This article has some great information to help you out.
Keep outside condenser fans running smoothly by cleaning fan blades and coils before the summer begins. Make sure your power is off before doing more than cleaning, such as working on the unit. Also, be sure to clear leaves and debris from your condenser unit.
Clean the debris regularly. You never know when things can pile up, like right after it’s windy or rains, and that can throw a wrench in your system. It can also cause your system to malfunction by overheating.
Turn the power off first so you don’t get hurt or break something. Then, pop off its grills, pull the blades out, and gently clean them as well as the unit itself.
If there are oil ports on your fan condenser, lubricate it annually. These are usually covered with rubber or metal caps. 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.
Don’t get grass clippings pile up against your outside unit. Aim the grass in a direction from the unit. This also applies when you are taking care of the leaves in debris.
Your HVAC units might suffer when trees lose leaves. Make sure you clean out your fan grill is cleaned often once nearby trees start shedding their leaves. The fan must stay clear in order to function, and if it becomes blocked, it could cause your system to break down.
Place your HVAC unit in the shade to boost efficiency. When your unit sucks in cooler air, then much less is required to cool it further, which saves you money on energy bills.
Put your outdoor unit in the shade.
Be sure you have twice annual HVAC system checks. This should be checked often for debris and again in the spring.
When the weather starts to cool down, make sure you turn off outdoor condenser units. Avoid damaging the unit by turning it off when the outdoor temperature drops below 60 degrees. This helps the system last much longer and will have to be repaired less often.
A programmable thermostat can help you out when it comes to your power bills. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from a computer.
Companies that are well established have track records typically provide better service. Hiring a contractor comes with an element of risk.
Putting in a programmable thermostat is a smart way to cut back on air-conditioning costs. 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. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from a PC or other device.
Ask friends and trust for their HVAC contractor recommendations. People that have had quality work done in the past generally love to share this information. This can also help you with good information on which contractors you should avoid.
There are a lot of online websites that give people the opportunity to leave comments about their experiences with contractors. This is a great way to find people you with and those you don’t want to work with.
Do not let your house get dangerously hot. Your average AC unit can only reduce the temperature in your home by about 20 degrees in a normal span of time. If your home become 100F or more, it will only cool off to about 80F. Depending on the levels of humidity, that is not a safe temperature when it comes to sleeping or escaping from the heat of summer.
Do you want to buy a new cooling system? You could keep a few important things. Systems get rated according to how large an area they effectively heat or cool. You are better off purchasing a unit that is slightly too large for your needs than a bit too small.
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, then the HVAC will require less work to actually cool the home.
It is possible for air conditioners to ice over. Freezes also occur in your drain line. These freezes are easily confused as leaks to the untrained eye. If this is something that’s happening to you, change the setting on your thermostat to the fan setting and this will disable the compressor. If the problem persists be sure to call in a professional.
Do you understand your HVAC system a little more intimately now? It’s something everyone can grasp with a little help. You can make learning it easier, by taking it one step at a time. This will put you and your family in the safest position.