Many people simply ignore their HVAC systems until they all the sudden quit working. It can be difficult to find the right person to fix your system. The tips listed here will ensure you go through the process.
Know what work you want done before you select an HVAC contractor. They won’t be able to offer you a quote if they haven’t seen your system. If you can’t explain anything to them, this will be even more difficult. Learn this information to start with.
If problems arise with the HVAC system, check things out yourself prior to calling in a technician. This information will help the repairman determine what the problem is and how to fix it.
Clean your condenser’s fan and coils come spring. Clean the outside of your external condenser unit regularly.
It’s a good idea to put your outdoor compressor in a shady area. The unit will operate more efficiently to cool your home if the intake air is cooler to begin with.
Turn it off so nothing moves.Then, pop off its grills, pull the blades out, and gently clean them as well as the unit itself.
Sae 20 Oil
Outdoor condenser units need to be turned off when the weather turns cold. Avoid damaging the unit by turning it off when the outdoor temperature drops below 60 degrees. This will help keep your HVAC system in good health for years, which means you will save on repair bills.
Lubricate the oil ports on your condenser once a year. You will notice these ports have a rubber or metal caps. Use SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, putting 10 drops in each port.
Put outdoor condensers in places with shade.
Sometimes air conditioners get iced up. You may even mistake the frozen drains as an issue for a plumber. 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. Talk to a professional if you are unsure of how to do this.
Turn off any outdoor condensers you have when the weather turns cold. This means that you should be done when the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This helps your unit is working well throughout the years without the cost of repairs.
A programmable thermostat is a simple way to help you save money on air conditioning bill. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from your smart phone or computer.
Every contractor out there is responsible for setting up their own fees, so get several quotes before hiring anyone. If you call around before making a final decision, it can save you a lot of money in the end. It is best to speak to several contractors so that you know which rates are reasonable.
Don’t let your home get too hot to where it’s dangerous. Air conditioners cannot sufficiently cool down a home by 20 degrees. If the temperature in your home rises to 100 degrees F or higher, you will only be able to cool it down to 80. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Fan Setting
Are you going to buy a new HVAC system? You need to know some things first. Systems have a rating based on how well the system is able to cool or heat an area well. You should buy a little bigger than necessary unit over a little smaller than necessary unit.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line may also freeze over. If you notice this, change the setting on your thermostat to the fan setting and this will disable the compressor. You can call a HVAC professional, even if switching it to its fan setting starts making the ice melt.
Look for air conditioner sizing calculators online to help you determine the size of unit you need for your room or home. Look in the manual to determine the recommended size for air conditioners.
Make an HVAC system run more efficiently by determining what direction your house faces. Block the sun in the morning with trees around your home. The cooler your home already is, the less work your AC will have to do.
Companies that are around awhile have track records that can help you decide if they’re worth your money and time.Hiring a newer contractor means taking a bigger risk.
Ask people that you know and family for contractor recommendations. People who’ve had a good experience are often happy to share the name of their contractor. This is also be used to see who you should avoid hiring.
You need to measure the space of your home so you can purchase the proper size unit. Plan for 20 BTU of power in your air conditioner for each square foot that needs to be cooled. If you are cooling more than one room, sum their areas.
Contractors charge different rates, so make sure you get quotes from several contractors before you make any hiring decision. You will be likely to save some cash simply by doing your homework. You want to call at least a handful of contractors to find out what reasonable rates are.
Check the ducts to find any leaks if your unit seems to not be working efficiently. If you do have leaks that are repaired, the money spent on finding and repairing the leak will pay for itself.
You should always ask a contractor a few simple questions before hiring them for a job, such as how long they’ve been working in this field. They should have a good history of working with HVAC units. You want a top professional on the job.
If your HVAC system is producing any type of clicking sounds, immediately start looking for any obstructions. Sometimes debris that gets in the fan’s way. Look at this prior to calling in a technician.
Make certain they are tightly sealed so air inside. You can also hire someone to test them all for you and often this testing is free.
Protect your condenser unit from winter weather by placing a cover around it. This will help your condenser last longer when not being used. Another bit of great advice is to not run the unit’s compressor if it’s under 60 degrees outside. Instead, just use the fan if need be.
Replace the air filter in your HVAC system working well.This is an easy thing to do to keep your unit running well.
If you can only put it into a corner, use one that doesn’t blow into the wall.
If you are installing a new HVAC system or even repairing your current set-up, ask your contractor about also installing a programmable thermostat. A programmable thermostat will save you tons on your power bills and even gives your system a chance to rest at night while everyone sleeps or is not at home.
This article has given you some great tips about HVAC systems that you may not have been familiar with before. Whether you need repairs on your existing system or need a new one altogether, you should be more aware of what to search for. Use what you’ve just learned to make it a simple process.