Your home can be made much more comfortable when you have an HVAC system. Many homes already have this type of system in place, but they do need to be replaced from time to time. Understanding how to properly maintain your system will help you out when the time is right.
Clean the coils and blades in your condenser at the beginning of summer. Always shut off all power to your unit for any work beyond superficial cleaning. Clean the outdoor condenser as well.
Know the name and type of your HVAC system before calling someone to fix it. This will enable you to give your new contractor all the information they need.
If you have some problems with the HVAC system, do a tour of your house before you call in help. This information will help the repairman determine what the problem is and how to fix it.
When you mow your lawn, take care that you don’t get grass clippings all over your outdoor unit. Aim your grass cuttings in a direction away from your unit. This also applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in debris.
Don’t let grass clippings on your outside unit. Aim your grass cuttings in a different direction away from your unit. This also applies when you are taking care of the leaves in the yard.
Sae 20 Oil
Lubricate your fan condenser at least once a year. You can find these ports covered with rubber or metal caps. Use SAE 20 oil that is lightweight and detergent free, and put ten drops or fewer into each one. Make sure not to overfill them.
Lubricate your fan condenser at least once each year. You will notice these ports as they have a rubber or metal cap. Use SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, putting 10 drops in each port.
Put your outdoor unit in the shade if you are installing them.
To keep your system running smoothly have your system serviced once a year. During the visit, the contractor will oil parts, inspect the motor and the freon levels. These repairs will keep your HVAC system running smoothly.
Have the HVAC serviced twice per year. This should be checked often for debris and again in the spring.
Turn off outdoor condenser units when the weather turns cold. This should turn it off to prevent damage if the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit. This can ensure your unit is working for years without the cost of repairs.
Do not let your house get dangerously hot. Even the best air conditioners can only realistically cool your home approximately 20 degrees Farenheit. So, if your home temp reaches 100 degrees, your air conditioning will only bring that temp down to about 80 degrees. Depending on the humidity level, this temperature isn’t considered a safe sleeping temperature for the human body to be able to recover from the summer heat.
It is a good idea to swap out single pane windows with ones that have double pane ones. This also keeps warm in during the winter.
Do not let your house to get dangerously hot. An AC unit is really only able to reduce the temperature by twenty degrees in a fair time. If your home become 100F or more, then you will only be able to reasonably cool to around 80. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Find an air conditioner calculator online to determine what models are best for you. A unit that is bigger than you need simply isn’t efficient. Look in the manual or on the manufacturer website for this information.
Research the reputation of companies before hiring them.Check with different references to determine the BBB and look for your situation. These simple steps will help make the smartest and most informed choice.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line may also freeze over. 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.
Each contractor will have their own fee schedule, so make sure you get several different quotes before you hire anybody. You can save tons of money by asking for many quotes. It is best to speak to several contractors so that you know which rates are reasonable.
Ask your friends and family for their HVAC contractor recommendations. People that have had quality work done are usually willing to tell of it. This can also help you to figure out some names of businesses that you should avoid hiring.
There are a lot of sites out there that let customers talk about how they were treated by services. This will tell you should work with and who isn’t.
Which way does the air come out of the air conditioner? If you have to place it in a corner of your home, be sure you’re getting a unit that has air flow coming from a direction that’s not facing the wall.
Locating a good HVAC unit is crucial, as it is an investment. When it’s time to replace your current system with a new one, remember the suggestions offered above. You will make better choices and have a great system.