It can be difficult for homeowners to know where to turn when their heating or cooling system begins to fail. To prevent a situation like this from mushrooming into a disaster, spend time getting to know the subject before something goes awry. This article was written to help conscientious homeowners get the proper help they need for their HVAC unit.
Clean the coils and blades in your condenser at the beginning of summer. Always make sure you shut off the power before you do any work on the unit other than superficial cleaning. Clean the outside of your condenser unit regularly.
Clean your condenser’s fan and coils each spring to ensure that your condenser fan operates at it’s best. Clean the outside of your condenser as well.
Clean any debris on an external condenser units. You never know when things can pile up, like right after it’s windy or rains, and that can ruin your system. It can cause your unit.
Your HVAC system could suffer when trees begin dropping their leaves. Frequently clean the fan grill when trees are shedding leaves. Otherwise, the unit will have to work unnecessarily hard.
Don’t get grass clippings on your outdoor condenser. Aim the grass cuttings in a different direction from your unit. This also applies when you are taking care of the leaves in debris.
10 Drops
Make sure your HVAC systems is checked twice a year. This should happen in the fall and the spring. Even though it may seem as nothing is wrong with the unit, a simple inspection can prove otherwise.
Lubricate the oil ports on your fan condenser at least once each year. These are usually covered by a rubber or metal caps. Use a lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, putting 10 drops in each port.
Put your outdoor unit in the shade.
Do not let your house get dangerously hot. Air conditioners cannot sufficiently cool down unreasonably high temps. This means that if the weather is above 100 degrees, then you’ll still be baking in 80 degree weather at first! This is not a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.
Have your heating and cooling system serviced twice per year. This should be done in the fall and malfunctions.
Turn off your outdoor condenser units when weather turns cold. This means that you should turn it off to prevent damage if the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage.This simple tip will help keep your system working for many years and save you a lot on repairs.
Icing up is common in air conditioners. There can be occasional freezes in their drain lines, and these are usually confused with plumbing leaks. If this happens, put your thermostat over to fan. The ice will melt. You will likely need professional help to stop the problem.
A programmable thermostat can really help you out when it comes to your air conditioning bill. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from a computer.
During a maintenance visit, the contractor will oil parts, oil the moving parts and check the freon levels in the system. These things will boost the performance of your system running at peak performance.
Speak with someone close to you to see if they can recommend someone good to service their HVAC unit. Someone who has used a contractor in the past is generally willing to let you know what they thought about it. This will also help you avoid bad companies.
Never allow your home reach a dangerously hot inside. An air conditioning unit is really only able to reduce the temperature of your home approximately twenty degrees in a fair time. If the temperature in your home reaches 100 degree Fahrenheit, you would only be able to cool it down just above 80 degrees. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Fan Setting
Do you need a new HVAC unit? You should first think about several things. Learn about the size systems need to be for optimal efficiency. It’s a good idea to buy something that’s larger than you’d need instead of getting something that’s not big enough.
Air conditioners tend to ice up. The drain line may also freeze over.If you notice this, immediately put your thermostat on the fan setting to turn off your compressor. You can call a HVAC professional, but switching to the fan setting should start to melt the ice.
Ask around so you are looking for a reputable HVAC contractor. People who have had quality work done are usually more than willing to share the name of their contractor. This is an excellent way to get names of companies to stay away from.
Get a more efficient HVAC system by looking at the way your home faces. If you strategically place trees, it’s possible to block some of the morning sunlight so your home won’t become overheated. 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.
There are a number of great sites now that let customers to share their experiences with different services. This will make it easier for you find the right contractor.
Contractors are responsible for their own charges and fees, so make sure that you acquire multiple estimates. You can save tons of money by doing your homework. You should try to contact 5 to 6 contractors to determine what reasonable rates are.
The one thing you should always do on a monthly basis is change the air filter on your HVAC system. It’s easy and has a huge impact on performance. They are very inexpensive and well worth the time and money to replace.
When a homeowner’s HVAC unit stops working, they could find themselves in a real pickle. However, if they know in advance how to handles situations like that, they will be in good shape. These tips are very simple, but they can help you avoid expensive fees by teaching you to handle the maintenance yourself.