It is very frustrating to return home at the end of the day to discover your air conditioner or heating unit isn’t working right. The tips are great for helping you do just that.
When you start making calls to get someone to help with your HVAC system, it’s a good idea to know what system you have before that phone call. Learn the brand and the model. The contractor will likely need all of this information.
Know what type of your HVAC system before looking for a repair person.This will enable you to give the contractor any information they might need.
If your HVAC system us giving you issues, try touring your home before calling a professional. This will help the contractor determine what the problem is and how to fix it.
Don’t hire a contractor until you know a little about what you are facing. It will be hard for a contractor to give you a price estimate over the phone if they have not seen your current system. Getting an estimate will be even more difficult if you cannot adequately describe the problem. So, figure out this information before anything else.
Turn it off first so nothing moves. Then, pop off its grills, pull the blades out, and gently clean them as well as the unit itself.
Have your HVAC serviced at the least. This should happen in the fall and malfunctions.
You need to lubricate parts of your fan condenser. These ports are typically covered with caps made of metal or rubber. Buy an SAE 20 product that is lightweight, and then put no more than ten drops into the ports.
Install a programmable thermostat you can program to save energy costs. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from a computer.
Never allow the temperature in your home reach a dangerously high level. An AC unit will reduce the internal temperature of your home by 20ºF quickly. If your home happens to get near 100 degrees Fahrenheit, it will only cool off to about 80F. This won’t be a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.
Make sure your HVAC systems is checked twice a year. The best time of year to have the system checked is right before the weather begins to change. It doesn’t matter if your unit seems to be properly working, it is still advisable that you perform maintenance and resolve any potential problems.
Research and check the companies that you consider using. Check with different references to determine the BBB and look for your situation. These steps will help make a better decision.
Ask friends and family for their HVAC contractor recommendations. People who’ve had a good experience are usually willing to tell of it. This can also a great way to get names of those companies that should be avoided.
If you own your own home or have permission from your landlord, replace your single pane windows with double paned versions. Double pane windows can help minimize how much you use your air conditioner in the summer, because they keep cool air inside the home. Your home will also stay warmer in the winter.
Many websites allow consumers to share their experiences with various services and contractors. This will help you should work with and people that may not work well with you.
Contractors charge different rates, so make sure you get quotes from several contractors before you make any hiring decision. You will be likely to save some cash simply by doing your homework. You want to get quotes from at least a handful of contractors to determine what you should be paying.
Research and check the reputation of companies before hiring them. It is always wise to check their status with the BBB. In addition, check out customer reviews that appear online. This will help you to choose a contractor that is of high quality.
Think about getting a radiant barrier installed in your attic so support the efficient functioning of your HVAC system can run better. It blocks outside heat from coming in which will make sure you won’t have to use more energy to keep your unit stays hot or cold as it should be. You could even use the attic space if it is done right.
Figure out which direction your home faces in order to make your HVAC system can work better. If there is less heat coming into your home, your AC will work less.
Figure out how long the HVAC company you choose has been in business. Established companies that are doing well will usually be the best ones to go with. If you hire someone that’s new that this then you’ll be risking your money.
If you hear a clicking noise coming from your HVAC unit, there may be something obstructing it. Often it is being caused by debris that’s hitting fans in your cooling system. Check the fan and coil before you waste time contacting a repairman.
Make sure they have tight seals to keep air can’t seep in. You can also hire a professional to test them.
All contractors charge differently for their services, so get at least four or five quotes before hiring a particular person. If you call people before you work on hiring one person, you can save some money overall. Call around 5 contractors so that you can get the best deal possible.
Measure the living area you wish to cool before buying a unit. You can figure out the unit you need by calculating 20 BTU per square foot of room space. If you have a lot of rooms to keep cool, combine all the square footage.
Pick HVAC business that know what they’re doing and can work quickly. The best companies will ensure that their technicians working honestly and on schedule. A knowledgeable technician should also easily diagnose any problems with your HVAC. After they figure out what is causing the problem, it’s just a matter of time before they have it back and running properly.
Your HVAC system will be more efficient if your doors and windows are efficient as well. Make sure that their seals are tight and that they do not allow air to seep in or out. It is wise to hire someone to test them out, and this often costs nothing.
Keep your HVAC unit healthy by using the tips shared here. It’s frustrating to come home after a long day to find out your system doesn’t work. Having to deal with repair costs makes things harder. Prevent this with the solid information you have here. Keep these tips handy at all times so that you can tackle any HVAC issue.