How do you know what kind of system to buy? What size do you purchase? What features will you need? It can be hard to sort through all the new features are coming out each day.
When you start making calls to get someone to help with your HVAC system, it’s a good idea to know what system you have before that phone call. Learn the brand, model, and if you have it, the maintenance history. This will facilitate the process when your contractor asks for this information.
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.
Grass Clippings
Make a circuit around your home before calling for help with your HVAC. Make a list of the temperatures in each room and whether they are hot or cold. This gives the repairer a starting point to work from.
Don’t let grass clippings pile up against your outside unit. Aim your grass clippings in a direction away from your unit. This applies when you are taking care of the leaves in debris.
Lubricate the oil ports on your fan condenser once each year. These ports are often covered by a rubber or metal caps. Use SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, putting 10 drops in each port.
If you have condenser units outside your home, be sure to clean out the debris from them often. Falling leaves and wind or rain may cause debris to reduce the efficiency of your unit. Overheating may be the result if you don’t.
Put outdoor unit in places with shade.
Turn off any outdoor condenser when it’s getting cold. This should turn it off to prevent damage if the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit. This simple tip will help keep the system working for many years and save you a lot on repairs.
When you are cutting the grass, be sure not to cover your outdoor units with clippings. Shoot grass the other way. The same thing should go on when you blow leaves, so take your time when you’re working around HVAC units that are around when you’re blowing debris around.
A programmable thermostat can help save money on your air conditioning costs. Some of these thermostats can even be controlled from a PC or computer.
During the service check, professionals can help by inspecting the system’s motor, oil the moving parts and check the freon levels in the system. These simple tasks will help keep your system to run its best.
You want to put the outdoor compressor device in a shaded area. If you have a unit taking in air that’s cooler, it won’t have to work so hard to cool air that it sends to your home.
Never allow your home to get dangerously hot temperature. Air conditioners really can cool a home by just twenty degrees in a short time. If your home become 100F or more, you would only be able to cool it down just above 80 degrees. This won’t be a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.
Research and check the companies before hiring them. Check with different references to determine the BBB and look for reviews posted by former customers. Doing all of this makes it more likely that you make a better decision.
In order for your new unit to be as efficient as possible, or to make older units more efficient, make sure it’s put in a shaded area. The unit will have to do less work cooling this air.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line might also freeze up.If you see this, switch the thermostat in your home to fan only so the compressor is disabled. If the issue persists, call a professional.
Ask people that you know and family for their HVAC contractor recommendations. People will tell you who have used and if they are often happy to share the name of their contractor. This is an excellent way to get names of companies to stay away from.
It is very important that your HVAC system is serviced two times a year. The spring and autumn times are the best time to have it checked. This will help you to avoid problems.
There are plenty of online websites that let customers share their service experiences. This is a great way to find people you want to hire and also with and those that you want to avoid.
Make certain they are tightly sealed so air inside. You can also hire someone to test them all for you and often this testing is free.
During cold weather , be sure to turn off outdoor condenser units. To avoid damage, units should be turned off when temperatures are below 60 degrees. Your system will work longer for you this way.
Square Footage
Measure the area that needs cooling before going air conditioner shopping. You will need about 20 BTU per square footage of the area to be cooled. If more than one room needs AC service, just add their total square footage.
Installing double paned windows can save a lot of money over single panes, so upgrade if you are able. Double pane windows can help minimize how much you use your air conditioner in the summer, because they keep cool air inside the home. Your home will also stay warmer in the winter.
Ask any potential contractor about their experience prior to hiring them. You need to verify they have done the type of work you require.
Always make sure to get references when you are considering a contractor.
Keep energy costs from rising by having your system serviced annually. An HVAC specialist will inspect the entire system, including the oil, the motor, and the ducts. Small problems can occur in any of these areas and lead to serious issues if ignored for too long.
Any HVAC contractor you hire should have an emergency number available to customers around the clock.They must be able to reach your home at any time, even if when the weather gets to be extreme.
There are dishonest contractors that will try to overcharge you. Having a written contract will help you avoid these types of issues.
If there isn’t anyone at home, then there’s no need for the AC unit to be running and wasting electricity. The house will only heat to certain level and a decent HVAC system can quickly cool this down once you are home. If you leave it on all day, it’s fighting the heat constantly, meaning it’s using a lot of electricity to do its job.
Always check out any references that are given to you receive for an HVAC contractor.
Choosing a new HVAC unit can be perplexing and exhausting. Using the advice from our experts will make the decision easier. If you’ve got the time, review the tips above one more time for sake of clarity. Use the tips to make a more informed decision when it counts.
Always take the time to check out the reputation of any HVAC contractor before you consider hiring them. It is a good idea to check with the BBB and look for reviews from prior clients. Doing this can help you make a better decision.