Lots of people have HVAC units. An HVAC system helps people keep their homes at a comfortable temperature. You will generally need to have this installed by a professional to install it and maintain it. Read on for solid tips that will help you with your HVAC information.
If your HVAC doesn’t seem to be working properly, check things out yourself prior to calling in a technician. Jot down the rooms that are hot and the ones that are cold. If you do this, it will be a great help to the future contractor, who will now be able to quickly locate the problem issue.
Know the name and type of your HVAC system you currently have before calling someone to fix it. This will ensure that you can give your new contractor any information they might need.
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 external condenser unit regularly.
If the fan on your condenser includes oil ports, they must be lubricated annually. You’ll see that the ports here are closed with a rubber or metal cap. You should select an SAE 20 oil since it is lightweight and does not contain detergent. Be sure to use just 10 drops or so, or your system may overfill.
Turn it off so you don’t get hurt or break something. Then, take the grill off, pull the blades out, and begin cleaning the unit and them gently.
Your HVAC units might suffer when your trees lose leaves. Make sure the fan’s grill is cleaned frequently when the leaves begin to fall. The fan must stay clear in order to function, and if debris is blocking this air flow, you will have to contend with problems.
If possible, put your HVAC in a shaded area if it is outside. As you get your air conditioner to suck in cool air it won’t have to do too much work to cool it which saves you some money.
10 Drops
Lubricate your fan condenser yearly if it has oil ports. You can easily find the ports as they have a rubber or metal caps. Use a lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, putting 10 drops in each port.
It is a good idea to replace single-paned windows with ones that have double panes. Double pane windows can minimize the use of your air conditioner in hot weather since they keep the indoor air cooler. They help in the winter, too, keeping the heat in.
Put your outdoor unit in the shade if you are installing them.
Have the HVAC system inspected twice a year. This should happen in the fall and malfunctions.
Research multiple contractors before choosing one. Checking with the BBB is a good idea, and so is checking online reviews to see the experiences that other customers have had with a company. Doing this makes it more likely that you choose wisely..
Install a programmable thermostat to save money on cooling your home. Some can even be controlled from your smart phone or computer.
Don’t allow your home temperature get dangerously high. Air conditioners can only reduce the indoor temperature 20 degrees Fahrenheit in a reasonable time limit. If the temperature in your home rises to 100 degrees F or higher, 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.
Ask around so you can find a reputable HVAC contractor. Those who have had this work done will know the best options. This will also help you to avoid undesirable companies.
Look for calculators online to help you determine the size of unit is necessary for your home. Look at the manual to determine the manufacturer website for air conditioners.
Companies that are well established have track records that haven’t been. Hiring a newer contractor who is just starting out can be risky.
Are you going to buy a new HVAC system? You may want to consider the following. Systems have ratings according to the total area they effectively heat or cool. It is better to purchase a slightly larger than needed unit, rather than a slightly smaller than needed unit.
Contractors charge different rates, so make sure to get multiple quotes.You can save a great deal of money this way. You want to call at least a handful of contractors to determine what price you can reasonably expect to pay.
Think about getting a radiant barrier installed in your attic so support the efficient functioning of your HVAC system can run better. It blocks outside heat from coming in which will serve as a barrier between your home cool when it’s hot outside. You could even use your attic as part of your living space more effectively.
Determine the direction your home is facing to help get your HVAC system functioning efficiently. You can help keep your home cool with the strategic placement of trees. If there is less heat coming into your home, then your air conditioning unit won’t have to work as hard.
If you hear a clicking noise coming from the HVAC unit, look immediately to see if there is an obstruction. Sometimes debris that gets in the fan’s way. Check it out before calling a professional.
This article has shown that assistance is available as far as HVAC is concerned. It is important to have your HVAC unit installed and working properly. Put this advice to good use so that you have minimal issues in the future.
Measuring the space you want to cool is the first step to figure how large of an air conditioner you need. You will need about 20 BTU per square footage of the room. If you are cooling more than one room, sum their areas.