It can be difficult for many homeowners to understand where to turn when the HVAC system begins to fail. To prevent the situation from becoming disastrous, knowledge is power. The thrust of this article is to assist homeowners in finding the help that they need.
Be aware of the type of system that is installed in your home prior to calling a contractor to fix it. Look for the model and brand number. This will help you give the new contractor the necessary information.
If your HVAC system us giving you issues, check the entire house before contacting someone to come for repairs. This information will help the repairman determine what the problem is.
Know what work you need before you hire a contractor. It will be difficult for a contractor to give you with an estimate on the phone if they have not seen your current system. It will be way more hard if you over the phone without the information readily available.
When the leaves start to fall, the HVAC equipment can be harmed. Clean the fan grill often when leaves are falling. You can head off future problems that can be caused by blockages by making sure there is a free flow of air to your fan.
Clean any debris that accumulates on an external condenser units. Debris can pile up after a storm, and this can foul up the inner workings of your system. It can cause it to overheat.
Sae 20 Oil
You want to put the outdoor compressor device in a shaded area. The cooler air entering the unit will require less work to get to the proper temperature.
Lubricate the oil ports on your condenser once a year.These are usually covered by a rubber or metal caps. Use SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, putting 10 drops in each port.
Put outdoor units in the shade.
As the temperature outside drops, remember to turn off your outdoor condenser unit. If temps go below 60 you run the risk of damaging a unit that remains on. Doing this keeps your system working well for years and saves you from having to spend money to repair it.
Make sure you have your HVAC system checked twice a year. This should be checked often for debris and again in the spring.
A programmable thermostat can really help you save money on your air conditioning bill. Some can even be controlled from your smart phone or computer.
Ask people you know for recommendations if you need to hire a contractor for an HVAC system. Those who have had a great experience should have no issue giving you this info. You are likely to also hear about negative experiences.
When they come out for a service visit, oil the parts that move, and see how much freon is in your system. This will help keep your system run better.
Don’t allow your home temperature get dangerously high. An air conditioning unit will reduce the temperature of your home approximately twenty degrees in a fair time. If the temperature in your home rises above 100 degrees, then you will only be able to reasonably cool to around 80. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Try to get as many quotes from contractors that you can. Making some phone calls before deciding is a good way to save money. Call at least four or five different HVAC specialist to find the best rates.
Research the reputation of companies that you consider using. Check with the BBB and look for reviews posted by former customers. Doing all of this can help you make a better decision.
Companies that are well established have a better record than those 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.
Determine the direction that your home faces. Trees block morning sunlight, stopping your home from getting too hot. The less your home is heated, the less you’ll have to use your air conditioner to cool things off.
Contractors charge different rates, so make sure you get quotes from several contractors before you make any hiring decision. You can save tons of money by asking for price quotes. You want to call at least five contractors in order to know what reasonable rates are.
It is common knowledge that having a home’s cooling or heating system fail in the middle of a heat wave or in the chilly grip of winter can cause a real headache for homeowners. However, homeowners who are educated in basic heating and cooling maintenance can overcome many of the issues that may arise during trying times. Using the solid advice in the article above can be the best decision any homemaker can make.
In order to determine the size of the air conditioner to purchase, you must measure the area that you want to cool. You generally need 20 BTU for each square foot of room space. When you are cooling more than one room, you must add together all of the square footage.