Anyone that uses HVAC system in their home knows how it important it is to have it properly maintained. An HVAC unit operating at minimum efficiency is costing you money all year round! The following tips will help you care for your HVAC maintenance and repairs.
When spring rolls around, give the condenser fan blades and coils a good clean. Shut the power off before you do anything. Then, take the grill off, pull the blades out, and gently clean them as well as the unit itself.
Know the name and type of your HVAC system you currently have before calling someone to fix it. This will enable you to give the contractor any information that can help them.
If problems arise with the HVAC system, look around your home before calling in people to help. This will help the contractor determine where the problem is.
Try to prevent debris from getting in your HVAC unit. Make sure the fan’s grill is cleaned often during the fall. Your fan needs an unobstructed way to get air inside, and the more blocked up it becomes, the more headaches will develop for you with the system.
Clean your condenser’s fan blades and coils each spring to ensure that your condenser fan operates at it’s best. Clean the outdoor condenser unit regularly.
Clean the debris off your outdoor condensers often. 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 can cause your system by overheating.
Make sure your HVAC unit is in the shade. It will help you save on your energy bill when you do this.
Turn it off so nothing moves.Next, pop the grill off, pull out the blades and start cleaning them and the unit itself off gently.
Grass Clippings
It is very important that your HVAC system is serviced two times a year. Generally, you want it done in the fall and the spring. This will help you to avoid problems.
Don’t get grass clippings pile up against your outside unit. Aim the grass clippings in a different direction from the unit. This applies when you are taking care of the leaves in debris.
Lubricate the oil ports on your fan condenser at least once each year. You will notice these ports have a rubber or metal caps covering them. Use a lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, putting 10 drops in each port.
Outdoor condenser units need to be turned off when the weather turns cold. When the temperature goes below 60 degrees, shut off the unit in order to prevent damage. This simple tip will help keep the system running efficiently for many years to come.
Put outdoor units in places with shade.
It is always a good idea to swap out single pane windows with ones that have double panes. This will also help you keep it warm in the winter.
Installing double paned windows can save a lot of money over single panes, so upgrade if you are able. You can reduce your energy costs from energy leaking out through your windows by installing window that are double-paned. This also helps retain heated air during the colder months.
A programmable thermostat can help you save money on your air conditioning costs. Some of these thermostats can even be controlled from a PC or other device.
Don’t let your house get dangerously high. Air conditioners really can only cool down a home by 20 degrees. If your home become 100F or more, it will only reduce it to 80 or more. This won’t be a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.
To help keep your energy costs down, have your heating and cooling system serviced at least once a year. During service the technician will check the motor and refill the system fluids. Small problems can occur in any of these areas and lead to serious issues if ignored for too long.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line might also freeze up.If this is something that’s happening to you, switch the thermostat in your home to fan only so the compressor is disabled. You should leave the repair to a professional, but switching to the fan will make the ice melt.
Look for calculators online to help you determine the size of unit you need for your room or home. Look in the manual to determine the manufacturer website for this information.
If you are going to be gone during the day or on vacation, turn the temperature up on your air conditioning unit. The house will heat up when it is turned off, but only a certain amount. When the AC is left running, your power bill will go up quite a bit.
Ask friends and family for their HVAC contractor recommendations. People that have had quality work done are usually more than willing to share the information they know about it. This will also help you avoid undesirable companies.
Check for duct leaks if your existing system is not up to snuff. Once leaks have been fixed, the savings will be more than worth the hassle.
Never allow the temperature in your home to rise to a dangerously high level. An air conditioner can only cool your home by 20ºF quickly. If you have your home at above 100 degrees then you can only get it to about 80 or above. This is not a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.
Figure out which direction your home is facing so your HVAC system can work better. The less amount of heat inside of your home, the easier time the air conditioner in your home will have.
Make sure they have tight seals to keep air inside. You can also hire someone to test them all for you and often this testing is free.
Sometimes, air conditioners collect ice. There can be occasional freezes in their drain lines, and these are usually confused with plumbing leaks. Change your thermostat in situations like this. The ice will melt. You will likely need professional help to stop the problem.
Now that you know a thing or two regarding HVAC systems, you understand how important it is to properly care for them. It is very important that regular maintenance be performed, otherwise down the road you are looking at shelling out a lot of money for repairs and higher than normal energy bills. Bookmark these suggestions and refer back to them as needed.