A quality HVAC system can make one’s home really enjoyable. But when your system suddenly stops working, it can be a nightmare. Learning about your unit minimizes the tips will prove very useful.
Tour your home before calling a contractor. Make a list of the rooms which are comfortable and which just aren’t. Figuring this out will the contractor to diagnose the issues and quickly get to work on fixing it.
Know the name and type of system you currently have before looking for a repair person. This will let you know that you’re able to give your chosen contractor the information that can help them.
Know what work you need before you hire a contractor. It will be difficult for a contractor to provide you a price estimate over the phone if they have not seen your current setup is. It will be more hard if you over the phone without the information readily available.
When you’re trying to cut your grass, don’t cover a unit outside with the clippings. When you work with your lawn mower, make sure it spits the grass to the side opposite of your unit. The same goes for blowing leaves, so always be careful if you are moving debris near your HVAC devices.
Don’t let grass clippings pile up against your outside unit. Aim the grass cuttings in a direction away from the unit. This also applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in the yard.
Your HVAC system could suffer when trees lose leaves. Make sure the unit’s fan grill is cleaned often during the fall. The fan needs to have an unobstructed path for air to enter the unit, and if it becomes blocked, you will have to contend with problems.
If you are a home owner, replace whatever single pane windows you have with more efficient double-paned versions. Double pane windows will help keep your home cooler in the summer. Conversely, this also works to keep warm air in during colder months.
During your service visit, the serviceman will inspect the unit’s motor, oil the moving parts and check the freon levels in the system. These few simple things will keep your system running smoothly.
Don’t allow your home temperature get dangerously hot. An AC unit is really only able to reduce the temperature by twenty degrees in a short time span. If the temperature in your home rises to 100 degrees F or higher, you will only be able to cool it down to 80. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Regularly having your HVAC system serviced can help keep your heating and cooling bills down. When they visit to service the unit they’re going to inspect the motors, oil the parts that move, and see how much freon is in your system. This will help keep your system performing at maximum efficiency.
Look for calculators online to truly understand what size of unit is necessary for your room or home. Look at the manual or on the manufacturer website for air conditioners.
Companies that are around awhile have track records that haven’t been. It is riskier to hire a contractor with little experience.
There are sizing calculators available to determine the proper sized system for your home. If you purchase something that is too big, it won’t be cost effective to run. Check your manual to figure out what the rating is from the manufacturer to be sure you’re getting the right information.
Contractors charge different rates, so make sure you get quotes from several contractors before you make any hiring decision. You can save some cash simply by doing your homework. You want to call at least five contractors in order to know what reasonable rates are.
Think about having a radiant barrier in your attic so your HVAC system can run better. It will make sure you won’t have to use more energy to keep your home and the outside. You may even find that you can use your attic as part of your living space more effectively.
Before you hire a contractor, make sure you get different quotes. Save yourself some money by calling around before you make your final decision. You should try to contact 5 to 6 contractors to find out what price you can reasonably expect to pay.
Are you thinking about having a new heating/cooling system? You could keep a few important things. Systems get rated according to how large an area they effectively cool and heat. You are wise to err on the side of a bigger unit that is slightly too large for your needs than a smaller one.
You now likely see how essential HVAC maintenance is. When you decide to postpone mandatory maintenance, small problems will quickly become big nightmares. However, this article has given you the advice you need to make sure your HVAC system is always running properly.
Your HVAC can work more efficiently if you take into consideration which way your home faces. If you strategically place trees, it’s possible to block some of the morning sunlight so your home won’t become overheated. When there is less heat inside your home, the air conditioner will not have to work as hard.