Coming home to an HVAC unit is no fun. The tips are great for helping you do just that.
Know what type of system you currently have before calling someone to fix it. Know the brand name and model number. It is also helpful to have the maintenance history. This will let you know that you’re able to give the contractor the information that can help them.
Know what work you need before you hire a contractor. It will be difficult for an HVAC contractor to give you with an estimate on the phone without knowing what your current system. It will be way more difficult for him to assist you can’t figure out what they need to do.
Clean your fan blades and coils come spring. Clean off any leaves or debris from your external condenser unit regularly.
By the end of spring, the fan blades and coils of your condenser should be thoroughly cleaned, so operation can proceed with greater efficiency. Always make sure you shut off the power before you do any work on the unit other than superficial cleaning. Also, it is important to clear the outside condenser unit from any debris that maybe trapped inside.
Clean the debris that accumulates on your condenser units. You don’t know when things are going to pile up, especially after a windy or rainy storm, and that can ruin your system. It will damage the system to malfunction by overheating.
Grass Clippings
Lubricate your fan condenser if it has oil ports. You can find these ports covered with rubber or metal caps. Your oil should be an SAE 20. This particular oil is very lightweight and it only requires about 10 drops per port.
Don’t let grass clippings pile up against your outside unit. Aim the grass clippings in the unit. This also applies when you are taking care of the leaves in the yard.
Leaves and debris can damage your HVAC unit. Make sure you clean out your fan grill is cleaned frequently when 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, then your system could suffer.
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. Even though it may seem as nothing is wrong with the unit, a simple inspection can prove otherwise.
Lubricate the oil ports on your fan condenser at least once each year. They are usually fitted with a rubber or metal cap on them. Use SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, putting 10 drops in each port.
Put your outdoor unit in the shade if you are installing them.
Don’t let your home get overly hot. It is only possible for an air conditioner to lower the temperature in a home by 20 degrees F in a short time. If your home gets above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, you’ll only cool down to still above 80. Taking into consideration the humidity level, this may not even be adequate for the human body to recover from excessive heat while sleeping.
Make sure your HVAC system checked twice a year. This should be done in the fall and malfunctions.
Turn off any outdoor condenser when it’s getting cold. This means that you should be done when the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit. This simple tip will help keep your system working for years to come.
Always check to see how long a company or contractor has been working for. This gives you some history so that you can be sure the company is reliable. Hiring a new contractor comes with an element of risk.
It is always a good idea to replace single-paned windows with ones that have double pane ones. This same effect also keeps warm air during the winter months.
Don’t allow your home get overly hot. Air conditioners can only really cool your home down a home by 20 degrees. If your house’s interior temperature hits 100 degrees Fahrenheit, you will only be able to cool it down to 80. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
A radiant barrier is an awesome device which will help improve the efficiency of your HVAC unit. This device helps block the heat from the outside, which reduces your dependency on your HVAC system, as well as your bill. You may even find that you can use the attic space more effectively.
Research and check the companies that you consider using. Check with different references to determine the best one for reviews of potential companies online. These steps can help make the smartest and most informed choice.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line might also freeze up.If this is something that’s happening to you, put your thermostat over to fan. You should leave the repair to a professional, but switching to the fan will make the ice melt.
Check for duct leaks if your unit seems to not be working efficiently. Your local energy company may do such testing at a reduced cost or maybe even for free. This testing can have large financial benefits.
Ask your friends and relations for contractor recommendations. People who’ve had quality work done are usually more than willing to tell of it. It’s also important to do this to learn which companies should avoid.
Figure out the direction your home faces in order to make your HVAC system can work better. The cooler your home already is, the less time your air conditioner will have to work.
Take a measuring tape and get the square footage of the area where the unit will be cooling. You can easily calculate this by using the formula: 20 BTUs per square footage of space. Account for all of the rooms in the house.
Hvac System
Follow these tips to keep your HVAC system running smoothly. It’s a dreadful feeling if you come home and realize your vents don’t have air coming out. It’s even worse to think about how much it will cost to fix. Use these tips to help avoid costly problems. Use these tips to make sure your HVAC system stays maintained for a long time.
Any HVAC contractor you hire should have a 24-hour emergency hotline. It’s crucial that they can go to your home at any time you need them.