It can be difficult for many homeowners to know where to go when the HVAC system isn’t working properly. To ward off disaster, it is worth any time spent to become familiar with the subject. This article was written to help homeowners get the proper help they need for their HVAC contractors.
Before you call someone to help you fix your system, be sure to know what sort of system you have in place. Know the brand name and model number. It is also helpful to have the maintenance history. Your contractor will appreciate this information.
If your HVAC is giving you problems, try touring your home before calling a professional. This information will help the contractor determine where the problem is.
Clean your condenser’s fan and coils each spring to ensure that your condenser fan operates at it’s best. Clean the outside of your external condenser unit.
Clean your fan blades and coils each spring to ensure that your condenser fan operates at it’s best. Before you do clean the coils and fan blades, always take the precaution of turning off all power to the unit. Take away all of the debris as well.
Be sure to regularly clean external condenser units regularly. You never know when things can pile up, like right after it’s windy or rains, and that can throw a wrench in your system. It could overheat and cause a disaster with your system to malfunction by overheating.
Don’t let grass clippings pile up against your outside unit. Aim the grass in the unit. This applies when you are taking care of the leaves in debris.
Cover your unit when you are mowing the lawn. Make sure you shoot the clippings in the other direction from the unit. Also do this when blowing leaves or shoveling snow.
Lubricate the oil ports on your fan condenser at least once a year.You can find these ports covered with rubber or metal caps covering the ports. Use a lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.
It is a good idea to replace single-paned windows for double pane ones. This same effect also helps retain heated air in during the colder months.
When you are choosing a location for the outdoor compressor unit, it’s preferable to use a shaded area. If it sucks in cool air, it will need to work less to coll the air inside, which can make it last longer.
A programmable thermostat can really help you save money on your power bills. Some of these thermostats can even be controlled from a PC or computer.
During this service visit, the serviceman will inspect the unit’s motor, oil the unit’s moving parts and ensure the unit has proper freon levels. These few simple things will help keep your system running smoothly.
Have your HVAC serviced at least yearly. The spring and autumn times are the best time to have it checked. Although there might not be any noticeable issues, it is important to provide regular upkeep to prevent bad things from happening.
Don’t ever let your home get way too hot to where it’s dangerous. An AC unit is really only able to reduce the temperature of your home approximately twenty degrees in a fair time. If your home gets above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, then you will only be able to reasonably cool to around 80. This won’t be a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.
Research and check the companies that you consider using. Check with different references to determine the best one for reviews posted by former customers. This will help you have to do in order to make the right choice.
If you’re away from home during the day, raise the temperature setting on your air conditioner to save money. The house will heat up, but not too much. If it’s left on all day, it will fight the heat all day, which uses quite a bit of electricity.
Air conditioners tend to ice up. The drain line may also freeze over. If this is something you notice, 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.
Look for calculators online to truly understand what size of unit you need for your room or home. Look at the manual or on the recommended size for air conditioners.
AC units will tend to get ice on them due to the cold. There are also occasional freezes in the drain line, which are often confused for plumbing leaks. Change your thermostat in situations like this. You should leave the repair to a professional, but switching to the fan setting should start to melt the ice.
Ask friends and family for their HVAC contractor recommendations. People that have gotten great work done are usually more than willing to share the information they know about it. This will also let you from getting scammed.
Usually your HVAC system will stop working during the bitter days of winter season or the sultry days of summer. However, homeowners who are educated in basic heating and cooling maintenance can overcome many of the issues that may arise during trying times. These tips will put you in the best possible position.
Before you hire any HVAC company, ask them how long they’ve been open for business. A company that has been in business for a long time will have a solid track record, and you can use this to figure out if you should spend your money with them. Working with someone that does not yet have a reputation in the business is a bit riskier.