Anyone who has an HVAC system in their home knows the importance of properly maintaining it. A poorly functioning HVAC system that does no function properly can cost a lot of money. This article offers you tips to keep your HVAC unit in optimal condition.
Know the name and type of your HVAC system before looking for a repair person. Write down the brand and the model and have all maintenance records on hand. In this way, you can be sure your repair person has all vital information.
If you struggle with your HVAC, take a look around the house prior to calling a contractor. This will help the contractor determine what the problem is and how to fix it.
Know what you need before you select an HVAC contractor. It will be hard for a contractor to provide you with an estimate on the phone without knowing what your current setup is. It will be more hard if you can’t figure out what they need to do.
To make sure your condenser fan works properly, keep the fan blades and the coils clean. Always shut off all power to your unit for any work beyond superficial cleaning. Additionally, remove leaves and any other debris from the outside condenser unit.
Clean your condenser’s fan and coils come spring.Clean the outside of your external condenser unit.
Don’t let 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 the yard.
Each spring, clean the fan blades and coils on your condenser. Be sure to turn the power off first; you don’t want anything to move. Next, remove the grill, take the blades and clean them gently, then clean the actual unit.
Your HVAC units might suffer when trees begin dropping their leaves. Make sure you clean out your fan grill is cleaned frequently when the leaves begin to fall. The fan must not have anything in the way so that air can flow into it, and if it becomes blocked, you’ll have a lot of headaches eventually.
10 Drops
The HVAC unit in your home can become damaged from falling leaves. Clean outdoor units often to remove leaves. The air needs to be unobstructed into the fan, and any blockages create performance issues for the whole system.
Lubricate your condenser at least 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, putting 10 drops in each port.
Be sure to have the HVAC unit in your home checked about two times every year. This should be done in the fall and the spring.
When the weather cools down, turn your outdoor condenser off. If the outside temp is under 60 degrees, turn the unit off to prevent damage. This will maximize the life of your unit.
Install a programmable thermostat you can program to save energy costs. Some of these thermostats can even be controlled from your smart phone or other device.
Don’t ever let your home get too hot. Air conditioners can cool a home down about 20 degrees in a short time. If your home happens to get near 100 degrees Fahrenheit, you will only be able to cool it down to 80. This won’t be a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.
When you are away from home, adjust your thermostat to a money saving temperature. When it’s off the house will get hot, but only by a certain amount. When the AC is left running, your power bill will go up quite a bit.
Hvac System
The suggestions above should help you develop a strategy for keeping your HVAC system in good working order. An HVAC system that is not cared for will cost you with large electricity bills and repair costs. Keep these tips in mind, because they will only help you out over the life of your system.
Check out your ductwork for leaks if your whole home isn’t being cooled or heated. The local utility company may be able to do this for you at a cost lower than what a contractor would charge you. Once you fix the leaks, the savings will be more than worth the hassle.