A HVAC system that works is important for your home. However, if the system fails, it can cause a lot of headaches.Learning about your unit minimizes the chances of a breakdown; these tips will prove very useful.
Before calling for help, know the system you have. Take a look at the system or the owner’s manual to find the name and model number. That way you can provide the contractor with all the necessary information.
Know what type of system before looking for a repair person. This will be helpful to any contractor you hire to repair it.
Be sure to regularly clean debris from external condenser units 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 can cause it to overheat.
Cleaning the blades and coils will help the system run better. Prior to working on or cleaning the unit, be sure to turn off the power. Remove leaves and debris from the outside condenser.
Turn the power off so you don’t get hurt or break something. Then, pop off its grills, pull the blades out, and gently clean them as well as the unit itself.
Grass Clippings
Fall is a hard time on HVAC units. Frequently clean the fan grill when trees are shedding leaves. The fan needs to have an unobstructed path for air to enter the unit, and if it becomes blocked, you will end up with many headaches with the unit.
Don’t get grass clippings on your outdoor condenser. Direct the grass clippings away from the HVAC unit. This applies when you are taking care of the leaves in debris.
Lubricate your condenser at least once a year. You will see rubber or metal caps covering them. Use SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, putting 10 drops in each port.
If possible, put your HVAC in a shaded area if it is outside. This will help ensure that the AC is pulling in cooler air, reducing the amount of work it has to do and saving you money.
Put your outdoor unit in the shade if you are installing them.
Turn off any outdoor condenser when it becomes cold out. This means that you should be done when the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit.This can keep your system working for years without the cost of repairs.
When it gets cold outside, the outdoor condenser unit should be turned off. Once the temperature drops into the 50s, the unit should no longer be on. This can ensure your unit is working well throughout the years without the cost of repairs.
It is always a good idea to replace single-paned windows with ones that have double pane ones. This also keeps warm in during the winter months.
A programmable thermostat is a simple way to help you save money on your air conditioning costs. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from your smart phone or computer.
Try finding online A/C sizing calculators to figure out the ideal size for a unit for the house or a room. While you might think that a larger HVAC system is always better, in fact, larger systems sometimes are not the best choice for a particular space. Look in the manual or on the manufacturer website for this information.
During your service visit, they will inspect the motor of the system, oil the different moving parts as well as check the system’s freon levels. These simple things will help keep your system running at peak performance.
Don’t let your house get too hot to where it’s dangerous. Air conditioners can only cool a home down about 20 degrees in a short time. If the temperature in your home reaches 100 degree Fahrenheit, cooling it will only drop the temperature to 80 degrees F. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Having a radiant barrier in your attic helps you HVAC system run better. It ensures that your unit stays hot or cold as it should be. If you do things right your attic can be used as a living space too.
Research the reputation of companies that you consider using. Check with different references to determine the BBB and look for your situation. This will help you make a smart decision.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line may also freeze over.If you notice this, try switching your thermostat to just the fan so that it disables the compressor. You can call a HVAC professional, even if switching it to its fan setting starts making the ice melt.
Inspect your HVAC unit quickly for blockage if you become away of any clicking sound. Often the issue is some sort of debris that’s hitting the fans in the cooling system. That is a simple solution; just take the debris out. Take a look before calling a service technician.
Now you know how crucial the HVAC system is to your home. If you don’t take care of it, it will fail. Luckily, this article has provided you with the information you need to make sure that your HVAC unit works right.