The heating and cooling systems of a home are very important. This means that it is of utmost importance your HVAC system needs to be in top shape.If you don’t properly care for your unit, things will cost a lot to fix and it will be hard to live with it all. Here are some suggestions to help you started.
If problems arise with the HVAC system, check the entire house before contacting someone to come for repairs. Note which of your rooms are hot and which are cold. This information will help the contractor determine where the problem is and how to fix it.
If problems arise with the HVAC system, check things out yourself prior to calling in a technician. This will help the contractor determine what the problem is.
Know what work you need before you hire a contractor. It will be hard for an HVAC contractor to provide you a price estimate over the phone without knowing what your current setup is. It will be way more hard if you don’t know what’s wrong.
Before the summer you should clean out your condenser fan’s blades and coils. Always shut the power off before doing any work or cleaning on the unit. Remove leaves and debris from the outside condenser.
Clean the debris on your condenser unit. You never know when things can pile up, especially after a windy or rainy storm, and that can ruin your system. It can also cause the unit to overheat and break down.
Turn the power off first so nothing moves. Then, pop off its grills, pull the blades out, and gently clean them as well as the unit itself.
Clean the coils on the condenser fan from time to time. Start by turning off the power to avoid having anything move when you work on it. Then you need to get the grill popped off and get the blades out so you can clean them and your unit gently.
Don’t let grass clippings on your outside unit. Aim your grass in a different direction from your unit. This also applies when you are taking care of the leaves in debris.
Sae 20 Oil
If you want things to be more efficient, get new units outside or have your current one moved into the shade. This will ensure cool air is sucked in, meaning less cooling must be done by the unit.
Lubricate your condenser once each year. You will notice these ports have a rubber or metal caps covering the ports. Use SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, putting 10 drops in each port.
Put outdoor unit in places with shade.
Once it grows cold outside, turn off your outside condenser unit. If it’s lower than 60 degrees, the time has come to turn it off. This will allow your system to work well every year, and that saves you quite a bit on making repairs.
Have the HVAC system inspected twice a year at the least. This should happen in the fall and again in the spring.
Turn off your outdoor condenser units when weather turns cold. This should turn it off to prevent damage if the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit.This can keep your system working for many years.
Shop around before hiring an HVAC contractor. The BBB is always great when you are looking for references or online reviews. This will help you make the best choice.
During this service visit, the system motor will be inspected, oil the different moving parts as well as check the system’s freon levels. These easy to do things are going to allow your system.
Research the reputation of companies before hiring them. Check them out at the best one for your situation. This is what you make the right choice.
Check out how long the HVAV contractor you are considering has been in business. Fly-by-night companies are those you want to avoid. It is always risky to hire a contractor with little experience.
Fan Setting
Air conditioners tend to ice up.The drain line might also freeze up.If you see this happen, change the setting on your thermostat to the fan setting and this will disable the compressor. You can call a HVAC professional, even if switching it to its fan setting starts making the ice melt.
Each contractor establishes his own fees, so before you hire one, obtain a few estimates. By calling around and asking a few different contractors, you can save a ton of money. Never settle for a price until you’ve called at least five contractors to gain a realistic idea of a fair price.
Companies that are well established have track records typically provide better service. Hiring a newer contractor means taking a bigger risk.
There are plenty of online websites that let customers talk about their experiences with contractors. This will help filter out the people you find a top notch professional.
Determine which way your home faces in order to establish efficient HVAC operation. If trees are placed strategically, you can block morning sunlight that can overheat the house. A cooler home means less work for your air conditioner.
Are you considering purchasing a new heating/cooling system? You could keep a few things into account. Systems have ratings according to the total area they can effectively heat or cool. You are wise to err on the side of a unit that is slightly too large for your needs than purchasing one that is a bit too small.
Check for duct leaks if you you feel your existing system is not up to snuff. When you have leaks repaired, the tests will pay for themselves.
If you are purchasing an AC unit, take measurements. You need to know how big the area is that you want to have cooled off. You will need approximately 20 BTU per square foot, so calculate the necessary size based on that formula. Add the square footage for multiple rooms together.
Now you know just how to get a quality HVAC system. Do not allow it to fail on you when you do not pay attention to maintaining it regularly. Prevent your home’s temperature from getting uncomfortable by using this advice.