Having an HVAC system that works well can make a home run better. But when your system suddenly stops working, it can be a nightmare. Learning how to maintain your HVAC system begins with the chances of a breakdown; these tips will prove very useful.
Before calling someone to repair your system, make sure you know what kind of HVAC system you actually have. You need to know who manufactured the product and the item number. Also, get the maintenance records from your files if you have them. This will ensure that you can give your new contractor all the information they need.
If problems arise with the HVAC system, check out each room in your house before calling for assistance. This will help the repairman determine where the problem is.
Know what you want done before you select an HVAC contractor. It will be difficult for a contractor to give you with an estimate over the phone without knowing what your current system. It will be way more hard if you don’t know what’s wrong.
If there are condenser units as part of your HVAC system, clean them often as they tend to have lots of debris. Debris can pile up at rates that increase during rainy or windy weather, and this can foul up the inner workings of your system. The whole thing can overheat, causing major problems and possibly an enormous expense for you.
Clean your fan blades and coils prior to summertime. Clean the outside of your external condenser unit.
Turn the power off first so nothing moves. Next, pop the grill off, pull out the blades and start cleaning them and the unit itself off gently.
Cover your unit when you are mowing the lawn. Have the grass shoot in the opposite direction. Also do this when blowing leaves or shoveling snow.
Your HVAC system could suffer when your trees lose leaves. Make sure the unit’s fan grill is cleaned often during the fall. The fan must be unobstructed to work properly, and if it is clogged, you’ll have a lot of headaches eventually.
Have the HVAC serviced at least yearly. This should happen in the fall and malfunctions.
Get your HVAC unit serviced yearly. This inspection will ensure that your unit is working efficiently, including a freon level and motor check, and oiling moving parts. This will keep you energy efficient and comfortable.
Turn off outdoor condensers you have when weather turns cold. This should be done when the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit.This can keep the system running efficiently for years and save you a lot on repairs.
It is always a good idea to replace single-paned windows with ones that have double panes. This also helps keep it warm in heat when it gets cold.
Never allow your home to get dangerously hot inside. Expect an air conditioning unit to drop the temperature down 20 degrees within a short amount of time. If your home happens to get near 100 degrees Fahrenheit, then you will only be able to reasonably cool to around 80. Depending on how humid the environment is, that is not a healthy temperature for the human body when it rests during sleep.
A programmable thermostat is a simple way to help you save money on your air conditioning bill. Some can even be controlled from your smart phone or computer.
Do not let your house to get extremely hot.An air conditioning unit is really only cool your home by 20ºF quickly. If your home become 100F or more, you’ll only cool down to still above 80. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Occasionally, air conditioners ice up. Freezes also occur in your drain line. These freezes are easily confused as leaks to the untrained eye. If you see this, put the fan on to shut the compressor off. You should still call a professional to help regardless.
Companies with proven track records that can help you decide if they’re worth your money and time. Hiring a newer contractor means taking a considerable risk.
Think about getting a radiant barrier installed 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 cool when it’s hot outside. You may even use your attic as part of your living space if it is done right.
If you don’t know who you should call to repair, install and maintain your HVAC systems, check out reviews online. In many cases you will find local review sites where previous customers will share the experience they had with companies they used. This method provides you with all the information you need to make the best hiring decisions.
Check for duct leaks if your existing system is not be working efficiently. When you get leaks repaired, you’ll see that the tests paid for themselves.
Make certain they have tight seals to keep air can’t seep in.A professional can sometimes test the windows and many times the testing is free.
When you hear an odd clicking noise coming from your HVAC unit, you should immediately begin to look for any obstructions. Many times you will find debris hitting that knock up against the fans inside the cooling unit. You just have to take out the obstruction and the problem is solved. Take a look for yourself before you call a technician out.
If it must be in a corner, get a unit where the air won’t be trapped against the wall.
Always get references from a contractor.
Consider what potential direction your air conditioner’s flow will have when choosing where to put it. If you have to place it in a corner, get one with moving vents.
Any HVAC contractor you hire should have an emergency hotline. They need to be able to come to a home when needed, be it in the middle of a heatwave or in the worst snowstorm of the year.
Now that you’ve read these tips, you can see how you can keep your HVAC working properly. You can be in a lot of trouble if you have a poor running HVAC. Fortunately, this article has given you the foundation you need.
You should make sure the contractor you hire to repair or install your HVAC system has a hotline for emergencies that is available all day. Particularly if you have a family, you may need service at odd hours or on weekends.