It is not easy for people to figure out where to go when the HVAC system issue. To prevent real inconvenience and misery, it pays to spend some time getting familiar with the topic. This article was put together to help homeowners to find the help they need for their HVAC unit.
If your HVAC doesn’t seem to be working properly, check things out yourself prior to calling in a technician. Pay attention to which areas of the house are warm and which ones are cool. This will help the repairman determine what the problem is.
Know what work you need before you select an HVAC contractor.It will be hard for an HVAC contractor to give you a price estimate on the phone if they have not seen your current setup is. It will be more difficult for him to assist you can’t figure out what they need to do.
Clean the debris off your condenser unit. Debris can pile up after a storm, and this can foul up the inner workings of your system.It can also cause the unit to overheat and break down.
Before you ever begin looking for an HVAC contractor, first consider the entire job that you’ll need completed. You can’t get a decent estimate over a telephone, so disregard those numbers and wait until they view your system. Getting an estimate will be even more difficult if you cannot adequately describe the problem. It’s important to know this beforehand.
Don’t let grass clippings on your outside unit. Aim your grass cuttings in a different direction away from the unit. This also applies when you are taking care of the leaves in debris.
Leaves falling from trees can damage your HVAC unit. Make sure you clean out your fan grill often during the fall. The fan must be unobstructed to work properly, and if it gets blocked, you’ll have a lot of headaches eventually.
Clean the debris from outside units often. After a wind or rain storm things may pile up, causing problems with your HVAC system. It can overheat, leading to disaster within your system.
10 Drops
Lubricate the oil ports on your fan condenser at least once each year. You can find the ports covered with rubber or metal cap. Use SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, putting 10 drops in each port.
Cover your unit when you are mowing the lawn. Make certain the debris goes away from it. This also applies to blowing leaves or moving debris. Just be careful with that exterior HVAC unit.
Put outdoor unit in places with shade.
Turn off outdoor condenser units when it becomes cold out. This should turn it off to prevent damage if the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This can keep your system running efficiently for many years to come.
You need to lubricate parts of your fan condenser. They are usually fitted with a rubber or metal cap. Look for an oil that is lightweight and then put about 10 drops inside the port. You don’t want to put in too much.
It is always a good idea to swap out single pane windows with ones that have double pane ones. This also helps keep it warm air in during the winter.
During the service check, the contractor will oil parts, oil the unit’s moving parts and ensure the unit has proper freon levels. These few simple things will help your system to run its best.
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. They help in the winter, too, keeping the heat in.
Research and check the reputation of companies that you consider using. Check with different references to determine the BBB and look for reviews of potential companies online. This will help you have to do in order to make the right choice.
Air conditioners tend to ice up.The drain line may also freeze over. If this happens, disable the compressor by turning your thermostat to the fan only setting. If the issue persists, call a professional.
Make use of a thermostat when you are installing an HVAC. Turning down the thermostat around 10 percent for 8 hours per day can give you a 10 percent savings using the programmable thermostat. Some newer programmable thermostats have computerized controls you can access from your personal computer, laptop or mobile media device.
Companies that are well established have track records that haven’t been. Hiring a new contractor may be taking a considerable risk.
Ask your friends and trust for contractor recommendations. People who have had great service are often happy to share the name of it. This can also help you to figure out some names of companies that you should avoid at all costs.
To keep your system running smoothly have your system serviced once a year. This inspection will ensure that your unit is working efficiently, including a freon level and motor check, and oiling moving parts. These easy to do things are going to allow your system to run its best.
Contractors determine their own fee levels, so make sure you get quotes from several contractors before you make any hiring decision. You can save quite a bit of money this way. You want to get quotes from at least a handful of contractors to determine what you should be paying.
When HVAC fails, everyone feels miserable. However, had you known what you know now, you could have likely avoided the problem all together. The tips you learned here can help homeowners make informed decisions regarding their HVAC systems.
Do not allow your home to reach excessive levels of heat during the summer. Air conditioners are limited in that they can only reduce the indoor temperature 20 degrees Fahrenheit in a reasonable time limit. If the temperature in your home reaches 100 degree Fahrenheit, it will only reduce it to 80 or more. Depending on the humidity level, this temperature isn’t considered a safe sleeping temperature for the human body to be able to recover from the summer heat.