You might think it’s not possible to learn anything about HVAC. If you review the information in this article, then this won’t be the case. This advice should help even the novice when it comes to simple repairs on this.
Before calling someone to repair your system, make sure you know what kind of HVAC system you actually have. Look for the model and brand number. This helps make sure the contractor has the information they will need.
If you’ve been having trouble with an HVAC system, check out each room in your house before calling for assistance.
Turn the power off so you don’t get hurt or break something. Next, pop the grill off, pull out the blades and start cleaning them and the unit itself off gently.
Clean the debris off your outdoor condenser unit. Things pile up after storms and damage your system. It can cause your system to malfunction by overheating.
Don’t get grass clippings pile up against your outdoor condenser. Aim your grass cuttings in a different direction from the unit. This applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in the yard.
Your HVAC units might suffer when trees lose their leaves. Make sure the fan’s grill is cleaned often once nearby trees start shedding their leaves. The fan must stay clear in order to function, and if it gets blocked, then your system could suffer.
Keep your outdoor units free of debris when your cutting grass. Make certain the debris goes away from it. This applies when you are taking care of the leaves in the yard.
Put outdoor unit in places with shade.
Have the HVAC system serviced at least yearly. This should happen in the fall and again in the spring.
If you own your own home or have permission from your landlord, replace your single pane windows with double paned versions. Double pane windows can minimize the use of your air conditioner in hot weather since they keep the indoor air cooler. This same effect also keeps warm air in during the winter months.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line may also freeze over.If you see this, put your thermostat over to fan. You should leave the repair to a professional, even if switching it to its fan setting starts making the ice melt.
Look for air conditioner sizing calculators online to truly understand what size of unit you need for your home.Look in the manual or on the recommended size for this information.
When you are away from home, adjust your thermostat to a money saving temperature. The house will only heat to certain level and a decent HVAC system can quickly cool this down once you are home. The longer the unit stays on, the more it ends up costing you in energy bills.
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 an inexperienced contractor who is just starting out can be risky.
Ask friends and relations for contractor recommendations. People will tell you who have used and if they are worth calling. This can also a great way to get names of those companies that should be avoided.
Use recommendations when you are looking for a contractor. People that have had quality work done are usually more than willing to share this information. You can also get company names that you should stay away from.
Many websites allow consumers to share their experiences with a service. This is a good way to locate contractors that do good work with.
Think about having a radiant barrier installed in your attic so your HVAC system can run better. It ensures that your home cool when it’s hot or cold as it should be. You could even find that you can use your attic space if it is done right.
Are you going to buy a new HVAC system? There are several things you should consider. First, the rating a system has indicates how much area they can warm up or cool down. Therefore, you may want to opt for a larger unit.
Figure out the direction your home faces in order to make your HVAC system can work better. If there is less heat coming into your home, your AC will work less.
If the HVAC unit makes a clicking noise, immediately check for any type of obstruction. Often the issue is some sort of debris hitting fans in your cooling system. Check this out before calling a contractor.
Look for leaves or other debris if you notice a thumping sound in your unit. Often the issue is some sort of debris that’s hitting the fans in the cooling system. That is a simple solution; just take the debris out. Look carefully at it before you call up a service technician.
Square Footage
Measure the living area that needs cooling before going air conditioner shopping. You generally need about 20 BTU per square footage of room space. If more than one room needs AC service, make sure to add the square footage together.
Measuring the space you want to cool is the first step to figure how large of an air conditioner you need. You generally need 20 BTU for each square foot of room space. When you are cooling more than one room, you must add together all of the square footage.
If all you have is a corner spot, get one with moving vents.
Any HVAC contractor you hire should have an emergency number available to customers around the clock. They should be able to get to your home whenever you need them there, no matter how extreme the weather or what time of day it may be.
Before hiring a contractor to work on your HVAC system, you should inquire about the type of experience they have. Confirm that they have done this work before. You minimize the chances of bad service this way.
This article has given you the knowledge necessary to get into HVAC. It’s very easy to have things work your way by using the advice above. If you use the tips above well enough, you can save or even make money.