Having an HVAC system that works well can make a home run better. However, if your system fails, it can be a nightmare.Learning how to maintain your unit minimizes the tips below.
If you struggle with your HVAC, try touring your home before calling a professional. Determine which rooms feel cold and which feel hot. This can help contractors quickly figure out the issue and how to fix it easily and quickly.
Know what you want done before you hire a contractor. It will be hard for a contractor to provide you a price estimate over the phone if they have not seen your current setup is. It will be more difficult for him to assist you can’t figure out what they need to do.
Turn it off first so nothing moves. Next, pop the grill off, pull out the blades and start cleaning them and the unit itself off gently.
Clean the debris on your condenser units. Excess debris can really affect your system’s quality. This can lead to overheating.
10 Drops
Lubricate the oil ports on your fan condenser once each year. These are usually covered with rubber or metal cap. 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.
Clean the fan blades and coils in your condenser each spring. Before you begin cleaning the unit, make sure that it is unplugged. Then you need to get the grill popped off and get the blades out so you can clean them and your unit gently.
Put your outdoor unit in the shade.
Turn off your outdoor condenser when weather turns cold. This should be done when the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit.This can keep the system working for years to come.
Be careful when doing yard work that you do not get debris on or in your unit. Turn your lawnmower in the opposite direction. Also do this when blowing leaves or shoveling snow.
A programmable thermostat is a simple way to help you save money on air conditioning costs. Some can even be controlled from a PC or other device.
Don’t allow your home temperature get dangerously high. Air conditioners can only cool a home down about 20 degrees Fahrenheit within a short time. If the temperature in your home rises above 100 degrees, then you will only be able to reasonably cool to around 80. This won’t be a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.
Your HVAC system could suffer when trees begin dropping their leaves. Clean outdoor units often to remove leaves. The fan must be unobstructed to work properly, and if it becomes blocked, it could cause your system to break down.
Research and check the companies before hiring them. Check with different references to determine the BBB and look for reviews of potential companies online. These steps are going to help to ensure you make the smartest and most informed choice.
Companies that are around awhile have track records that haven’t been. Hiring a new contractor may be taking a bigger risk.
Check to determine if the fan condenser on your HVAC system is equipped with oil ports, and if it is, be sure to lubricate every year. You will notice these ports have a rubber or metal cap covering them. Pick out a SAE 20 type of oil because it has no detergent, is lightweight, and you should put around 10 drops in the ports but make it to where they don’t get too full.
Ask your friends and trust for contractor recommendations. People who’ve had a good experience are usually willing to tell of it. This is also a great way to get names of those companies that you should avoid.
There are different sites that let customers talk about how they were treated by services. This is useful for finding people that you are interested in dealing with as well as those that you want to avoid.
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. As it brings in cool air to cool, you will save a lot of money.
Contractors are responsible for their own charges and fees, so make sure to get multiple quotes.You can save a great deal of money by asking for many quotes. Call at least four or five different HVAC specialist to find the best deal possible.
Think about getting a radiant barrier installed in your attic so your HVAC system. 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 find that you can use the attic space more effectively.
During cold weather , be sure to turn off outdoor condenser units. When the temperature drops beneath 60 degrees, it’s time to cut off the unit to prevent damage. This will allow your system to work well every year, and that saves you quite a bit on making repairs.
Check the ducts to find any leaks if your existing system is not be working efficiently. When the leaks are repaired, the testing has paid for itself.
You should now know more about your HVAC unit. By failing to do routine inspections, you’re setting yourself up for failure. You are lucky to find this article so you know how to ensure your HVAC system provided proper heating and cooling.
Make use of a thermostat when you are installing an HVAC. With this device installed, it can help you save money on your energy bills by you having the power to regulate the temperature throughout the day. Additionally, some models of programmable thermostats actually allow you to control them remotely from your office computer or cell phone.