
When you get someone to work on your HVAC, make sure you know what the total cost includes. Some contractors will attempt to overcharge you after the work is complete for fuel or extra material. This is why getting estimates in writing is so important.
You may be surprised to discover that as many as two-thirds of households have ducts that leak. These can account for up to one fourth of the utility costs. Sealing up your ducts is cheap and easy, and it is something you can do yourself, and it can reduce your electricity bills significantly every year thereafter.
Almost 2/3 of homes have ducts that are leaking. This alarming percentage is responsible for nearly one quarter of your total utility expense! It’s easy to seal up any ducts, and you should notice a big difference in your bills.
Look for HVAC contractors that use Energy Star products and equipment. This ensures efficiency that the EPA. This means that in the end you to save money on the bills when it comes to your cooling and heating costs.
Your heating ducts should be properly cleaned out on your HVAC unit to ensure it is working efficiently. 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 ones raise your electric bill.
The condenser unit needs protection in cold weather. This may be accomplished by placing a thick cover on it.
Make sure you know where the owner’s manual is anytime the system in a convenient place. The manual will help you out if you’re dealing with problems.
Do you better understand the job of your HVAC system now? Do you understand simple maintenance techniques and how to keep your system operating year-round? It can become very expensive to put off maintenance of your system. Keep these tips handy so you never forget anything.
