A properly functioning HVAC system is an important part of your home. A lot of people spend quite a bit to fix things when they don’t work right, but could have avoided such issues if they had maintained them properly. The following article will help you to keep your HVAC in running order.
Before choosing an HVAC contractor, think of what you wish to have done. A contractor will be hard pressed to provide you with an over-the-phone estimate if unfamiliar with your system. They also won’t be able to offer you a quote if they don’t have a detailed idea of what you want done. Thus, it is worthwhile to have this knowledge ahead of time.
Know the name and type of system before looking for a repair person. This will ensure that you can give your chosen contractor all the information they might need.
Know what work you need 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 setup is. It will be more hard if you over the phone without the information readily available.
Clean the coils on the condenser fan from time to time. Before you do so, shut off the power to ensure that none of the parts will move while you work on it. Then take off the grill, take the blades out, and gently clean them.
Clean your fan blades and coils when the weather begins to warm. Clean the outside of your external condenser unit regularly.
Clean the debris off your 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 can also cause the unit to overheat and break down.
Try to prevent debris from getting in your HVAC unit. The grill on the fan can become cluttered with debris, which will cause a serious operating deficiency. The fan must be unobstructed to work properly, and if it becomes blocked, it could cause your system to break down.
Grass Clippings
Don’t get grass clippings pile up against your outdoor condenser. Aim your grass clippings in a direction away from your unit. This applies when you are taking care of the leaves in debris.
When colder weather arrives, switch off all outdoor condenser units. If the outside temp is under 60 degrees, turn the unit off to prevent damage. This will help keep it in good condition for many years.
Put your outdoor units in the shade if you are installing them.
Turn off any outdoor condensers you have when it becomes cold out. This should turn it off to prevent damage if the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit. This can keep the system working for years to come.
When you are away from home, adjust your thermostat to a money saving temperature. Your home will become somewhat warmer during this time. Leaving it on for the entire day means that it is struggling to keep things cool, something that takes lots of energy.
A programmable thermostat is a simple way to help you out when it comes to your power bills. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from a computer.
Fan Setting
Icing up is common in air conditioners. The drain line can freeze, making you think it’s a plumbing leak. Change your thermostat in situations like this. Get a professional to deal with this, even if you see the ice start melting because you turned the compressor off.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line may also freeze over. If this is something that’s happening to you, immediately put your thermostat on the fan setting to turn off your compressor. You can call a HVAC professional, even if switching it to its fan setting starts making 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 air conditioners.
Figure out how long the HVAC company you choose has been in business. The older they are, the more likely it will be for you to find out their history, which will help you gauge their quality. It is riskier to hire someone who does not have a long history.
Contractors determine their own fee levels, so make sure you get quotes from several contractors before you make any hiring decision. You will be likely to save some money this way. You may want to call at least five contractors to determine what you should be paying.
Think about getting a radiant barrier installed in your attic so your HVAC system. It ensures that your unit stays hot outside. You may even find that you can use the attic space if it is done right.
Each contractor establishes his own fees, so before you hire one, obtain a few estimates. You can save a lot of cash simply by doing your homework. It is best to speak to several contractors so that you know which rates are reasonable.
Make sure they are tightly sealed so air inside. You can get these tested at little to no charge by a professional to test them all for you and often this testing is free.
Measure the living area that requires air conditioner shopping. You generally need 20 BTU for each square foot of the room. When several rooms must be cooled, you must add together all of the square footage.
Figure out the direction your home is facing so your HVAC system can work better. Trees in certain areas can provide shade, which means your house will stay cooler. Anything that provides shade from direct sunlight can reduce the temperature inside your home and help reduce your energy bill for air conditioning during warm months.
The HVAC unit is integral to any home. The advice you have just been given should help you save money on costly repairs. You need to put these tips to use, so prevent wasting tons of money by using them.