HVAC: What You Should Know Before You Begin

A properly running HVAC system is important for your home. A lot of people spend quite a bit to fix things when they don’t work right, but could have avoided such issues if they had maintained them properly. The following article discusses what you to keep your HVAC systems.

Before calling someone to repair your system, make sure you know what kind of HVAC system you actually have. Know the model and brand and find it’s maintenance history, if possible. This will facilitate the process when your contractor asks for this information.

Know what type of system before looking for a repair person. This will enable you can give your chosen contractor any information they need.

If you are having issues with your HVAC, check out your home before calling a contractor. This information will help the repairman determine where the problem is and how to fix it.

Clean the fan blades and coils prior to summertime. If you are doing more than a light surface cleaning, make sure that the power is shut off to the HVAC unit. Remove leaves and debris from the outside condenser.

Clean the fan blades and coils come spring. Clean off any leaves or debris from your condenser unit regularly.

Be sure to regularly clean external condenser units regularly. 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 could overheat and cause your system to malfunction by overheating.

When you mow your lawn, take care that you don’t get grass clippings all over your outdoor unit. Shoot grass the other way. This also applies to blowing leaves or moving debris. Just be careful with that exterior HVAC unit.

TIP! As the leaves are falling off the trees, your HVAC system can really take a hit. Be sure to clean your fan grill frequently when trees nearby are shedding.

Your outdoor HVAC units might suffer when trees start to lose leaves. Make sure the fan’s grill is cleaned frequently when the 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.

Make sure you have your HVAC systems is checked at least twice a year. This should be done in the fall and the spring.

Place your HVAC unit in the shade to boost efficiency. This will help ensure that the AC is pulling in cooler air, reducing the amount of work it has to do and saving you money.

TIP! When the weather cools down, turn your outdoor condenser off. To prevent damage, turn off your unit if the outside temperature is less than 60 degrees.

Turn off any outdoor condensers you have when it’s getting cold. This should turn it off to prevent damage if the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit. This can keep your system working order.

Do not let your house to get dangerously hot. An air conditioning unit is really only able to reduce the internal temperature by twenty degrees in a fair time. If your home gets above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, you will only be able to cool it down to 80. This is not a healthy environment to live in.

Replace single pane windows by installing double pane, if possible. Double pane windows can help minimize how much you use your air conditioner in the summer, because they keep cool air inside the home. When it is cold in the winter months, these same windows will keep the warm air inside as well.

TIP! To help keep your energy costs down, have your heating and cooling system serviced at least once a year. The service will include motor inspection, oiling of moving parts, and a freon level check.

Look for air conditioner sizing calculators online to help you determine the size of unit is necessary for your home. Look in the manual to determine the manufacturer website for air conditioners.

Contractors determine their own fee levels, so make sure that you acquire multiple estimates. You can save tons of cash simply by doing your homework. You should try to contact 5 to 6 contractors to determine what reasonable rates are.

Don’t let your home get overly hot. Air conditioners can only really cool your home down 20 degrees or so within a reasonable time period. So, if you house heats up to about 95, you won’t see the temperature go below 75 for a while. You may suffer adverse effects from letting the house get that hot, too.

TIP! To choose a HVAC contractor, it is important to check their reputations. Check reputations at the BBB, and read online reviews to gauge customer satisfaction.

Figure out the direction your home is facing so your HVAC system more efficient. The less heat in your home, the fewer occasions you have to use your air conditioner.

If your HVAC system is clicking, check for any sort of obstructions immediately. Often it is being caused by debris that’s hitting the fans in the cooling system. Check the fan and coil before calling a repairman.

Some air conditioners can ice up. There can be occasional freezes in their drain lines, and these are usually confused with plumbing leaks. If this is something that’s happening to you, change the setting on your thermostat to the fan setting and this will disable the compressor. You should still call a professional to help regardless.

Replace the air filter monthly to keep your HVAC system every month. It will improve the easiest and cheapest way you can take care of it.

Your HVAC is what keeps your family comfortable and happy. You can save money by using the advice above. But it is up to you to follow them, so you don’t find yourself in the position to shell out thousands of dollars fixing something that could have been prevented.

If you need recommendations for an HVAC contractor, check online. In many cases you will find local review sites where previous customers will share the experience they had with companies they used. This will help you find a top notch professional.