When you want to gain some knowledge with regard to HVAC, you need the right information. This article will help you in the right direction. Take some time to read along and you will so fine.
Before choosing an HVAC contractor, think of what you wish to have done. If you can’t describe the problem, you may not get an accurate quote. It’s even harder if you’re not able to explain what you’ve done. Having this information handy will make the process much smoother.
Know what type of your HVAC system before looking for a repair person.This will let you to give the contractor the information that can help them.
If there are condenser units as part of your HVAC system, clean them often as they tend to have lots of debris. 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 overheat, leading to disaster within your system.
Know what work you need before you select an HVAC contractor.It will be difficult for a contractor to provide you with an estimate over the phone if they have not seen your current setup is. It will be more hard if you can’t figure out what they need to do.
Leaves and debris can damage your system. The grill on the fan can become cluttered with debris, which will cause a serious operating deficiency. The air needs to be unobstructed into the fan, and any blockages create performance issues for the whole system.
Clean your condenser’s fan and coils come spring. Clean the outside of your external condenser unit.
To boost the efficiency of your HVAC system, you should put your unit in a shady place. You save money this way because the air conditioner is now pulling in cooler air, which is easier to cool further.
Be sure to clean debris from external condenser units. You never know when things can pile up, like right after it’s windy or rains, and that can throw a wrench in your system. It can cause it to overheat.
If you can, use double-paned windows instead of single-paned ones. Good double pane windows keep cool air in during the summer and minimize your utility expenses. This also helps keep it warm in the winter.
Turn the power off so you don’t get hurt or break something. Then, take the grill off, pull the blades out, and begin cleaning the unit and them gently.
Have a smart thermostat installed. Programmable thermostats can reduce your power HVAC energy costs by as much as ten percent, just by dialing back your thermostat ten or fifteen percent up to eight daily hours. There are also some programmable thermostats that can be controlled with a computer or other web-connected advice.
10 Drops
Do not let your house get dangerously hot. Your average AC unit can only reduce the temperature in your home by about 20 degrees in a normal span of time. If your home happens to get near 100 degrees Fahrenheit, then you will only be able to reasonably cool to around 80. If humidity is high, this temp is still unsafe for people.
Lubricate your fan condenser once a year. You can easily find the ports as they have a rubber or metal cap covering them. Use a lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, putting 10 drops in each port.
Research and check the reputation of companies before hiring them. It is always wise to check their status with the BBB. In addition, check out customer reviews that appear online. You will make a more informed choice if you use these resources.
Put your outdoor units in the shade if you are installing them.
Look for calculators online to help you determine the size of unit you need for your home. A unit that is bigger than you need simply isn’t efficient. Read over the owner’s manual to see the manufacturers suggestions as to the cooling capacity of the unit for the most accurate information.
It is a good idea to swap out single pane windows with ones that have double panes. This same effect also helps keep it warm in during the winter months.
The Internet can really help you out when it comes to finding someone to work on your HVAC unit. There are plenty of online websites that give people the opportunity to leave comments about the service they received. This is an awesome way to find contractors to work with.
A programmable thermostat can help you save money on your power bills. Some of these thermostats can even be controlled from a PC or computer.
Each contractor will have their own fee schedule, so make sure you get several different quotes before you hire anybody. If you call around before making a final decision, it can save you a lot of money in the end. You may want to get quotes from at least five contractors in order to know what you should be paying.
Companies that have been around for longer have a proven track records typically provide better service. Hiring a newer contractor who is just starting out can be risky.
Your HVAC system can run more efficiently if your attic has a radiant barrier. It keeps heat blocked from inside to the outside, and that lowers how much energy it takes to keep your home cool. It it’s installed properly, you might even be able to use your attic as an extra room.
Ask people that you know and family for their HVAC contractor recommendations. People will tell you who they have had quality work done are worth calling. This will prevent you know which companies to stay away from.
If your current system isn’t working well enough, test out the ducts for leaks. You can call a utility company in your area to help you with testing, and that doesn’t cost much or nothing at all usually. When you repair the leaks, you’ll see that the tests paid for themselves.
There are many sites that let customers talk about their reviews. This will be an excellent way to locate people that you wish to work with and people that may not work well with you.
Determine which way your home faces in order to establish efficient HVAC operation. If you have trees placed in strategic areas, you can block the sunlight in the morning. That will take some of the pressure off your HVAC unit.
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 use the attic space if it is done right.
To gain maximum HVAC efficiency, you need efficient windows and doors too. Be sure that they seal tightly so that no interior air seeps out or exterior air gets inside. A professional can also test the windows and many times the testing is free.
Check for duct leaks if your existing system is not up to snuff. When you get leaks repaired, the testing will pay for itself in energy savings.
When thinking of what kind of air conditioner you should get, you should measure the area that you need to cool. You’ll need about 20 BTU per square foot of living space. Add the square footage for multiple rooms together.
Determine the direction that your home faces in order to establish efficient HVAC operation. If there is less heat coming into your home, your AC will work less.
When deciding where to place your AC, condition the direction of air flow. If all you have is a corner spot, ensure that the air is not directed towards a wall.
Square Footage
Always get some references before hiring any contractor. 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!
Measure the living area that needs cooling before buying a unit. You generally need 20 BTUs per square footage of space. If more than one room needs AC service, add together their square footage to reach this calculation.
To keep your HVAC unit from having trouble, make sure to give proper protection to the condenser with the help of a cover. In this way, you can extend the life of the unit. Don’t run the compressor if the temperature dips into the 50s. You should use the fan instead since this will stop your unit from getting strained.
Knowing what a home or business owner needs to know about HVAC is not that hard thanks to the information shared here. Just don’t rush it or you may make things even worse than they already are! Good luck with this and hopefully you can get things to work well for you now!
Check in on the contractor’s references. Sometimes, they just got good reviews because their price is low. It just takes a couple of minutes to contact someone to check people out, so take your time with it.
