Anyone that uses HVAC systems in their home knows what it means to have it properly maintained. An HVAC unit operating at minimum efficiency is costing you money all year round! This article offers you keep your HVAC in optimal condition.
Before making that repair phone call, make sure you know the specifics about your particular system. 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 the name and type of system you currently have before calling someone to fix it. This will enable you to give the contractor the information they might need.
Know what work you need before you hire a contractor. It will be difficult for a contractor to provide you with an estimate over the phone without knowing what your current setup is. It will be more hard if you over the phone without the information readily available.
Clean your outdoor condensers often. Excess debris can really affect your system’s quality. The whole thing can overheat, causing major problems and possibly an enormous expense for you.
Be sure to 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 throw a wrench in your system. It can cause a disaster with your system to malfunction by overheating.
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.
When you’re trying to cut your grass, don’t cover a unit outside with the clippings. Turn your lawnmower in the opposite direction. Do the same when blowing snow or leaves.
Put your outdoor unit in the shade if you are installing them.
Turn off your outdoor condensers you have when it becomes cold out. This should turn it off to prevent damage if the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit. This can keep your system last much longer and save you a lot on repairs.
In order to boost efficiency, place new outdoor units or move your current unit to a place which resides in the shade. As it brings in cool air to cool, you will save a lot of money.
Don’t let your home get way too hot. An air conditioning unit will reduce the internal temperature of your home approximately twenty degrees in a short time span. If the temperature in your home reaches 100 degree Fahrenheit, then you will only be able to reasonably cool to around 80. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Research the reputation of companies before hiring them. Check with different references to determine the BBB and look for reviews posted by former customers.This will help you to choose a smart decision.
Keep your air conditioner off when people aren’t home to save you money. When you turn it off, the house heats up, but only to a certain threshold. The unit will use a large amount of electricity to combat the heat during the day when the house is empty.
Air conditioners tend to ice up.The drain line might also freeze up. If this happens, put the fan on to shut the compressor off. You should call a pro to fix this problem, but switching to the fan setting should start to melt the ice.
Companies that are well established have track records typically provide better service. It is always risky to hire someone who does not have a contractor with little experience.
Every contractor out there is responsible for setting up their own fees, so get several quotes before hiring anyone. Making some phone calls before deciding is a good way to save money. To figure out what a good rate is, speak with about five or six contractors.
Ask your friends and family for contractor recommendations. People who’ve had quality work done are usually more than willing to tell of it. This will also help you to figure out some names of businesses that you should avoid at all costs.
There are a lot of great sites these days that let customers talk about their experiences with contractors. This is useful for finding people you wish to work with and those that you don’t.
Know which direction the house faces so that your HVAC system operates more efficiently. Trees placed in the right places can keep the sun from heating your home too much. A cooler home means less work for your air conditioner.
Now that you went through this article on HVAC, it shouldn’t be hard to understand what you need to do to keep things running well for a while. The last thing you want is a faulty HVAC system, because that could run you a lot of extra money due to excessive bills and maintenance. Check these tips again to make sure your HVAC lasts a long time.