Many folks don’t know how to properly maintain an HVAC system, but don’t know how to take care of them. Learning the ins and outs of choosing an HVAC professional replacement or repair your system is a wise move for any smart homeowner. This article will help you with some guidance.
Before you start calling to find someone to fix your unit, make sure you know the type of system that is installed. Look for the model and brand number. That way you can provide the contractor with all the necessary information.
Clean the debris that accumulates on an external condenser units. You never know when things can pile up, especially after a windy or rainy storm, and that can ruin your system. It can also cause the unit to overheat and break down.
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.
Prior to choosing an HVAC customer, try to have an idea of what you want done. A contractor will not be able to give you an accurate price without accurate information about your system. If you can’t explain changes you’ve made, the process will be even more difficult. Know this stuff ahead of time.
Don’t get grass clippings pile up against your outdoor condenser. Aim your grass cuttings in a direction away from the unit. This applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in the yard.
Trees Start
Make sure that you do not cover your outdoor components with grass clippings when you are trimming the grass. Direct the grass clippings in a direction away from the HVAC unit. When blowing leaves, do the same. Always take care when passing your HVAC units while moving leaves, grass or other debris.
Your outdoor HVAC unit may suffer when your trees start to lose leaves. Make sure the fan’s grill often once nearby trees start shedding their leaves.The fan needs unobstructed air flow, and if it gets blocked, you’ll have a lot of headaches eventually.
Lubricate your condenser once each year. You can find the ports as they have a 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. The best time of year to have the system checked is right before the weather begins to change. Check it out just to be safe even if there is nothing broken.
Turn off outdoor condenser units when the weather turns cold. This should be done when the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit.This will help keep it in good condition for years and save you a lot on repairs.
It is always a good idea to swap out single pane windows with ones that have double panes. This same effect also keeps warm in during the winter.
Do not allow your home to reach excessive levels of heat during the summer. Air conditioners only cool down a home by 20 degrees. This limits their overall benefit. When you factor in humidity, this can still be dangerously hot for the human body at rest.
A programmable thermostat can really help you save money on your air conditioning bill. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from your smart phone or computer.
Do not let your house to get dangerously hot. Air conditioners really can cool a home down about 20 degrees in a short time. If your home gets above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, 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 possible for air conditioners to ice over. The drain line might also freeze over. If you see this, immediately put your thermostat on the fan setting to turn off your compressor. You can call a HVAC professional, but switching to the fan will make the ice melt.
Air conditioners tend to ice up.The drain line may also freeze over. If this is something you notice, put your thermostat over to fan. You should leave the repair to a professional, but switching to the fan will make the ice melt.
There are a lot of sites these days that let customers talk about their reviews. This is useful for finding people that do good work with and those that you don’t.
If your current system isn’t working well enough, test out the ducts for leaks. Call local utility companies to test it for you since many do it for a small fee or even free, which is lower than HVAC contractors. You’ll see the test pays for itself once all leaks are fixed.
Contractors charge different rates, so make sure to get multiple quotes. You should save tons of money this way. You may want to call at least five contractors to determine what reasonable rates are.
A radiant barrier is an awesome device which will help improve the efficiency of your HVAC. It will make sure you won’t have to use more energy to keep your home cool when it’s hot outside. You could even use the attic space more effectively.
Replacing your unit’s air filter each month is a key maintenance task. This represents an easy way to keep your system working well. Many chain stores sell filters for under $5.00, and that low price is worth it.
A working HVAC system is crucial for a comfortable home. But, if you are unfamiliar with the basics of these systems, it can break down prematurely. But reading this article and putting the advice shared here into action can make the situation very simple.