Many people do not give their HVAC until it quits working. It can be difficult to find the right person to fix or install your HVAC contractor. This article can substitute for experience and help you choose the process.
Know what type of system you currently have before calling someone to fix it. Find out the brand and model and, if possible, dig out the maintenance history. Then, you’ll be ready to tell the contractor what they need to know.
Know what work you want done before you hire a contractor.A contractor will not be able to give you with an over-the-phone estimate if unfamiliar with your system. It will be more hard if you over the phone without the information readily available.
Clean the 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 condenser unit.
Clean the coils of your condenser fan each month. If you are doing more than a light surface cleaning, make sure that the power is shut off to the HVAC unit. The outside condenser unit should be kept free of leaves and other debris.
Be sure to clean debris from external condenser units. Debris can pile up at rates that increase during rainy or windy weather, bringing potential damage with it. It can also cause the unit to overheat and break down.
Grass Clippings
Don’t get grass clippings on your outside unit. Make certain the debris goes away from it. Also do this when blowing leaves or shoveling snow.
Don’t let grass clippings pile up against your outside unit. Aim the grass clippings in a different direction from the unit. This also applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in the yard.
Lubricate your fan condenser yearly if it has oil ports. You will notice these ports as they have a rubber or metal cap. Use a lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, putting 10 drops in each port.
Place your HVAC unit in the shade to boost efficiency. The air in the shade is cooler and can help save on energy costs.
Put outdoor unit in the shade.
Install a thermostat to save energy costs. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from your smart phone or other device.
It is always a good idea to swap out single pane windows for double pane ones. Double pane windows will allow you to use less air during the summer because cooler air will stay in your house. It also facilitates heat retention in winter.
During the visit, the system motor will be inspected, oil the moving parts and check the freon levels in the system. These repairs will keep your system.
Do not let your house get extremely hot. Air conditioners can only cool a home by just twenty degrees in a short time. If your house’s interior temperature hits 100 degrees Fahrenheit, you’ll only cool down to still above 80. This won’t be a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.
If there isn’t anyone at home, then there’s no need for the AC unit to be running and wasting electricity. Even though the house will get hotter, it won’t get too bad if the unit is off. If you leave it on all day, it’s fighting the heat constantly, meaning it’s using a lot of electricity to do its job.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times.The drain line might also freeze up. If this is something that’s happening to you, immediately put your thermostat on the fan setting to turn off your compressor. If this doesn’t work, call in help.
Companies that are around awhile have track records that can help you decide if they’re worth your money and time. It is riskier to hire a contractor with little experience.
Consider how long a given HVAC company has been in existence before giving them your business. The older they are, the more likely it will be for you to find out their history, which will help you gauge their quality. It is riskier to hire someone who does not have a long history.
Ask friends and family for their HVAC contractor recommendations. People who have had quality work done are often happy to share this information. This will also help you to avoid bad companies.
There are a few sites now that let customers talk about their experiences with contractors. This is useful for finding people that do good work with and ones that you don’t.
Do you need a new cooling 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. It is always better to buy a unit that is a little bit bigger rather than one that might be slightly smaller.
Are you looking at purchasing a new heating/cooling system? You will need to think about a few things into account. Systems have a rating based on how effectively they can cool or heat an area well. You are wise to err on the side of a unit rather than purchasing one that is a bit too small.
The information you read in this article will educate you about different HVAC systems available. Next time you have trouble with your unit, you will now be much better prepared. Remember this advice while you search for the right system.
You need to check your windows and outside doors to make certain your HVAC runs well. All should be tightly sealed with no air getting inside or out. Professional testing is available, and it is often free of charge.