If you’re not familiar with HVAC and you need to be in the know, then it’s best to arm yourself with these helpful tips first. This article has the basic tips you learn many things about this. Take the time to read along and you will do just fine.
Be aware of the type of system that is installed in your home prior to calling a contractor to fix it. Know what the manufacturer’s name is, which particular model you have and what’s gone on with the unit in the past. Your contractor will appreciate this 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 and how to fix it.
Know what you want done before you hire a contractor. It will be difficult for a contractor to give you with an estimate on the phone without knowing what your current setup is. It will be more hard if you can’t figure out what they need to do.
Clean the debris from outside units often. Wind can pile up all sorts of debris against its grill. It can cause the unit to overheat and break down.
Clean the debris on your outdoor 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 will damage the system to malfunction by overheating.
Your HVAC unit may suffer when your trees lose their leaves. Make sure the unit’s fan grill is cleaned often during the leaves begin to fall. The fan must not have anything in the way so that air can flow into it, and if debris is blocking this air flow, you will have to contend with problems.
A shady spot is always a good choice for the placement of your outdoor compressor. The cooler the air that the unit is able to access, the less work it has to perform.
10 Drops
Lubricate your condenser once a year. You can easily find the ports covered with rubber or metal caps. Use SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, putting 10 drops in each port.
Your system should be checked twice a year. Ideally, you should have it looked at in the spring and fall so you know everything is set for the hot and cold months. Even if you don’t notice anything wrong, you can check it out to figure out what the potential issues are.
Put your outdoor condensers in the shade.
Be sure to have twice annual HVAC unit in your home checked about two times every year. This should be done in the fall and the spring.
If at all possible, install double-paned windows in your home instead of those with a single pane. Double pane windows will allow you to use less air during the summer because cooler air will stay in your house. As with other steps you take to improve your ability to keep your air conditioned air or heated air inside your home, double-paned windows can help you save on energy costs.
It is a good idea to swap out single pane windows with ones that have double panes. This same effect also helps keep it warm in the winter.
A programmable thermostat can help you save money on your power bills. Some can even be controlled from a PC or other device.
To help you pick a good HVAC contractor, carefully search for information that offers honest reviews about the companies that you might be looking to hire. 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. Doing these things beforehand will allow you to make a smart decision.
Never let your home reach a dangerously hot inside. Air conditioners really can only cool a home by just twenty degrees in a short time. If the temperature in your home rises above 100 degrees, it will only reduce it to 80 or more. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Air conditioners tend to ice up.The drain line might also freeze up.If you notice this, change the setting on your thermostat to the fan setting and this will disable the compressor. You should leave the repair to a professional, but switching to the fan will make the ice melt.
Ask your friends, relatives, and coworkers about their experiences with HVAC contractors in your area. People will tell you who they have used and if they are worth calling. You are likely to also hear about negative experiences.
Look for air conditioner sizing calculators online to help you determine the size of unit is necessary for your home. Look at the manual to determine the manufacturer website for this information.
Do you want to buy a new HVAC unit? You could keep a few things into account. Systems are given ratings by how effectively they can cool or heat an area well. You are wise to err on the side of a unit that is slightly too large for your needs than purchasing one that is a smaller one.
Have you been thinking about buying a new HVAC system? Many considerations must be scrutinized. Each system has a rating and that rating tells the area that can be effectively temperature controlled. It is always better to buy a unit that is a little bit bigger rather than one that might be slightly smaller.
Check the ducts to find any leaks if your existing system is not up to snuff. If you do have leaks that are repaired, the money spent on finding and repairing the leak will pay for itself.
Learning about HVAC systems will require some personal motivation, but you’ll be glad that you did once it’s all through. You just have to learn the information and do things step-by-step so that you don’t run into any trouble. Hopefully, you can now ensure your HVAC unit is working up to your standards!
Make an HVAC system run more efficiently by determining what direction your house faces. When you determine the parts of your home that get the most sunlight, you can consider strategic landscaping that includes shade trees to somewhat reduce your home’s exposure to heat from direct sunlight. That will take some of the pressure off your HVAC unit.