It can be difficult for homeowners to understand where to turn when their heating or cooling system begins to fail. To prevent a situation like this from mushrooming into a disaster, learn all you can on the topic. The following information will help any homeowner know what to do with their system.
Before the summer you should clean out your condenser fan’s blades and coils. Turn off your power before doing any job like this. Leaves and debris can build up inside the unit and cause damage.
Know what type of your HVAC system before looking for a repair person. This will enable you give your chosen contractor the necessary information.
If your HVAC is giving you problems, check things out yourself prior to calling in a technician. This information will help the contractor determine what the problem is.
When you are cutting the grass, be sure not to cover your outdoor units with clippings. Turn your lawnmower in the opposite direction. Also do this when blowing leaves or shoveling snow.
Clean the debris off your outdoor condenser units. Debris can pile up after a storm, and this can foul up the inner workings of your system. It could overheat and cause a disaster with your system to malfunction by overheating.
Turn the power off first so nothing moves. Then, pop off its grills, pull the blades out, and gently clean them as well as the unit itself.
You want to put the outdoor compressor device in a shaded area. If it sucks in cool air, it will need to work less to coll the air inside, which can make it last longer.
Sae 20 Oil
Lubricate your condenser if it has oil ports. You will notice these ports as they have a rubber or metal cap covering them. Use SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.
If you own your own home or have permission from your landlord, replace your single pane windows with double paned versions. Having a double pane window helps limit your need for air conditioning during the summer months. When it is cold in the winter months, these same windows will keep the warm air inside as well.
Don’t let your home get dangerously high. Air conditioners can only really cool down about 20 degrees Fahrenheit within a reasonable amount of time. If the temperature in your home rises above 100 degrees, you’ll only cool down to still above 80. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line may also freeze over. If this is something you notice, put the fan on to shut the compressor off.You should call a pro to fix this problem, but switching to the fan will make the ice melt.
If nobody is home, turn off the AC. The house will only heat to certain level and a decent HVAC system can quickly cool this down once you are home. It will use more electricity if you keep it running.
Companies that are around awhile have track records that can help you decide if they’re worth your money and time. Hiring a contractor can be risky.
Ask around so you are looking for 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 avoid.
It can be confusing to figure out what the correct HVAC system size is for your home, but you can solve this with the help of a sizing calculator. If you make the mistake of purchasing a unit that is too large, it will not cool efficiently. Check the manual to see what the manufacturer rates the unit to cool for accurate information.
There are quite a lot of sites these days that allow customers to share their experiences with contractors. This is a great way to find people you with and those that you want to avoid.
Hvac System
When you need the services of an HVAC professional, ask your friends and family if they can recommend someone to you. People that have had quality work done are usually more than willing to share this information. This will prevent you from getting scammed.
Nobody wants their HVAC system to break down in the dead of winter or during the dog days of summer. However, with the right information, such disasters can be avoided. Follow these tips to take good care of your HVAC system.