It can be difficult for many homeowners to understand where to turn when the HVAC system isn’t working properly. To avoid creating costly repairs, it is worth any time spent to become familiar with the subject. This article was written to help homeowners to find the proper help they need for their HVAC unit.
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. This will ensure that you can give your new contractor all the information they need.
Know what you need before you select an HVAC contractor. It will be hard for a contractor to provide you a price estimate over the phone if they have not seen your current system. It will be way more difficult for him to assist you can’t figure out what they need to do.
Turn it off so nothing moves.Next, pop the grill off, pull out the blades and start cleaning them and the unit itself off gently.
It is important to have some knowledge of your present system and needs before calling a contractor. This will make the quote process much easier. If you don’t have any idea, they will have trouble giving you any sort of quote. So, have this information ready.
Don’t get grass clippings on your outdoor condenser. Aim the grass in a different direction away from your unit. This applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in the yard.
Leaves falling from trees can wreak havoc with your system. Make sure the fan’s grill is cleaned frequently when the leaves begin to fall. When blockages restrict the flow of air to the fan, you will lose out on quality air.
Make sure that you do not cover your outdoor components with grass clippings when you are trimming the grass. Shoot the grass away from the unit. The same thing should go on when you blow leaves, so take your time when you’re working around HVAC units that are around when you’re blowing debris around.
Sae 20 Oil
Lubricate the oil ports on your fan condenser at least once each year. You will notice these ports have a rubber or metal caps covering them. Use SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, putting 10 drops in each port.
To increase the efficiency of your HVAC unit, be sure to keep it in the shade. The unit will have to do less work cooling this air.
Have your HVAC system serviced at least yearly. This should be checked often for debris and again in the spring.
During your service visit, the contractor will oil parts, the moving parts will be oiled and the freon levels will be checked These few simple things will help your system to run at peak performance.
Install a thermostat you can program to save money on cooling your home. Programmable thermostats can reduce your power HVAC energy costs by as much as ten percent, just by dialing back your thermostat ten or fifteen percent up to eight daily hours. Additionally, these items can be controlled remotely through your computer.
Don’t let your home get dangerously high. An air conditioning unit will reduce the internal temperature of your home approximately twenty degrees in a fair time. If your house’s interior temperature hits 100 degrees Fahrenheit, cooling it will only drop the temperature to 80 degrees F. This won’t be a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.
Research and check the companies before hiring them. Check with different references to determine the best one for reviews of potential companies online. This will help you make a smart decision.
Sometimes air conditioners will ice up. There can be occasional freezes in their drain lines, and these are usually confused with plumbing leaks. If this happens, turn the thermostat so it is on fan only mode, which will disable the compressor. You should still call a professional to help regardless.
Look for air conditioner sizing calculators online to help you determine the size of unit you need for your home. Look in the manual to determine the recommended size for this information.
Companies that are around awhile have a better record than those that can help you decide if they’re worth your money and time. Hiring a newer contractor means taking a considerable risk.
Ask people you know for recommendations if you need to hire a contractor for an HVAC system. People that have had quality work done are usually more than willing to share this information. You are likely to also hear about negative experiences.
Ask your friends and family for contractor recommendations. People that have had a good experience are often happy to share the name of their contractor. This will prevent you know which companies to stay away from.
Check for duct leaks if you you feel your existing system is not be working efficiently.When you get leaks repaired, you’ll see that the tests paid for themselves.
You can usually have free duct testing performed if you are concerned about your HVAC system not running properly. Call the utility company to test for you, it will usually be cheaper than a contractor. The testing will pay for itself once you find and repair the leaks.
Figure out the direction your home faces in order to make your HVAC system more efficient. If there is less heat in the home from sunlight, your AC will work less.
The home’s heating and cooling system is integral if you want to be comfortable. However, by arming yourself with the right knowledge ahead of time, it doesn’t have to be a dire situation. These tips will put you in the best possible position.
Each month, you need to get a new air filter and install it in your unit. This is an easy way to help you keep things running well for you overall. Filters don’t cost too much to use, and that isn’t a lot each month for you to pay.