Coming home to a hot or cold house due to a broken HVAC unit that is not working is no fun. The tips that follow will assist you do just that.
Get all of the details regarding a broken system before calling for repair. It is important to understand what model it is and which brand it is. Also, if it has been serviced before, you should have that information handy. The contractor will likely need all of this information.
Know the name and type of your HVAC system you currently have before looking for a repair person. This will help you to give your chosen contractor the necessary information.
Hvac Contractor
The coils and blades on the fans should be cleaned once a year. Make sure to turn off the fan’s power first to be safe. Then, pop off its grills, pull the blades out, and begin cleaning the unit and them gently.
Know what work you need before you select an HVAC contractor.It will be hard for an HVAC contractor to give you a price estimate over 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.
Clean any debris on an external condenser units. You never know when things can pile up, like right after it’s windy or rains, and that can ruin your system. It can also cause the unit to overheat and break down.
In order for your new unit to be as efficient as possible, or to make older units more efficient, make sure it’s put in a shaded area. This will ensure cool air is sucked in, meaning less cooling must be done by the unit.
Turn it off first so nothing moves. Then, take the grill off, pull the blades out, and begin cleaning the unit and them gently.
Don’t let grass clippings pile up against your outside unit. Aim the grass cuttings in a different direction away from the unit. This also applies when you are taking care of the leaves in the yard.
Don’t let your house get too hot. Air conditioners cannot sufficiently cool down unreasonably high temps. So if your home is 100ºF, you’ll only get the temperature down to about 80. Depending on how humid it is, this isn’t really that safe for a person to sleep in when it’s really hot.
A programmable thermostat can really help you out when it comes to your air conditioning bill. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from your smart phone or other device.
During the service check, the system motor will be inspected, oil the different moving parts as well as check the system’s freon levels. These things will help your system to run at its peak performance.
Always check to see how long a company or contractor has been working for. Obviously, a company with a longer history and a positive reputation is the better choice. If you hire someone that’s new that this then you’ll be risking your money.
Do not allow your house get extremely hot. Air conditioners can only cool a home by just twenty degrees in a reasonable amount of time. If your home gets above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, then you will only be able to reasonably cool to around 80. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Research and check the reputation of companies that you consider using. Check with different references to determine the BBB and look for reviews posted by former customers. This will help you to choose a smart decision.
Each contractor will have their own fee schedule, so make sure you get several different quotes before you hire anybody. If you call people before you work on hiring one person, you can save some money overall. In an ideal situation, you can estimate a reasonable rate by getting quotes from up to a half-dozen individual contractors or businesses.
Look for air conditioner sizing calculators online to truly understand what size of unit you need for your room or home. Look in the manual to determine the manufacturer website for air conditioners.
Companies that are well established have track records typically provide better service. It is always risky to hire someone who does not have a contractor with little experience.
Make sure that your ducts are not leaking. Your utility company can test this for you, oftentimes at no charge. If not, it should be less expensive than a HVAC contractor. The testing will pay for itself once you find and repair the leaks.
There are many sites that allow customers share their service experiences. This is useful for finding people that you want to hire and also with all the information you don’t want to work with.
Contractors are responsible for their own charges and fees, so make sure that you acquire multiple estimates. You have the potential to save a great deal of money this way. Call around to find out what the best deal possible.
Replace the air filter to keep your HVAC system working well. This will maximize the production of your HVAC. Filters are cheap, and changing them regularly adds up to long term savings.
Think about getting a radiant barrier in your attic so support the efficient functioning of your HVAC system can run better. It blocks outside heat from coming in which will make sure you won’t have to use more energy to keep your unit stays hot or cold as it should be. You could even use your attic space if it is done right.
Hvac System
Don’t hire a HVAC repairman unless they offer 24 Hour Emergency service. Your system can go out after hours, and if you need help, you want someone who can be there at any time of the day.
Use the tips you’ve just read to keep your HVAC system up and running. It’s a dreadful feeling if you come home and realize your vents don’t have air coming out. It becomes even less fun when you factor in the costs of repairing it. Prevent all this from happening by using the information you’ve just read. Remember these tips to help you maintain your HVAC system.