Anyone that has a HVAC unit in their home knows how it important it is to have it properly maintaining it. A HVAC system can cost a ton of money. This article can help you tips to keep your HVAC unit in optimal condition.
Before calling for help, know the system you have. Look for the maintenance history and brand and model. This will enable you to give your chosen contractor any information they might need.
Know the name and type of your HVAC system before calling someone to fix it. This will enable you know that you’re able to give the contractor any information they might need.
If problems arise with the HVAC system, try touring your home before calling a professional. This information will help the repairman determine where the problem is and how to fix it.
If you have a fan condenser with oil ports, it needs to be lubricated every year. You will notice these ports have a rubber or metal cap covering them. Choose an oil graded SAE 20, it is non-detergent and lightweight. Place about 10 drops into each of the ports, taking care that it does not overfill.
Know what you want done before you hire a contractor. It will be hard for a contractor to provide you a price estimate on the phone without knowing what your current setup is. It will be way more hard if you don’t know what’s wrong.
Clean any debris that accumulates on your condenser units. You don’t know when things are going to pile up, especially after a windy or rainy storm, and that can throw a wrench in your system. It will damage the system to malfunction by overheating.
Your system should be checked twice a year. This should be checked often for debris and malfunctions. Regular inspection will help you avoid unexpected repairs.
Grass Clippings
Don’t let grass clippings on your outdoor condenser. Aim your grass clippings in the other direction. This also applies when you are taking care of the leaves in debris.
Installing double paned windows can save a lot of money over single panes, so upgrade if you are able. Good double pane windows keep cool air in during the summer and minimize your utility expenses. When it is cold in the winter months, these same windows will keep the warm air inside as well.
Your HVAC unit may suffer when your trees start to lose leaves. Make sure the unit’s fan grill is cleaned often during the leaves begin to fall. The fan needs unobstructed air flow, and if debris is blocking this air flow, it could cause your system to break down.
Have your HVAC system serviced twice per year. This should be checked often for debris and the spring.
Don’t let your home get way too hot to where it’s dangerous. It is only possible for an air conditioner to lower the temperature in a home by 20 degrees F in a short time. If you have your home at above 100 degrees then you can only get it to about 80 or above. Depending on the levels of humidity, that is not a safe temperature when it comes to sleeping or escaping from the heat of summer.
It is a good idea to replace single-paned windows with ones that have double pane ones. This will also works during the cold months to keep the warm air inside.
A programmable thermostat is a simple way to help you out when it comes to your power bills. Some of these thermostats can even be controlled from your smart phone or other device.
Look for sizing calculators based on the air conditioner you have to figure out how big of a unit you need in your home. Buying a unit that is too large for your home is a poor decision that wastes money. Always look through the manual as well.
During your service visit, they will inspect the motor of the system, oil the unit’s moving parts and ensure the unit has proper freon levels. These few simple things are going to allow your system to run its best.
Don’t let your home to become dangerously hot. Air conditioners can only cool a home down about 20 degrees Fahrenheit within a reasonable amount of time. If the temperature in your home reaches 100 degree Fahrenheit, you would only be able to cool it down just above 80 degrees. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
If you don’t know who to call to maintenance, repair, or install your HVAC, search for reviews online. There are quite a few sites now that allow customers to share their experiences with different services. This will make it easier for you to find the right contractor.
Research the companies before hiring them. Check them out at the BBB and online reviews posted by former customers. These simple steps will help ensure you make the smartest and most informed choice.
Fan Setting
If your existing system is malfunctioning, look for leaks in the ducts. You can have your utility company test for you, sometimes for free or less than an HVAC contractor would charge. Having these repaired is worth the cost of testing if you had to hire a contractor to do the job.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times.The drain line might also freeze up. If this is something you notice, immediately put your thermostat on the fan setting to turn off your compressor. You can call a HVAC professional, but switching to the fan setting should start to melt the ice.
There are quite a few sites now that allow customers talk about their experiences with contractors. This is useful for finding people that you wish to work with and those that are poor.
If you hear clicking inside your HVAC unit, look for an obstruction. The issue may be debris hitting the fans of the cooling system. Get rid of the debris and this will no longer be an issue. Take a look for yourself before you call a technician out.
The suggestions above should help you develop a strategy for keeping your HVAC system in good working order. It can become very expensive to put off maintenance of your system. Refer back to these tips to ensure that your HVAC lasts for a very long time.