Not many people have an in depth knowledge about HVAC service and contractors. This fact can pose a problem when issues arise.
Before contacting a repair service, do a short tour of the entire home. Jot down the rooms that are hot and the ones that are cold. The contractor can probably figure out and fix the problem easier.
Know the name and type of system before looking for a repair person. This makes sure your contractor will need.
If your HVAC is running into problems, check the entire house before contacting someone to come for repairs. This will help the repairman determine where the problem is and how to fix it.
Be sure to clean the fan blades and coils of the condenser fan. Make sure to turn off the fan’s power first to be safe. Next, remove the grill, take the blades and clean them gently, then clean the actual unit.
Clean your fan blades and coils when the weather begins to warm. Clean off any leaves or debris from your external condenser unit regularly.
Clean the debris off your outdoor condenser units. You never know when things can pile up, especially after a windy or rainy storm, and that can ruin your system. It can cause it to overheat.
Fall is a hard time on HVAC units. Clean the fan grill often when leaves are falling. The fan needs to be able to get proper air inside without any blockages, and extra blockage can later develop into more serious problems.
Don’t get grass clippings pile up against your outdoor condenser. Aim the grass in a direction from the unit. This also applies when you are taking care of the leaves in the yard.
Lubricate the oil ports on your fan condenser once each year. These are often covered by a rubber or metal cap. Use a lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.
You can boost the efficiency of your HVAC unit by replacing it with a new energy efficient one or moving your old one to a shady outside location. Your air conditioner won’t have to work so hard if the air is sucks in is already cool.
Put your outdoor unit in the shade.
Turn off your outdoor condenser units when it becomes cold out. This should turn it off to prevent damage if the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This can keep it in good condition for years and save you a lot on repairs.
Make sure to have your unit serviced once a year. When they come out for a service visit, expect inspections of freon levels and the motor, and they will oil all the moving parts. This will help keep your system performing at maximum efficiency.
It is a good idea to replace single-paned windows for double pane ones. This also help you keep in the winter.
Install a thermostat you can program to save energy costs. Some of these thermostats can even be controlled from a computer.
You can always search the Internet when you aren’t entirely sure who you should call for proper HVAC repair or maintenance. There are different sites that let customers share experiences of different services. This will help you to sort out the good from the bad.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line may also freeze over. If this happens, disable the compressor by turning your thermostat to the fan only setting. If this doesn’t work, call in help.
There are plenty of online sites that give people the opportunity to leave comments about the service experiences. This is a great way to find people you with those you need to make the best hiring decisions.
If you would like your HVAC unit to be more efficient, simply look at where the front of your home faces. Strategically placing trees around your home can block some of the heat coming from the sun, preventing your home from overheating. The less heat inside the house, the less time that the AC has to work.
Think about getting a radiant barrier installed in your attic so your HVAC system. It ensures that your home cool when it’s hot outside.You may even find that you can use your attic as part of your living space if it is done right.
Check the ducts to find any leaks if your existing system is not up to snuff. When you repair the leaks, the testing has paid for itself.
Replace your air filters every month. This represents an easy way to keep your system working well. It only costs a couple of bucks to replace the filter.
Figure out which direction your home is facing so your HVAC system can work better. The cooler your home already is, the less time that the AC has to work.
If your HVAC system is producing any type of clicking sounds, look for blockages right away. Sometimes debris that gets in the cooling system fans. Look at it before you call for help.
The best HVAC contractors will also provide a number for emergency services that is available to call 24 hours of the day. Whether a hurricane just blew through or it’s the hottest day of the year, they need to be able to come and fix your system.
Make sure they have tight seals to keep air can’t seep in.You can hire someone to test them.
Measure the living area you wish to cool before going air conditioning. You will need 20 BTU for each square foot of the room. If you need to cool multiple rooms, sum their areas.
Before you hire an HVAC contractor, research their references. A lot of people think that they’re legitimate just because they were given to them, but that isn’t always true. Never hesitate to spend a few moments making calls to check out someone.
Dealing with an HVAC system that’s not working right can be a nightmare for most people. But, with a little of research the problem may not be as big as you expect. By choosing to follow the great advice from the above article, any homeowner can quickly resolve issues in a prompt and affordable manner.