Your house will stay comfortable when you have an HVAC system. While many homes come with these systems in place, you may need to upgrade or replace it at some point. Understanding how to properly maintain your system can really help you out when the time is right.
If your HVAC system is acting up, take a tour of the house prior to calling a professional. Note which rooms are hot and which are cold. This can help contractors quickly figure out the issue and how to fix it easily and quickly.
Clean your fan and coils each spring to ensure that your condenser fan operates at it’s best. Clean the outside of your external condenser unit.
Turn it off so you don’t get hurt or break something. Next, pop off the grill, put the blades out and start to gently clean them along with the unit.
Don’t let grass clippings pile up against your outdoor condenser. Aim the grass clippings in the other direction. This same tip applies when you are blowing fallen leaves around the yard. Grass and leaves pose a serious problem for the internal functioning of your unit.
Don’t get grass clippings pile up against your outside unit. Aim your grass cuttings in a direction from the unit. This also applies when you are taking care of the leaves in debris.
Sae 20 Oil
Make sure your HVAC systems is checked twice a year. The best times to have the system checked is spring and fall, so you are sure everything is running at peak performance before the heating and cooling seasons. Even if nothing seems wrong, checking it out can help you find and fix potential issues.
Lubricate your condenser once each year. You will notice these ports covered with rubber or metal cap covering them. Use SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.
A programmable thermostat can help save money on air conditioning bill. Some of these thermostats can even be controlled from your smart phone or other device.
If the house is yours or you’re permitted to, replace the windows that are single pane with windows that are double pane. Having double pane windows allows your air conditioning unit to be run much less during the summer, because the cool air is kept inside the home. Your home will also stay warmer in the winter.
Never allow the temperature in your home to get dangerously high level. Air conditioners cannot sufficiently cool your home down unreasonably high temps. 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 and check the reputation of companies that you consider using. Check with the BBB and look for your situation. Doing these things beforehand will allow you make a smart decision.
Research the companies that you consider using. The BBB is always great when you are looking for references or online reviews. This can help you make the right choice.
Fan Setting
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line might also freeze up.If you notice this, change the setting on your thermostat to the fan setting and this will disable the compressor. You can call a HVAC professional, even if switching it to its fan setting starts making the ice melt.
Your friends or family likely have recommendations for a local HVAC specialist. People who have been happy with work they have had done in the past are normally more than happy to recommend their contractors. It’s also important to do this to learn which companies should not be contracted for work.
Companies that are well established have a better record than those that can help you decide if they’re worth your money and time. It is riskier to hire someone who does not have a contractor with little experience.
There are many sites that let customers share their service experiences. This is a good way to locate contractors to work with.
In order for your HVAC system to run more efficiently, think about putting a radiant barrier in your attic. This will block the heat that comes in. It it’s installed properly, you might even be able to use your attic as an extra room.
Contractors determine their own fee levels, so make sure you get quotes from several contractors before you make any hiring decision. You have the potential to save tons of money by asking for many quotes. You want to get quotes from at least five contractors to determine what you should be paying.
Check for duct leaks if your existing system is not be working efficiently. Once leaks have been fixed, the savings will be more than worth the hassle.
If your current system isn’t working well enough, test out the ducts for leaks. You can call in your local utility company to do the testing for you, often for free or at a lower cost than a contractor. This testing can have large financial benefits.
Hvac System
Replace the air filter to keep your HVAC system every month. This will maximize the production of your HVAC system running well.
In order to determine the size of the air conditioner to purchase, you must measure the area that you want to cool. You’ll need about 20 BTU per square foot of living space. Account for all of the rooms in the house.
If it must be in a corner, use one that doesn’t blow into the wall.
Ask any potential contractor about their experience prior to hiring them. You need to verify they have the type of work you require.
When choosing someone to work on your HVAC system, make sure they provide you with references. Call and ask if their service was everything they expected, timely, and that it stayed on budget. This will reduce your chances of hiring a scam artist.
Always get some references from a contractor.
Any HVAC contractor you hire should have an emergency number available to customers around the clock.They owe it to you to show up to fix anything, even if when the weather gets to be extreme.
The services you are paying a contractor to do should be clearly spelled out in your contract. The contractors can overcharge later for items like material and fee costs and charges. Contracts will avoid these issues.
There are dishonest contractors out there that will overcharge you later for things like fuel charges and material fees. Having a good written contract will help you avoid any issues like this.
Always follow up on any references that are given to you by an HVAC contractor.
To save money, try going with an HVAC unit that is an Energy Star unit. These are more efficient than other units. These guidelines have been set up by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Environmental Protection Agency. Look into these and enjoy savings in the long run.
These energy devices are known to meet strict guidelines for efficiency. These guidelines have been set up by the United States government. They are called the environment and human health. Taking the time to fully research various units may help you get long-term savings on energy costs.
One of the best investments you can make is an HVAC system; it makes your home feel comfortable. When you need to repair or replace parts, use these tips. This will assist you in making an educated purchase.
Keep your condenser protected when it’s getting colder. Try putting a cover on it that will help it to stay warm. Also, do not run the unit when temperatures are below 60 degrees.