You may feel like it’s not possible to learn anything about HVAC. This doesn’t have to be the case, however, if you just know that you need to take some time to follow this advice. This advice should help you with all of the novice when it comes to simple repairs on your HVAC system.
Before choosing an HVAC contractor, think of what you wish to have done. This is necessary so that they can give you a quote before doing any work. It will be even harder if you cannot explain what you have done. Having this information handy will make the process much smoother.
If you’ve been having trouble with an HVAC system, take a tour of the house prior to calling a professional. This information will help the repairman determine where the problem is and how to fix it.
Turn the power off first so you don’t get hurt or break something. Then, pop off its grills, pull the blades out, and gently clean them as well as the unit itself.
Clean the condenser coils and fan at the beginning of the year to help the unit run efficiently. Be safe and turn off the power supply before working on your HVAC unit. In addition, always remove all debris such as leaves from the outside condenser unit.
Don’t get grass clippings on your outdoor condenser. Aim your grass in a different direction from the unit. This also applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in the yard.
Put outdoor unit in the shade if you are installing them.
Be sure to clean the fan blades and coils of the condenser fan. Turn the power off so nothing moves. Then, remove the grill, then remove the blades and begin the cleaning process of the blades and the unit.
Don’t ever let your home to become dangerously hot. An air conditioning unit is really only cool your home by twenty degrees in a short time span. If the temperature in your home reaches 100 degree Fahrenheit, you will only be able to cool it down to 80. This won’t be a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line might also freeze up.If you notice this, disable the compressor by switching the thermostat to run the fan only. If the issue persists, call a professional.
Cover your unit when you are mowing the lawn. Direct the grass clippings in a direction away from the HVAC unit. Also do this when blowing leaves or shoveling snow.
Ask your friends and trust for their HVAC contractor recommendations. People who have had quality work done are usually more than willing to share the name of their contractor. This is also help you learn the names of those companies that you should avoid.
There are now different online sites that let customers share experiences of different services. This is useful for finding people that you wish to work with and also with those you want to avoid.
If you have a fan condenser with oil ports, it needs to be lubricated 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.
Contractors determine their own fee levels, so make sure you get quotes from several contractors before you make any hiring decision. You will be likely to save some cash simply by doing your homework. Call at least four or five different HVAC specialist to find the best deal possible.
Think about getting a radiant barrier in your attic so support the efficient functioning of your HVAC system can run better. It ensures that your home cool when it’s hot outside. You could even use your attic space if it is done right.
If you can choose the place where your outdoor compressor goes, pick a spot with lots of shade. The unit will operate more efficiently to cool your home if the intake air is cooler to begin with.
Check the ducts to find any leaks if you you feel your existing system is not be working efficiently. Once you fix the leaks, you will save substantial money on heating and cooling costs.
Determine which way your home faces.The less heat in your home, the less work your AC will have to do.
Boost energy efficiency by putting your condenser unit in the shade. It will reduce the temperature of the air going into the unit, meaning that it will not have to work as hard to cool it.
Measure the area you wish to cool before buying a unit. You can usually substitute 20 BTU for each square footage of the area to be cooled. If you have a lot of rooms to keep cool, combine all the square footage.
Pick an HVAC business that is fast and works quickly to solve the problem. The best companies will ensure that their technicians stay on schedule. A licensed technician will also have no problem diagnosing any potential faults with your HVAC unit quickly. Once they know what’s wrong, they should be able to fix it as fast as they can.
Have your heating and cooling system inspected twice a year. The normally recommended time for HVAC system inspections is once before the peak cooling season when it gets hot and you’ll be using your AC, and once before the peak heating season, during the cold months when you’re likely to be using your heat. Even though it may seem as nothing is wrong with the unit, a simple inspection can prove otherwise.
Ask any potential contractor about their experience prior to hiring them. You need to verify they have done the sort of work you require.
Any HVAC contractor or installer should have an emergency hotline. They must be able to reach your home at any time, be it in the middle of a heatwave or in the worst snowstorm of the year.
As the temperature outside drops, remember to turn off your outdoor condenser unit. Once the temperature drops into the 50s, the unit should no longer be on. This simple tip will help keep the system running efficiently for many years to come.
There are dishonest contractors out there that will try to overcharge you. Having a solid written contract can help you avoid any issues like this.
Hopefully, you now feel more comfortable with HVAC units as a whole. Apply this advice and you will be in great shape. You will save on your electric bill by doing so.
If at all possible, install double-paned windows in your home instead of those with a single pane. Double pane windows help minimize your air conditioning use in the summer by keeping the cooler air inside your home. When it is cold in the winter months, these same windows will keep the warm air inside as well.