Having a solid HVAC system helps keep your home remain comfortable regardless of the weather outside. Many houses come with them, but they may need to be upgraded or even replaced at some point. Understanding how to properly maintain your system will help you to buy a great product when the time is right.
Check out the system that you have before you call a professional. You need to know who manufactured the product and the item number. Also, get the maintenance records from your files if you have them. This will help you give the new contractor the necessary information.
Know the name and type of your HVAC system before calling someone to fix it. This will ensure that you can give your chosen 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.
Clean the coils and blades in your condenser at the beginning of summer. The power to the unit should be removed before you begin any maintenance, even cleaning. Remove leaves and debris from the outside condenser.
Turn it off first so nothing moves. Then, take the grill off, pull the blades out, and begin cleaning the unit and them gently.
Don’t get grass clippings on your outdoor condenser. Aim your grass cuttings in the other direction. This applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in the yard.
When you’re trying to cut your grass, don’t cover a unit outside with the clippings. Try shooting the clippings away from it. The same goes for when you blow leaves, so make sure your are careful when moving any debris in the vicinity of your HVAC devices.
Your outdoor HVAC units might suffer when your trees lose their leaves. Make sure the fan’s grill is cleaned often during the leaves begin to fall. The fan must be unobstructed to work properly, and if it is clogged, you will have to contend with problems.
10 Drops
Your HVAC unit requires regular maintenance at least two times per each year. The fall and spring are the optimal times for this maintenance. You should have it looked at even if no problems are occurring; there could still be a problem or potential problem.
Lubricate the oil ports on your fan condenser once each year. You will see rubber or metal caps. Use a lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, putting 10 drops in each port.
Turn off outdoor condensers you have when the weather gets cold. This means that you should be done when the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This simple tip will help keep the system running efficiently for years and save you a lot on repairs.
Installing a programmable digital thermostat can help save money. It changes the temperature so the system isn’t in use when it’s cooler outside or no one is home. This will save you a lot of money during the year.
Don’t ever let your home to overheat. An air conditioning unit is really only able to reduce the internal temperature of your home approximately twenty degrees in a fair time. If your home happens to get near 100 degrees Fahrenheit, cooling it will only drop the temperature to 80 degrees F. This won’t be a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.
Research and check the companies before hiring them. Check with the BBB and look for your situation. These steps are going to help to ensure your decision is a better decision.
There are plenty of online tools, such as sizing calculators, which can help you find the best unit to cool your home. If you get a unit that is too large, it will cost a lot in energy costs. Look at the manual to figure out the manufacturing rates the unit for accurate cooling information.
Look for air conditioner sizing calculators online to help you determine the size of unit you need for your room or home. Look at the manual or on the recommended size for this information.
Companies that are around awhile have a better record than those that can help you decide if they’re worth your money and time. Hiring a contractor may be taking a considerable risk.
If you are a having trouble with your existing system, check for leaks in the ducts. You can call a utility company in your area to help you with testing, and that doesn’t cost much or nothing at all usually. This testing can have large financial benefits.
There are a lot of sites now that let customers talk about their experiences with contractors. This is an excellent method of finding contractors that you with all the information you need to make the best hiring decisions.
An HVAC system is a great investment, and it really helps your home to stay comfortable year round. If you need a new one, or if your old one needs maintenance or repairs, these tips will come in handy. They will allow you to be more educated when it comes to buying and you’ll get a system you know will work well for you.
Replace the air filter monthly. It is the easiest and cheapest way you can take care of it. Filters are relatively cheap, so it does not cost much to do this.