Follow these helpful tips to put yourself in the best position.
If the outside of your home has condenser units, ensure they are constantly cleaned. Falling leaves and wind or rain may cause debris to reduce the efficiency of your unit. It may even overheat, which can ruin your system.
Know the name and type of your HVAC system you currently have before calling someone to fix it. This will enable you to give your new contractor all the information they might need.
Know what you want done before you select an HVAC contractor.It will be difficult for an HVAC contractor to give you a price estimate over the phone without knowing what your current system. It will be more difficult for him to assist you can’t figure out what they need to do.
Don’t let grass clippings pile up against your outdoor condenser. Now so the grass clippings are shot away from your unit. This also applies when you blow leaves, so be very careful near your exterior HVAC units when you move debris.
Clean the fan blades and coils each spring to ensure that your condenser fan operates at it’s best. Clean the outside of your external condenser unit regularly.
Don’t get grass clippings on your outdoor condenser. Aim the grass in a direction from your unit. This applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in debris.
Your HVAC system should be checked a few times a year. Generally, you want it done in the fall and the spring. A quick check is worth it to avoid problems down the road.
10 Drops
Lubricate the oil ports on your condenser once a year. You will notice these ports have a rubber or metal cap covering the ports. Use a lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, putting 10 drops in each port.
It is a good idea to replace single-paned windows with ones that have double panes. They help cool air remain inside your home, effectively cutting back on how much you have to run your air conditioner. This will also help you keep in heat when it gets cold.
Turn off any outdoor condenser when it’s getting cold. This should turn it off to prevent damage if the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This can keep your unit is working well throughout the years without the cost of repairs.
Install a programmable thermostat you can program to save energy costs. Some can even be controlled from a PC or other device.
Make sure to have your unit serviced once a year. The service will include motor inspection, oiling of moving parts, and a freon level check. This ensures your system runs smoothly.
During the visit, the serviceman will inspect the unit’s motor, oil the unit’s moving parts and ensure the unit has proper freon levels. These simple things will keep your system to run its best.
Never allow the temperature in your home to get dangerously hot inside. An AC unit will reduce the internal temperature of your home approximately twenty degrees in a short time span. If the temperature in your home rises to 100 degrees F or higher, it will only cool off to about 80F. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Go to people that you know and ask for recommendations when it is time for you to hire an HVAC contractor. People that have had quality work done are usually more than willing to share this information. This is also a great way to get names of companies that should be avoided.
Research and check the reputation of companies that you consider using. Check with the BBB and online reviews posted by former customers. These simple steps will help ensure you make a better decision.
Ask friends and relations for their HVAC contractor recommendations. People who’ve had quality work done are usually more than willing to share this information. This is also help you learn the names of those companies that should be avoided.
Get a handful of quotes before accepting any. This can help you to save money by knowing what people are charging. Compare the rates of at least 5 or 6 contractors to help you decide on the most reasonable rate for the job you need done.
There are quite a few sites now that allow customers can place their service experiences. This method of finding contractors that you with as well as those that you want to avoid.
Contractors charge different rates, so make sure you get quotes from several contractors before you make any hiring decision. You can save quite a bit of money if you make several calls prior to reaching a final decision. You want to call at least five contractors in order to know what reasonable rates are.
You can usually have free duct testing performed if you are concerned about your HVAC system not running properly. You can call a utility company in your area to help you with testing, and that doesn’t cost much or nothing at all usually. When these leaks are fixed, the testing will pay for itself in energy savings.
Are you looking at purchasing a HVAC system installed? You could keep a few things into account. Systems get rated according to the total area they effectively heat or cool. You are better off purchasing a unit that is slightly too large for your needs than a smaller one.
Your home’s HVAC system is critical to providing a comfortable environment in your home. If you don’t try to care for it on an ongoing basis, the system can break and cause you frustration. Put these tips to good use and avoid this from happening.
To gain maximum HVAC efficiency, you need efficient windows and doors too. They have to have a tight seal, stopping air from going in or out. You can also hire someone to test them.