Coming home to an HVAC unit is no fun at all. The following tips that follow will assist you do just that.
Before calling someone to repair your system, make sure you know what kind of HVAC system you actually have. Take a look at the system or the owner’s manual to find the name and model number. This will help make sure that the contractor you hire has all the necessary information.
Know the name and type of system you currently have before calling someone to fix it. This will enable you can give your new contractor all the information they need.
If you struggle with your HVAC, check the entire house before contacting someone to come for repairs. This will help the repairman determine what the problem is and how to fix it.
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 can get overheated, which will cause problems with the whole system.
Clean your condenser’s fan blades 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.
Don’t get grass clippings on your outdoor condenser. Aim your grass in a direction away from the unit. This also applies when you are taking care of the leaves in the yard.
Clean your condenser’s fan blades and coil in the spring. Before you get started, cut the power. Pull out each of the blades and clean them one by one.
Your HVAC system could suffer when trees start to lose their leaves. Make sure the fan’s grill is cleaned often during the leaves begin to fall. The fan needs to have an unobstructed path for air to enter the unit, and if debris is blocking this air flow, it could cause your system to break down.
Put outdoor unit in places with shade.
Cover your unit when you are mowing the lawn. Shoot the grass away from the unit. The same should happen if you are blowing leaves, so be especially careful when you are going by your exterior HVAC devices whenever you are moving debris.
Have the HVAC serviced at the least. This should happen in the fall and again in the spring.
Turn off your outdoor condenser when the weather gets cold. This means that you should turn it off to prevent damage if the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This will help keep the system running efficiently for many years.
The operation of your HVAC system can be in danger when the tree leaves begin to fall. Clean the fan grill often when leaves are falling. The fan should have a clear path for air to come in. If it is blocked, your system will suffer.
It is always a good idea to swap out single pane windows with ones that have double panes. This also keeps warm air during the winter months.
A programmable thermostat can help save money on air conditioning costs. Some can even be controlled from a PC or other device.
If you have a fan condenser with oil ports, it needs to be lubricated every year. These ports are often covered by a rubber or metal cap. Get an oil that is SAE 20 and put about 10 drops into each port, but don’t overfill it.
Research and check the reputation of companies that you consider using. Check them out at the BBB and look for your situation. Doing all of this can help you choose wisely..
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line may also freeze over. If you notice this, immediately put your thermostat on the fan setting to turn off your compressor. If this doesn’t work, call in help.
If possible, put your HVAC in a shaded area if it is outside. As your air conditioner sucks in cool air, little will have to be done to cool it any further, saving you a ton on your energy bills.
Ask friends and relations for their HVAC contractor recommendations. People who have used and if they are worth calling. This can also provide you to figure out some names of businesses that you should avoid at all costs.
There are a number of online websites that give people the opportunity to leave comments about the service they received. This is an excellent method of finding contractors that you wish to work with as well as those that you want to avoid.
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. In warmer months, these windows will help to maintain the cooler inside temperature. Conversely, this also works to keep warm air in during colder months.
Check for duct leaks if you you feel your unit seems to not be working efficiently. Once you fix the leaks, you will save substantial money on heating and cooling costs.
Measure the area you wish to cool before going air conditioning. You generally need 20 BTU for each square foot of the room. If you have a lot of rooms to keep cool, add together their square footage to reach this calculation.
Having a programmable thermostat installed is a money saving idea. Turning down the thermostat around 10 percent for 8 hours per day can give you a 10 percent savings using the programmable thermostat. Additionally, some programmable thermostats can be controlled remotely using a web-connected device.
Pick an HVAC companies that know what they’re doing and works quickly to solve the problem. The most reliable companies will ensure that their technicians will always be on schedule. The technicians will also know how to find the problem quickly. After diagnosis, it should be taken care of right away.
These suggestions will assist you in maintaining your system. It is never pleasant to come home and discover that your HVAC is not working. And, trying to figure out how you’re going to pay for repairs is even worse. Prevent all this from happening by using the information you’ve just read. Keep these tips handy at all times so that you can tackle any HVAC issue.
Keep energy costs from rising by having your system serviced annually. During a maintenance visit, professionals can help by inspecting the system’s motor, oil the different moving parts as well as check the system’s freon levels. This will help your system run better.