Anyone that has a HVAC unit in their house knows the importance of properly maintaining it. An HVAC system wastes a lot of homeowner money. The following tips will help you care for your HVAC maintenance and repairs.
Before calling someone to repair your system, make sure you know what kind of HVAC system you actually have. Get the brand, model name, and if you can you should get the maintenance history out. Your contractor will appreciate this information.
If you have some problems with the HVAC system, do a tour of your house before you call in help. This will help the contractor determine where the problem is and how to fix it.
Know what work you need before you select an HVAC contractor. It will be difficult for a contractor to provide you with an estimate on the phone if they have not seen your current system. It will be more hard if you can’t figure out what they need to do.
If there are condenser units as part of your HVAC system, clean them often as they tend to have lots of debris. Falling leaves and wind or rain may cause debris to reduce the efficiency of your unit. It can also cause it to overheat.
Clean your fan and coils come spring. Clean the outside of your external condenser unit.
Turn the power off first so you don’t get hurt or break something. Then, take the grill off, pull the blades out, and begin cleaning the unit and them gently.
When you’re trying to cut your grass, don’t cover a unit outside with the clippings. Make certain the debris goes away from it. Also do this when blowing leaves or shoveling snow.
Your HVAC system could suffer when trees start to lose their leaves. Make sure the fan’s grill is cleaned frequently when 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.
Lubricate your condenser at least once a year. These are usually covered by a rubber or metal cap. Use a lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.
Make sure your HVAC unit is in the shade. It will reduce the temperature of the air going into the unit, meaning that it will not have to work as hard to cool it.
Put outdoor unit in the shade.
A programmable thermostat is a simple way to help you save money on your air conditioning costs. Some of these thermostats can even be controlled from a computer.
If you are a homeowner, or if you can get permission from your landlord, install double-paned windows in place of any single panes in your home. They help cool air remain inside your home, effectively cutting back on how much you have to run your air conditioner. Conversely, they keep warm air in during the winter.
Don’t ever let your home to become dangerously hot. Air conditioners can only really cool your home down 20 degrees or so within a reasonable time limit. If your home happens to get near 100 degrees Fahrenheit, it will only cool off to about 80F. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Look for air conditioner sizing calculators online to truly understand what size of unit is necessary for your home. Look in the manual to determine the recommended size for this information.
To choose a HVAC contractor, it is important to check their reputations. Inquiring with the Better Business Bureau is always a good idea, as is looking for online review sites where previous customers can post their experiences. Investing the time to check out potential contractors can save you money and headaches.
Companies that are around awhile have a better record than those that can help you decide if they’re worth your money and time. It is always risky to hire someone who does not have a contractor with little experience.
Hopefully, you have a better idea of how to take care of your HVAC after having read this great article. Regular maintenance will make sure your operating costs are lower in the long term. Bookmark these suggestions and refer back to them as needed.
Prior to hiring any HVAC contractor, you should ask how long their business has operated. A company that has been in business for a long time will have a solid track record, and you can use this to figure out if you should spend your money with them. It is riskier to hire someone who does not have a long history.