This article can help you understand everything about the HVAC system.
Check out the system that you have before you call a professional. Find out the brand and model and, if possible, dig out the maintenance history. This will facilitate the process when your contractor asks for this information.
If your HVAC doesn’t seem to be working properly, tour your home before calling a technician. This will help the contractor determine where the problem is.
Know what you need before you select an HVAC contractor. It will be difficult for a contractor to provide you with an estimate over the phone without knowing what your current system. It can be harder if you can’t figure out what they need to do.
If the fan condenser on your unit has ports for oil, make sure you lubricate it once a year. You can find these ports covered with rubber or metal caps. Choose an oil graded SAE 20, it is non-detergent and lightweight. Place about 10 drops into each of the ports, taking care that it does not overfill.
Clean the debris on an 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 could overheat and cause a disaster with your system to malfunction by overheating.
Put your outdoor units in places with shade.
Turn off your outdoor condenser when it’s getting cold. If the temperature drops to under 60 degrees, you risk damage to the unit if you leave it on. Doing this keeps your system working well for years and saves you from having to spend money to repair it.
Have the HVAC serviced at least yearly. This should be done in the fall and the spring.
It is always a good idea to replace single-paned windows for double pane ones. This also helps retain heated air during the winter.
To choose a reliable HVAC contractor, the best thing to do is to do your homework on a number of possible firms and check out their reputations. Check out the online reviews, and run a quick search on the BBB website to make sure they have been good to past customers. Investing the time to check out potential contractors can save you money and headaches.
A programmable thermostat can help save money on your air conditioning costs. Some can even be controlled from your smart phone or computer.
During a maintenance visit, the system motor will be inspected, oil the moving parts and check the freon levels in the system. These simple things will keep your HVAC system running at peak performance.
When you need an HVAC contractor, obtain recommendations from friends and family members. Anyone that has previously needed work done on their HVAC unit are more than happy to tell you their experiences. You will also find out who NOT to use!
Never let your home to get dangerously hot temperature. Air conditioners cannot sufficiently cool your home down a home by 20 degrees. If the temperature in your home rises to 100 degrees F or higher, it will only cool off to about 80F. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Research and check the reputation of companies that you consider using. Check them out at the BBB and online reviews as well. These steps can help make the smartest and most informed choice.
Do you need a new HVAC system? There are things you must consider first. Each system has a rating and that rating tells the area that can be effectively temperature controlled. It is best to get a bigger unit than you need, instead of a smaller one.
Companies that are around awhile have track records that haven’t been.Hiring a newer contractor means taking a bigger risk.
Ask friends and relations for their HVAC contractor recommendations. People that have had a good experience are usually more than willing to share this information. This can also help you to figure out some names of companies that should be avoided.
If you hear a clicking noise coming from the HVAC unit, see if there is any debris in it. Sometimes debris interferes with the cooling system fans. Get rid of this obstruction and that should take care of the problem. Have a look at the fan prior to putting in a call for service.
There are quite a few sites these days that allow customers can place their service experiences. This is a good way to locate contractors to work with.
Think about having a radiant barrier in your attic so support the efficient functioning of your HVAC system. It ensures that your home cool when it’s hot or cold as it should be. You could even use the attic space if it is done right.
It is important that you know the measurements of the area you need to cool. You can easily calculate this by using the formula: 20 BTUs per square footage of space. If the unit will be cooling several rooms, combine their square footage in your calculations.
This article has proven that some helpful advice is all that is needed to understand an HVAC system. Read it as many times as necessary, until you have it down pat. Now put the guidelines you learned from this article to work.