A properly running HVAC system can make one’s home life more pleasant. But when your system suddenly stops working, it can be a nightmare. Learning how to maintain your unit minimizes the tips will prove very useful.
Before calling for help, know the system you have. Write down the make, model, and any maintenance history. This information will be helpful to any contractor you hire to repair it.
Clean your fan and coils each spring to ensure that your condenser fan operates at it’s best.Clean off any leaves or debris from your condenser unit.
Be sure to regularly clean external 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 can also cause the unit to overheat and break down.
If you have outside condenser units, make sure to regularly clean the debris that builds up. Debris can pile up at rates that increase during rainy or windy weather, and this can foul up the inner workings of your system. It will damage the system by overheating.
Grass Clippings
Don’t let grass clippings on your outdoor condenser. Aim the grass clippings in a different direction from the other direction. This applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in the yard.
Be careful when doing yard work that you do not get debris on or in your unit. Aim the grass clippings in the other direction. This is the same if you are using a leaf blower.
Your outdoor HVAC unit may suffer when trees start to lose leaves. Make sure the unit’s fan grill often once nearby trees start shedding their leaves. The fan must stay clear in order to function, and if it becomes blocked, you’ll have a lot of headaches eventually.
Put outdoor units in places with shade.
If you can choose the place where your outdoor compressor goes, pick a spot with lots of shade. When the unit sucks in cooler air, then less work is required to cool it further which in turn boosts the units 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 condensers you have when weather gets cold. This means that you should turn it off to prevent damage if the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This can keep your system last much longer and save you a lot on repairs.
During cold weather , be sure to turn off outdoor condenser units. Once the temperature drops into the 50s, the unit should no longer be on. You will save in repair bills and increase the efficiency of your system.
A programmable thermostat can help you save money on air conditioning bill. Some can even be controlled from your smart phone or computer.
Research and check the reputation of companies that you consider using. Check with the best one for reviews of potential companies online. This will help you to choose a smart decision.
If nobody is home, turn off the air conditioner to save money. Turning it off does allow the temperature to rise, but only so far. Obviously, if you leave your air conditioning set at a low temperature all day long even if you’re not home, you’ll be paying to maintain that low temperature.
Look for air conditioner sizing calculators online to truly understand what size of unit you need for your home. Look in the manual or on the recommended size for this information.
Ask your friends and family for contractor recommendations. People that have used and if they are worth calling. This can also help you to figure out some names of companies that you should be avoided.
Use an online sizing calculator to help you calculate the proper size of the air conditioning unit you should purchase. Buying one that’s too large will not cool that well. Look at the manual for more information.
There are now different online sites that offer reviews and referrals for HVAC repair and other important service. This is useful for finding people that you want to hire and also with and those you don’t want to work with.
You should now know more about your HVAC unit. If you neglect to care for it, you will increase the risk of it ceasing to work when you most need it to. That could bring about a very expensive repair bill. Use these ideas to keep your HVAC running well.
Get a handful of quotes before accepting any. This can help you to save money by knowing what people are charging. Call at least four or five different HVAC specialist to find the best rates.