When you are looking to learn a bit about HVAC systems, you need the right information. This article can help you in the process of keeping your HVAC up and running properly. Take some time to read the article and you will do well.
If your HVAC system is acting up, take a tour of the house prior to calling a professional. Pay attention to which areas of the house are warm and which ones are cool. That way, the contractor will have an easier time diagnosing the problem and repairing it fast.
If your HVAC doesn’t seem to be working properly, check out each room in your house before calling for assistance. This information will help the repairman determine where the problem is and how to fix it.
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 also cause your system to malfunction by overheating.
Each spring, clean the fan blades and coils on your condenser. For safety, always turn the power off first. Then, take the grill off, pull the blades out, and gently clean them as well as the unit itself.
Don’t let grass clippings on your outside unit. Aim the grass in a direction away from your unit. This also applies when you are taking care of the leaves in debris.
Your outdoor HVAC unit may suffer when your trees start to lose leaves. Make sure the unit’s fan grill is cleaned frequently when the fall. The fan needs unobstructed air flow, and if it gets blocked, you will have to contend with problems.
Find a place that is shaded for your compressor. The cooler air that the unit can suck in, the less work it will need to do to further cool the air.
Put outdoor units in places with shade.
Have the HVAC system inspected twice a year at the least.This should be done in the fall and the spring.
Be sure to have twice annual HVAC system checks. The best time of year to have the system checked is right before the weather begins to change. Even if you do not detect a problem, you can identify and fix any potential problems when you have it checked.
Turn off outdoor condensers you have when the weather turns cold. This means that you should be done when the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This can keep your system last much longer and will have to be repaired less often.
It is a good idea to replace single-paned windows for double pane ones. This also works during the cold months to keep in heat when it gets cold.
Make sure that your AC is turned off when you are not using it. Your home will become somewhat warmer during this time. Leaving it on all the time only makes it work harder and results in a larger utility bill.
Do not let your house to get extremely hot.An AC unit will reduce the internal temperature of your home by 20ºF quickly. If your home gets above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, it will only reduce it to 80 or more. This won’t be a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.
Air conditioners tend to ice up.The drain line may also freeze over. If this is something that’s happening to you, put your thermostat over to fan. You should leave the repair to a professional, even if switching it to its fan setting starts making the ice melt.
There are sizing calculators available to determine the proper sized system for your home. Proper sizing will increase efficiency. Look at the manual for more information.
Look for calculators online to truly understand what size of unit is necessary for your room or home. Look at the manual to determine the manufacturer website for this information.
Companies that are well established have track records typically provide better service. Hiring an inexperienced contractor who is just starting out can be risky.
Your friends or family likely have recommendations for a local HVAC specialist. When people have had great service, they are generally pleased to pass on a good word. This can also help you to figure out some names of businesses that you should avoid at all costs.
Ask people that you know and relations for contractor recommendations. People who have had quality work done are often happy to share the name of their contractor. This will also help you should avoid hiring.
There are quite a number of great sites out there that let customers to share their experiences with different services. This is an awesome way to find contractors to work and ones that are poor.
If your system doesn’t seem to be working efficiently, check your ducts for leaks. A local utility company often performs free duct testing. If it isn’t free, then it is still cheaper than an HVAC specialist in most areas. The testing will pay for itself once you find and repair the leaks.
Check the ducts to find any leaks if you you feel your unit seems to not be working efficiently. When the leaks are repaired, you’ll see that the tests paid for themselves.
Figure out the direction your home faces in order to make your HVAC system can work better. If there is less heat in the home from sunlight, your AC will work less.
To run your HVAC at full efficiency, you must have efficient doors and windows in place as well. They should be able to seal tightly without letting air seep in or out. You can hire a professional to test them all for you and often this testing is free.
Square Footage
Measure the living area that requires air conditioner shopping. You will need about 20 BTU for each square footage of room space. If you are cooling more than one room, be sure to add their square footage together.
When it’s winter time, get your condenser unit covered so it can be safe. That is going to extend the functional lifespan of your condenser. Additionally, it’s important to remember not to utilize the compressor if your outside temperatures drop below 69 degrees. Switch on the fan instead and do not put strain on the unit.
Replace the air filter monthly to keep your HVAC system every month. This will help your unit running in tip top shape.
Any HVAC contractor you hire should have an emergency hotline. They need to be able to come to you when they are needed, be it in the middle of a heatwave or in the worst snowstorm of the year.
You should ask the contractor if they included heat-loss calculations inside their initial quote. This helps ensure that you get a unit with the right BTUs to ensure your home is always comfortable, regardless of the outside weather. This number will depend on the number of doors and windows in your home.
This information should have helped you understand your HVAC better. Using the above information, you should be able to continue your HVAC education without risking breaking parts or making costly mistakes. Hopefully, you will be able to get things working well now.