A properly running HVAC system can make one’s home really enjoyable. But when your system suddenly stops working, it can be a nightmare. Learning how to maintain your unit minimizes the chances of a breakdown; these tips below.
Know what work you want done before you select an HVAC contractor. A contractor cannot give an accurate estimate without looking at your system. Getting an estimate will be even more difficult if you cannot adequately describe the problem. So, you should know this beforehand.
Clean your condenser’s fan and coils each spring to ensure that your condenser fan operates at it’s best. Clean off any leaves or debris from your condenser unit regularly.
Clean any debris on an external condenser unit. Debris can pile up at rates that increase during rainy or windy weather, bringing potential damage with it. It can cause it to overheat.
You should clean your condenser fan’s blades and coils every spring. First, turn off the power so that nothing will move as you are working on it. After you have turned the power off, you simply remove the grill and the blades to perform a gentle cleansing.
Turn the power off first so nothing moves. Next, pop off the grill, put the blades out and start to gently clean them along with the unit.
Don’t get grass clippings on your outdoor condenser. Direct the clippings in a direction away from the HVAC unit. This also applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in the yard.
Installing double paned windows can save a lot of money over single panes, so upgrade if you are able. During the summer, the use of double-pane windows will help keep the cool air locked inside of the home. This will help you save a lot of money.
Your HVAC unit may suffer when trees start to lose leaves. Make sure the fan’s grill is cleaned frequently when the fall. The fan needs to have an unobstructed path for air to enter the unit, and if it gets blocked, it could cause your system to break down.
Have the HVAC system checked twice a year. This should happen in the fall and again in the spring.
Don’t allow your home to become dangerously hot. Air conditioners cannot sufficiently cool down unreasonably high temps. If the temperature in your home rises to 100 degrees F or higher, cooling it will only drop the temperature to 80 degrees F. With high humidity, this is an unsafe temperature even for sleeping.
Turn off outdoor condensers you have when weather gets cold. This means that you should be done when the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit. This helps the system remain in good working order.
It is always a good idea to replace single-paned windows with ones that have double pane ones. This also keeps warm in the winter months.
Icing up is common in air conditioners. Freezes also occur in your drain line. These freezes are easily confused as leaks to the untrained eye. If you see this happen, disable the compressor by turning your thermostat to the fan only setting. It’s a good idea to call up professionals to help with this even though you can get the ice to melt when you switch everything to the fan.
A programmable thermostat can help save money on your air conditioning bill. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from a computer.
When they visit to service the unit they’re going to inspect the motors, oil the parts that move, moving parts well oiled and the level of freon adjusted if necessary. These simple tasks will help keep your system to run its best.
You should always review the experience and history of an HVAC specialist before hiring them. Companies with proven track records typically provide better service. It is riskier to hire someone who does not have a long history.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line might also freeze up.If you see this, switch the thermostat in your home to fan only so the compressor is disabled. You can call a HVAC professional, even if switching it to its fan setting starts making the ice melt.
Look for air conditioner sizing calculators online to truly understand what size of unit you need for your home. Look in the manual or on the recommended size for air conditioners.
Are you looking at purchasing a HVAC system? There are many things to consider. For example, the ratings on most systems describe how much space they can work to cool or heat. If your home falls in size between two units, select the one that is larger.
Now you know how to ensure your HVAC is working smoothly. If you don’t take care of it, it will fail. Fortunately, this article has given you the foundation you need.