A quality HVAC system that works is important for your home. But when your system suddenly stops working, it can be a nightmare. Learning how to maintain your HVAC system begins with the chances of a breakdown; these tips will prove very useful.
If you struggle with your HVAC, try touring your home before calling a professional. Pay attention to which areas of the house are warm and which ones are cool. You can then relay this information to the technician so that they can more easily figure out what the problem is.
Know the name and type of your HVAC system you currently have before calling someone to fix it. This makes sure your contractor has the information they will be sufficiently prepared.
If your HVAC system us giving you issues, do a tour of your house before you call in help. This will help the contractor determine what the problem is and how to fix it.
Regularly remove debris from outside condenser units. Debris quickly gathers here, even more so if there is a storm. This can cause major issues with your system. Overheating could occur, which will be problematic.
Clean your condenser’s fan and coils each spring to ensure that your condenser fan operates at it’s best.Clean off any leaves or debris from your condenser unit.
Grass Clippings
Keep your outdoor units free of debris when your cutting grass. Try shooting the clippings away from it. Be just as mindful when you blow leaves to not blow them toward your HVAC equipment.
Don’t let grass clippings on your outside unit. Aim your grass clippings in a direction away from your unit. This also applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in the yard.
Leaves falling from trees can damage your HVAC unit. Make sure the unit’s fan grill is cleaned often during the leaves begin to fall. The fan needs to have an unobstructed path for air to enter the unit, and if it becomes blocked, then your system could suffer.
If you can choose the place where your outdoor compressor goes, pick a spot with lots of shade. Your unit won’t have to work as hard to cool the inside air if the outside air it sucks from is cooler.
Put your outdoor condensers in places with shade.
It is a good idea to replace single-paned windows for double pane ones. This same effect also helps retain heated air in during the colder months.
Service your hearing and cooling systems once each year. The service will include motor inspection, oiling of moving parts, and a freon level check. This will help your system run better.
Install a programmable thermostat you can program to save money on cooling your home. Some of these thermostats can even be controlled from your smart phone or other device.
During your service visit, they will inspect the motor of the system, oil the moving parts and check the freon levels in the system. This will help your system runs smoothly.
Use online AC sizing calculators to figure out what size unit you need. Proper sizing will increase efficiency. Look at the manual to figure out the manufacturing rates the unit for accurate cooling information.
Research the reputation of companies that you consider using. Check them out at the best one for your situation. Doing this will make sure you hire the best company for your HVAC needs.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line might also freeze up.If this happens, change the setting on your thermostat to the fan setting and this will disable the compressor. If the issue persists, call a professional.
If the system you’re using now isn’t working great, then check the ducts for some leakage. You can call in your local utility company to do the testing for you, often for free or at a lower cost than a contractor. If you do have leaks that are repaired, this testing will pay for itself.
Look for air conditioner sizing calculators online to truly understand what size of unit is necessary for your home. Look at the manual or on the recommended size for this information.
Speak with someone close to you to see if they can recommend someone good to service their HVAC contractor. People who they have had a good experience are often happy to share the name of their contractor. It’s also important to do this to learn the names of contractors you should not be contracted for work.
Your doors and windows need to be as efficient as the HVAC system you use. Make sure they are tightly sealed so air can’t seep in. It is wise to hire someone to test them out, and this often costs nothing.
Think about getting a radiant barrier 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 may even find that you can use the attic as part of your living space more effectively.
Do you now see just how important it is to keep your HVAC operating properly? Failing to make regular inspections will result in disaster. Hopefully, you’ll keep up the regular HVAC maintenance and won’t ever need to worry about this nightmare gripping you or your home.
Find a HVAC company that knows its stuff. Many reliable companies ensure techs keep their appointments to stay on schedule. They should be able to diagnose issues quickly. Once they know what’s wrong, they should also know how to get them resolved efficiently and quickly.