If you’re unfamiliar with HVAC and you need to learn about it, you’ve come to the right place. This article will help you improve your HVAC up and running properly. Take the time to read carefully and you will do just fine.
What system do you have? You need this information to tell your contractor. Take a look at the system or the owner’s manual to find the name and model number. This makes sure your contractor will be sufficiently prepared.
Know the name and type of system before calling someone to fix it. This will help you to give your chosen contractor any information they might need.
Clean your fan blades and coils prior to summertime. Clean the outside of your condenser unit.
Cover your unit when you are mowing the lawn. Turn your lawnmower in the opposite direction. This is the same if you are using a leaf blower.
Clean the condenser on your debris off your outdoor condenser unit. You don’t know when things are going to pile up, especially after a windy or rainy storm, and that can ruin your system. It could overheat and cause your system to malfunction by overheating.
Turn the power off first so you don’t get hurt or break something. Next, pop off the grill, put the blades out and start to gently clean them along with the unit.
If you have oil ports as part of the fan condenser, annual lubrication is key. The port usually has either a rubber or metal cap on top of it. Look for an oil that is lightweight and then put about 10 drops inside the port. You don’t want to put in too much.
Don’t get grass clippings on your outdoor condenser. Aim your grass cuttings in a different direction from your unit. This applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in the yard.
Your HVAC system could suffer when trees lose leaves. Make sure you clean out your fan grill is cleaned often once nearby trees start shedding their leaves. The fan needs to have an unobstructed path for air to enter the unit, and if it is clogged, then your system could suffer.
If you own your own home or have permission from your landlord, replace your single pane windows with double paned versions. Try to insulate your windows to prevent air from being lost. This also works during the cold months to keep the warm air inside.
Have your heating and cooling system checked twice a year. This should be done in the fall and the spring.
Turn off any outdoor condensers you have when it becomes cold out. This means that you should turn it off to prevent damage if the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This helps the system working for years and will have to be repaired less often.
Your home should not have temperatures that are too hot. A simple AC unit will usually only cool the home around 20 degrees within a short period of time. Assuming the temperature in your home rises to a hundred degrees, you will only be able to reduce that by twenty degrees. With high humidity, this is an unsafe temperature even for sleeping.
A programmable thermostat can help save money on air conditioning costs. Some can even be controlled from a PC or other device.
Research and check the companies that you consider using. Check with the best one for your situation. Doing all of this will make sure you choose wisely..
Ask people you know for recommendations if you need to hire a contractor for an HVAC system. When people have had great service, they are generally pleased to pass on a good word. This will prevent you from getting scammed.
Look for air conditioner sizing calculators online to truly understand what size of unit is necessary for your home. Look in the manual to determine the recommended size for this information.
Ask around so you can find a HVAC contractor. People will tell you who they have used and if they are often happy to share the name of their contractor. This will also be used to see who you should avoid hiring.
Each contractor establishes his own fees, so before you hire one, obtain a few estimates. You have the potential to save a great deal of money if you make several calls prior to reaching a final decision. Try to contact a minimum of five contractors.
Contractors charge different rates, so make sure to get multiple quotes. You should save a great deal of money this way. You may want to call at least a handful of contractors to determine what you should be paying.
Are you looking at purchasing a cooling and heating system that’s new? You need to know some things into account. Systems have a rating based on how effectively they can cool or heat an area well. You are wise to err on the side of a unit that is slightly too large for your needs than purchasing one that is a smaller one.
If the HVAC unit makes a clicking noise, look immediately to see if there is an obstruction. Most of the time such a noise is created by an object striking the blades of the fan in the system. You just have to take out the obstruction and the problem is solved. Always check for yourself before getting someone out to repair the unit.
Figure out the direction your home is facing so your HVAC system more efficient. The less heat inside the house, the less work your AC will have to do.
As this article’s contents indicate, learning about HVAC can be a complicated process, but some preliminary information can help get you started. You just have to learn the information and do things step-by-step so that you don’t run into any trouble. Keep your home running efficiently by taking care of your HVAC system.
When thinking of what kind of air conditioner you should get, you should measure the area that you need to cool. You can easily calculate this by using the formula: 20 BTUs per square footage of space. Account for all of the rooms in the house.