You think anything to do with HVAC is really complex. This is due to the fact that so much goes into an HVAC system.
Know the name and type of your HVAC system before looking for a repair person. Learn the brand, model, and if you have it, the maintenance history. This makes sure your contractor will be sufficiently prepared.
If your HVAC is giving you problems, check out your home before calling a contractor. This information will help the repairman determine what the problem is and how to fix it.
Clean the debris that accumulates on an external condenser unit. You don’t know when things are going to pile up, especially after a windy or rainy storm, and that can throw a wrench in your system. It can cause it to overheat.
Keeping the outside condenser clean of debris and leaves will improve the system’s efficiency. Before you do clean the coils and fan blades, always take the precaution of turning off all power to the unit. Remove leaves and debris from the outdoor unit.
Your outdoor HVAC system could suffer when trees begin dropping their leaves. Make sure the fan’s grill often once nearby trees start shedding their leaves. The fan needs unobstructed air flow, and if it gets blocked, you will end up with many headaches with the unit.
Lubricate your condenser if it has oil ports. You can easily find the ports as they have a rubber or metal caps. Use a lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.
If you have a fan condenser with oil ports, it needs to be lubricated every year. A rubber or metal cap is typically placed over such ports. Put 10 drops of lightweight, non-detergent SAE oil in each port. Be careful not to use too much.
Put your outdoor condensers in the shade.
Have the HVAC system checked twice a year at least yearly. This should happen in the fall and again in the spring.
Your HVAC unit requires regular maintenance at least two times per each year. The spring and autumn times are the best time to have it checked. Even if you don’t think anything’s wrong, it’s still worth an inspection.
Turn off outdoor condenser units when the weather gets cold. This should turn it off to prevent damage if the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This can ensure your unit is working for years without the cost of repairs.
During the service check, the contractor will oil parts, oil the moving parts and check the freon levels in the system. These repairs will help keep your system.
If nobody is home, turn off the air conditioner to save money. When you turn the air conditioner off, the house may heat up a little but only a certain amount. The longer the unit stays on, the more it ends up costing you in energy bills.
Don’t ever let your home get dangerously high. An AC unit will reduce the temperature of your home approximately twenty degrees in a fair time. If your home happens to get near 100 degrees Fahrenheit, you would only be able to cool it down just above 80 degrees. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Research the reputation of companies before hiring them. Check them out at the BBB and online reviews posted by former customers. These simple steps are going to help to ensure your decision is a better decision.
Spend some time on researching for reliable HVAC companies to ensure that they have a good reputation. 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. This will help you to choose a contractor that is of high quality.
Look for air conditioner sizing calculators online to truly understand what size of unit you need for your room or home. Look in the manual or on the recommended size for air conditioners.
Contractors charge different rates, so make sure to get multiple quotes.You have the potential to save a great deal of money when you call different companies for price quotes. You may want to get quotes from at least five contractors to determine what reasonable rates are.
Figure out how long the HVAC company you choose has been in business. This gives you some history so that you can be sure the company is reliable. Hiring a contractor who is just starting out can be risky.
Check the ducts to find any leaks if your unit seems to not up to snuff. When the leaks are repaired, the testing has paid for itself.
Make certain they have tight seals to keep air can’t seep in. You can get a professional out to help you test them.
A radiant barrier improves the efficiency of your HVAC. This mechanism will prevent outside heat from coming in, reducing your energy consumption when cooling. If done correctly, this also enables you to start using your attic as a living space.
Measure the living area that needs cooling before buying a unit. You can figure out the unit you need by calculating 20 BTU per square foot of room space. If you have a lot of rooms to keep cool, combine their square footage in your calculations.
We hope this article has helped you familiarize yourself with the HVAC unit. It’s really hard to get started with it unless you get motivated, so be sure that you take these things into account before you get started. You will be happy you found this article.
Determining the direction in which your house faces can help make the HVAC system efficient. Trees placed in the right places can keep the sun from heating your home too much. 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.