Keeping your home’s HVAC system running at its optimal performance is a task most homeowners should do, even though many people don’t know how. Learning the ins and outs of choosing an HVAC professional to maintain or repair your system is a smart thing homeowners can do. This article will help you with that.
Think about what improvements you want made before picking an HVAC contractor. A contractor will not be able to give you an accurate price without accurate information about your system. If you are unable to explain the work that needs to be taken care of, the conversation will be even less fruitful. Be sure to find this out ahead of time.
Know what type of system before calling someone to fix it. This will enable you to give the new contractor any information they might need.
Clean your fan blades and coils prior to summertime. Clean off any leaves or debris from your condenser unit.
If you have a fan condenser with oil ports, it needs to be lubricated every year. You will see rubber or metal caps covering the ports. Choose an oil graded SAE 20, it is non-detergent and lightweight. Place about 10 drops into each of the ports, taking care that it does not overfill.
Clean any debris that accumulates on an external condenser units. 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 could overheat and cause your system to malfunction by overheating.
Don’t let grass clippings on your outside unit. Aim the grass in a different direction from your unit. This also applies when you are taking care of the leaves in the yard.
If the current location of your HVAC unit outside isn’t working, try having it moved to an area with more shade. This will ensure cool air is sucked in, meaning less cooling must be done by the unit.
10 Drops
Lubricate the oil ports on your fan condenser once each year. You can easily find the ports covered with rubber or metal cap. Use a lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, putting 10 drops in each port.
Have a smart thermostat installed. A programmable thermostat can save you up to ten percent on your cooling and heating costs by simply turning the thermostat back ten to fifteen percent for eight hours a day. Some can even be controlled from a computer.
Put outdoor units in the shade.
Have your HVAC serviced at the least. This should be done in the fall and the spring.
Research the companies that you consider using. The BBB is always great when you are looking for references or online reviews. This will help you to choose a contractor that is of high quality.
It is always a good idea to swap out single pane windows with ones that have double pane ones. This also help you keep it warm in heat when it gets cold.
A programmable thermostat is a simple way to help save money on air conditioning bill. Some of these thermostats can even be controlled from a PC or other device.
If you are purchasing an AC unit, there are calculators on the Internet that can help you figure out the right size. Buying one that’s too large will not cool that well. Look at the manual to figure out the manufacturing rates the unit for accurate cooling information.
During this service visit, the serviceman will inspect the unit’s motor, oil the different moving parts as well as check the system’s freon levels. These easy to do things will help your system to run at its best.
Degrees Fahrenheit
Check the ducts to find any leaks if you you feel your existing system is not up to snuff. Your utility company can test this for you, oftentimes at no charge. If not, it should be less expensive than a HVAC contractor. The testing will pay for itself once you find and repair the leaks.
Don’t let your house get dangerously high. Air conditioners really can cool a home down about 20 degrees Fahrenheit within a short time. If your home gets above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, 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.
Research the companies before hiring them. Check with different references to determine the best one for reviews of potential companies online. Doing all of this will make sure you choose wisely..
If there’s only one thing that you do in terms of HVAC maintenance monthly, it should be to replace your air filter. This is an easy way to help you keep things running well for you overall. It is a small cost each month to do this.
Ask people that you know and family for contractor recommendations. People that have had great service are usually more than willing to share this information. This will also let you to figure out some names of businesses that you should avoid at all costs.
There are many sites out there that let customers share experiences of different services. This method provides you with those you don’t want to work with.
Before hiring a contractor to work on your HVAC system, you should inquire about the type of experience they have. You need to verify they have the type of experience needed to work on your particular system. This doesn’t mean a less experienced person may be bad, but you shouldn’t take any chances with your HVAC.
If you HVAC unit is clicking, check for any sort of obstructions immediately. The issue may be debris getting into the fans of the cooling system. Check the fan and coil before calling a repairman.
In order to be comfortable in your home 365 days a year, your HVAC system must remain in working order. If your system breaks down, it can be rather frustrating. By using the above information, you now know what to do.
Place a cover around your condenser in the winter months. It prolongs the lifespan. Also, it is not a good idea to run a compressor when the temperature dips below 60 degrees. Do this by simply turn on the fan so that you don’t cause the unit unnecessary strain.