A great HVAC system can mean the difference between comfort and discomfort in a home so you have to be sure you maintain this equipment right at all times. A lot of homeowners spend money fixing them up when broken, but if they were able to figure out how to fix things on their own it would have been avoided. The tips below will help you maximize your HVAC system.
It is important to have some knowledge of your present system and needs before calling a contractor. A contractor will be hard pressed to provide you with an over-the-phone estimate if unfamiliar with your system. If you are unable to explain the work that needs to be taken care of, the conversation will be even less fruitful. So, know this information in advance.
Know what type of your HVAC system you currently have before looking for a repair person. This will enable you to give your contractor any information they might need.
If problems arise with the HVAC system, check out your home before calling a contractor. This information will help the repairman determine where the problem is and how to fix it.
A big mistake that people make is cutting the grass next to the outdoor condenser unit and allowing all of the clippings to blow inside the fan and coil. Get the grass 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.
Hvac Contractor
Know what you need before you select an HVAC contractor.It will be hard for an HVAC contractor to provide you a price estimate over the phone without knowing what your current system. It will be way more difficult for him to assist you over the phone without the information readily available.
Put your outdoor unit in places with shade. It will help you save on your energy bill when you do this.
Clean your fan and coils come spring. Clean off any leaves or debris from your condenser unit regularly.
Clean any debris on an external condenser units. You never know when things can pile up, especially after a windy or rainy storm, and that can ruin your system. It can also cause your system to malfunction by overheating.
If you own your own home or have permission from your landlord, replace your single pane windows with double paned versions. Windows that are double pane keep the cool air in and can greatly reduce the amount of time your air conditioner will need to run. Likewise, heat is better retained during the winter.
Don’t get grass clippings pile up against your outdoor condenser.Aim the grass cuttings in a different direction from the unit. This applies when you are taking care of the leaves in debris.
Your HVAC units might suffer when your trees lose leaves. Make sure you clean out your fan grill is cleaned frequently when the leaves begin to fall. The fan must not have anything in the way so that air can flow into it, and if debris is blocking this air flow, then your system could suffer.
To choose a HVAC contractor, it is important to check their reputations. The BBB is always great when you are looking for references or online reviews. These steps are going to help to ensure your decision is a wise one.
Be sure to have twice annual HVAC unit in your home checked about two times every year. This should happen in the fall and again in the spring.
A programmable thermostat can really help you save money on your air conditioning bill. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from your smart phone or computer.
Check reviews online to find professional help. There are now different online sites that let customers share their service experiences. This works both in finding those you want to hire and also with those you want to avoid.
During a maintenance visit, the contractor will oil parts, oil the different moving parts as well as check the system’s freon levels. These few simple things are going to allow your system to run at its best.
Research and check the companies before hiring them. Check them out at the best one for your situation. These simple steps are going to help make a wise one.
To improve the efficiency of your HVAC unit, put a radiant barrier up inside the attic of your home. This type of barrier will help to block heat, which in turn will help your system work less at cooling your home. This can also help you make the attic useful again.
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. You should leave the repair to a professional, even if switching it to its fan setting starts making the ice melt.
Square Footage
You should know the facing direction of your home for the most effective placement of the HVAC system. If you strategically place trees, it’s possible to block some of the morning sunlight so your home won’t become overheated. A cooler home means less work for your air conditioner.
Measure the area that requires air conditioner shopping.You will need about 20 BTU for each square footage of the room. If more than one room needs AC service, just add their total square footage.
Pick HVAC business that understands the unit and works quickly to solve the problem.The most reliable companies will ensure that their technicians stay on schedule. The technicians will be able to diagnose problems in your HVAC in no time. Once they are able to locate a problem, fixing it should be quick and easy.
In order to determine the size of the air conditioner to purchase, you must measure the area that you want to cool. For each square foot you’ll need 20 BTU of cooling power. If you are cooling more than one room, sum their areas.
Your HVAC helps you to stay comfortable in your home. Thankfully, the tips you just read will help save you from costly repairs. If you don’t follow them, you won’t find any benefit, so keep that in mind.