A great HVAC system can mean the difference between comfort and discomfort in the home. A lot of homeowners spend money fixing them up when broken, but if they were able to figure out how to fix things on their own it would have been avoided. The following article discusses what you to keep your HVAC in running order.
Before you ever begin looking for an HVAC contractor, first consider the entire job that you’ll need completed. It will be difficult for an HVAC contractor to provide you with an estimate on the phone without knowing what your current setup is. If you can’t explain anything to them, this will be even more difficult. Know the right information ahead of time.
Know the name and type of system you currently have before calling someone to fix it. This will enable you know that you’re able to give your chosen contractor any information that can help them.
Your HVAC units might suffer when your trees start to lose their leaves. Make sure the fan’s grill often during the fall. The fan must stay clear in order to function, and if it is clogged, you will have to contend with problems.
Clean any debris that accumulates on an external condenser unit. Your HVAC system may run into problems after storms if it is surrounded by debris. Overheating may be the result if you don’t.
10 Drops
Lubricate your fan condenser once each year. You will notice these ports covered with rubber or metal cap 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.
As the leaves are falling off the trees, your HVAC system can really take a hit. When you see nearby trees shedding their leaves, clean the fan grill on your unit constantly. Because the fan requires a clear path for air to enter, you may encounter issues with your system if the fan gets blocked up.
Make sure your HVAC system checked twice a year. This should happen in the fall and malfunctions.
Never allow your home reach a dangerously hot inside. An AC unit will reduce the temperature of your home approximately twenty degrees in a fair time. If your home gets above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, you would only be able to cool it down just above 80 degrees. This won’t be a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.
If the current location of your HVAC unit outside isn’t working, try having it moved to an area with more shade. When your unit sucks in cooler air, then much less is required to cool it further, which saves you money on energy bills.
Research the reputation of companies before hiring them. Check with the BBB and look for reviews posted by former customers. These simple steps will help to ensure your decision is a wise one.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line may also freeze over.If you see this, disable the compressor by turning your thermostat to the fan only setting. You can call a HVAC professional, but switching to the fan setting should start to melt the ice.
As the temperature outside drops, remember to turn off your outdoor condenser unit. If the outside temp is under 60 degrees, turn the unit off to prevent damage. This will ensure your system stays in good working order every year, saving you money on costly repairs.
Look for air conditioner sizing calculators online to truly understand what size of unit you need for your home. Look in the manual to determine the recommended size for this information.
Ask around so you are looking for a reputable HVAC contractor. People that have gotten great work done are usually more than willing to share the information they know about it. This will also a great way to get names of companies that should be avoided.
When you are away from home, adjust your thermostat to a money saving temperature. Sure, the temp will rise, but no one is home anyway. When you keep it on, you will be using electricity.
There are many review sites that other customers can check out. This is a good way to locate contractors that do good work and ones that you don’t.
Contractors are responsible for their own charges and fees, so make sure that you acquire multiple estimates. You should save a great deal of money by asking for many quotes. You may want to get quotes from at least a handful of contractors to determine what you should be paying.
Always take the time to check out the reputation of any HVAC contractor before you consider hiring them. Check with the BBB and look for reviews of potential companies online. When done in advance you can be sure of making a sound decision.
Think about having a radiant barrier in your attic so support the efficient functioning of your HVAC system can run better. It blocks outside heat from coming in which will serve as a barrier between your home cool when it’s hot outside. You could even find that you can use the attic as part of your living space more effectively.
Your HVAC helps you to stay comfortable in your home. Thankfully, the tips you just read will help save you from costly repairs. But it is up to you to follow them, so you don’t find yourself in the position to shell out thousands of dollars fixing something that could have been prevented.
If you don’t know who to call to maintenance, repair, or install your HVAC, search for reviews online. A simple search should yield a number of sites with informative reviews. This will be an excellent way to locate people you should work with and people that may not work well with you.