Letting your HVAC system break is not something you want to deal with. You are probably here to learn about getting your HVAC system last a very long time. The following article has some helpful advice for you.
Before you contact people to assist you in getting your system fixed, know what kind of system you’re working with in the first place. Look for the maintenance history and brand and model. The contractor will likely need all of this information.
Know what you need before you select an HVAC contractor. A contractor will be hard pressed to provide you with an over-the-phone estimate without looking at your system. It will be way more difficult for him to assist you can’t figure out what they need to do.
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 ruin your system. It can cause it to overheat.
Clean the fan blades and coils prior to summertime. Before you clean the unit, be sure to turn off the power. Also, be sure to clear leaves and debris from your condenser unit.
Turn the power off 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.
Your outdoor HVAC units might suffer when your trees start to lose leaves. Make sure the unit’s fan grill is cleaned often during the leaves begin to fall. The fan needs unobstructed air flow, and if it gets blocked, you will end up with many headaches with the unit.
You can boost the efficiency of your HVAC unit by replacing it with a new energy efficient one or moving your old one to a shady outside location. As your air conditioner sucks in cool air, little will have to be done to cool it any further, saving you a ton on your energy bills.
10 Drops
Lubricate the oil ports on your condenser at least once a year. These ports are usually 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.
One way to save some money with A/C is by having a programmable thermostat installed. Such thermostats help you save around ten percent when it comes to energy costs. There are also some programmable thermostats that can be controlled with a computer or other web-connected advice.
Put your outdoor units in the shade if you are installing them.
It is always a good idea to swap out single pane windows with ones that have double panes. This same effect also helps keep it warm in the winter months.
Turn your AC off if no one is at home. When you turn the air conditioner off, the house may heat up a little but only a certain amount. When the AC is left running, your power bill will go up quite a bit.
When they visit to service the unit they’re going to inspect the motors, the motor will be inspected, moving parts well oiled and the level of freon adjusted if necessary. These things are going to allow your system to run its best.
Don’t allow your home get overly hot. An AC unit will reduce the internal temperature by twenty degrees in a short time span. If your house’s interior temperature hits 100 degrees Fahrenheit, it will only cool off to about 80F. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Before hiring an HVAC company, you need to find out how long they have been in business. Companies that are around awhile have a better record than those that haven’t been. Working with someone that does not yet have a reputation in the business is a bit riskier.
Contractors determine their own fee levels, so make sure you get quotes from several contractors before you make any hiring decision. You have the potential to save some money this way. You may want to call at least five contractors to determine what reasonable rates are.
Are you looking at purchasing a cooling and heating system that’s new? There are some things to think about first. Systems have ratings according to the total area they can effectively cool and heat. You are better off purchasing a bigger unit rather than a bit too small.
Ask for quotes from multiple contractors. You will be likely to save some cash if you take the time to call around before you decide. You may want to get quotes from at least five contractors in order to know what you should be paying.
Figure out the direction your home faces in order to make your HVAC system can work better. The less heat inside the house, the fewer occasions you have to use your air conditioner.
As you can see from reading the above article, it is vital that you take good care of your HVAC system to prevent it from going bad. As with other household repairs, HVAC repairs can be very expensive. You can help prevent overspending by knowing who to hire, what to look for in a unit and what size unit to choose.
To keep your HVAC unit running at full capacity, you should have quality doors and windows installed that are efficient. They should be able to seal tightly without letting air seep in or out. You can get these tested at little to no charge by a professional.