It can be difficult for many homeowners to understand where to go when the HVAC system begins to fail. To prevent a situation like this from mushrooming into a disaster, it is worth taking the time to learn about the subject. This article was put together to help conscientious homeowners to find the help they need for their HVAC unit.
If you have some problems with the HVAC system, check out your home before calling a contractor. Jot down the rooms that are hot and the ones that are cold. You can then relay this information to the technician so that they can more easily figure out what the problem is.
Know what work you need before you select an HVAC contractor.It will be hard for a contractor to provide you with an estimate over the phone if they have not seen your current system. It will be more hard if you over the phone without the information readily available.
Clean any debris that accumulates on your condenser unit. 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 also cause the unit to overheat and break down.
Regularly remove debris from outside condenser units. You can never tell when things will pile up, especially following rain or wind storms. These can wreak havoc on your units. It may begin to overheat, causing massive damage.
Don’t get grass clippings on your outdoor condenser.Aim the grass cuttings in the other direction. This also applies when you are taking care of the leaves in debris.
Put outdoor units in places with shade.
Check to determine if the fan condenser on your HVAC system is equipped with oil ports, and if it is, be sure to lubricate every year. You can easily find the ports as they have a rubber or metal cap. You should select an SAE 20 oil since it is lightweight and does not contain detergent. Be sure to use just 10 drops or so, or your system may overfill.
Be sure to have the HVAC system checks. This should happen in the fall and again in the spring.
It is a good idea to swap out single pane windows with ones that have double pane ones. This same effect also keeps warm air in heat when it gets cold.
During cold weather , be sure to turn off outdoor condenser units. If it’s less than 60 degrees outside, turn the unit off. This will ensure your system stays in good working order every year, saving you money on costly repairs.
During your service visit, the serviceman will inspect the unit’s motor, oil the different moving parts as well as check the system’s freon levels. These few simple things will help your system running smoothly.
Research and check the reputation of companies that you consider using. Check with the BBB and look for reviews posted by former customers. These simple steps are going to help make a wise one.
Regular maintenance of your unit should be performed annually. During the service check, the system motor will be inspected, the moving parts will be oiled and the freon levels will be checked This will help your system run better.
Companies that have been around for longer have a proven track records typically provide better service. It is riskier to hire a long history.
There are now different online sites that let customers share their service they received. This is useful for finding contractors that you are interested in dealing with as well as those that you don’t.
Some air conditioners can ice up. There can be occasional freezes in their drain lines, and these are usually confused with plumbing leaks. If you see this, try switching your thermostat to just the fan so that it disables the compressor. It’s a good idea to call up professionals to help with this even though you can get the ice to melt when you switch everything to the fan.
It’s messy for a homeowner when their heating and cooling system goes down. However, by arming yourself with the right knowledge ahead of time, it doesn’t have to be a dire situation. The tips from this article can help the homeowner make the best decisions about HVAC and steer clear of the worse case scenario.