A HVAC system that works is important for your home. However, if your system fails, it can be a nightmare.Learning how to maintain your unit minimizes the chances of a breakdown; these tips below.
Know the name and type of your HVAC system before looking for a repair person. Learn the brand and the model. This helps make sure the contractor has the information they will need.
Know what type of your HVAC system before calling someone to fix it. This helps make sure the contractor will be sufficiently prepared.
Clean your fan blades and coils prior to summertime. Clean the outdoor condenser unit regularly.
Clean the fan blades and coils in your condenser each spring. Before you get started, cut the power. After you have turned the power off, you simply remove the grill and the blades to perform a gentle cleansing.
Put your outdoor units in places with shade.
Turn off any outdoor condenser when the weather gets cold. This should turn it off to prevent damage if the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit. This helps your system remain in good condition for many years.
If your fan condenser has oil ports, you must lubricate it once per year. You can find these ports covered with rubber or metal caps. Put 10 drops of lightweight, non-detergent SAE oil in each port. Be careful not to use too much.
It is always a good idea to swap out single pane windows with ones that have double pane ones. This same effect also helps retain heated air during the winter months.
A programmable thermostat can really help you out when it comes to your air conditioning bill. Some of these thermostats can even be controlled from a computer.
Have the HVAC system serviced twice per year. This should happen in the fall and the spring. A quick check is worth it to avoid problems down the road.
During the visit, they will inspect the motor of the system, oil the moving parts and check the freon levels in the system. These few simple things are going to allow your system to run at its peak performance.
Don’t allow your home temperature get dangerously hot. Air conditioners are limited in that they can only really cool your home down 20 degrees or so within a reasonable time limit. If the temperature in your home rises to 100 degrees F or higher, then you will only be able to reasonably cool to around 80. This won’t be a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.
It is a good idea to replace single-paned windows with ones that have double panes. Having double pane windows allows your air conditioning unit to be run much less during the summer, because the cool air is kept inside the home. It keeps heat in during the winter, too.
Ask for helpful information when you can find a reputable HVAC contractor. People that have had quality work done in the past generally love to share the information they know about it. This will also help you to figure out some names of businesses that you should avoid at all costs.
Contractors determine their own fee levels, so make sure that you acquire multiple estimates. You can save a lot of money by doing your homework. Call at least four or five different HVAC specialist to find out what the best rates.
Having a programmable thermostat installed is a money saving idea. A thermostat that’s programmable is going to save you around ten percent on the heating and cooling costs you have to pay when you turn it back about fifteen percent for a part of the day. Take advantage of the convenience of the ability to control many programable thermostats from your favorite electronic device.
Think about having a radiant barrier installed in your attic so your HVAC system. It ensures that your unit stays hot outside. You may even find that you can use your attic space if it is done right.
Figure out which direction your home faces in order to make your HVAC system can work better. The less heat inside the house, the less time your air conditioner will have to work.
To help keep your energy costs down, have your heating and cooling system serviced at least once a year. The motor should be checked, the parts oiled and the freon levels inspected. These things will boost the performance of your system.
If the HVAC unit makes a clicking noise, look for blockages right away. Often the issue is some sort of debris hitting fans in your cooling system. Check this out before you waste time contacting a professional.
Make sure they are tightly sealed so air inside. A professional can sometimes test the windows and many times the testing is free.
If you’re away from home during the day, raise the temperature setting on your air conditioner to save money. Your home will become somewhat warmer during this time. When the AC is left running, your power bill will go up quite a bit.
Ask any potential contractor about their experience prior to hiring them. You need to know that they have the sort of work on your particular system.
Always get some references from a contractor.
Your home should not have temperatures that are too hot. It takes quite a while to cool a home by more than 20 degrees. If the temperature in your home reaches 100 degree Fahrenheit, it will only reduce it to 80 or more. Depending on the humidity level, this temperature isn’t considered a safe sleeping temperature for the human body to be able to recover from the summer heat.
Any HVAC contractor or installer should have a 24-hour emergency hotline. They should be able to get to your home whenever you need them there, in any weather.
These suggestions should benefit you in taking care of your heating and cooling issues. Bad things will happen when you don’t do regular maintenance inspections. Hopefully, the tips above will help you remain happy with your HVAC system for years to come.
Research multiple contractors before choosing one. A good start would be the BBB to see if there are any complaints, then search online for review sites where you can see what actual customers had to say about their experience. In this way, you can be more sure of getting a good HVAC company.