Letting your HVAC system break is not something you want to deal with. You likely here to learn about getting your HVAC system work well for years to come. The article below has great suggestions for you!
Before making that repair phone call, make sure you know the specifics about your particular system. You need to know who manufactured the product and the item number. Also, get the maintenance records from your files if you have them. Then, you’ll be ready to tell the contractor what they need to know.
Clean your fan blades and coils when the weather begins to warm. Clean the outside of your condenser as well.
Clean any debris that accumulates on an external condenser units. You never know when things can pile up, especially after a windy or rainy storm, and that can ruin your system. It could overheat and cause a disaster with your system to malfunction by overheating.
Before you choose an HVAC contractor, have an idea in your mind of what needs to be done. They won’t be able to offer you a quote if they haven’t seen your system. Being unable to explain what has been already done will make it even harder. It’s a good idea to learn this information in advance.
Turn the power off so you don’t get hurt or break something. Then, take the grill off, pull the blades out, and begin cleaning the unit and them gently.
Grass Clippings
If you own your own home or have permission from your landlord, replace your single pane windows with double paned versions. Double-pane windows keep inside air cooler, allowing you to reduce AC usage in the summertime. It also facilitates heat retention in winter.
Don’t get grass clippings pile up against your outdoor condenser. Direct the grass clippings away from the equipment. This applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in debris.
Your outdoor HVAC unit may suffer when your trees start to lose their leaves. Make sure you clean out your fan grill is cleaned often once nearby trees start shedding their leaves. The fan needs unobstructed air flow, and if it is clogged, it could cause your system to break down.
Shop around before hiring an HVAC contractor. Checking with the BBB is a good idea, and so is checking online reviews to see the experiences that other customers have had with a company. This will help you make the best choice.
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 a lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.
It is a good idea to swap out single pane windows for double panes. This will also help you save a lot of money.
Check reviews online to find professional help. You have a choice of review sites to use. This will be an excellent way to locate people you should work with and people that may not work well with you.
Install a programmable thermostat you can program to save energy costs. Some can even be controlled from your smart phone or computer.
Never allow the temperature in your home to get dangerously high level. An air conditioning unit is really only able to reduce the temperature by twenty degrees in a fair time. If your house’s interior temperature hits 100 degrees Fahrenheit, then you will only be able to reasonably cool to around 80. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Try installing a type of radiant barrier in the attic for to have a more efficient HVAC system. This blocks heat from entering your home, which lowers how much energy is needed to keep it cool in the warm months. You may suddenly find that the attic even looks like a great option for another bedroom!
Look for air conditioner sizing calculators online to truly understand what size of unit is necessary for your home. Look at the manual to determine the manufacturer website for this information.
There are many sites that let customers share their service experiences. This is an excellent method provides you are interested in dealing with as well as those that you want to avoid.
If your HVAC system is clicking, look for blockages right away. Often the issue is some sort of debris that’s hitting the fans in the cooling system. Simple removal of the debris will solve the problem. Look at this prior to calling a technician.
Contractors determine their own fee levels, so make sure that you acquire multiple estimates. You can save tons of cash simply by doing your homework. You want to call at least a handful of contractors to determine what you should be paying.
Think about having a radiant barrier in your attic so your HVAC system can run better. It blocks outside heat from coming in which will serve as a barrier between your home and the outside. You may even use the attic space if it is done right.
The most important thing to do to your HVAC system each month is replace the air filter. It’s a simple thing to do to keep it running properly. It is a small cost to do this.
Are you looking at purchasing a new heating/cooling system? There are several things you need to keep in mind. Systems get rated according to the total area they effectively heat or cool. You are better off purchasing a unit that is slightly too large for your needs than a bit too small.
Check the ducts to find any leaks if your existing system is not up to snuff. Once leaks have been fixed, the savings will be more than worth the hassle.
Before you hire someone to do work with an HVAC system they need to tell you about the experience they’ve had in the past. You need to verify they have the type of experience needed to work on your particular system. Although it is certainly possible for an inexperienced contractor to do the job right, it is best not to flirt with danger.
Make sure they have tight seals to keep air can’t seep in. You can hire a professional to test them.
Measure the living area that requires air conditioning. You can easily calculate this by using the formula: 20 BTUs per square foot of room space. If multiple rooms need cooling, be sure to add their square footage together.
Drape a cover over your condenser unit in the winter to protect it. When the condenser is not being used, the cover will help it to last much longer. Also, it is not a good idea to run a compressor when the temperature dips below 60 degrees. Do this by simply turn on the fan so that you don’t cause the unit unnecessary strain.
Hvac System
As you can see from reading the above article, it is vital that you take good care of your HVAC system to prevent it from going bad. When your HVAC system breaks, it is going to cost you a lot. Use these tips to keep this from happening.
Ask every prospective contractor to do a heat-loss assessment. This helps ensure that you get a unit with the right BTUs to ensure your home is always comfortable, regardless of the outside weather. This number comes after examining the windows and doors where heat and escape.