The only way your home is heated and cooled is important. That means your HVAC system healthy. If you don’t properly care for your unit, then your repair costs can mount while your living conditions deteriorate. Here are some suggestions to help you started.
Before you contact people to assist you in getting your system fixed, know what kind of system you’re working with in the first place. Find out the brand and model and, if possible, dig out the maintenance history. This information will be helpful to any contractor you hire to repair it.
Know what type of system before calling someone to fix it. This will let you to give the contractor any information they might need.
Know what work you need before you select an HVAC 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 hard if you don’t know what’s wrong.
Clean the coils of your condenser fan each month. Turn off the power if you are going to work on your HVAC system. Also, make sure you remove any debris or leaves from the condenser unit outside.
Clean your condenser’s fan blades and coils prior to summertime. Clean the outside of your external condenser unit.
Clean any debris on an external 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 can cause a disaster with your system to malfunction by overheating.
Do not allow grass clippings to cover the outdoor unit of your HVAC system. Aim your grass cuttings in a direction away from your unit. If you’re blowing leaves, this same problem can occur, so make sure you move around the unit and blow the leaves away from it.
Turn the power off so you don’t get hurt or break something. Next, pop off the grill, put the blades out and start to gently clean them along with the unit.
Grass Clippings
Make sure you have your HVAC system checked at least twice a year. This should be done in the fall and again in the spring. Even though it may seem as nothing is wrong with the unit, a simple inspection can prove otherwise.
Don’t get grass clippings on your outdoor condenser. Aim your grass clippings in the other direction. This applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in the yard.
Put your outdoor unit in the shade if you are installing them.
Service your HVAC unit at least one time a year. Make sure the person takes a look at the motor and examines the levels of freon. This will keep you energy efficient and comfortable.
Turn off outdoor condenser units when the weather gets cold. This should turn it off to prevent damage if the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This simple tip will help keep the system working for many years and save you a lot on repairs.
Look for calculators online to truly understand what size of unit you need for your room or home.Look in the manual to determine the manufacturer website for this information.
Find out how many years an HVAC company has been in business before you hire them. The older they are, the more likely it will be for you to find out their history, which will help you gauge their quality. It is always risky to hire a contractor with little experience.
Companies that have been around for longer have a proven track records typically provide better service. Hiring a newer contractor means taking a bigger risk.
Are you thinking about having a new heating and cooling system? There are a number of things you should consider. Systems are given ratings by how well the system is able to cool and heat an area. You are better off purchasing a unit that is slightly too large for your needs than purchasing one that is a smaller one.
Check around and get a number of quotes prior to hiring a contractor. If you call people before you work on hiring one person, you can save some money overall. Contact a minimum of five contractors so you can determine realistically what the price will be.
Check for duct leaks if your existing system is not be working efficiently. When these leaks are fixed, the tests will pay for themselves.
If your HVAC system is clicking, there may be something obstructing it. Often the issue is some sort of debris that’s hitting fans in the cooling system. Check it out before calling a contractor.
Check the ducts to find any leaks if you you feel your existing system is not up to snuff. The local utility company may be able to do this for you at a cost lower than what a contractor would charge you. You’ll see the test pays for itself once all leaks are fixed.
Square Footage
Measure the area that needs cooling before going air conditioner shopping. You will need about 20 BTU for each square footage of room space. If more than one room needs AC service, be sure to add their square footage together.
Consider what potential direction your air conditioner’s flow will have when choosing where to put it. Make sure you have plenty of air flow control options if you are forced to install the unit in a corner.
If you have no choice but to put it in the corner, ensure that the air is not directed towards a wall.
Ask a contractor about their experience.You need to know that they have the sort of experience needed to work you require.
Do not forget to check the references of a HVAC contractor. Often people skip this step, but it is important to follow through and check references. It only takes a short amount of time to contact someone, so it is important that you do that right away.
Any HVAC contractor or installer should have a 24-hour emergency hotline. They should be there when you need them, whether during a heatwave or a terrible snowstorm.
Some contractors attempt to charge you on material fees and fuel. Having a good written contract can help to avoid issues like this.
Look into the installation of a programmable thermostat if you are repairing your existing HVAC system or having a new one installed. A programmable thermostat will save you tons on your power bills and even gives your system a chance to rest at night while everyone sleeps or is not at home.
Now you know how to maintain the HVAC in your home. Do not neglect your system. Follow these tips to keep your HVAC system functioning properly and avoid unexpected breakdowns.