The heating and cooling systems of a home has a lot to do with whether or not it is being heated or cooled properly. That is why it is important to keep your HVAC has to be in tip top shape. If you do not properly care for it, you will likely experience costly repairs and uncomfortable temperatures. Here are some tips to get you out.
What do you need done? Know this before calling a contractor. A contractor will be hard pressed to provide you with an over-the-phone estimate if unfamiliar with 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. Be sure to find this out ahead of time.
Clean the condenser on your debris off your outdoor condenser unit. You never know when things can pile up, especially after a windy or rainy storm, and that can ruin your system. It can also cause the unit to overheat and break down.
Don’t let grass clippings on your outdoor condenser.Aim the grass in a direction away from the unit. This also applies when you are taking care of the leaves in debris.
If you have a fan condenser with oil ports, it needs to be lubricated every year. They generally have a rubber or metal cap on them. 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.
10 Drops
Lubricate the oil ports on your fan condenser at least once each year. You can easily find the ports as they have a rubber or metal caps. 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.
If you can, use double-paned windows instead of single-paned ones. Double pane windows can help minimize how much you use your air conditioner in the summer, because they keep cool air inside the home. As with other steps you take to improve your ability to keep your air conditioned air or heated air inside your home, double-paned windows can help you save on energy costs.
Put your outdoor units in the shade if you are installing them.
Turn off outdoor condenser when it’s getting cold. This should be done when the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit.This can ensure your system remain in good working well throughout the years without the cost of repairs.
Regular maintenance of your unit should be performed annually. During service the technician will check the motor and refill the system fluids. All of these little jobs will add up to big savings in energy use, with the improved efficiency.
It is always a good idea to swap out single pane windows with ones that have double pane ones. This also helps keep it warm in the winter months.
A programmable thermostat can really help you save money on your power bills. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from your smart phone or computer.
Never allow your home to get dangerously hot inside. Air conditioners really 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, it will only reduce it to 80 or more. Depending on how humid it is, this isn’t really that safe for a person to sleep in when it’s really hot.
During a maintenance visit, they will inspect the motor of the system, oil the unit’s moving parts and ensure the unit has proper freon levels. These repairs will keep your system.
Look for air conditioner sizing calculators online to help you determine the size of unit is necessary for your room or home. Look at the manual to determine the manufacturer website for this information.
Before you hire someone from an HVAC place, figure out how long they’ve been doing this kind of work. Firms that have been in business for a long time are easier to assess. Hiring a new contractor means taking a bigger risk.
Companies with proven track records that can help you decide if they’re worth your money and time. Hiring an inexperienced contractor who is just starting out can be risky.
Ask for helpful information when you can find a HVAC contractor. People who’ve had great service are often happy to share the name of their contractor. This will also help you with good information on which contractors you should avoid at all costs.
To improve the efficiency of your HVAC unit, put a radiant barrier up inside the attic of your home. This mechanism will prevent outside heat from coming in, reducing your energy consumption when cooling. If this is installed correctly, it will give you the ability to actually use your attic as extra space to live in.
Contractors determine their own fee levels, so make sure you get quotes from several contractors before you make any hiring decision. You can save quite a bit of money by asking for many quotes. You may want to get quotes from at least a handful of contractors in order to know what you should be paying.
Are you looking at purchasing a new heating and cooling system? There are several things you need to keep in mind. Systems have a rating based on how effectively they can cool or heat an area well. You are wise to err on the side of a bigger unit rather than purchasing one that is a bit too small.
Your HVAC system will be more efficient if your doors and windows are efficient as well. Your windows and doors should all be tightly sealed. Double pane windows are a great idea. A professional can easily have this tested for you, and oftentimes, this service is free.
Check the ducts to find any leaks if your unit seems to not be working efficiently. When you have leaks repaired, the testing will pay for itself in energy savings.
Make certain they are tightly sealed so air can’t seep in. You can get these tested at little to no charge by a professional to test them all for you and often this testing is free.
Use an HVAC company who has a lot of experience in the field. You want one that maintains a schedule. Techs must be knowledgeable about diagnosing and repairing your system quickly. Once the technician figures out what’s wrong, they can help resolve the problems in a timely and cost-effective manner.
Measure the living area that requires air conditioning. You generally need about 20 BTU per square foot of room space. If you have multiple rooms to cool, just add their total square footage.
Replace the air filter in your HVAC system working well.This is the simplest thing that you can do and it will keep your unit running well.
When seeking an HVAC contractor, be sure to check references. Too many people just assume these contactors are legitimate becuase they offered these references freely, but if you don’t actually check them out, there could be serious consequences. It only takes a couple minutes to call, so be sure and do it.
Now you should be able to see what must be done to keep your HVAC system in working order. Be sure to stay on top of your maintenance work. These tips will help you keep your unit maintained and should help you if you ever need it replaced as well.