Not many people have an in depth knowledge about working on HVAC units. This can be problematic when it comes time to handle a household heating or cooling emergency.
If you have some problems with the HVAC system, check out your home before calling a contractor. Notice the temperature in each room. Are some cooler or hotter than others? Taking this step aids a contractor in figuring out what the problem is and how to repair it as quickly as possible.
Know what type of your HVAC system before calling someone to fix it. This will enable you can give your new contractor all the information they need.
Know what work you need before you hire a contractor. It will be difficult for a contractor to provide you a price estimate over the phone if they have not seen your current setup is. It will be more difficult for him to assist you can’t figure out what they need to do.
Before you choose someone to do HVAC work, figure out what they need to do for you. It’s hard to get an estimate since they haven’t look at your system. Being unable to explain what has been already done will make it even harder. So, figure out this information before anything else.
Clean your outdoor condenser unit. Debris can pile up at rates that increase during rainy or windy weather, bringing potential damage with it. It can cause your system by overheating.
Turn the power off so you don’t get hurt or break something. Next, pop off the grill, put the blades out and start to gently clean them along with the unit.
Clean the fan blades and coils prior to summertime. Except when cleaning the outside, turn the unit off when performing any type of maintenance. Take away all of the debris as well.
Your HVAC units might suffer when trees start to lose their leaves. Make sure the unit’s fan grill is cleaned frequently when the fall. The fan must not have anything in the way so that air can flow into it, and if it is clogged, you will have to contend with problems.
Turn off any outdoor condenser units when the weather turns cold. This means that you should be done when the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit. This simple tip will help keep the system running and can save you money on repairs.
The coils and blades on the fans should be cleaned once a year. For safety, always turn the power off first. Secondly, pop the grill off, take the blades off and clean them as well as the actual unit.
It is always a good idea to swap out single pane windows with ones that have double panes. This also helps retain heated air in during the colder months.
Don’t ever let your house get too hot. Air conditioners can only really cool your home down 20 degrees Fahrenheit in a reasonable time period. If the temperature in your home reaches 100 degree Fahrenheit, you’ll only cool down to still above 80. This won’t be a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.
Keep your outdoor units free of debris when your cutting grass. Aim your grass cuttings in a direction away from your unit. Do the same when blowing snow or leaves.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line may also freeze over. If this is something that’s happening to you, disable the compressor by switching the thermostat to run the fan only. You can call a HVAC professional, but switching to the fan setting should start to melt the ice.
Look for calculators online to help you determine the size of unit is necessary for your home. Look at the manual to determine the manufacturer website for this information.
It’s a good idea to put your outdoor compressor in a shady area. The cooler the air that the unit is able to access, the less work it has to perform.
Ask for helpful information when you can find a reputable HVAC contractor. People that have had quality work done are usually more than willing to share the name of their contractor.This can also provide you learn the names of those companies that you should avoid.
There are a number of great sites out there that give people the opportunity to leave comments about the service they received. This will tell you should work with and people that may not work well with you.
To increase the efficiency of your HVAC unit, be sure to keep it in the shade. Your air conditioner won’t have to work so hard if the air is sucks in is already cool.
Contractors charge different rates, so make sure to get multiple quotes. You can save quite a lot of money when you call different companies for price quotes. You may want to get quotes from at least five contractors to determine what reasonable rates are.
A radiant barrier improves the efficiency of your HVAC unit.It will serve as a barrier between your home cool when it’s hot outside. You may even use the attic as part of your living space more effectively.
Your system should be checked twice a year. The spring and autumn times are the best time to have it checked. You should have it looked at even if no problems are occurring; there could still be a problem or potential problem.
Hvac System
Dealing with an HVAC system that’s not working right can be a nightmare for most people. However, if proper research is done prior to situations that demand attention, the process becomes much simpler. Any homeowner can use the tips above to perform the simple maintenance required by their home HVAC system.
If you are a homeowner, or if you can get permission from your landlord, install double-paned windows in place of any single panes in your home. Having a double pane window helps limit your need for air conditioning during the summer months. This will help you save a lot of money.