The whole concept of HVAC systems might strike you as complex when you hear people discussing it. This is probably due to the fact that so much goes into an HVAC system.
If your HVAC doesn’t seem to be working properly, check things out yourself prior to calling in a technician. While you are walking through the house, gauge which rooms are the coolest and which are the warmest. This can help the contractor determine the problem areas quickly and fix the problem easily.
Know what type of system you currently have before looking for a repair person. This will let you know that you’re able to give the contractor the information they might need.
Know what you want done before you hire a contractor. It will be hard for an HVAC contractor to give you a price estimate on the phone without knowing what your current setup is. It will be more hard if you over the phone without the information readily available.
HVAC units may suffer when leaves are falling off the trees. Make sure the fan’s grill is cleaned often during the fall. If your fan is obstructed, it can keep your system from working properly.
Clean the debris regularly. You don’t know when things are going to pile up, especially after a windy or rainy storm, and that can ruin your system. It will damage the system to malfunction by overheating.
Turn the power off first so nothing moves. Next, pop off the grill, put the blades out and start to gently clean them along with the unit.
To save money and be more comfortable in your home, install double-paned windows instead of single pane. Having double pane windows allows your air conditioning unit to be run much less during the summer, because the cool air is kept inside the home. This also helps retain heated air during the colder months.
Don’t let grass clippings on your outside unit. Aim your grass in a direction from the unit. This also applies when you are taking care of the leaves in debris.
Put your outdoor units in the shade if you are installing them.
If you want your energy costs to go down, have the heating an cooling system you own serviced every year at least. An HVAC specialist will inspect the entire system, including the oil, the motor, and the ducts. Small problems can occur in any of these areas and lead to serious issues if ignored for too long.
Have the HVAC system inspected twice per year. This should happen in the fall and malfunctions.
Turn off your outdoor condenser units when it becomes cold out. 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 to come.
To choose a HVAC contractor, it is important to check their reputations. Check with different references to determine the best one for your situation. Doing this makes it more likely that you choose wisely..
Install a programmable thermostat you can program to save money on cooling your home. Some can even be controlled from a PC or other device.
During this service visit, the system motor will be inspected, the moving parts will be oiled and the freon levels will be checked These simple things will help your system to run at peak performance.
Always check to see how long a company or contractor has been working for. It is more likely that a contractor who has been in business for a longer time will give you better value for your money. Hiring an inexperienced contractor can be risky.
Do not let your house to get extremely hot. Air conditioners cannot sufficiently cool your home down 20 degrees or so within a reasonable time period. If your house’s interior temperature hits 100 degrees Fahrenheit, you’ll only cool down to still above 80. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Air conditioners tend to ice up. The drain line may also freeze over. If you notice this, disable the compressor by switching the thermostat to run the fan only. You should leave the repair to a professional, but switching to the fan will make the ice melt.
All contractors charge differently for their services, so get at least four or five quotes before hiring a particular person. If you call people before you work on hiring one person, you can save some money overall. Call around 5 contractors so that you can get the best deal possible.
Companies that have been around for longer have a proven track records typically provide better service. Hiring a newer contractor may be taking a bigger risk.
Contractors determine their own fee levels, so make sure that you acquire multiple estimates. You can save tons of cash simply by asking for many quotes. Call around 5 contractors so that you can get the rates are.
Check for duct leaks if your unit seems to not be working efficiently. Call your utility company if they are leaking to see about getting a test. Once leaks have been fixed, you will save substantial money on heating and cooling costs.
Understanding how to work with the HVAC unit should be more apparent to you know. Sometimes it can be difficult if you are not motivated to learn, so you have to keep that in mind. You won’t be sorry you did, especially when it clicks in your mind!