It is not easy for homeowners to know where to go when the HVAC system begins to fail. To prevent real inconvenience and misery, learn all you can on the topic. This article was put together to help homeowners get the help they need.
When you cut the grass, don’t cover the outdoor units with their clippings. Direct the grass clippings in a direction away from the HVAC unit. This also applies when you blow leaves, so be very careful near your exterior HVAC units when you move debris.
Know what type of your HVAC system you currently have before calling someone to fix it. This information will be helpful to any contractor asks for this information.
Know what work you want done before you hire a contractor. It will be difficult for an HVAC contractor to provide you a price estimate on the phone without knowing what your current system. It will be way more hard if you don’t know what’s wrong.
Your HVAC unit requires regular maintenance at least two times per each year. Generally, you want it done in the fall and the spring. Even if everything seems okay, it doesn’t hurt to check things out.
Turn the power off first so nothing moves. Next, pop off the grill, put the blades out and start to gently clean them along with the unit.
Don’t let grass clippings on your outside unit.Aim the grass in a direction from the unit. This applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in the yard.
If you can, use double-paned windows instead of single-paned ones. Windows that are double pane keep the cool air in and can greatly reduce the amount of time your air conditioner will need to run. This also helps retain heated air during the colder months.
Your HVAC units might suffer when trees start to lose their leaves. Make sure the fan’s grill often during the fall.The fan needs to have an unobstructed path for air to enter the unit, and if it becomes blocked, it could cause your system to break down.
Put your outdoor units in the shade if you are installing them.
To help lower cooling costs when not at home, make sure the air conditioner is turned off. The house will only heat up to a certain point. When the AC is left running, your power bill will go up quite a bit.
It is always a good idea to replace single-paned windows with ones that have double pane ones. This will help you keep in heat when it gets cold.
A programmable thermostat can really help you save money on your power bills. Some can even be controlled from a PC or other device.
Before you invest in any HVAC contractor, make sure you spend a good deal of time researching their reputations and credentials. A good start would be the BBB to see if there are any complaints, then search online for review sites where you can see what actual customers had to say about their experience. These simple steps will help make a better decision.
During a maintenance visit, the serviceman will inspect the unit’s motor, oil the different moving parts as well as check the system’s freon levels. These simple things will keep your system to run at its peak performance.
Don’t let your home get way too hot. Air conditioners really can only cool your home down a home by 20 degrees. If your home happens to get near 100 degrees Fahrenheit, you’ll only cool down to still above 80. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Look for air conditioner sizing calculators online to truly understand what size of unit is necessary for your room or home. Proper sizing will increase efficiency. Use the manual to determine what size is right for you.
During extreme temperatures of the summer and winter, it can be incredibly frustrating to have your unit go out. You must have this knowledge in advance though. Using the solid advice in the article above can be the best decision any homemaker can make.