You may think that HVAC is really complex. This is probably because you don’t have the technical nature of these systems.
If you struggle with your HVAC, try touring your home before calling a professional. While you are walking through the house, gauge which rooms are the coolest and which are the warmest. This will help your contractor quickly determine where the issue lies and how to get it fixed quickly and easily.
Know what you want done before you hire a contractor. It will be difficult for a contractor to provide you with an estimate on the phone without knowing what your current system. It will be more difficult for him to assist you can’t figure out what they need to do.
Clean the debris that accumulates on your condenser unit. You never know when things can pile up, like right after it’s windy or rains, and that can throw a wrench in your system. It could overheat and cause your system to malfunction by overheating.
Clean your condenser’s fan blades and coil in the spring. Turn it off first so you don’t get hurt or break something. Then remove the grill, remove the blades and clean it from top to bottom gently.
Grass Clippings
Don’t let grass clippings on your outdoor condenser.Direct the grass clippings in a direction away from the equipment. This also applies when you are taking care of the leaves in the yard.
If the condenser fan has oil parts, then you need to lubricate it at least once per year. These ports have a metal covering. Sometimes it is rubber. Choose an oil graded SAE 20, it is non-detergent and lightweight. Place about 10 drops into each of the ports, taking care that it does not overfill.
Your HVAC system could suffer when trees lose leaves. Make sure the fan’s grill often once nearby trees start shedding their leaves.The fan must stay clear in order to function, and if it gets blocked, you will end up with many headaches with the unit.
Put outdoor unit in the shade.
As the temperature outside drops, remember to turn off your outdoor condenser unit. If the temperature drops to under 60 degrees, you risk damage to the unit if you leave it on. This helps your system remain in good working order.
It is always a good idea to replace single-paned windows for double panes.This also helps retain heated air during the winter months.
A programmable thermostat can really help you out when it comes to your air conditioning bill. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from a PC or computer.
Shut off the air conditioning if nobody is home. By raising the temperature from, for example 78 to 80, your house will be warmer, but only up to 80 before your AC kicks in. If you decide to set the temperature to 82 or 83 or so on, your AC won’t go on until it reaches that temperature. If it’s left on all day, it will fight the heat all day, which uses quite a bit of electricity.
When it’s checked out, the motor will be inspected, and see how much freon is in your system. These few simple things are going to allow your system to run its best.
Degrees Fahrenheit
Look for air conditioner sizing calculators online to truly understand what size of unit is necessary for your room or home. Buying a unit that is too large for your home is a poor decision that wastes money. You can also check the owner’s manual to find specific numbers provided for the manufacturer. These numbers indicate the particular unit to cool a particular area.
Don’t ever let your home get overly hot. Air conditioners really can cool a home by just twenty degrees Fahrenheit within a reasonable amount of time. If your home gets above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, it will only cool off to about 80F. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Research the reputation of companies before hiring them.Check with the BBB and look for reviews as well. These simple steps will help ensure you make a better decision.
Go to people that you know and ask for recommendations when it is time for you to hire an HVAC contractor. When someone hires a quality professional, they are usually happy to share their info. You are likely to also hear about negative experiences.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line may also freeze over. If this happens, put the fan on to shut the compressor off. You should leave the repair to a professional, but switching to the fan will make the ice melt.
Speak with family and friends to get a recommendation for a reputable HVAC unit.People who have used and if they are often happy to share the name of their contractor. This can also help you with good information on which contractors you should avoid at all costs.
Make sure that your ducts are not leaking. Often your utility company is willing to test this for you, and it may be free or lower in cost than you would get with a contractor. When these leaks are fixed, the testing will pay for itself in energy savings.
Contractors are responsible for their own charges and fees, so make sure to get multiple quotes.You have the potential to save tons of money by asking for many quotes. You want to get quotes from at least a handful of contractors to determine what you should be paying.
Think about getting a radiant barrier in your attic so support the efficient functioning of your HVAC system. 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 or cold as it should be. You may even use the attic as part of your living space more effectively.
If you HVAC unit is clicking, immediately check for any type of obstruction. The problem may be debris getting into the fans of the cooling system. Cleaning the debris will likely stop the noise. Look carefully at it before you call up a service technician.
Getting familiar with the HVAC unit is something that this article should have helped you with. Take all that you’ve just read into account when working on any system. This will ensure you great success.