HVAC service and contracting isn’t something too many people are familiar with. This fact can cause problems when it breaks down.
Clean the coils and blades in your condenser at the beginning of summer. Always shut off all power to your unit for any work beyond superficial cleaning. Also, make sure you remove any debris or leaves from the condenser unit outside.
Know what work you want done before you hire a contractor. It will be hard for an HVAC contractor to give you a price estimate on the phone without knowing what your current system. It will be more difficult for him to assist you can’t figure out what they need to do.
Clean the debris regularly. You don’t know when things are going to pile up, especially after a windy or rainy storm, and that can throw a wrench in your system. It will damage the system to malfunction by overheating.
When the trees are losing their leaves, your HVAC unit can suffer. During this time of year, check and clear off the fan grill on your unit on a regular basis. The fan must be unobstructed to work properly, and if it becomes blocked, it could cause your system to break down.
Turn it off first so nothing moves. Next, pop the grill off, pull out the blades and start cleaning them and the unit itself off gently.
Don’t get grass clippings on your outdoor condenser. Aim the grass cuttings in a direction away from the unit. This also applies when you are taking care of the leaves in debris.
You need to lubricate parts of your fan condenser. You can find these ports covered with rubber or metal caps. 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.
Your outdoor HVAC system could suffer when trees begin dropping their leaves. Make sure you clean out your fan grill is cleaned frequently when the leaves begin to fall. The fan needs unobstructed air flow, and if debris is blocking this air flow, you will have to contend with problems.
10 Drops
Check your unit at least twice each year. Checks in the spring as well as in autumn are the best. Even if everything seems okay, it doesn’t hurt to check things out.
Lubricate the oil ports on your fan condenser once a year.You will notice these ports have a rubber or metal caps. Use a lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, putting 10 drops in each port.
Have your HVAC system checked twice a year at the least. This should be checked often for debris and again in the spring.
Outdoor condenser units need to be turned off when the weather turns cold. To prevent damage, turn off your unit if the outside temperature is less than 60 degrees. Your system will work longer for you this way.
It is a good idea to swap out single pane windows for double panes. This same effect also keeps warm air in during the winter.
During the visit, professionals can help by inspecting the system’s motor, oil the moving parts and check the freon levels in the system. These simple tasks will help keep your system to run at its peak performance.
It is a good idea to replace single-paned windows with ones that have double panes. You can reduce your energy costs from energy leaking out through your windows by installing window that are double-paned. They help in the winter, too, keeping the heat in.
Don’t let your house get way too hot to where it’s dangerous. Air conditioners can cool a home down about 20 degrees in a reasonable amount of time. If your home happens to get near 100 degrees Fahrenheit, you would only be able to cool it down just above 80 degrees. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line may also freeze over. If this happens, put the fan on to shut the compressor off. You should leave the repair to a professional, even if switching it to its fan setting starts making the ice melt.
Turn your AC off if no one is at home. When it’s off the house will get hot, but only by a certain amount. If it is on all day, it is trying to maintain a cool temperature constantly, using a great deal of electricity to fight the heat.
Companies that are well established have a better record than those that can help you decide if they’re worth your money and time. Hiring a new contractor who is just starting out can be risky.
Dealing with broken HVAC systems can be a nightmare that many homeowners do not want to deal with. But, if they do their homework beforehand, the process is not necessarily so grim. Use the information given here to handle any future HVAC situation with ease.
Make certain you properly investigate any company prior to hiring them. Inquire with the BBB and look elsewhere for other reviews from customers. This can help you make the right choice.