Follow these helpful tips to put yourself in the best position.
Know the name and type of your HVAC system before looking for a repair person. You need to know who manufactured the product and the item number. Also, get the maintenance records from your files if you have them. This will enable you to give your chosen contractor any information they might need.
Clean your fan blades and coils when the weather begins to warm. Clean the outside of your condenser as well.
Turn the power off first so you don’t get hurt or break something. Next, pop the grill off, pull out the blades and start cleaning them and the unit itself off gently.
Your HVAC unit may suffer when trees start to lose their leaves. Make sure the fan’s grill is cleaned often during the fall. The fan must be unobstructed to work properly, and if it becomes blocked, it could cause your system to break down.
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.
Put your outdoor unit in the shade.
Look for shade when placing a compressor outdoors. When the unit sucks in cooler air, then less work is required to cool it further which in turn boosts the units efficiency.
Be sure to have the HVAC unit in your home checked about two times every year. This should be done in the fall and the spring.
It is always a good idea to replace single-paned windows with ones that have double panes. This same effect also helps retain heated air during the winter months.
Turn off any outdoor condensers you have when the weather gets cold. If the temperature drops to under 60 degrees, you risk damage to the unit if you leave it on. You will save in repair bills and increase the efficiency of your system.
Install a programmable thermostat you can program to save money on cooling your home. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from your smart phone or computer.
Don’t ever let your home to overheat. Air conditioners can only really cool down 20 degrees or so within a reasonable time period. If the temperature in your home rises to 100 degrees F or higher, you’ll only cool down to still above 80. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Installing a programmable digital thermostat can help save money. You have greater control over the temperature settings with these. There are also some programmable thermostats that can be controlled with a computer or other web-connected advice.
Fan Setting
Air conditioners tend to ice up.The drain line may also freeze over. If this happens, immediately put your thermostat on the fan setting to turn off your compressor. You can call a HVAC professional, even if switching it to its fan setting starts making the ice melt.
Don’t let your home get overly hot. Air conditioners really can only cool a home down about 20 degrees Fahrenheit within a reasonable amount of time. Assuming the temperature in your home rises to a hundred degrees, you will only be able to reduce that by twenty degrees. Depending on the humidity level, this temperature isn’t considered a safe sleeping temperature for the human body to be able to recover from the summer heat.
Look for calculators online to truly understand what size of unit you need for your room or home.Look at the manual or on the manufacturer website for air conditioners.
Ask people that you know and relations for contractor recommendations. People that have used and if they are usually more than willing to share this information. This can also help you to figure out some names of businesses that you should avoid hiring.
Find out how many years an HVAC company has been in business before you hire them. It is more likely that a contractor who has been in business for a longer time will give you better value for your money. Hiring a new contractor comes with an element of risk.
There are quite a few sites these days that allow customers talk about their experiences with different services. This method provides you with all the information you want to avoid.
Check for duct leaks if your existing system is not up to snuff. When you repair the leaks, you may see that the testing pays for itself.
Use online reviews to help you find a source for HVAC maintenance. In many cases you will find local review sites where previous customers will share the experience they had with companies they used. You will be able to make a more informed choice if you do this.
Figure out which direction your home is facing so your HVAC system can work better. The less heat in your home, the fewer occasions you have to use your air conditioner.
If you hear a clicking noise coming from the HVAC unit, check for any sort of obstructions immediately. Sometimes there is debris that gets in the cooling system fans. Look before you call up a technician.
Make sure that your doors and windows are efficient. Seal them tightly to prevent air from coming in. Professional testing is available, and it is often free of charge.
Measure the area that requires air conditioner shopping.You can figure out the unit you need 20 BTU per square foot of room space. If more than one room needs AC service, get their square footage added together.
Replace the air filter to keep your HVAC system every month. This is the simplest thing that you can do and it will keep your unit running in tip top shape.
Speed should be a concern when you are looking for an HVAC specialist. They should be able to get in and get the job done quickly. A reliable company will arrive on time and have the job finished in a jiffy. A knowledgeable technician will also easily diagnose any problems with your HVAC. This will maximize your overall satisfaction.
Ask any potential contractor about their experience prior to hiring them. You need to know that they have the type of experience needed to work on your particular system.
Always make sure to get some references before hiring any contractor.
Always request references when you are considering a HVAC contractor. Call and ask if their service was everything they expected, timely, and that it stayed on budget. References ensure you don’t end up with a scammer.
Cover your condenser when the winter. This will help it to last longer when you’re not using it. Use the fan instead to avoid putting strain on the unit.
Always check out any references that you by an HVAC contractor.
It is amazing that 66 percent of homes have ducts that leak. This can cost around a quarter of utility costs. Getting your ducts sealed is not expensive and isn’t hard. You can probably do it on your own and it will help you to save on things each year.
Hvac System
A home’s HVAC system is the key to ambient comfort. Many homeowners choose to neglect these units until it is too late and they begin malfunctioning, which can lead to expensive repairs or even an entire replacement! Use the tips in this article to make sure your HVAC system is providing air in the temperature you need.
Refer to the owner’s manual for your unit when you operate it. The information contained within this manual will be very useful. If you lose your manuals, go to the manufacturer’s website to request or print new ones.