HVAC Do’s And Don’ts For The Average Person

By Jei Kei  On  In HVAC Tagged  

If you’re not familiar with HVAC and you need to be in the know, this article is fa great place to start. This article has the basic tips you learn some basics about HVAC systems. Take some time to read along and you will so fine.

Before you start calling to find someone to fix your unit, make sure you know the type of system that is installed. You need to know who manufactured the product and the item number. Also, get the maintenance records from your files if you have them. This information will be helpful to any contractor you hire to repair it.

TIP! Understand what you want before talking to a contractor. You can’t get a decent estimate over a telephone, so disregard those numbers and wait until they view your system.

Know the name and type of your HVAC system you currently have before looking for a repair person. This will enable you to give your chosen contractor the information that can help them.

Clean your fan blades and coils when the weather begins to warm. Clean off any leaves or debris from your external condenser unit regularly.

Each spring, try cleaning the fan blades and coils on the condenser fan. First, the power should be turned off so things don’t move as you work. Pull out each of the blades and clean them one by one.

TIP! A big mistake that people make is cutting the grass next to the outdoor condenser unit and allowing all of the clippings to blow inside the fan and coil. Direct the clippings away from the equipment.

Clean the debris off your condenser units. You never know when things can pile up, like right after it’s windy or rains, and that can throw a wrench in your system. It could overheat and cause a disaster with your system to malfunction by overheating.

Turn the power off first so nothing moves. Then, take the grill off, pull the blades out, and begin cleaning the unit and them gently.

When the trees are losing their leaves, your HVAC unit can suffer. When the leaves fall from nearby trees, clean the grill of your fan often. When blockages restrict the flow of air to the fan, you could end up with serious issues on your hands.

TIP! Have your heating and cooling system inspected twice a year. Generally, you want it done in the fall and the spring.

Don’t let grass clippings on your outside unit. Aim your grass cuttings in a direction from your unit. This also applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in the yard.

Put outdoor unit in places with shade.

It is always a good idea to swap out single pane windows for double pane ones. Try to insulate your windows to prevent air from being lost. It also facilitates heat retention in winter.

TIP! Service your HVAC unit at least one time a year. The contractor should oil the parts that move and check the motor and freon levels.

Turn off any outdoor condenser when it’s getting cold. This should turn it off to prevent damage if the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage.This can keep it in good condition for many years.

During a maintenance visit, the system motor will be inspected, inspect the motor and the freon levels. This maintenance means that your system performing at maximum efficiency.

Before you invest in any HVAC contractor, make sure you spend a good deal of time researching their reputations and credentials. Check them out at the BBB and look for reviews posted by former customers. Take these steps to ensure you make wise choices.

TIP! Sometimes, air conditioners collect ice. Drain lines can also suffer an occasional freeze, and these are sometimes mistaken for plumbing leak issues.

Don’t let your house get way too hot to where it’s dangerous. An AC unit is really only able to reduce the temperature by twenty degrees in a fair time. If your home happens to get near 100 degrees Fahrenheit, cooling it will only drop the temperature to 80 degrees F. This won’t be a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.

There are plenty of online websites that other customers can place their reviews. This is useful for finding contractors that you wish to work with and those that you want to avoid.

Use online AC sizing calculators to figure out what size unit you need. If the unit is too large, it won’t cool more than a smaller unit, just less efficiently. You can look online or do other research to get information from HVAC system manufacturers and sellers in order to determine the best unit size for your needs.

TIP! Consider how long a given HVAC company has been in existence before giving them your business. A company that has been in business for a long time will have a solid track record, and you can use this to figure out if you should spend your money with them.

Contractors determine their own fee levels, so make sure that you acquire multiple estimates. You will be likely to save a lot of cash if you take the time to call around before you decide. You want to get quotes from at least a handful of contractors in order to know what you should be paying.

Think about getting a radiant barrier installed in your attic so support the efficient functioning of your HVAC system. It ensures that your unit stays hot outside. You could even use the attic space if it is done right.

A radiant barrier is an awesome device which will help improve the efficiency of your HVAC unit. It blocks the heat from inside out, reducing the energy that’s needed for your home to get cooled during the summer. If it is done correctly, it is even possible to convert the attic as a living space.

TIP! Test your duct work for leaks. 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.

Getting into HVAC isn’t tough using the tips from the article. Use these tips for maintenance and repair questions. Good luck with this and hopefully you can get things to work well for you now!

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