Even though it is very important to have an HVAC system that runs optimally, most homeowners are clueless about doing this. Learning the best HVAC professional to maintain or repair services is a smart homeowner. The tips that follow will help put you started.
Clean the coils of your condenser fan each month. Prior to working on or cleaning the unit, be sure to turn off the power. Remove leaves and debris from the outdoor unit.
Know what you want done before you hire a contractor. It will be difficult for a contractor to provide you a price estimate over the phone without knowing what your current setup is. It will be way more hard if you over the phone without the information readily available.
Clean your fan blades and coils come spring. Clean off any leaves or debris from your condenser unit regularly.
Fall is a hard time on HVAC units. Frequently clean the fan grill when trees are shedding leaves. Because the fan requires a clear path for air to enter, you may encounter issues with your system if the fan gets blocked up.
Clean the debris that accumulates on an external condenser unit. You never know when things can pile up, like right after it’s windy or rains, and that can ruin your system. It can also cause the unit to overheat and break down.
Put your outdoor unit in the shade if you are installing them.
Make certain that an outdoor unit is in the shade. When your unit is bringing in cool air, it will not have to work as hard to cool the air as it moves it inside, boosting efficiency.
Turn off any outdoor condenser units when weather turns cold. This means that you should turn it off to prevent damage if the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This helps the system last much longer and save you a lot on repairs.
It is always a good idea to replace single-paned windows with ones that have double panes. This also help you keep it warm in heat when it gets cold.
One way to save some money with A/C is by having a programmable thermostat installed. A programmable thermostat can save you up to ten percent on your cooling and heating costs by simply turning the thermostat back ten to fifteen percent for eight hours a day. Some newer programmable thermostats have computerized controls you can access from your personal computer, laptop or mobile media device.
A programmable thermostat can help you save money on your air conditioning costs. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from your smart phone or computer.
During the service check, the system motor will be inspected, oil the unit’s moving parts and ensure the unit has proper freon levels. These easy to do things are going to allow your system running at peak performance.
Occasionally, air conditioners ice up. This can also happen on the drain line. If this happens, put your thermostat over to fan. While switching the system to the fan setting should begin the ice melting process, the best thing to do is to hire a professional to deal with the problem.
Air conditioners tend to ice up.The drain line may also freeze over. If you see this happen, switch your thermostat to fan only to disable the compressor. You should leave the repair to a 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 is necessary for your home. Look at the manual or on the recommended size for this information.
You shouldn’t rely on a single quote from one contractor to gauge the cost, because different specialists set their own price. You can save tons of money by asking for many quotes. Ideally, you should call five to six contractors to get a good idea of what a reasonable rate is.
Companies that are around awhile have track records that haven’t been. Hiring a newer contractor who is just starting out can be risky.
Ask your friends and family for their HVAC contractor recommendations. People that have had quality work done are usually willing to share this information. This can also help you learn the names of companies that you should be avoided.
Determine which way your home faces in order to establish efficient HVAC operation. If you strategically place trees, it’s possible to block some of the morning sunlight so your home won’t become overheated. The less your home is heated, the less you’ll have to use your air conditioner to cool things off.
Contractors are responsible for their own charges and fees, so make sure to get multiple quotes.You should save a great deal of money this way. You want to get quotes from at least a handful of contractors to determine what reasonable rates are.
Do you want to find a new cooling and heating system? You should first think about a few important things. Systems have a rating based on how well the system is able to cool or heat an area. You are better off purchasing a bigger unit that is slightly too large for your needs than a bit too small.
Your HVAC system will be more efficient if your doors and windows are efficient as well. Be sure that they’re sealed well so that air from the outside or inside doesn’t come in or escape. It is wise to hire someone to test them out, and this often costs nothing.
In order to be comfortable in your home 365 days a year, your HVAC system must remain in working order. But, if you are unfamiliar with the basics of these systems, it can break down prematurely. By using the above information, you now know what to do.