Not many people have an in depth knowledge about HVAC service and contractors. This fact can become a problem if it is time to work on a heating or cooling emergency.
Prior to putting in a service call on your HVAC, be able to identify it. Look for the model and brand number. This helps make sure the contractor has the information they will need.
Know what work you need before you select an HVAC contractor. It will be difficult for an HVAC contractor to give you with an estimate over the phone without knowing what your current setup is. It will be way more hard if you don’t know what’s wrong.
Clean any debris on an external condenser unit. Debris can pile up at rates that increase during rainy or windy weather, bringing potential damage with it. It could overheat and cause a disaster with your system to malfunction by overheating.
Clean your condenser’s fan blades and coil in the spring. Before you do anything, however, turn the power off. Secondly, pop the grill off, take the blades off and clean them as well as the actual unit.
Turn the power 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.
Your outdoor HVAC unit may suffer when trees lose leaves. Make sure the fan’s grill is cleaned often once nearby trees start shedding their leaves. The fan needs to have an unobstructed path for air to enter the unit, and if it gets blocked, it could cause your system to break down.
In order to boost efficiency, place new outdoor units or move your current unit to a place which resides in the shade. When the air conditioner pulls in cooler air, it won’t have to do much more to cool it and that will save you a lot of money on energy bills.
Lubricate your condenser once a year. You will notice these ports have a rubber or metal caps. Use a lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.
Have the HVAC system inspected twice per year. This should be done in the fall and malfunctions.
Turn off your outdoor condenser when it becomes cold out. If the temperature outside is less than 60ºF, be sure to turn off the unit so that you don’t damage it. This will help keep it in good condition for many years.
Turn off outdoor condensers you have when weather gets cold. This means that you should turn it off to prevent damage if the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This helps the system working for years and save you a lot on repairs.
It is always a good idea to swap out single pane windows for double panes. This also helps keep it warm in the colder months.
To keep your system running smoothly have your system serviced once a year. The motor should be checked, the parts oiled and the freon levels inspected. Your unit will last longer this way.
During the service check, the system motor will be inspected, oil the different moving parts as well as check the system’s freon levels. These simple things will help keep your system running at peak performance.
Research and check the companies before hiring them. Check with the best one for your situation. Doing this can help you make a smart decision.
Try finding online A/C sizing calculators to figure out the ideal size for a unit for the house or a room. Buying a unit that is too large for your home is a poor decision that wastes money. Check your manual to figure out what the rating is from the manufacturer to be sure you’re getting the right information.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line may also freeze over.If this is something that’s happening to you, disable the compressor by turning your thermostat to the fan only setting. You can call a HVAC professional, even if switching it to its fan setting starts making the ice melt.
Ask around so you are looking for a reputable HVAC contractor. People who’ve had great service are usually more than willing to share this information. This will also help you to figure out some names of businesses that you should avoid at all costs.
If you aren’t sure who to call for HVAC maintenance, repairs, or installation, look online for reviews. There are different sites that let customers share experiences of different services. This is an awesome way to find contractors to work with.
Contractors determine their own fee levels, so make sure that you acquire multiple estimates. You can save quite a bit of money this way. You should try to contact 5 to 6 contractors to determine what price you can reasonably expect to pay.
When the heating or air conditioning breaks, a homeowner immediately becomes disgruntled. But, taking time to study the topic makes the process much easier. Use these tips to help ease the process when you run into an issue.
Consider installing a radiant barrier to your attic to help your HVAC system run more efficiently. This blocks heat from entering your home, which lowers how much energy is needed to keep it cool in the warm months. If done right, you can even start using the attic as living space.