If you’re not familiar with HVAC and you need to be in the know, you are in the right place. This article will help you learn the things you can become a master at this. Take the time to read the article and you will do just fine.
Before you start calling to find someone to fix your unit, make sure you know the type of system that is installed. Know the brand name and model number. It is also helpful to have the maintenance history. The contractor will likely need all of this information.
Clean your condenser’s fan blades and coils prior to summertime. Clean the outdoor condenser unit regularly.
Lubricate the oil ports on your condenser once a year. You will see rubber or metal cap covering the ports. Use a lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.
Prior to choosing an HVAC customer, try to have an idea of what you want done. It will be difficult for an HVAC contractor to provide you with an estimate on the phone without knowing what your current setup is. It will be way more hard if you can’t figure out what they need to do. Know the right information ahead of time.
Make sure you have your HVAC systems is checked twice a year. This should be checked often for debris and again in the spring.
Turn off outdoor condenser when weather turns cold. This should turn it off to prevent damage if the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit. This simple tip will help keep the system running and can save you money on repairs.
If your condenser comes with oil ports, you should lubricate it yearly. The port usually has either a rubber or metal cap on top of it. Put about ten drops or less of a good non-detergent SAE 20 oil into each port.
It is always a good idea to swap out single pane windows with ones that have double panes. This same effect also helps retain heated air in during the winter months.
During the service check, the serviceman will inspect the unit’s motor, inspect the motor and the freon levels. These things are going to allow your system to run its best.
It is very important that your HVAC system is serviced two times a year. The best times to have the system checked is spring and fall, so you are sure everything is running at peak performance before the heating and cooling seasons. Check it out just to be safe even if there is nothing broken.
Don’t ever let your home temperature get dangerously hot. Air conditioners can cool a home down about 20 degrees in a reasonable amount of time. So, if you house heats up to about 95, your air conditioning will only bring that temp down to about 80 degrees. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Research and check the reputation of companies that you consider using. Check them out at the best one for reviews posted by former customers. This will help you to choose a smart decision.
In order to keep energy costs down, make sure heating and cooling systems are services at least once per year. During this service visit, they will inspect the motor of the system, oil the moving parts and check the freon levels in the system. These things will boost the performance of your system.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line might also freeze up.If this happens, disable the compressor by turning your thermostat to the fan only setting. If this doesn’t work, call in help.
Ask friends and trust for contractor recommendations. People that have had great service are usually willing to share this information. This can also help you with good information on which contractors you should avoid.
Spend some time on researching for reliable HVAC companies to ensure that they have a good reputation. You may also want to check with the BBB for information. This can help you make the right choice.
There are plenty of great sites out there that let customers talk about their experiences with contractors. This is a good way to locate contractors that do good work and ones that you don’t.
Contractors determine their own fee levels, so make sure that you acquire multiple estimates. You have the potential to save a great deal of money by asking for many quotes.You may want to get quotes from at least a handful of contractors to determine what reasonable rates are.
Check any company you are considering to see how long it has been around. Fly-by-night companies are those you want to avoid. If you hire someone that’s new that this then you’ll be risking your money.
Think about getting a radiant barrier installed in your attic so your HVAC system. It will make sure you won’t have to use more energy to keep your home and the outside. You could even find that you can use your attic space if it is done right.
Check the ducts to find any leaks if you you feel your unit seems to not up to snuff. If a leak is found, this testing will pay for itself.
Are you looking into getting a new heating/cooling system? There are many things to consider. Each system has a rating and that rating tells the area that can be effectively temperature controlled. It is better to purchase a slightly larger than needed unit, rather than a slightly smaller than needed unit.
It’s not too tough to get into HVAC once you have information like what you read in this article. Use these tips for maintenance and repair questions. Best of luck with your HVAC system and may the tips above continue to help for years to come.