You may feel like it’s not possible to learn anything about HVAC. If you take your time, then this won’t be the case. This advice will help you with all of the novice when it comes to simple repairs on your HVAC system.
Before calling anyone to repair your system, know what system you have. Get information on the make and model, plus if you have information on the history of maintenance, that will help, too. This will ensure that you can give your new contractor all the information they need.
If you are having issues with your HVAC, take a tour of the house prior to calling a professional. This will help the repairman determine where the problem is.
Know what work you need before you hire a contractor. It will be difficult for a contractor to provide you a price estimate on the phone if they have not seen your current system. It will be way more hard if you over the phone without the information readily available.
Keeping the outside condenser clean of debris and leaves will improve the system’s efficiency. Before you do clean the coils and fan blades, always take the precaution of turning off all power to the unit. Also, make sure you remove any debris or leaves from the condenser unit outside.
Clean your fan and coils each spring to ensure that your condenser fan operates at it’s best. Clean off any leaves or debris from your condenser unit.
Clean the debris on your outdoor condenser units. 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.
If you have a fan condenser with oil ports, it needs to be lubricated every year. These ports are often covered by a rubber or metal cap. Get an oil that is SAE 20 and put about 10 drops into each port, but don’t overfill it.
Don’t get grass clippings pile up against your outside unit. Aim the grass in a different direction away from the unit. This also applies when you are taking care of the leaves in debris.
Your outdoor HVAC unit may suffer when your trees lose their leaves. Make sure the fan’s grill is cleaned often during the leaves begin to fall. The fan must stay clear in order to function, and if it is clogged, you’ll have a lot of headaches eventually.
When the weather starts to cool down, make sure you turn off outdoor condenser units. To prevent damage, turn off your unit if the outside temperature is less than 60 degrees. Your system will work longer for you this way.
Have the HVAC system inspected twice per year. This should be checked often for debris and again in the spring.
It is a good idea to swap out single pane windows with ones that have double panes. This also helps keep it warm in the winter months.
If everyone is out, turn the air conditioner off. Even though the house will get hotter, it won’t get too bad if the unit is off. Leaving the system on all day will cost a lot of money in terms of electricity.
Research and check the companies before hiring them. Check with different references to determine the BBB and online reviews as well. Doing this can help you make a smart decision.
There are quite a few sites now that let customers share their service experiences. This works both in finding those you want to hire and also with and those that you don’t want to work with.
Put a bit of time into researching various HVAC specialists; you’re more likely to choose the right one for the job. You may also want to check with the BBB for information. These simple steps will help make a better decision.
Contractors are responsible for their own charges and fees, so make sure to get multiple quotes.You can save quite a bit of money by asking for many quotes. You may want to get quotes from at least five contractors in order to know what reasonable rates are.
A radiant barrier is an awesome device which will help improve the efficiency of your HVAC. It ensures that your home cool when it’s hot outside. You could even find that you can use your attic space more effectively.
Speak with someone close to you to see if they can recommend someone good to service their HVAC unit. If a person had a good experience with a company, they are likely to share it. This can also help you learn the names of those companies that you should avoid.
Check the ducts to find any leaks if your existing system is not up to snuff. If a leak is found, this testing will pay for itself.
That shouldn’t have been too hard for you to follow if HVAC is something you’re ready to get into. Everything will work well for you as long as you follow the advice given here. If you use the tips above well enough, you can save or even make money.
If your current system isn’t working well enough, test out the ducts for leaks. This is a job your local utility provider may do for you inexpensively or even free of charge. You’ll see the test pays for itself once all leaks are fixed.