A properly running HVAC system can make one’s home life more pleasant. But when your system suddenly stops working, it can be a nightmare. Learning about your HVAC system begins with the tips will prove very useful.
What system do you have? You need this information to tell your contractor. Know the model and brand and find it’s maintenance history, if possible. This makes sure your contractor will be sufficiently prepared.
Know what you want done before you hire a contractor. It will be hard 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.
Before selecting a HVAC repairman, know what you need done. It will be hard for a contractor to give you a price estimate over the phone if they have not seen your current system. If you don’t have any idea, they will have trouble giving you any sort of quote. So, you should know this beforehand.
Turn it off so you don’t get hurt or break something. Next, pop the grill off, pull out the blades and start cleaning them and the unit itself off gently.
Before the summer you should clean out your condenser fan’s blades and coils. Before you clean the surface, be sure to turn off the power. Also, it is important to clear the outside condenser unit from any debris that maybe trapped inside.
Lubricate your fan condenser yearly if it has oil ports. You will notice these ports have a rubber or metal cap covering the ports. Use a lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.
Clean the debris from outside units often. 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 may begin to overheat, causing massive damage.
Put outdoor unit in the shade if you are installing them.
Every spring you need to make sure your condenser fan’s coils and blades on the fan part are clean. For safety, always turn the power off first. Then, take the grill off, pull the blades out, and gently clean them as well as the unit itself.
Make sure your HVAC system checked at least twice a year. This should be done in the fall and the spring.
As you notice the tress begin to lose their leaves, keep an eye on your outdoor condenser unit. When you see nearby trees shedding their leaves, clean the fan grill on your unit constantly. The air needs to be unobstructed into the fan, and any blockages create performance issues for the whole system.
Turn off outdoor condenser units when the weather turns cold. This should be done when the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit.This can keep your unit is working well throughout the years without the cost of repairs.
Make sure your HVAC unit is in the shade. It will reduce the temperature of the air going into the unit, meaning that it will not have to work as hard to cool it.
It is a good idea to swap out single pane windows for double pane ones. This same effect also keeps warm air during the winter months.
When it gets cold outside, it is necessary to turn off outdoor condenser units. Avoid damaging the unit by turning it off when the outdoor temperature drops below 60 degrees. This helps the system last much longer and will have to be repaired less often.
A programmable thermostat can really help save money on air conditioning costs. Some of these thermostats can even be controlled from a computer.
Double pane your windows to prevent drafts. Try to insulate your windows to prevent air from being lost. They help in the winter, too, keeping the heat in.
During the service check, the contractor will oil parts, oil the unit’s moving parts and ensure the unit has proper freon levels. These few simple things will help your system to run its best.
A programmable thermostat can help you save money on your air conditioning bill. A programmable thermostat can save you up to ten percent on your cooling and heating costs by simply turning the thermostat back ten to fifteen percent for eight hours a day. Some newer programmable thermostats have computerized controls you can access from your personal computer, laptop or mobile media device.
Don’t allow your home to become dangerously hot. An air conditioning unit will reduce the internal temperature by twenty degrees in a fair time. If your house’s interior temperature hits 100 degrees Fahrenheit, then you will only be able to reasonably cool to around 80. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
To help keep your energy costs down, have your heating and cooling system serviced at least once a year. This visit will include a motor inspection and checking the freon. Those things are going to help your system at peak performance.
Companies that are well established have a better record than those that can help you decide if they’re worth your money and time. It is always risky to hire someone who does not have a contractor with little experience.
If nobody is home, turn off the air conditioner to save money. Your home will become somewhat warmer during this time. When the AC is left running, your power bill will go up quite a bit.
There are a few sites these days that allow customers talk about their experiences with contractors. This is a good way to locate contractors that you wish to work with and ones that are poor.
Do your homework on a number of HVAC companies before selecting the one that has the best reputation and service record. Inquire with the BBB and look elsewhere for other reviews from customers. This is what you have to do in order to make a smart decision.
Check for duct leaks if you you feel your unit seems to not up to snuff. If you do end up paying, this testing will pay for itself.
Research what size air conditioner you should purchase for the size of your home by using online calculators they have for this purpose. If you buy a unit that is too big, it won’t do an efficient job. You can look online or do other research to get information from HVAC system manufacturers and sellers in order to determine the best unit size for your needs.
Make sure they are tightly sealed so air inside. A professional can sometimes test the windows and many times the testing is free.
Are you thinking of getting a cooling and heating system that’s new? There are several things you should consider. Those systems get rated by the area amount they are able to cool and heat effectively. It may be wise to get a unit that is a bit larger than needed. Just don’t get one that is smaller than you need.
Pick HVAC companies that understands the unit and can work quickly. The best companies make sure their technicians will always be on schedule and keep appointments. The technicians should also be able to diagnose problems in your HVAC unit quickly. Once the technician figures out what’s wrong, they should also know how to get them resolved efficiently and quickly.
Check out your ductwork for leaks if your whole home isn’t being cooled or heated. Often your utility company is willing to test this for you, and it may be free or lower in cost than you would get with a contractor. Having these repaired is worth the cost of testing if you had to hire a contractor to do the job.
Ask any potential contractor about their experience prior to hiring them. Make sure they are experienced doing the kind of work that is needed.
Measure the area that requires air conditioning. You will need approximately 20 BTU per square foot, so calculate the necessary size based on that formula. Calculate the total square footage of all rooms if you will use the air conditioner to cool more than one room.
Any HVAC contractor you hire should have an emergency number available to customers around the clock.They need to be able to come to a home when needed, no matter what.
If you’re only wanting to do the minimal amount of HVAC maintenance, you should work on replacing your air filter. This is an easy way to help you keep things running well for you overall. Many chain stores sell filters for under $5.00, and that low price is worth it.
There are contractors that will overcharge you. Having a written contract can help to avoid issues like that.
It is important to think about the direction air flows from your unit. For a corner location, check for a unit that has the ability to direct the air flow in a different direction from the wall.
Cover your condenser when the winter. This simple tip will extend the lifespan of your condenser. Use the fan setting only to avoid putting strain on the unit.
You should always ask a contractor a few simple questions before hiring them for a job, such as how long they’ve been working in this field. Have they done this type of job before? This doesn’t mean a less experienced person may be bad, but you shouldn’t take any chances with your HVAC.
This will determine how much BTU your system needs to make sure your home comfortable.
Ensure that you have a written contract of the work to be completed. You might find that some contractors try to add hidden charges for odd items, such as materials and fuel. Having a signed contract can help to avoid issues like that.
Consider have a programmable thermostat. This can save you a great deal on your heating and cooling bills because your lifestyle.
Any time that you are given a quote for HVAC work, it’s vital that you them to do a heat-loss calculation, too. This needs to be factored in when figuring out the best sized unit for your home. There are several factors involved, including your insulation and how many outside windows and doors you have.
These energy products are guaranteed to meet strict efficiency guidelines. These are put in place by the United State Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). They are in charge of protecting the EPA for short.Taking time to fully research various units may help you get long-term savings on energy costs.
Ask the contractor to install a programmable thermostat on your unit if it doesn’t already have one. This will help you to regulate the temperature at all times.
Seek out HVAC contractor with Energy Star label. This rating means that is required by the product is more efficient than those without it. This means that they can help you save more on your heating and cooling bills throughout the year.
The Energy Star label indicates specific criteria for HVACs designed to indicate high quality to consumers. These systems meet strict efficiency guidelines set by the EPA. The end result should be you seeing a money saved each year on your energy bills.
Keep your system running efficiently and enjoy clean air by cleaning the heating ducts. Check your ducts weekly. Damaged ducts can cause your heating bill and waste warm air.
As the temperatures plummet, you should protect your HVAC’s condenser unit. This may be accomplished by placing a cover on the condenser unit. Don’t use the unit if the outside temperature drops below 60 degrees because systems are not effective below that temperature.
After going through the advice above, you can see that it’s important to worry about keeping HVAC working properly in your home. Bad things will happen when you don’t do regular maintenance inspections. Thankfully, you came across this article, and you now have great tips to follow to help ensure that your HVAC system has the right kind of air coming out.
