It is very frustrating to return home at the end of the day to discover your air conditioner or heating unit isn’t working right. The tips that follow will assist you do just that.
Know what type of system you currently have before calling someone to fix it. Look for the maintenance history and brand and model. This will help you give the new contractor the necessary information.
Know the name and type of your HVAC system you currently have before calling someone to fix it. This will let you to give your chosen contractor the information they might need.
Clean the fan blades and coils prior to summertime. Turn off the power if you are going to work on your HVAC system. Additionally, remove leaves and any other debris from the outside condenser unit.
If your HVAC is running into problems, take a tour of the house prior to calling a professional. This will help the repairman determine where the problem is.
Outdoor condenser units need to be cleaned regularly. The dirt could pile up and harm your system. If you do not, the unit may get too hot and cause additional problems.
Know what work you want done before you hire a contractor. It will be hard for a contractor to provide you with an estimate on the phone without knowing what your current setup is. It will be more hard if you can’t figure out what they need to do.
Avoid showering your outdoor unit with grass clippings when you mow the lawn. Aim the grass in a different direction from the unit. This includes grass clippings and leaves.
Clean any debris that accumulates on your condenser units. You never know when things can pile up, especially after a windy or rainy storm, and that can ruin your system. It can also cause your system to malfunction by overheating.
Make certain that an outdoor unit is in the shade. If it sucks in cool air, it will need to work less to coll the air inside, which can make it last longer.
Don’t let grass clippings on your outside unit. Aim the grass cuttings in a direction away from the unit. This also applies when you are taking care of the leaves in debris.
Consumers are usually advised to have their HVAC systems inspected twice a year. Generally, you want it done in the fall and the spring. You should have it looked at even if no problems are occurring; there could still be a problem or potential problem.
Have the HVAC system inspected twice a year. This should happen in the fall and malfunctions.
If you can, install double-paned windows throughout your home. In warmer months, these windows will help to maintain the cooler inside temperature. It also facilitates heat retention in winter.
Turn off outdoor condenser units when weather gets cold. This means that you should be done when the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This simple tip will help keep the system running efficiently for many years.
Install a programmable thermostat to save energy costs. This will help you to keep the temperature at optimal levels. Take advantage of the convenience of the ability to control many programable thermostats from your favorite electronic device.
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.
Occasionally, air conditioners ice up. You may even encounter a freeze in your drain line which is often confused with a plumbing leak. If this is something that’s happening to you, change the setting on your thermostat to the fan setting and this will disable the 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.
Companies with proven track records that can help you decide if they’re worth your money and time. Hiring a new contractor who is just starting out can be risky.
Make sure to make a well-informed decision on the size of your HVAC. If you make the mistake of purchasing a unit that is too large, it will not cool efficiently. Check your manual to figure out what the rating is from the manufacturer to be sure you’re getting the right information.
Ask friends and trust for contractor recommendations. People that have had a good experience are often happy to share the name of their contractor. This is also provide you with good information on which contractors you should be avoided.
If you need a HVAC contractor, try and get recommendations from family and friends. When someone hires a quality professional, they are usually happy to share their info. This is an excellent way to find which companies to stay away from.
There are a lot of great sites out there that let customers talk about their experiences with contractors. This is useful for finding people that you wish to work with and also with those you want to avoid.
Your HVAC system can run more efficiently if your attic has a radiant barrier. It will serve as a barrier between your home and the outside. You might even be able to start living in your attic.
Contractors determine their own fee levels, so make sure that you acquire multiple estimates. You can save a lot of money by doing your homework. Call at least four or five different HVAC specialist to find the best deal possible.
Do you need a new HVAC unit? There are things you must consider first. Systems have ratings according to the total area they effectively heat or cool. It is probably wiser to purchase a system that is slightly larger than what you think you need rather than one that is smaller.
Figure out the direction your home faces in order to make your HVAC system can work better. If there is less heat coming into your home, then the HVAC will require less work to actually cool the home.
As you ponder where to install your new AC unit, think about how the air flows around the room. If you have to put the unit in a corner, use one that doesn’t blow into the wall.
If you HVAC unit is making a clicking sound, see if there are any obstructions right away. The problem may be debris hitting the fans of the cooling system.Check the fan and coil before calling a contractor.
Never hire a contractor before asking about the work experience they have when it comes to dealing with HVAC units. He or she may not have experience working with your type of system or performing the work that you need done. This will help to maximize their productivity.
Make sure they have tight seals to keep air inside. You can also hire someone to test things and a lot of the time the testing costs nothing.
When hiring a contractor, be sure to ask for a list of references. You need to have the ability to speak with homeowners to see if the services they got were any good and if they cost a lot of money. If you check references carefully, you can avoid being scammed.
Measure the living area you wish to cool before going air conditioning. You will need 20 BTU per square foot of room space. If you are cooling more than one room, get their square footage added together.
Does your contractor provide you with an all-day emergency hotline? Your system can go out after hours, and if you need help, you want someone who can be there at any time of the day.
If you have to place it in a corner, get a unit where the air won’t be trapped against the wall.
Ensure that you have a written contract of the work to be completed. Some contractors overcharge for add-ons like travel expense or fees for additional materials. Having your contract in writing is obviously a must.
Ask a contractor about their experience.You need to know that they have done the type of experience needed to work on your particular system.
Sometimes an HVAC specialist will offer references for other professionals. You should still do the necessary research to clear the name first. Too many people take for granted that reference are indeed legitimate, when in fact they may not be. It will just take minutes to check out a contractor, so you shouldn’t hesitate.
Any HVAC contractor you hire should have a 24-hour emergency number available to customers around the clock. They need to be able to come to you when they are needed, no matter what.
When a contractor comes in to give you a quote, be sure they complete a heat-loss calculation. This determines the BTU your system has to be. This number will depend on the number of doors and windows in your home.
Hvac System
To save money, try going with an HVAC unit that is an Energy Star unit. Products with this logo save money on electricity and are much more environmentally friendly. These are established by the U.S. The EPA is who governs Energy Star guidelines. The time spent researching these units could yield long-term energy savings.
The above tips should help you maximize the functioning of your HVAC system. Arriving home to find a broken HVAC system does not feel good. And, trying to figure out how you’re going to pay for repairs is even worse. Prevention is possible through using these tips. Remember this advice as you keep your HVAC system properly maintained.
It’s a fact that 66% or so of homes have ducts that are leaky. These can add up to a quarter of the utility costs you have. It is easy and cheap to fix the ducts yourself, and it will save you on your bills every month.
