Having a great HVAC system in good working order can be enjoyable in the home. If an HVAC system should fail, it can be very frustrating. Learning about your HVAC system begins with the chances of a breakdown; these tips will prove very useful.
What system do you have? You need this information to tell your contractor. Know the brand name and model number. It is also helpful to have the maintenance history. This information will be helpful to any contractor you hire to repair it.
Know what type of your HVAC system you currently have before looking for a repair person. This will enable you know that you’re able to give your chosen contractor any information that can help them.
Know what work you need before you select an HVAC contractor.It will be hard for a contractor to give you a price estimate over the phone without knowing what your current setup is. It can be harder if you can’t figure out what they need to do.
Before selecting a HVAC repairman, know what you need done. Providing you with an accurate estimate over the telephone may be difficult to impossible is they can’t see the system you have. It’s even harder if you’re not able to explain what you’ve done. Know this stuff ahead of time.
Turn it off so you don’t get hurt or break something. Then, pop off its grills, pull the blades out, and gently clean them as well as the unit itself.
Don’t get grass clippings on your outdoor condenser. Aim your grass cuttings in a direction away from the unit. This applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in the yard.
The operation of your HVAC system can be in danger when the tree leaves begin to fall. During this time of year, check and clear off the fan grill on your unit on a regular basis. The fan needs to be able to get proper air inside without any blockages, and extra blockage can later develop into more serious problems.
Leaves and debris can wreak havoc with your HVAC unit. Make sure you clean out your fan grill is cleaned often once nearby trees start shedding their leaves. When blockages restrict the flow of air to the fan, you will lose out on quality air.
Have your heating and cooling system inspected twice a year at the least.This should be checked often for debris and the spring.
Putting in a programmable thermostat is a smart way to cut back on air-conditioning costs. Turning down the thermostat around 10 percent for 8 hours per day can give you a 10 percent savings using the programmable thermostat. Some can even be controlled from a computer.
Turn off your outdoor condenser units when it’s getting cold. This should turn it off to prevent damage if the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This simple tip will help keep your system working for many years and save you a lot on repairs.
It is a good idea to swap out single pane windows with ones that have double panes. This also helps keep in heat when it gets cold.
If nobody is home, turn off the AC. Your home will become somewhat warmer during this time. Obviously, if you leave your air conditioning set at a low temperature all day long even if you’re not home, you’ll be paying to maintain that low temperature.
During your service visit, the serviceman will inspect the unit’s motor, the moving parts will be oiled and the freon levels will be checked These simple things will help keep your HVAC system running smoothly.
Do not allow your house to get dangerously hot. Air conditioners can only cool a home by just twenty degrees in a short time. If the temperature in your home rises to 100 degrees F or higher, it will only reduce it to 80 or more. This won’t be a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.
Put a bit of time into researching various HVAC specialists; you’re more likely to choose the right one for the job. 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. When done in advance you can be sure of making a sound decision.
Research and check the companies that you consider using. Check with different references to determine the BBB and look for your situation. Doing all of this can help you choose wisely..
Look for calculators online to help you determine the size of unit you need for your room or home. Look in the manual or on the recommended size for this information.
Use an HVAC company that has been in business for a while. The older they are, the more likely it will be for you to find out their history, which will help you gauge their quality. Taking risks is not something that you want to do in this area.
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 comes with an element of risk.
Contractors determine their own fee levels, so make sure you get quotes from several contractors before you make any hiring decision. You will be likely to save a lot of cash simply by doing your homework. You may want to call at least five contractors to determine what reasonable rates are.
You should think about putting in a radiant barrier in order to help your system run efficiently. This will block the heat that comes in. You might even be able to start living in your attic.
After going through the advice above, you can see that it’s important to worry about keeping HVAC working properly in your home. If you do not perform the recommended inspection, the result will not be good. Thankfully, you have the information shared here, so use it.