It is not easy for many homeowners to know where to turn when the HVAC system begins to fail. To prevent the situation from becoming disastrous, it is worth taking the time to learn about the subject. The thrust of this article is to assist homeowners in finding the help that they require.
Every spring you should clean the coils and fan blades on your condenser fan. Be sure to turn the power off first; you don’t want anything to move. Pull out each of the blades and clean them one by one.
Know what type of your HVAC system before calling someone to fix it. This will enable you know that you’re able to give your chosen contractor the information they might need.
If you struggle with your HVAC, do a tour of your house before you call in help. This information will help the contractor determine what the problem is and how to fix it.
During the fall, leaves can gather around your HVAC. Frequently clean the fan grill when trees are shedding leaves. The fan needs to have an unobstructed path for air to enter the unit, and if it becomes blocked, you will end up with many headaches with the unit.
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 if they have not seen your current setup is. It will be more hard if you over the phone without the information readily available.
Clean your fan blades and coils come spring. Clean the outside of your external condenser unit.
If the fan on your condenser includes oil ports, they must be lubricated annually. Such ports tend to have coverings made of rubber or metal. Pick out a SAE 20 type of oil because it has no detergent, is lightweight, and you should put around 10 drops in the ports but make it to where they don’t get too full.
Turn the power 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 on your outside unit. Aim your grass in a direction from the unit. This also applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in the yard.
If the current location of your HVAC unit outside isn’t working, try having it moved to an area with more shade. It will help you save on your energy bill when you do this.
Put your outdoor unit in the shade if you are installing them.
Your HVAC unit requires regular maintenance at least two times a year. This should be checked often for debris and again in the spring.
Turn off outdoor condenser units when weather turns cold. If it’s lower than 60 degrees, the time has come to turn it off. This will help keep it in good condition for many years.
A programmable thermostat can help save money on your air conditioning costs. Some of these thermostats can even be controlled from a PC or other device.
Don’t let your home to become dangerously hot. An AC unit is really only able to reduce the internal temperature of your home approximately twenty degrees in a short time span. If your home happens to get near 100 degrees Fahrenheit, cooling it will only drop the temperature to 80 degrees F. This won’t be a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.
If the house is yours or you’re permitted to, replace the windows that are single pane with windows that are double pane. Double pane windows help minimize your air conditioning use in the summer by keeping the cooler air inside your home. This also helps keep it warm in the winter.
Research the companies before hiring them. Check with the BBB and online reviews of potential companies online. These simple steps are going to help make a better decision.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line may also freeze over. If you notice this, disable the compressor by switching the thermostat to run the fan only. You should leave the repair to a professional, but switching to the fan will make the ice melt.
Don’t let your home get too hot. A simple AC unit will usually only cool the home around 20 degrees within a short period 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 what the humidity is, this may not be cool enough to be a safe temperature to sleep at when recovering from the harsh summer heat.
Ask your friends and family for contractor recommendations. People who’ve had a good experience are often happy to share the name of it. It’s also a good way to learn the names of contractors you should not be contracted for work.
When your HVAC system fails during extreme hot or cold seasons, that can spell a disaster for anyone. If they have learned everything there is to know about their system, then the situation doesn’t have to be too bad. The suggestions listed will certainly lead you down a path towards positive heating and cooling function throughout the year.
Look for sizing calculators based on the air conditioner you have to figure out how big of a unit you need in your home. Proper sizing will increase efficiency. Check the manual to see what the manufacturer rates the unit to cool for accurate information.