Many folks don’t know how to properly maintain an HVAC system, but don’t know how to take care of them. Learning the ins and outs of choosing an HVAC professional to maintain or repair services is a smart homeowner. The tips that follow will help put you started.
Check out the system that you have before you call a professional. Learn the brand and the model. The contractor will likely need all of this information.
Know what type of system before looking for a repair person. This makes sure the contractor will need.
If your HVAC is running into problems, take a tour of the house prior to calling a professional. This will help the repairman determine where the problem is and how to fix it.
If you have a fan condenser with oil ports, it needs to be lubricated every year. You’ll find these ports are covered with a metal or rubber cap. Put about ten drops or less of a good non-detergent SAE 20 oil into each port.
Know what work you want done before you hire a contractor. It will be difficult for an HVAC contractor to give you with an estimate on the phone without knowing what your current setup is. It will be way more hard if you don’t know what’s wrong.
Clean your fan blades and coils when the weather begins to warm. Clean the outside of your condenser unit.
If you are a homeowner, or if you can get permission from your landlord, install double-paned windows in place of any single panes in your home. Double pane windows can help minimize how much you use your air conditioner in the summer, because they keep cool air inside the home. As with other steps you take to improve your ability to keep your air conditioned air or heated air inside your home, double-paned windows can help you save on energy costs.
Be sure to clean debris from external condenser units regularly. You never know when things can pile up, especially after a windy or rainy storm, and that can ruin your system. It can cause it to overheat.
Turn it off so you don’t get hurt or break something. Next, pop off the grill, put the blades out and start to gently clean them along with the unit.
Make sure that your AC is turned off when you are not using it. You may want to turn your unit off if your house will not become extremely hot or cold. When you keep it on, you will be using electricity.
Your HVAC unit may suffer when your trees lose their leaves. Make sure the unit’s fan grill is cleaned often during the fall. The fan needs to have an unobstructed path for air to enter the unit, and if debris is blocking this air flow, it could cause your system to break down.
Put outdoor unit in places with shade.
Sometimes air conditioners get iced up. The drain line also occasionally freezes, which can be misdiagnosed as a plumbing leak. If you see this, try switching your thermostat to just the fan so that it disables the compressor. Once you know the problem, contact a local HVAC professional and let them know what’s going on in your system.
Have your HVAC serviced twice per year. This should happen in the fall and malfunctions.
Turn off your outdoor condensers you have when it becomes cold out. This means that you should be done when the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This can ensure your unit is working well throughout the years and save you a lot on repairs.
Your friends or family likely have recommendations for a local HVAC specialist. Find someone that has a lot of quality work under their belt. This will also help you avoid scammers.
During your service visit, the system motor will be inspected, oil the unit’s moving parts and ensure the unit has proper freon levels. These few simple things will help your system to run at its best.
Don’t allow your home to become dangerously hot. Air conditioners cannot sufficiently cool your home down a home by 20 degrees. So, if your home temp reaches 100 degrees, you won’t see the temperature go below 75 for a while.This won’t be a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.
Each contractor establishes his own fees, so before you hire one, obtain a few estimates. If you call around before making a final decision, it can save you a lot of money in the end. It is best to speak to several contractors so that you know which rates are reasonable.
Think about having a radiant barrier installed in your attic so support the efficient functioning of your HVAC system can run better. It blocks outside heat from coming in which will make sure you won’t have to use more energy to keep your home and the outside. You may even use your attic space more effectively.
If you hear clicking inside your HVAC unit, there may be something obstructing it. Often the issue is some sort of debris that’s hitting fans in your cooling system. Take a look for yourself before calling a service technician.
The most important thing to do to your HVAC system each month is replace the air filter. This will help your unit run properly. The filters are only a couple dollars, so it is a small monthly investment.
A good heating and cooling system is critical to maintaining a comfortable home. Knowing how to maintain them is very important. Thanks to these tips, you’re ready to master your HVAC.