It can be difficult for many homeowners to understand where to turn when their heating or cooling system isn’t working properly. To prevent real inconvenience and misery, spend time getting to know the subject before something goes awry. This article was written to help homeowners learn how to hire the proper help they need.
Before choosing an HVAC contractor, think of what you wish to have done. A contractor cannot give an accurate estimate without looking at your system. It can be harder if you don’t know what’s wrong. So, know this information in advance.
Clean your condenser’s fan blades and coils prior to summertime. Clean the outside of your external condenser unit.
Clean the debris on your outdoor condenser unit. You don’t know when things are going to pile up, especially after a windy or rainy storm, and that can throw a wrench in your system. It can also cause the unit to overheat and break down.
Your outside condenser fan can be helped to run better by you cleaning the fan blades and coils prior to summer starting up. Always shut off all power to your unit for any work beyond superficial cleaning. Leaves and debris can build up inside the unit and cause damage.
Turn the power off first so nothing moves. Then, take the grill off, pull the blades out, and begin cleaning the unit and them gently.
Your outdoor HVAC units might suffer when trees lose their leaves. Make sure the fan’s grill often during the fall. The fan needs to have an unobstructed path for air to enter the unit, and if it is clogged, then your system could suffer.
Avoid showering your outdoor unit with grass clippings when you mow the lawn. Make sure the grass does not get in your unit. This also applies when you blow leaves, so be very careful near your exterior HVAC units when you move debris.
Put your outdoor units in the shade if you are installing them.
Have the HVAC serviced at the least. This should be checked often for debris and again in the spring.
Leaves falling from trees can wreak havoc with your HVAC unit. When you see nearby trees shedding their leaves, clean the fan grill on your unit constantly. The fan should have a clear path for air to come in. If it is blocked, your system will suffer.
It is always a good idea to swap out single pane windows with ones that have double pane ones. This same effect also keeps warm in the winter months.
When they visit to service the unit they’re going to inspect the motors, oil the parts that move, moving parts well oiled and the level of freon adjusted if necessary. These easy to do things will help your system to run its peak performance.
If you have oil ports as part of the fan condenser, annual lubrication is key. Most of these ports have some sort of protective cap covering them. Use SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.
Never let your home reach a dangerously hot inside. Air conditioners really can only cool down a home by 20 degrees. If your home become 100F or more, you would only be able to cool it down just above 80 degrees. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Look for air conditioner sizing calculators online to help you determine the size of unit you need for your home. Look at the manual to determine the manufacturer website for this information.
If you need to decide the best place to put your outdoor compressor unit, consider putting it in a location that is in the shade. In this way, it will be cooling air that is already somewhat cooled. This saves energy.
Ask around so you are looking for a reputable HVAC contractor. People who have had a good experience are usually willing to tell of it. This can also help you learn the names of businesses that you should avoid at all costs.
Are you going to buy a new HVAC system installed? You will need to think about a few important things. Systems have a rating based on how effectively they can cool or heat an area well. You are better off purchasing a bigger unit that is slightly too large for your needs than a smaller one.
For maximum efficiency, place outdoor units in a shady spot. If your air conditioner is able to constantly suck in cool air, it won’t have to work overtime to cool your space, which can in turn save you money on your electricity bills.
When HVAC fails, everyone feels miserable. However, if they were prepared for something like that happening, it won’t be so bad. The suggestions listed will certainly lead you down a path towards positive heating and cooling function throughout the year.