How can you know what type of system to get? What size should you need? What sort of features should it have?It can be hard to sort through all the new features are coming out each day.
Before you start calling to find someone to fix your unit, make sure you know the type of system that is installed. Get information on the make and model, plus if you have information on the history of maintenance, that will help, too. Then, you’ll be ready to tell the contractor what they need to know.
Know the name and type of system you currently have before calling someone to fix it. This will let you to give the contractor any information they might need.
If you are having issues with your HVAC, check the entire house before contacting someone to come for repairs. This will help the repairman determine what the problem is and how to fix it.
Clean the coils of your condenser fan each month. Always make sure you shut off the power before you do any work on the unit other than superficial cleaning. Also, make sure you remove any debris or leaves from the condenser unit outside.
Know what you want done before you select an HVAC contractor. A contractor will be hard pressed to provide you with an accurate estimate if unfamiliar with your system. It will be way more difficult for him to assist you over the phone without the information readily available.
Clean your fan and coils come spring. Clean the outside of your external condenser unit.
Clean your condenser’s fan blades and coil in the spring. Make sure to turn off the fan’s power first to be safe. Next, pop the grill off, put the blades out and start to gently clean them along with the unit.
Clean the debris off your outdoor condenser units. 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 also cause your system to malfunction by overheating.
Don’t get grass clippings pile up against your outside unit. Aim the grass in a different direction away from the unit. This applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in the yard.
Put outdoor condensers in the shade. As you get your air conditioner to suck in cool air it won’t have to do too much work to cool it which saves you some money.
Leaves falling from trees can damage your system. Make sure the fan’s grill is cleaned frequently when the leaves begin to fall. The fan must not have anything in the way so that air can flow into it, and if debris is blocking this air flow, you’ll have a lot of headaches eventually.
Have the HVAC system inspected twice a year at the least. This should happen in the fall and again in the spring.
Have a smart thermostat installed. This will help you to keep the temperature at optimal levels. Take advantage of the convenience of the ability to control many programable thermostats from your favorite electronic device.
During the service check, professionals can help by inspecting the system’s motor, the moving parts will be oiled and the freon levels will be checked These simple tasks will keep your HVAC system running at peak performance.
Don’t ever let your house get too hot. Air conditioners can only really cool your home down a home by 20 degrees. If the temperature in your home rises above 100 degrees, you would only be able to cool it down just above 80 degrees. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Save some cash by shutting down the air-conditioning system when there is no one in the house. The house will only heat up to a certain point. If you leave it on all day, it’s fighting the heat constantly, meaning it’s using a lot of electricity to do its job.
Fan Setting
Air conditioners tend to ice up.The drain line may also freeze over. If you see this happen, change the setting on your thermostat to the fan setting and this will disable the compressor. You should call a pro to fix this problem, but switching to the fan setting should start to melt the ice.
AC units will tend to get ice on them due to the cold. The drain line can freeze, making you think it’s a plumbing leak. If you see this happen, disable the compressor by turning your thermostat to the fan only setting. If the issue persists, call in help.
Look for air conditioner sizing calculators online to help you determine the size of unit is necessary for your room or home. Look in the manual to determine the recommended size for air conditioners.
Companies that have been around for longer have a proven track records typically provide better service. Hiring a newer contractor may be taking a bigger risk.
Put a radiant barrier in your attic and what your HVAC performance improve. This mechanism will prevent outside heat from coming in, reducing your energy consumption when cooling. If done right, you can even start using the attic as living space.
Ask friends and relations for their HVAC contractor recommendations. People that have had a good experience are usually more than willing to share the name of their contractor. This is also be used to see who you should avoid hiring.
Think about having a radiant barrier in your attic so your HVAC system. It ensures that your home cool when it’s hot outside. You could even find that you can use your attic space if it is done right.
If your existing system is malfunctioning, look for leaks in the ducts. You can call a utility company in your area to help you with testing, and that doesn’t cost much or nothing at all usually. If you do have leaks that are repaired, this testing will pay for itself.
Check the ducts to find any leaks if you you feel your unit seems to not up to snuff. When the leaks are repaired, the tests will pay for themselves.
Determine which way your home faces.The less heat, the less time your air conditioner will have to work.
Be sure to select an experienced and competent HVAC company. You want one that maintains a schedule. They should quickly know what’s wrong with your system as well. After diagnosis, they should then know how to deal with the problem.
Many people find themselves confused as to what type of HVAC system they need for their location. Now this should be a lot easier on you, however, because you have great advice in hand. Spend some time re-reading this advice and make good use of it when you start making decisions about keeping your house comfortable.