The level of a home has a great deal to do with the temperature that it maintains. That means your HVAC system healthy. If you don’t care for your HVAC, you can expect costly repairs and miserable living conditions. Here are some tips to help you started.
Know what type of system you currently have before calling someone to fix it. Know the model and brand and find it’s maintenance history, if possible. If you have to have someone come out to repair the unit, you will be able to help the contractor understand more about what is going on.
If you are having issues with your HVAC, take a look around the house prior to calling a contractor. This will help the repairman determine where the problem is and how to fix it.
Clean your condenser’s fan blades and coils each spring to ensure that your condenser fan operates at it’s best. Clean the outside of your external condenser unit.
The coils and blades on the fans should be cleaned once a year. First, the power should be turned off so things don’t move as you work. After you have turned the power off, you simply remove the grill and the blades to perform a gentle cleansing.
Turn it off first so nothing moves. Next, pop the grill off, pull out the blades and start cleaning them and the unit itself off gently.
Don’t get grass clippings pile up against your outside unit. Aim your grass in a direction away from your unit. This also applies when you are taking care of the leaves in debris.
A programmable thermostat can really help you out when it comes to your power bills. It may save you as much as 10 percent of your overall utility bill if you turn your thermostat down by 10-15 degrees for a portion of the day. Additionally, some models of programmable thermostats actually allow you to control them remotely from your office computer or cell phone.
Lubricate your fan condenser yearly if it has oil ports. You will notice these ports as they have a rubber or metal cap. Use a lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.
Be sure you have twice annual HVAC unit in your home checked about two times every year. This should be done in the fall and malfunctions.
Don’t let your house get too hot. It takes quite a while to cool a home by more than 20 degrees. Assuming the temperature in your home rises to a hundred degrees, you will only be able to reduce that by twenty degrees. With high humidity, this is an unsafe temperature even for sleeping.
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 ensure your system working well throughout the years and save you a lot on repairs.
It is always a good idea to replace single-paned windows for double panes. This will also helps keep in the winter.
Each contractor will have their own fee schedule, so make sure you get several different quotes before you hire anybody. If you call people before you work on hiring one person, you can save some money overall. You should try to contact 5 to 6 contractors to find out what price you can reasonably expect to pay.
A programmable thermostat can help save money on your air conditioning costs. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from your smart phone or computer.
Air conditioners tend to ice up.The drain line might also freeze up.If you see this happen, switch the thermostat in your home to fan only so the compressor is disabled. You should call a pro to fix this problem, but switching to the fan setting should start to melt the ice.
For top efficiency, figure out what direction your home faces. Block the sun in the morning with trees around your home. When there is less heat inside your home, the air conditioner will not have to work as hard.
Look for calculators online to truly understand what size of unit you need for your home.Look at the manual or on the manufacturer website for air conditioners.
Companies with proven track record that you can use to decide if they are worth the time and money. It is riskier to hire a contractor with little experience.
Your HVAC system will run more efficiently if your windows and doors are energy efficient. They have to have a tight seal, stopping air from going in or out. You can hire a professional to test them all for you and often this testing is free.
Ask your friends and trust for their HVAC contractor recommendations. People who’ve had quality work done are usually willing to tell of it. This will also provide you should avoid.
There are many sites that let customers talk about their experiences with contractors. This can help filter out the people you to sort out the good from the bad.
It is important to pick out the right HVAC company for your needs as you will need professional assistance. A reliable company will ensure their technicians keep appointments and stay on their schedule. A knowledgeable technician will also easily diagnose any problems with your HVAC. After they see what the problem is, they should be able to get the work done quickly for your sake.
Think about having a radiant barrier in your attic so your HVAC system. It blocks outside heat from coming in which will make sure you won’t have to use more energy to keep your home and the outside. You could even find that you can use the attic space if it is done right.
Are you thinking about buying a cooling and heating system that’s new? You will need to know some things into account. Systems have ratings according to how large an area they can effectively heat or cool. You are better off purchasing a bigger unit rather than a bit too small.
It may be tempting to hire the first HVAC company in the phone book, but it’s important to get references from them. You need to know if previous clients have gotten what they needed, like timely service within their budget. By checking references, you can avoid being cheated.
Hvac System
You now have an idea of what it takes to keep an HVAC system running great. Do not neglect your system. Follow these tips to keep your HVAC system functioning properly and avoid unexpected breakdowns.
Don’t purchase an HVAC system unless you know exactly what all is included in your system. Some contractors will attempt to overcharge you on material fees and other charges. You can avoid these issues if you have a contract that is written out.