It can be difficult for many homeowners to understand where to go when their heating or cooling system begins to fail. To ward off disaster, knowledge is power. This article will help you understand everything there is to know about the right contractor.
Before calling someone to repair your system, make sure you know what kind of HVAC system you actually have. It is important to understand what model it is and which brand it is. Also, if it has been serviced before, you should have that information handy. If you have to have someone come out to repair the unit, you will be able to help the contractor understand more about what is going on.
Know the name and type of your HVAC system you currently have before looking for a repair person. This will enable you can give your chosen contractor all the information they need.
Clean your fan blades and coils when the weather begins to warm. Clean off any leaves or debris from your condenser unit regularly.
To make sure your condenser fan works properly, keep the fan blades and the coils clean. Turn off the power if you are going to work on your HVAC system. Leaves and debris can build up inside the unit and cause damage.
Turn it off so nothing moves.Next, pop off the grill, put the blades out and start to gently clean them along with the unit.
Grass Clippings
If you want to know where you should put an outdoor compressor, you should place it somewhere where there is a lot of shade. If you have a unit taking in air that’s cooler, it won’t have to work so hard to cool air that it sends to your home.
Don’t let grass clippings on your outside unit. Direct the grass clippings away from the equipment. This applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in debris.
Leaves falling from trees can damage your HVAC unit. 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 it gets blocked, you will end up with many headaches with the unit.
Once it gets cold outside, you should turn off the outdoor condenser unit. To avoid damage, units should be turned off when temperatures are below 60 degrees. This can ensure your unit is working well throughout the years without the cost of repairs.
Lubricate your condenser if it has oil ports. These ports are usually covered with rubber or metal cap. Use SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.
Turn off your outdoor condenser units when it’s getting cold. This means that you should turn it off to prevent damage if the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This simple tip will help keep the system working for years to come.
Consider getting a programmable thermostat for your AC. If you adjust it to keep the house a little warmer or a little cooler during the time you are sleeping, you may see your energy bill go down by as much as ten percent. Also, you’ll find that you can program your thermostat from a computer or anything connected to the web.
It is a good idea to replace single-paned windows for double panes. This also keeps warm in during the winter.
During a maintenance visit, the contractor will oil parts, oil the different moving parts as well as check the system’s freon levels. These things will help your system.
Sometimes, air conditioners collect ice. This can also happen on the drain line. When you see ice, turn the unit to fan. If the problem persists be sure to call in a professional.
Don’t let your house get way too hot to where it’s dangerous. An air conditioning unit is really only cool your home by twenty degrees in a short time span. If the temperature in your home rises to 100 degrees F or higher, you will only be able to cool it down to 80. This won’t be a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.
Air conditioners tend to ice up.The drain line may also freeze over. If you see this happen, put your thermostat over to fan.You can call a HVAC professional, even if switching it to its fan setting starts making the ice melt.
Go to people that you know and ask for recommendations when it is time for you to hire an HVAC contractor. When people have had great service, they are generally pleased to pass on a good word. This is also a great way to get names of companies that should be avoided.
Contractors are responsible for their own charges and fees, so make sure that you acquire multiple estimates. You should save tons of money this way. You may want to get quotes from at least five contractors to determine what reasonable rates are.
During extreme temperatures of the summer and winter, it can be incredibly frustrating to have your unit go out. However, had you known what you know now, you could have likely avoided the problem all together. These tips are very simple, but they can help you avoid expensive fees by teaching you to handle the maintenance yourself.
Are you going to buy a new HVAC system? There are things you must consider first. Systems are given ratings by how effectively they can cool and heat an area. You are better off purchasing a unit that is slightly too large for your needs than purchasing one that is a bit too small.