The heating and cooling systems of comfort experienced within a home has a lot to do with whether or not it is being heated or cooled properly. That is why it is important to keep your HVAC has to be in tip top shape. Without proper care, you will be uncomfortable while you wait for an expensive repair. Here are some great tips to help you started.
Be aware of the type of system that is installed in your home prior to calling a contractor to fix it. Get the brand, model name, and if you can you should get the maintenance history out. This makes sure your contractor will be sufficiently prepared.
Know what type of your HVAC system you currently have before calling someone to fix it. This will ensure that you can give your chosen contractor any information they might need.
Clean the condenser on your debris on your condenser units. You don’t know when things are going to pile up, like right after it’s windy or rains, and that can throw a wrench in your system. It can cause it to overheat.
Don’t hire a contractor until you know a little about what you are facing. It is going to be hard to get a price estimate on the phone if the current system isn’t something they’ve seen. If you do not know what you want, the process can become tedious, especially over the phone. Understand this information beforehand.
Don’t let grass clippings on your outside unit. Aim your grass in a direction from your unit. This applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in the yard.
Your outdoor HVAC units might suffer when your trees lose their leaves. Make sure the unit’s fan grill is cleaned often during the fall. The fan must not have anything in the way so that air can flow into it, and if it gets blocked, then your system could suffer.
If the condenser fan has oil parts, then you need to lubricate it at least once per year. These are usually covered with rubber or metal caps. Buy an SAE 20 product that is lightweight, and then put no more than ten drops into the ports.
10 Drops
Lubricate your condenser at least once a year. You can easily find these ports as they have a rubber or metal cap. Use a lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, putting 10 drops in each port.
When it gets cold outside, the outdoor condenser unit should be turned off. If you get into temperatures that are less than 60 degrees you need the unit to be shut off so it doesn’t get damaged. This will help keep your HVAC system in good health for years, which means you will save on repair bills.
Have your HVAC system serviced at least yearly. This should be done in the fall and the spring.
Turn off any outdoor condenser units when weather gets cold. This should turn it off to prevent damage if the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit. This can keep your system working for many years.
In order to keep energy costs down, make sure heating and cooling systems are services at least once per year. During service the technician will check the motor and refill the system fluids. These simple things will keep your system running at peak performance.
A programmable thermostat can really help you save money on your air conditioning bill. Some can even be controlled from a PC or other device.
During your service visit, they will inspect the motor of the system, oil the different moving parts as well as check the system’s freon levels. These things will help keep your system.
Research what size air conditioner you should purchase for the size of your home by using online calculators they have for this purpose. If you buy something too large it won’t be efficient as it cools the same. Read over the owner’s manual to see the manufacturers suggestions as to the cooling capacity of the unit for the most accurate information.
Research the companies before hiring them. Check with different references to determine the best one for reviews posted by former customers. This is what you have to do in order to make a contractor that is of high quality.
Air conditioners tend to ice up. The drain line might also freeze up. If this happens, immediately put your thermostat on the fan setting to turn off your compressor. If the issue persists, call a professional.
Ask people that you know and trust for contractor recommendations. People who’ve had great service are usually willing to tell of it. You are likely to also hear about negative experiences.
Look for air conditioner sizing calculators online to help you determine the size of unit is necessary for your home. Look in the manual or on the recommended size for air conditioners.
Now you have a better idea of what must be done. Never allow it to falter just because you have of of paid attention to maintenance. Use what you’ve learned here to keep things working right so you don’t get home and find out there’s a disaster on your hands.
Figure out which direction your home faces in order to make your HVAC system more efficient. Block the sun in the morning with trees around your home. The less your home is heated, the less you’ll have to use your air conditioner to cool things off.