A well-maintained HVAC system can mean the difference between comfort and discomfort in the home. A lot of people spend quite a bit to fix things when they don’t work right, but could have avoided such issues if they had maintained them properly.The tips below will help you need to know about HVAC systems.
Before making that repair phone call, make sure you know the specifics about your particular system. Write down what brand your system is along with the model number and, if they’re available, maintenance records. Then, you’ll be ready to tell the contractor what they need to know.
Know the name and type of system you currently have before looking for a repair person. This will enable you give the new contractor the necessary information.
Know what work you need before you select an HVAC contractor. It will be difficult for a contractor to provide you a price estimate on 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.
Don’t hire a contractor until you know a little about what you are facing. This will make the quote process much easier. If you don’t have any idea, they will have trouble giving you any sort of quote. Understand this information beforehand.
Turn the power 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 let grass clippings pile up against your outside unit. Aim your grass in a direction away from the unit. This also applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in the yard.
Clean the debris on your condenser units. The dirt could pile up and harm your system. It can also cause it to overheat.
Trees Start
Your outdoor HVAC unit may suffer when your trees start to lose leaves. Make sure the unit’s fan grill often once nearby trees start shedding their leaves. The fan must stay clear in order to function, and if debris is blocking this air flow, you’ll have a lot of headaches eventually.
If you need to decide the best place to put your outdoor compressor unit, consider putting it in a location that is in the shade. In this way, it will be cooling air that is already somewhat cooled. This saves energy.
Put your outdoor units in the shade if you are installing them.
Never allow your home reach a dangerously hot inside. Air conditioners cannot sufficiently cool a home down a home by 20 degrees. If your home happens to get near 100 degrees Fahrenheit, you will only be able to cool it down to 80. This won’t be a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.
Equipping your home with a programmable thermostat can be an excellent way to cut utility costs. If you adjust it to keep the house a little warmer or a little cooler during the time you are sleeping, you may see your energy bill go down by as much as ten percent. Some can even be controlled from a computer.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times.The drain line might also freeze up. If you notice this, change the setting on your thermostat to the fan setting and this will disable the compressor. You can call a HVAC professional, even if switching it to its fan setting starts making the ice melt.
Look for calculators online to help you determine the size of unit is necessary for your home. Look in the manual to determine the manufacturer website for this information.
Save some cash by shutting down the air-conditioning system when there is no one in the house. By raising the temperature from, for example 78 to 80, your house will be warmer, but only up to 80 before your AC kicks in. If you decide to set the temperature to 82 or 83 or so on, your AC won’t go on until it reaches that temperature. If it is on all day, it is trying to maintain a cool temperature constantly, using a great deal of electricity to fight the heat.
Ask for helpful information when you can find a HVAC contractor. People who have had a good experience are usually more than willing to share the name of their contractor. This can also provide you with good information on which contractors you should be avoided.
Contractors are responsible for their own charges and fees, so make sure to get multiple quotes. You will be likely to save some money this way. You want to get quotes from at least a handful of contractors to determine what reasonable rates are.
When you want a HVAC contractor who is reliable, you need to spend some time in researching the background and reputation of several potential companies. It can be helpful to check out the online reviews of previous customers and it is always wise to check their reputation as listed on a Better Business Bureau website. These steps can help ensure you make the smartest and most informed choice.
Think about getting a radiant barrier installed in your attic so your HVAC system. It will serve as a barrier between your home cool when it’s hot outside. You could even use the attic as part of your living space if it is done right.
As stated above, your HVAC system is very important and you need to keep it running right. The advice you have just been given should help you save money on costly repairs. There is no need to spend thousands of dollars when you can prevent the issue from happening.
Check any company you are considering to see how long it has been around. This gives you some history so that you can be sure the company is reliable. Hiring a new contractor comes with an element of risk.