A reliable HVAC unit makes home life more pleasant. But if you experience a failure of your HVAC system, the situation can become frustrating very quickly. Learning how to maintain your unit minimizes the tips will prove very useful.
Prior to putting in a service call on your HVAC, be able to identify it. Write down what brand your system is along with the model number and, if they’re available, maintenance records. This will help you give the new contractor the necessary information.
Know the name and type of your HVAC system you currently have before calling someone to fix it. This will enable you know that you’re able to give the contractor the information they might need.
If you have some problems with the HVAC system, do a tour of your house before you call in help. This will help the contractor determine where the problem is and how to fix it.
Clean your fan blades and coils each spring to ensure that your condenser fan operates at it’s best. Always shut off all power to your unit for any work beyond superficial cleaning. Keep the exterior of the condenser unit free of debris.
Know what you need before you select an HVAC contractor. It will be difficult for a contractor to give you with an estimate over the phone if they have not seen your current setup is. It will be way more difficult for him to assist you can’t figure out what they need to do.
10 Drops
Make sure your condenser fan is in good working order by wiping down the fan blades and the coils. Start by turning off the power to avoid having anything move when you work on it. Then take off the grill, take the blades out, and gently clean them.
Lubricate your condenser at least once each year. You can find these ports as they have a rubber or metal cap. 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.
Put outdoor condensers in places with shade.
As the trees around your home lose leaves, it can cause your HVAC unit trouble. Make sure the unit’s fan grill is cleaned frequently when the leaves begin to fall. Because the fan requires a clear path for air to enter, you may encounter issues with your system if the fan gets blocked up.
Turn off any outdoor condenser when it becomes cold out. This should turn it off to prevent damage if the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit. This can keep your system running efficiently for years to come.
Don’t ever let your home temperature get dangerously hot. Air conditioners really can only cool down 20 degrees or so within a reasonable time period. If your home happens to get near 100 degrees Fahrenheit, it will only reduce it to 80 or more. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
If you need to decide the best place to put your outdoor compressor unit, consider putting it in a location that is in the shade. The unit will operate more efficiently to cool your home if the intake air is cooler to begin with.
Air conditioners tend to ice up.The drain line might also freeze up.If you see this, switch your thermostat to fan only to disable the compressor. You should call a pro to fix this problem, but switching to the fan will make the ice melt.
Look for calculators online to help you determine the size of unit you need for your room or home. Look in the manual to determine the manufacturer website for this information.
To help keep your energy costs down, have your heating and cooling system serviced at least once a year. During this service visit, they will inspect the motor of the system, oil the moving parts and check the freon levels in the system. Doing this simple task can ensure that your system will be running for years with no problem!
Ask your friends and family for contractor recommendations. People who have had a good experience are often happy to share the name of it. This is also help you to figure out some names of businesses that should be avoided.
There are many sites that offer reviews and referrals for HVAC repair and other customers can place their reviews. This will make it easier for you to find a top notch professional.
Don’t ever let your home temperature get dangerously high. AC units will only cool a house down 20 degrees. If the temperature in your home rises above 100 degrees, you will only be able to cool it down to 80. This can still be way too warm for you.
Do you want to find a new cooling and heating system? There are a number of things you must consider first. Systems get rated according to how large an area they effectively cool and heat. You are wise to err on the side of a bigger unit that is slightly too large for your needs than purchasing one that is a smaller one.
Check the ducts to find any leaks if you you feel your unit seems to not up to snuff. When you repair the leaks, the testing will pay for itself in energy savings.
Your HVAC system will run more efficiently if your windows and doors are energy efficient. Your windows and doors should be able to stay tightly sealed so air doesn’t get in or out. You can get these tested at little to no charge by a professional.
You now likely see how essential HVAC maintenance is. You can be in a lot of trouble if you have a poor running HVAC. With this advice in mind, you are ready to care for your system.