If you want to increase your understanding of HVAC maintenance, you’ve come to the right place. This article is going to take you learn many things about this. Take the time to read along and you will do just fine.
Understand what you want before talking to a contractor. It will be hard for a contractor to give you a price estimate over the phone if they have not seen your current system. It will be way more hard if you can’t figure out what they need to do. So be aware of this information ahead of time.
Know what type of your HVAC system before looking for a repair person.This will enable you can give your chosen contractor all the information they need.
Know what you need before you select an HVAC contractor. It will be difficult for a contractor to provide you with an estimate on the phone without knowing what your current system. It will be way more hard if you over the phone without the information readily available.
Don’t let your outdoor HVAC units get smothered with clippings anytime you mow the yard. When you work with your lawn mower, make sure it spits the grass to the side opposite of your unit. Make sure you move around the unit and blow the leaves away from it while blowing your leaves.
Be sure to regularly clean external condenser units. 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 can cause your system by overheating.
Don’t get grass clippings pile up against your outside unit. Aim the grass in a different direction from the other direction. This applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in debris.
If you have a fan condenser with oil ports, it needs to be lubricated every year. Such ports tend to have coverings made of rubber or metal. Pick out a SAE 20 type of oil because it has no detergent, is lightweight, and you should put around 10 drops in the ports but make it to where they don’t get too full.
Your HVAC unit may suffer when your trees lose leaves. Make sure you clean out your fan grill often during the fall. The fan must stay clear in order to function, and if it gets blocked, it could cause your system to break down.
Put outdoor unit in places with shade.
It is very important that your HVAC system is serviced two times a year. Ideally, you should have it looked at in the spring and fall so you know everything is set for the hot and cold months. Check it out just to be safe even if there is nothing broken.
Turn off any outdoor condenser units when weather turns cold. This should be done when the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit.This helps the system working for years and save you a lot on repairs.
It is a good idea to swap out single pane windows with ones that have double pane ones. This also helps keep it warm in heat when it gets cold.
If you can, install double-paned windows throughout your home. Double pane windows help minimize your air conditioning use in the summer by keeping the cooler air inside your home. Conversely, they keep warm air in during the winter.
A programmable thermostat is a simple way to help you out when it comes to your power bills. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from your smart phone or computer.
Companies that are around awhile have a better record than those that can help you decide if they’re worth your money and time. Hiring an inexperienced contractor who is just starting out can be risky.
Don’t allow your home to become dangerously hot. An air conditioning unit is really only able to reduce the temperature by twenty degrees in a short time span. So if your home is 100ºF, you’ll only get the temperature down to about 80. Depending on the levels of humidity, that is not a safe temperature when it comes to sleeping or escaping from the heat of summer.
Ask friends and trust for contractor recommendations. People that have used and if they are worth calling. This can also help you know which companies to stay away from.
Make sure they have tight seals to keep air can’t seep in. You can get a professional out to help you test them.
If you aren’t sure who to call for HVAC maintenance, repairs, or installation, look online for reviews. There are plenty of websites online that offer reviews and referrals for HVAC repair and other important service. This will help you find a top notch professional.
Square Footage
Measure the living area you wish to cool before going air conditioning. You generally need 20 BTUs per square footage of room space. When you are cooling more than one room, determine the square footage of each room and then add the numbers together.
A radiant barrier improves the efficiency of your HVAC. It blocks outside heat from coming in which will make sure you won’t have to use more energy to keep your home cool when it’s hot outside. If it is done correctly, it is even possible to convert the attic as a living space.
If you can only put it into a corner, make certain that the air does not point towards a wall.
Always make sure to get references when you are considering a HVAC contractor.
Determine the direction your home is facing to help get your HVAC system functioning efficiently. Strategically placed trees can block sunlight and help keep the home cooler without the use of an AC unit. When there is less heat inside your home, the air conditioner will not have to work as hard.
Any HVAC contractor or installer should have an emergency hotline. They should be there when you need them, even if when the weather gets to be extreme.
This information should make dealing with HVAC a snap. Take your time and learn as much as you can, though, so you don’t make any mistakes. Good luck and keep up the hard work!
As you are thinking about where to put your AC unit, consider how the air moves out of it. If you have to put the unit in a corner, use one that doesn’t blow into the wall.