A quality HVAC system can make one’s home really enjoyable. If your system breaks, it will become a nightmare for those without experience. Learning how to maintain your HVAC system begins with the tips below.
Get all of the details regarding a broken system before calling for repair. Know what the manufacturer’s name is, which particular model you have and what’s gone on with the unit in the past. The contractor will likely need all of this information.
Know the name and type of your HVAC system you currently have before looking for a repair person. This will help make sure that the contractor the necessary information.
If your HVAC doesn’t seem to be working properly, take a look around the house prior to calling a contractor. This information will help the repairman determine what the problem is.
Think about what improvements you want made before picking an HVAC contractor. You might not be able to get a price quote unless you let the contractor see your current system first. You need to know how to describe any issues. You need to know this before you begin.
Clean the debris on your outdoor condenser unit. You don’t know when things are going to pile up, like right after it’s windy or rains, and that can throw a wrench in your system. It can cause a disaster with your unit.
Turn it off so nothing moves.Then, take the grill off, pull the blades out, and begin cleaning the unit and them gently.
Cover your unit when you are mowing the lawn. Shoot the grass away from the unit. Make sure you move around the unit and blow the leaves away from it while blowing your leaves.
Don’t let grass clippings on your outside unit. Direct the clippings away from the HVAC unit. This also applies when you are taking care of the leaves in debris.
Your outdoor HVAC unit may suffer when your trees lose leaves. Make sure you clean out your fan grill often during the fall. The fan must be unobstructed to work properly, and if it gets blocked, you will have to contend with problems.
Lubricate your fan condenser if it has oil ports. The port usually has either a rubber or metal cap on top of it. Choose a SAE 20 oil whch is lightweight and non-detergent and place 10 drops or less into each port, ensuring it doesn’t overfill.
Lubricate your fan condenser once each year. You can easily find the ports covered with rubber or metal caps. Use a lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.
Put outdoor condensers in the shade if you are installing them.
A good way to save money with your air conditioning is by installing a programmable thermostat. A thermostat that’s programmable is going to save you around ten percent on the heating and cooling costs you have to pay when you turn it back about fifteen percent for a part of the day. Also, you can find a thermostat that is controllable from a computer or smart phone.
Turn off outdoor condenser units when the weather gets cold. This should be done when the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit. This helps your system remain in good condition for many years.
It is always a good idea to swap out single pane windows with ones that have double panes. This also helps keep it warm in heat when it gets cold.
Shut off the air conditioning if nobody is home. With the system off, the house will only heat up to a certain temperature. Leaving the system on all day will cost a lot of money in terms of electricity.
Do not allow your house get extremely hot. Air conditioners can only reduce the indoor temperature 20 degrees or so within a reasonable time period. If your home become 100F or more, then you will only be able to reasonably cool to around 80. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Air conditioners tend to ice up.The drain line might also freeze up.If you see this happen, put the fan on to shut the compressor off. You should call a pro to fix this problem, but switching to the fan will make the ice melt.
Look for sizing calculators based on the air conditioner you have to figure out how big of a unit you need in your home. If you purchase something too large, you will be throwing away money. You can also check the owner’s manual to find specific numbers provided for the manufacturer. These numbers indicate the particular unit to cool a particular area.
Companies that are around awhile have a better record than those that can help you decide if they’re worth your money and time. Hiring a contractor comes with an element of risk.
Speak with someone close to you to see if they can recommend someone good to service their HVAC contractor. People that have had quality work done are often happy to share this information. This can also help you learn the names of those companies that should be avoided.
The Internet can really help you out when it comes to finding someone to work on your HVAC unit. Many online review sites provide an avenue for this information. This can help filter out the people you would like to work with.
Hvac System
Now you know how crucial the HVAC system is to your home. If it isn’t maintained properly, it could break. Hopefully, the tips above will help you remain happy with your HVAC system for years to come.
When hiring a contractor, choose one that offers 24-hour emergency hours. This includes during extreme weather.