Many people do not give their HVAC units a second thought until it’s too late. It can be difficult to find the right person to fix or install your HVAC contractor.The information in this article will help you understand the whole process.
Before making that repair phone call, make sure you know the specifics about your particular system. Know the brand name and model number. It is also helpful to have the maintenance history. This will ensure that you can give your new contractor all the information they need.
If your HVAC is giving you problems, take a tour of the house prior to calling a professional. This will help the repairman determine where the problem is and how to fix it.
It is important to have some knowledge of your present system and needs before calling a contractor. A contractor cannot give an accurate estimate without looking at your system. In addition, you need to be able to tell the contractor what you have already tried. Be sure to find this out ahead of time.
Clean your fan blades and coils when the weather begins to warm. Clean the outdoor condenser unit regularly.
To make sure your condenser fan works properly, keep the fan blades and the coils clean. Always shut the power off before doing any work or cleaning on the unit. If you see debris, get rid of it.
Don’t get grass clippings pile up against your outside unit. Aim your grass cuttings in a different direction away from your unit. This also applies when you are taking care of the leaves in the yard.
Clean your condenser’s fan blades and coil in the spring. Don’t forget to disconnect the power first. After you have turned the power off, you simply remove the grill and the blades to perform a gentle cleansing.
Put your outdoor units in the shade if you are installing them.
When you mow your lawn, take care that you don’t get grass clippings all over your outdoor unit. Direct the grass clippings in a direction away from the HVAC unit. The same goes for blowing leaves, so always be careful if you are moving debris near your HVAC devices.
Make sure your HVAC system checked twice a year. This should be checked often for debris and the spring.
When the leaves start to fall, the HVAC equipment can be harmed. During this time of year, check and clear off the fan grill on your unit on a regular basis. The fan needs to have an unobstructed path for air to enter the unit, and if it becomes blocked, you will end up with many headaches with the unit.
Turn off outdoor condenser units when it’s getting cold. This means that you should be done when the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This can ensure your system working well throughout the years without the cost of repairs.
If the condenser fan has oil parts, then you need to lubricate it at least once per year. The port usually has either a rubber or metal cap on top of it. Put about ten drops or less of a good non-detergent SAE 20 oil into each port.
A programmable thermostat can help save money on your air conditioning costs. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from a PC or computer.
Make sure your HVAC unit is in the shade. If the air your machine draws in is already cooler, it will require less energy to regulate before it’s filtered into your home.
During this service visit, professionals can help by inspecting the system’s motor, inspect the motor and the freon levels. These simple tasks will keep your system running at peak performance.
Turn off your outdoor condenser when it’s getting cold. When the temperature drops beneath 60 degrees, it’s time to cut off the unit to prevent damage. Your system will work longer for you this way.
Do not let your home to reach excessive levels of heat during the summer. Air conditioners cannot sufficiently cool your home down unreasonably high temps. If the temperature in your home rises above 100 degrees, it will only cool off to about 80F. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Double pane your windows to prevent drafts. Double-pane windows keep inside air cooler, allowing you to reduce AC usage in the summertime. Conversely, they keep warm air in during the winter.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line may also freeze over. If this is something you notice, put the fan on to shut the compressor off. You can call a HVAC professional, even if switching it to its fan setting starts making the ice melt.
Do your homework on a number of HVAC companies before selecting the one that has the best reputation and service record. Inquiring with the Better Business Bureau is always a good idea, as is looking for online review sites where previous customers can post their experiences. Doing this makes it more likely that you choose wisely..
Companies that are around awhile have a better record than those that can help you decide if they’re worth your money and time. Hiring a newer contractor may be taking a bigger risk.
When you need an HVAC contractor, obtain recommendations from friends and family members. When people have had great service, they are generally pleased to pass on a good word. This will also help you to avoid undesirable companies.
Ask your friends and trust for contractor recommendations. People will tell you who they have used and if they are usually more than willing to share this information. This will also a great way to get names of companies to stay away from.
Having a radiant barrier installed in your attic is an excellent way to make sure that your HVAC runs better. This blocks heat from entering your home, which lowers how much energy is needed to keep it cool in the warm months. If you do it right, you may be able to expand your living space into your attic.
Think about having a radiant barrier installed in your attic so your HVAC system. It blocks outside heat from coming in which will serve as a barrier between your home and the outside. You could even find that you can use your attic as part of your living space more effectively.
If your current system isn’t working well enough, test out the ducts for leaks. Your utility company will usually test the unit for free or for a small fee. If you do end up paying, you’ll find that fixed leaks are worth the money.
Do you wish to buy a new cooling system? You need to take a few things first. Systems get rated according to the total area they can effectively cool and heat. You are better off purchasing a bigger unit that is slightly too large for your needs than a bit too small.
Figure out the direction your home is facing so your HVAC system can work better. Trees placed in the right places can keep the sun from heating your home too much. The less your home is heated, the less you’ll have to use your air conditioner to cool things off.
Figure out which direction your home is facing so your HVAC system can work better. The cooler your home already is, the easier time the air conditioner in your home will have.
If you hear clicking inside your HVAC unit, look for an obstruction. Many times it could be debris hitting the cooling system fans. Remove the debris and you have solved the problem. Look carefully at it before you call up a service technician.
Make certain they are tightly sealed so air can’t seep in. You can hire a professional to test them.
Your HVAC system will be more efficient if your doors and windows are efficient as well. Make sure they are tightly sealed so air can’t seep in. You can also hire someone to test them.
Measure the living area that needs cooling before buying a unit. You generally need 20 BTUs per square footage of room space. If you have multiple rooms to cool, sum their areas.
If you are purchasing an AC unit, take measurements. You need to know how big the area is that you want to have cooled off. The area’s calculation can help you figure out what the size is and there are 20 BTUs for every foot squared in this area. Account for all of the rooms in the house.
Always make sure to get some references from a contractor.
The most important thing to do to your HVAC system each month is replace the air filter. That’s the easiest thing to do so your unit continues running in good shape. Filters only cost a couple of dollars, which is not that much.
Any HVAC contractor you hire should have an emergency hotline. They must be able to reach your home at any time, no matter what.
Ideally, your contractor should have emergency services available. They should be available to you if a problem arises.
Some contractors attempt to overcharge you after the work is complete for things such as material fees and fuel charges. Having a good written contract can help to avoid issues like this.
Be sure to get a written agreement from your HVAC repair person. Unfortunately, there are a few unscrupulous contractors that will tack un-discussed charges onto your bill. Having a good written contract can help avoid issues like this.
Always check out any references provided to you by an HVAC contractor.
Protect your condenser unit from winter weather by placing a cover around it. When the condenser is not being used, the cover will help it to last much longer. In addition, you should never run the compressor when the temperature outside is below 60 degrees. Switch your fan on instead so the unit doesn’t get strained.
You may be surprised to discover that as many as two-thirds of households have ducts that are leaky. These leaky ducts can lead to as much as a quarter of your home’s utility costs. Sealing your ducts is both easy and cheap, and it is something you can do yourself, and it can reduce your electricity bills significantly every year thereafter.
When you have a contractor come to give you an estimate, make sure they perform a heat-loss calculation. This factors in the amount of BTU your heating system will consume when regulating the temperature in your house. From knowing how many doors and windows there are to how much insulation there is, it’s a must.
Find an HVAC company that only uses Energy Star items. This rating means that the EPA. This will help you to save more on energy all year.
Opt for an HVAC unit with the Energy Star rating. These energy devices are guaranteed to meet very strict efficiency guidelines. These guidelines are enforced by the federal government. The government is in charge of this. By taking the extra time to look into this information could help with long-term energy and money savings.
Make sure the owner’ manual in handy when you use the unit. The manual is going to give you quite a few things to learn about the unit you have and will be very useful.
Use a contractor that installs and uses Energy Star equipment. This rating means that the product is more efficient than those without it. This will help you save more on your bills year round.
Be sure to ask for written from an HVAC estimates.You need to get these estimates written. There are many jobs that require you have to get written estimates of the cost. This procedure helps to ensure you get great service. Compare various elements of the deals that you receive.
Since reading this piece, you have a better education on HVAC systems. If you have a system in need of repair or replacement, you know what you need to do. Keep this advice in mind to find the right system.
