Anyone who has an HVAC system in their home knows how it important it is to have it properly maintaining it. An HVAC unit operating at minimum efficiency is costing you money on pricey repairs. This article will give you keep your HVAC unit in tip top shape.
When you start making calls to get someone to help with your HVAC system, it’s a good idea to know what system you have before that phone call. Write down the brand and the model and have all maintenance records on hand. The contractor will likely need all of this information.
Know the name and type of your HVAC system you currently have before looking for a repair person. This makes sure your contractor has the information they will be sufficiently prepared.
If your HVAC doesn’t seem to be working properly, do a tour of your house before you call in help. This information will help the contractor determine what the problem is and how to fix it.
If you struggle with your HVAC, try touring your home before calling a professional. Note which rooms are hot and which are cold. If you do this, it will be a great help to the future contractor, who will now be able to quickly locate the problem issue.
Clean your fan and coils come spring. Clean the outside of your external condenser unit.
Clean any debris on your condenser unit. You never know when things can pile up, like right after it’s windy or rains, and that can ruin your system. It can cause a disaster with your system to malfunction by overheating.
Before you choose someone to do HVAC work, figure out what they need to do for you. You can’t get a decent estimate over a telephone, so disregard those numbers and wait until they view your system. They also won’t be able to offer you a quote if they don’t have a detailed idea of what you want done. Make an effort to gather all information you need before making the phone call.
Turn it off so nothing moves.Then, take the grill off, pull the blades out, and begin cleaning the unit and them gently.
Your outdoor HVAC units might suffer when trees begin dropping their leaves. Make sure the fan’s grill is cleaned frequently when the leaves begin to fall. The fan needs to have an unobstructed path for air to enter the unit, and if it is clogged, you will end up with many headaches with the unit.
Cleaning the blades and coils will help the system run better. Before you clean the unit, be sure to turn off the power. If you see debris, get rid of it.
Lubricate the oil ports on your fan condenser once a year.You will notice these ports have a rubber or metal cap covering the ports. Use a lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.
Turn off any outdoor condenser when it becomes cold out. This means that you should be done when the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This will help keep the system running efficiently for many years to come.
When selecting a location for an outdoor compressor, opt for a shady area, if possible. When it draws in air for cooling, it will be more efficient because it will not need to work as hard to cool down the air.
It is a good idea to swap out single pane windows for double pane ones. This also help you keep in the winter.
Look for air conditioner sizing calculators online to truly understand what size of unit you need for your home. Look at the manual to determine the manufacturer website for this information.
Put outdoor condensers in the shade. When your unit sucks in cooler air, then much less is required to cool it further, which saves you money on energy bills.
Ask friends and relations for their HVAC contractor recommendations. People who’ve had great work done in the past generally love to share the information they know about it. This will also provide you to figure out some names of businesses that you should avoid hiring.
There are now different online sites these days that other customers can place their experiences with contractors. This is useful for finding people that you want to hire and also with those you want to avoid.
One way to save some money with A/C is by having a programmable thermostat installed. This will help you to keep the temperature at optimal levels. There are also some programmable thermostats that can be controlled with a computer or other web-connected advice.
Hopefully, you have a better idea of how to take care of your HVAC after having read this great article. A faulty HVAC can cost you a plethora of money and time. Keep these tips in mind, because they will only help you out over the life of your system.