Follow these tips on dealing with your HVAC system.
Before calling for help, know the system you have. Know the model and brand and find it’s maintenance history, if possible. The contractor will likely need all of this information.
If you are having issues with your HVAC, try touring your home before calling a professional. This information will help the repairman determine what the problem is.
Know what work you need before you hire a contractor. It will be hard for an HVAC contractor to give you a price estimate on the phone if they have not seen your current setup is. It will be more hard if you can’t figure out what they need to do.
Help the outside condenser fan run efficiently by cleaning the coils and fan blades before the summer starts. Except when you do superficial cleaning, you need to always make sure the power is off on the unit. If you see debris, get rid of it.
Grass Clippings
Don’t get grass clippings pile up against your outdoor condenser. Aim the grass clippings in a direction away from your unit. This also applies when you are taking care of the leaves in debris.
When selecting the spot to put the outdoor compressor for your unit, choose somewhere that gets plenty of shade. When it draws in air for cooling, it will be more efficient because it will not need to work as hard to cool down the air.
Your outdoor HVAC unit may suffer when trees start to lose their leaves. Make sure the unit’s fan grill is cleaned frequently when the fall. The fan needs unobstructed air flow, and if it becomes blocked, you will have to contend with problems.
Lubricate your condenser at least once each year. You will notice these ports have a rubber or metal caps covering them. Use a lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.
When it gets cold outside, the outdoor condenser unit should be turned off. This means that you should turn it off to prevent damage if the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit. This can ensure your unit is working well throughout the years without the cost of repairs.
During the visit, the system motor will be inspected, oil the different moving parts as well as check the system’s freon levels. These repairs will keep your HVAC system to run at its peak performance.
Don’t allow your home to become dangerously high. Air conditioners cannot sufficiently cool a home down 20 degrees or so within a reasonable time period. If the temperature in your home reaches 100 degree Fahrenheit, you would only be able to cool it down just above 80 degrees. This won’t be a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.
Service your HVAC yearly. When they visit to service the unit they’re going to inspect the motors, oil the parts that move, and see how much freon is in your system. Your unit will last longer this way.
Companies that are well established have a better record than those that haven’t been. Hiring a newer contractor may be taking a bigger risk.
Ask friends and trust for contractor recommendations. People who have had a good experience are usually willing to tell of their contractor. This can also be used to see who you learn the names of those companies that you should avoid.
Don’t allow your home to overheat. Air conditioners cannot sufficiently cool down unreasonably high temps. If you have your home at above 100 degrees then you can only get it to about 80 or above. Depending on the levels of humidity, that is not a safe temperature when it comes to sleeping or escaping from the heat of summer.
There are many sites that allow customers to share their reviews. This is an excellent method of finding people that you wish to work with as well as those that you want to avoid.
Contractors charge different rates, so make sure to get multiple quotes. You can save some cash if you take the time to call around before you decide. You want to get quotes from at least a handful of contractors to determine what reasonable rates are.
You can get ice in your air conditioner. You may even mistake the frozen drains as an issue for a plumber. If this happens, turn the thermostat so it is on fan only mode, which will disable the compressor. It is best to call a professional in to fix this particular issue, even though the switch to fan setting should cause the ice to start melting.
Check the ducts to find any leaks if your existing system is not be working efficiently.When you repair the leaks, the testing will pay for itself in energy savings.
Figure out which direction your home is facing so your HVAC system more efficient. If there is less heat in the home from sunlight, your AC will work less.
Figure out how long the HVAC company you choose has been in business. Someone that has been in the business for a while probably isn’t going to scam you. Hiring a contractor who is just starting out can be risky.
Make sure they have tight seals to keep air inside. A professional can also test these for you for free.
If you want to live comfortably, your HVAC has to be in good working condition. It is crucial that you take care of it accordingly. Put these tips to good use and avoid this from happening.
Your HVAC system will run more efficiently if your windows and doors are energy efficient. Make sure they are tightly sealed so air can’t seep in. A good professional can test this for you, and they might even do it for free.