A HVAC system can make one’s home really enjoyable. But when your system suddenly stops working, it can be a nightmare. Learning about your unit minimizes the chances of a breakdown; these tips will prove very useful.
Always make sure you are up-to-date about your HVAC unit. Learn the brand, model, and if you have it, the maintenance history. That way you can provide the contractor with all the necessary 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 the new contractor any information they might need.
If your HVAC is giving you problems, look around your home before calling in people to help. This will help the contractor determine what the problem is and how to fix it.
Before choosing an HVAC contractor, think of what you wish to have done. It’s hard for these contractors to give phone estimates without seeing the current system you have. If you can’t explain changes you’ve made, the process will be even more difficult. Thus, it is worthwhile to have this knowledge ahead of time.
Clean any debris on your condenser unit. You don’t know when things are going to pile up, especially after a windy or rainy storm, and that can ruin your system. It can cause your unit.
Put outdoor units in places with shade.
A big mistake that people make is cutting the grass next to the outdoor condenser unit and allowing all of the clippings to blow inside the fan and coil. Aim the grass clippings in the other direction. When blowing leaves, do the same. Always take care when passing your HVAC units while moving leaves, grass or other debris.
It is always a good idea to replace single-paned windows for double panes.This same effect also keeps warm air in the winter months.
Don’t ever let your home get overly hot. An air conditioning unit is really only able to reduce the temperature of your home approximately twenty degrees in a fair time. If your home become 100F or more, then you will only be able to reasonably cool to around 80. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Lubricate your fan condenser if it has oil ports. Most of these ports have some sort of protective cap covering them. Put 10 drops of lightweight, non-detergent SAE oil in each port. Be careful not to use too much.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line may also freeze over. If this is something that’s happening to you, disable the compressor by turning your thermostat to the fan only setting. You should call a pro to fix this problem, but switching to the fan will make the ice melt.
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 air conditioners.
You want to put the outdoor compressor device in a shaded area. This will limit the work that it has to do.
Companies with proven track record that you can use to decide if they are worth the time and money. Hiring a contractor comes with an element of risk.
Ask your friends and family for their HVAC contractor recommendations. People who have used and if they are often happy to share the name of their contractor. This will also help you to avoid scammers.
To boost the efficiency of your HVAC system, you should put your unit in a shady place. As your air conditioner sucks in cool air, little will have to be done to cool it any further, saving you a ton on your energy bills.
There are a number of great sites you can check out. This method provides you want to hire and also with and those you don’t want to work with.
Contractors charge different rates, so make sure you get quotes from several contractors before you make any hiring decision. You can save a lot of money by doing your homework. You may want to call at least a handful of contractors to determine what you should be paying.
When the weather starts to cool down, make sure you turn off outdoor condenser units. If it’s less than 60 degrees outside, turn the unit off. This will help keep it in good condition for many years.
Think about having a radiant barrier in your attic so your HVAC system. It blocks outside heat from coming in which will serve as a barrier between your home and the outside. You may even find that you can use your attic space more effectively.
These suggestions should benefit you in taking care of your heating and cooling issues. If you neglect to care for it, you will increase the risk of it ceasing to work when you most need it to. That could bring about a very expensive repair bill. Thankfully you found this article, giving you some great tips that can help keep your HVAC system working well in your home.
If possible, your single pane windows should be replaced with double-paned ones. Good double pane windows keep cool air in during the summer and minimize your utility expenses. This will help you save a lot of money.