It is very frustrating to return home to find that your air conditioner or heating unit isn’t working right. The tips are great for helping you in this process.
Make a circuit around your home before calling for help with your HVAC. Figure out which rooms feel hot and which feel cold. Give this information to your contractor when they arrive.
Know the name and type of system you currently have before looking for a repair person. This makes sure the contractor has the information they will be sufficiently prepared.
Be sure to regularly clean external condenser units. You don’t know when things are going to pile up, especially after a windy or rainy storm, and that can throw a wrench in your system. It can cause your unit.
Make sure clippings don’t get on your outdoor units when your mowing your lawn. Direct the clippings away from the equipment. The same goes for when you blow leaves, so make sure your are careful when moving any debris in the vicinity of your HVAC devices.
Turn the power off first so nothing moves. Next, pop off the grill, put the blades out and start to gently clean them along with the unit.
Grass Clippings
Try to have your HVAC system looked at every year, because regular maintenance will go a long way in energy efficiency. This inspection will ensure that your unit is working efficiently, including a freon level and motor check, and oiling moving parts. This ensures your system runs smoothly.
Don’t let grass clippings pile up against your outside unit. Aim your grass clippings in a direction away from your unit. This 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 fan’s grill often once nearby trees start shedding their leaves.The fan needs unobstructed air flow, and if debris is blocking this air flow, it could cause your system to break down.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up. There can be occasional freezes in their drain lines, and these are usually confused with plumbing leaks. When you see ice, turn the unit to fan. If the issue persists, call in help.
Lubricate the oil ports on your fan condenser at least once each year. You will notice these ports as they have a rubber or metal cap. Use SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, putting 10 drops in each port.
Turn off your outdoor condensers you have when the weather gets cold. This should turn it off to prevent damage if the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit. This simple tip will help keep it in good condition for many years.
Before you go out there and hire an HVAC contractor, find out the length of time they’ve been in the industry. Established companies that are doing well will usually be the best ones to go with. Hiring a new contractor comes with an element of risk.
A programmable thermostat is a simple way to help save money on your air conditioning costs. Some can even be controlled from your smart phone or computer.
During the visit, they will inspect the motor of the system, oil the unit’s moving parts and ensure the unit has proper freon levels. These easy to do things are going to allow your system to run at its peak performance.
Think about getting a radiant barrier in your attic so your HVAC system can run better. This will block heat from coming in, which means that less energy will be needed to keep your home cool. If done correctly, this also enables you to start using your attic as a living space.
Research and check the companies before hiring them. Check with different references to determine the BBB and look for reviews of potential companies online. These simple steps can help ensure you make a better decision.
Air conditioners tend to ice up.The drain line might also freeze up.If you notice this, disable the compressor by switching the thermostat to run the fan only. You should call a pro to fix this problem, but switching to the fan setting should start to melt the ice.
Check the ducts to find any leaks if you you feel your existing system is not up to snuff. 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. Paying for the test is fine as repairing the leaks will pay for itself quickly.
Companies that are well established have track records that haven’t been. Hiring a contractor can be risky.
Ask friends and relations for their HVAC contractor recommendations. People that have had a good experience are often happy to share this information. This can also provide you to figure out some names of businesses that you should avoid hiring.
The HVAC system is only one piece in an efficient home. You must also consider the quality of your windows and doors. Make sure that their seals are tight and that they do not allow air to seep in or out. Testing for energy efficiency may be free, if you are interested in hiring a professional to find out.
Contractors are responsible for their own charges and fees, so make sure that you acquire multiple estimates. You should save some cash if you take the time to call around before you decide. You may want to call at least five contractors in order to know what you should be paying.
Hvac System
Always get some references prior to hiring any contractor. You want to be able to ask if what was expected is what the homeowner got, such as being on time and on budget. This will keep the scam artists away, but this only works by actually following up on the references.
Follow these tips to keep your HVAC system running smoothly. You never want to arrive back at your house to find that the unit has broken down. When you thing about how much it will cost to repair, things get even worse. Using the information in this article can help. Remember these hints when taking care of your HVAC system.