Many people do not give their HVAC systems until it is too late. It is sometimes tricky to find a good HVAC contractor. The tips here will ensure you have no issues with this process.
Before you contact people to assist you in getting your system fixed, know what kind of system you’re working with in the first place. Learn the brand, model, and if you have it, the maintenance history. This will help make sure that the contractor you hire has all the necessary information.
Clean your fan blades and coils when the weather begins to warm. Clean off any leaves or debris from your external condenser unit regularly.
If you’ve been having trouble with an HVAC system, look around your home before calling in people to help. You will be looking to see which of your rooms feel hotter or colder than they should be. That way, the contractor will have an easier time diagnosing the problem and repairing it fast.
Clean your outdoor condenser unit. Debris can pile up at rates that increase during rainy or windy weather, bringing potential damage with it. It could overheat and cause your unit.
Clean your condenser’s fan blades and coils come spring. Always turn the unit off before you do anything to it, including leaning. Remove leaves and debris from the condenser outside.
Turn the power off first so nothing moves. Next, pop the grill off, pull out the blades and start cleaning them and the unit itself off gently.
If your unit is outdoors, clean them regularly. You never know when things can pile up, especially after a windy or rainy storm, and that can throw a wrench in your system. Overheating can occur, which often spells disaster for your system.
Don’t let grass clippings on your outside unit. Aim your grass cuttings in a different direction away from your unit. This applies when you are taking care of the leaves in debris.
Clean your condenser’s fan blades and coil in the spring. Turn it off first so you don’t get hurt or break something. Next, remove the grill, take the blades and clean them gently, then clean the actual unit.
Your HVAC unit may suffer when trees begin dropping their leaves. Make sure the fan’s grill is cleaned often during the leaves begin to fall. The fan needs to be able to get proper air inside without any blockages, and any blockages create performance issues for the whole system.
You must keep your HVAC systems oil ports lubricated annually. These ports have a metal covering. Sometimes it is rubber. Put 10 drops of lightweight, non-detergent SAE oil in each port. Be careful not to use too much.
10 Drops
Make certain that an outdoor unit is in the shade. If you have a unit taking in air that’s cooler, it won’t have to work so hard to cool air that it sends to your home.
Lubricate the oil ports on your fan condenser once each year. 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, putting 10 drops in each port.
A programmable thermostat can help you save money on your air conditioning bill. It may save you as much as 10 percent of your overall utility bill if you turn your thermostat down by 10-15 degrees for a portion of the day. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from a PC or other device.
Have your HVAC serviced at the least. This should be checked often for debris and the spring.
Service your HVAC yearly. During your service visit, the serviceman will inspect the unit’s motor, oil the unit’s moving parts and ensure the unit has proper freon levels. This will help your system run better.
It is always a good idea to replace single-paned windows for double panes.This also help you keep the warm air inside.
If nobody is home, turn off the AC. The house will heat up when it is turned off, but only a certain amount. Leaving it on all the time only makes it work harder and results in a larger utility bill.
A programmable thermostat can really help save money on air conditioning costs. Some of these thermostats can even be controlled from a PC or computer.
To choose a HVAC contractor, it is important to check their reputations. Inquire with the BBB and look elsewhere for other reviews from customers. Doing this makes it more likely that you choose wisely..
When they come out for a service visit, oil the parts that move, and they will oil all the moving parts. These simple things will keep your HVAC system running at peak performance.
You can get ice in your air conditioner. This can also happen on the drain line. If you see this, try switching your thermostat to just the fan so that it disables the compressor. Once you know the problem, contact a local HVAC professional and let them know what’s going on in your system.
Never let your home to rise to a dangerously hot temperature. An air conditioner can only cool your home approximately twenty degrees in a fair time. If your home become 100F or more, then you will only be able to reasonably cool to around 80. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Ask around so you can find a reputable HVAC contractor. If they know a good contractor, they will surely guide you right. You are likely to also hear about negative experiences.
Look for calculators online to help you determine the size of unit is necessary for your room or home. Look at the manual or on the recommended size for this information.
Your HVAC system can run more efficiently if your attic has a radiant barrier. It blocks the heat from inside, reducing how much energy you need to cool down your home during summer. If this is installed correctly, it will give you the ability to actually use your attic as extra space to live in.
Companies that are well established have a better record than those that haven’t been. It is riskier to hire someone who does not have a contractor with little experience.
You should know the facing direction of your home for the most effective placement of the HVAC system. Trees block morning sunlight, stopping your home from getting too hot. Anything that provides shade from direct sunlight can reduce the temperature inside your home and help reduce your energy bill for air conditioning during warm months.
Ask friends and family for their HVAC contractor recommendations. People that have had great service are usually willing to share this information. This can also help you with good information on which contractors you should avoid.
If you HVAC unit is clicking, immediately check for any type of obstruction. The issue may be debris hitting the fans of the cooling system. Simply get rid of the debris to get rid of the issue. Take a look before calling a service technician.
There are a number of great sites out there that let customers to share their experiences with different services. This can help filter out the people you who is great and who isn’t.
Your HVAC system will run more efficiently if your windows and doors are energy efficient. Be sure that they’re sealed well so that air from the outside or inside doesn’t come in or escape. Talk to a professional to determine the best way to do this.
Figure out the direction your home faces in order to make your HVAC system can work better. The less heat inside the house, the less you’ll have to use your air conditioner to cool things off.
Take measurements of the space you are trying to cool. This calculation will tell you how many BTU’s you need. Make certain that you calculate using all of the rooms the unit will be treating.
Make sure they have tight seals to keep air can’t seep in. A professional can sometimes test the windows and many times the testing is free.
The one thing you should always do on a monthly basis is change the air filter on your HVAC system. That’s the easiest thing to do so your unit continues running in good shape. Filters cost only a few dollars, so it’s a small monthly price to pay.
Measure the living area that needs cooling before going air conditioner shopping. You can easily calculate this by using the formula: 20 BTU for each square foot of space. If you have a lot of rooms to keep cool, add together their square footage to reach this calculation.
Consider what potential direction your air conditioner’s flow will have when choosing where to put it. Make sure you have plenty of air flow control options if you are forced to install the unit in a corner.
Now you should be better educated when it comes to HVAC systems. Next time you have trouble with your unit, you will now be much better prepared. Getting the best system should be simplified with this information.
Always get some references before hiring any contractor. This will show you their overall experience. This can assure you hire someone trustworthy.
