A well-maintained HVAC system can mean the difference between comfort and discomfort in the home. A lot of homeowners spend money fixing them up when broken, but if they were able to figure out how to fix things on their own it would have been avoided.This article will provide you with helpful tips to keep your HVAC systems to properly care for them all year long.
Get all of the details regarding a broken system before calling for repair. Look for the model and brand number. Then, you’ll be ready to tell the contractor what they need to know.
Know what work you need before you select an HVAC contractor.It will be difficult for a contractor to provide you with an estimate on the phone if they have not seen your current system. It will be way more hard if you over the phone without the information readily available.
Clean your fan blades and coils prior to summertime. Clean the outside of your external condenser unit.
Understand what you want before talking to a contractor. It will be difficult for an HVAC contractor to provide you with an estimate on the phone without knowing what your current setup is. It’s even harder if you’re not able to explain what you’ve done. So, you should know this beforehand.
Clean your outdoor condenser unit. You never know when things can pile up, like right after it’s windy or rains, and that can throw a wrench in your system. It can also cause your system to malfunction by overheating.
Put outdoor condensers in places with shade.
If you are choosing where to place your outdoor compressor device, try to put it in a place where there is plenty of shade. The cooler air that the unit can suck in, the less work it will need to do to further cool the air.
Turn off any outdoor condenser when the weather gets cold. This should turn it off to prevent damage if the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit. This can keep your system running efficiently for many years and save you a lot on repairs.
A programmable thermostat is a simple way to help save money on air conditioning bill. Some of these thermostats can even be controlled from your smart phone or other device.
Outdoor condenser units need to be turned off when the weather turns cold. This means that you should turn it off to prevent damage if the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit. This will keep your system in working order year after year, saving you a ton on repairs.
Don’t let your home temperature get overly hot. Air conditioners can only really cool your home down about 20 degrees Fahrenheit within a reasonable amount of time. If your home become 100F or more, you’ll only cool down to still above 80. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Research the reputation of companies that you consider using. Check with different references to determine the best one for reviews of potential companies online. These steps are going to help to ensure you make the smartest and most informed choice.
Your home should not have temperatures that are too hot. It is only possible for an air conditioner to lower the temperature in a home by 20 degrees F in a short time. If the temperature in your home rises to 100 degrees F or higher, cooling it will only drop the temperature to 80 degrees F. Depending on the levels of humidity, that is not a safe temperature when it comes to sleeping or escaping from the heat of summer.
Air conditioners tend to ice up.The drain line might also freeze up. If this happens, disable the compressor by turning your thermostat to the fan only setting. If this doesn’t work, call in help.
Look for air conditioner sizing calculators online to help you determine the size of unit you need for your room or home. Look at the manual or on the recommended size for air conditioners.
Sometimes air conditioners will ice up. The drain line might also freeze over. Try switching to fan-mode and disabling your compressor to test whether the water is a leak or melting ice. The ice will melt. You will likely need professional help to stop the problem.
Companies that are well established have a better record than those that haven’t been. It is always risky to hire someone who does not have a contractor with little experience.
Check for duct leaks if you you feel your existing system is not be working efficiently. When you have leaks repaired, you’ll find that the testing paid for itself.
Check out how long the HVAV contractor you are considering has been in business. Someone that has been in the business for a while probably isn’t going to scam you. Hiring a contractor who is just starting out can be risky.
Your HVAC is what keeps your family comfortable and happy. With luck these tips will save you money. You need to put these tips to use, so prevent wasting tons of money by using them.