Anyone that has a HVAC unit in their home knows how it important it is to have it properly maintained. A HVAC system can cost a lot of money. The following tips concerning HVAC maintenance and repairs.
Clean the condenser coils and fan at the beginning of the year to help the unit run efficiently. Always turn the unit off before you do anything to it, including leaning. In addition, be sure to get rid of any leaves or other debris that may have accumulated on the outside condenser.
Know the name and type of system before calling someone to fix it. This will enable you know that you’re able to give the contractor any information that can help them.
Clean the debris on your condenser unit. You don’t know when things are going to pile up, like right after it’s windy or rains, and that can throw a wrench in your system. It could overheat and cause a disaster with your system to malfunction by overheating.
Each spring, clean the fan blades and coils on your condenser. First, make sure the power is off to ensure nothing moves while you are working. Then you need to get the grill popped off and get the blades out so you can clean them and your unit gently.
Turn it off so you don’t get hurt or break something. Then, take the grill off, pull the blades out, and begin cleaning the unit and them gently.
Grass Clippings
Make certain that an outdoor unit is in the shade. The cooler air entering the unit will require less work to get to the proper temperature.
Don’t get grass clippings pile up against your outdoor condenser. Aim the grass clippings in a different direction from the other direction. This also applies when you are taking care of the leaves in debris.
Your HVAC units might suffer when your trees start to lose their leaves. Make sure the unit’s fan 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 will end up with many headaches with the unit.
Make sure to have your unit serviced once a year. During a maintenance visit, professionals can help by inspecting the system’s motor, oil the different moving parts as well as check the system’s freon levels. These easy to do things are going to allow your system to run its best.
Lubricate your condenser once each year. These ports are usually covered by a rubber or metal cap. Use SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, putting 10 drops in each port.
It is a good idea to swap out single pane windows with ones that have double panes. This also helps keep it warm air in during the winter months.
Look for air conditioner sizing calculators online to truly understand what size of unit is necessary for your room or home. If the unit is too large, it won’t cool more than a smaller unit, just less efficiently. Any unit’s manual will be able to give you an accurate idea for the size of the unit versus your home.
Don’t allow your home get overly hot. An air conditioning unit is really only able to reduce the internal temperature by twenty degrees in a short time span. If your house’s interior temperature hits 100 degrees Fahrenheit, cooling it will only drop the temperature to 80 degrees F. This won’t be a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.
Hopefully, you have gained a solid understanding of what needs to be done to keep your system in check. A faulty HVAC unit is every homeowner’s worst nightmare. It can cost a lot of money to repair and eat up a lot of time. Use these tips to keep your system in working order.
Ask people that you know and trust for contractor recommendations. Those who have had this work done will know the best options. This can also be used to see who you should avoid.