How on earth will you to know what type of system to get? What size should you need? What features will you need? It can overwhelming to shop since so many new products and innovations.
If your HVAC is running into problems, check out each room in your house before calling for assistance. Pay attention to which areas of the house are warm and which ones are cool. Figuring this out will the contractor to diagnose the issues and quickly get to work on fixing it.
Know the name and type of system before looking for a repair person. This will enable you give your chosen contractor the necessary information.
Know what work you want done before you hire a contractor. It will be hard for an HVAC contractor to give you a price estimate on the phone if they have not seen your current system. It will be way more difficult for him to assist you over the phone without the information readily available.
When you cut the grass, make sure your mower isn’t tossing clippings toward your outdoor units. Shoot the grass away from the unit. The same should happen if you are blowing leaves, so be especially careful when you are going by your exterior HVAC devices whenever you are moving debris.
Turn the power off first so you don’t get hurt or break something. Then, pop off its grills, pull the blades out, and gently clean them as well as the unit itself.
Your outdoor HVAC unit may suffer when your trees start to lose leaves. Make sure you clean out your fan grill often during the fall. The fan needs to have an unobstructed path for air to enter the unit, and if debris is blocking this air flow, then your system could suffer.
If the condenser fan has oil parts, then you need to lubricate it at least once per year. You will notice these ports have a rubber or metal cap covering them. Get an oil that is SAE 20 and put about 10 drops into each port, but don’t overfill it.
10 Drops
Lubricate your fan condenser once each year. You can easily 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.
Have the HVAC system serviced twice per year. The best times to have the system checked is spring and fall, so you are sure everything is running at peak performance before the heating and cooling seasons. Although there might not be any noticeable issues, it is important to provide regular upkeep to prevent bad things from happening.
Put outdoor units in places with shade.
Have the HVAC system checked twice a year at least yearly. This should be checked often for debris and again in the spring.
Air conditioners occasionally freeze up, literally. This can also happen on the drain line. If you notice this, switch your thermostat to fan only to disable the compressor. The ice will melt. You will likely need professional help to stop the problem.
A programmable thermostat is a simple way to help you save money on your air conditioning bill. Some of these thermostats can even be controlled from a PC or other device.
Don’t allow your home to become dangerously hot. Air conditioners really can only cool a home down 20 degrees or so within a reasonable time period. If your home become 100F or more, you will only be able to cool it down to 80. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Having a radiant barrier installed in your attic is an excellent way to make sure that your HVAC runs better. This mechanism will prevent outside heat from coming in, reducing your energy consumption when cooling. If you install the unit properly, you can even begin to use the attic as a bedroom as it will be so comfortable!
Research the reputation of companies before hiring them. Check with the BBB and online reviews of potential companies online. These steps can help ensure your decision is a wise one.
Air conditioners tend to ice up.The drain line may also freeze over. If this happens, try switching your thermostat to just the fan so that it disables the compressor. You should leave the repair to a professional, but switching to the fan will make the ice melt.
You should know the facing direction of your home for the most effective placement of the HVAC system. Strategically placing trees around your home can block some of the heat coming from the sun, preventing your home from overheating. Anything that provides shade from direct sunlight can reduce the temperature inside your home and help reduce your energy bill for air conditioning during warm months.
There are a number of great sites now that allow customers to share their experiences with different services. This is a great way to find people you with those you don’t want to work with.
Contractors determine their own fee levels, so make sure you get quotes from several contractors before you make any hiring decision.You can save tons of money by doing your homework. Call at least four or five different HVAC specialist to find the rates are.
Be sure the HVAC contractor you pick is fast and knowledgeable. The best HVAC companies do their best to maintain their appointments and get to their customers quickly. They should be able to diagnose issues quickly. Once the problem is identified, they will also be able to quickly and efficiently resolve it.
It can feel overwhelming or confusing to choose an HVAC system. But with the information provided above, getting what you need should be much easier. Take the time to review these tips again, and use them when you are making your final selection so that your home becomes comfortable and enjoyable all year round.