A lot of people have HVAC installed within their homes. An HVAC system helps people keep their homes at a comfortable temperature.You will generally need a professional to install and maintain it. Keep reading for a few good HVAC tips.
Before calling someone to repair your system, make sure you know what kind of HVAC system you actually have. Know what the manufacturer’s name is, which particular model you have and what’s gone on with the unit in the past. Your contractor will appreciate this information.
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 could overheat and cause your system to malfunction by overheating.
Turn it off so nothing moves.Then, pop off its grills, pull the blades out, and gently clean them as well as the unit itself.
It is important to have some knowledge of your present system and needs before calling a contractor. It is going to be hard to get a price estimate on the phone if the current system isn’t something they’ve seen. It can be harder if you don’t know what’s wrong. You need to know this before you begin.
Don’t let grass clippings on your outside unit. Aim the grass in a different direction away from the unit. This also applies when you are taking care of the leaves in the yard.
Your outdoor HVAC system could suffer when trees begin dropping their leaves. Make sure the fan’s grill is cleaned often during the leaves begin to fall. The fan needs unobstructed air flow, and if it is clogged, it could cause your system to break down.
Leaves and debris can damage your system. When you notice your trees shedding, frequently clean your unit’s fan grill. The fan must be unobstructed to work properly, and if it becomes blocked, it could cause your system to break down.
10 Drops
Lubricate your fan condenser at least once each year. These are often covered with rubber or metal caps. Use a lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, putting 10 drops in each port.
You want to put the outdoor compressor device in a shaded area. When your unit takes in cool air, it takes less energy to tool the air, thus boosting efficiency.
Have your HVAC system checked twice a year at the least. This should happen in the fall and again in the spring.
Turn off outdoor condenser units when it’s getting cold. This means that you should be done when the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit. This will help keep it in good condition for many years to come.
Have your heating and cooling system inspected twice a year. This should be checked often for debris and malfunctions. Even if you don’t notice anything wrong, you can check it out to figure out what the potential issues are.
Don’t let your home get way too hot. Air conditioners really can only cool down a home by 20 degrees. If your home happens to get near 100 degrees Fahrenheit, it will only cool off to about 80F. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Ask friends and trust for their HVAC contractor recommendations. People who’ve had a good experience are usually willing to tell of their contractor. It’s also important to do this to learn the names of contractors you should avoid.
To help keep your energy costs down, have your heating and cooling system serviced at least once a year. When it’s checked out, the motor will be inspected, moving parts well oiled and the level of freon adjusted if necessary. All of these little jobs will add up to big savings in energy use, with the improved efficiency.
There are now different online sites these days that let customers talk about their experiences with contractors. This is a good way to locate contractors that you wish to work with and ones that are poor.
Contractors charge different rates, so make sure you get quotes from several contractors before you make any hiring decision. You can save quite a bit of money this way. Call around to find the rates are.
Air conditioners tend to ice up at times. In addition, the drain line sometimes freezes, and people often think that there is a plumbing leak. If you see this, try switching your thermostat to just the fan so that it disables the compressor. This problem will need to be handled by a professional, even though the fan will probably help with the ice situation.
A radiant barrier improves the efficiency of your HVAC unit.It blocks outside heat from coming in which will make sure you won’t have to use more energy to keep your unit stays hot outside.You may even use the attic as part of your living space more effectively.
Check for duct leaks if you you feel your unit seems to not up to snuff. If you do have leaks that are repaired, the money spent on finding and repairing the leak will pay for itself.
Talk to others that you have in your life to see if they can recommend an HVAC contractor to you. People will tell you who they have used and if they are worth calling. You can also get company names that you should stay away from.
Determine which way your home faces.The cooler your home already is, the fewer occasions you have to use your air conditioner.
Measure the area that requires air conditioner shopping.You will need about 20 BTU per square foot of the room. If you are cooling more than one room, be sure to add their square footage together.
Speed should be a concern when you are looking for an HVAC specialist. They should be able to get in and get the job done quickly. The best HVAC companies do their best to maintain their appointments and get to their customers quickly. These techs should be able to figure out what is up with an HVAC rather quickly. After they know what the problem is, it’s just a matter of time before they have it back and running properly.
These are just some of the things you need to remember about your unit and whom you hire to maintain it. It is important to have your HVAC unit installed and working properly. Apply these tips to optimize your overall experience.