It is frustrating to have a failing HVAC system when the weather is at it’s peak.Learning as much as possible about the best way to locate the right company to repair old equipment or install new. Read this article to get started on to learn about that.
Prior to putting in a service call on your HVAC, be able to identify it. Write down the brand and the model and have all maintenance records on hand. This will help make sure that the contractor you hire has all the necessary information.
If your HVAC is giving you problems, try touring your home before calling a professional. This will help the contractor determine where the problem is.
Clean your fan blades and coils prior to summertime. Clean the outside of your condenser as well.
Clean the debris on your condenser units. You never know when things can pile up, especially after a windy or rainy storm, and that can throw a wrench in your system. Also, you are risking your system overheating.
Grass Clippings
Don’t get grass clippings pile up against your outdoor condenser. Direct the grass clippings away from the equipment. This also applies when you are taking care of the leaves in the yard.
When the leaves start to fall, the HVAC equipment can be harmed. When you see nearby trees shedding their leaves, clean the fan grill on your unit constantly. The air needs to be unobstructed into the fan, and any blockages create performance issues for the whole system.
Your outdoor HVAC unit may suffer when trees start to lose leaves. Make sure the unit’s fan grill is cleaned often during the leaves begin to fall. The fan needs unobstructed air flow, and if it gets blocked, you will end up with many headaches with the unit.
Lubricate your condenser if it has oil ports. You can find the ports as they have a rubber or metal cap. Use SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, putting 10 drops in each port.
In order for your new unit to be as efficient as possible, or to make older units more efficient, make sure it’s put in a shaded area. This will help you save on your energy bill.
Put your outdoor units in places with shade.
Research and check the reputation of companies that you consider using. Check with the BBB and online reviews of potential companies online. This will help you make the right choice.
If you can, install double-paned windows throughout your home. Double pane windows can help minimize how much you use your air conditioner in the summer, because they keep cool air inside the home. Conversely, this also works to keep warm air in during colder months.
Fan Setting
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line might also freeze up.If this happens, change the setting on your thermostat to the fan setting and this will disable the compressor. You can call a HVAC professional, but switching to the fan setting should start to melt the ice.
Don’t allow your home to overheat. Expect an air conditioning unit to drop the temperature down 20 degrees within a short amount of time. So, if your home temp reaches 100 degrees, your air conditioning will only bring that temp down to about 80 degrees. This can still be way too warm for you.
Look for air conditioner sizing calculators online to help you determine the size of unit is necessary for your room or home. Look at the manual or on the manufacturer website for air conditioners.
Ask around so you are looking for a reputable HVAC contractor. People that have gotten great work done are usually more than willing to share this information. This can also help you learn the names of businesses that you should avoid at all costs.
It is possible for air conditioners to ice over. You may even encounter a freeze in your drain line which is often confused with a plumbing leak. Change your thermostat in situations like this. Talk to a professional if you are unsure of how to do this.
There are many sites that let customers share their experiences with different services. This is useful for finding people that you wish to work with and those that you want to avoid.
Contractors determine their own fee levels, so make sure that you acquire multiple estimates. You can save quite a lot of money when you call different companies for price quotes. You may want to get quotes from at least five contractors in order to know what reasonable rates are.
If you need help locating someone to help take of your HVAC system, a great place to seek advice is online at a review site. Many online sites permit customers to let others know about their experiences with various services and contractors. This is an excellent method of finding contractors that you are interested in dealing with as well as those that you want to avoid.
Think about having 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 or cold as it should be. You may even use the attic as part of your living space more effectively.
Determine the direction that your home faces in order to establish efficient HVAC operation. The cooler your home already is, the less time your air conditioner will have to work.
If your existing system is malfunctioning, look for leaks in the ducts. Call your utility company and ask if they test for free, as many do. When you repair the leaks, you’ll see that the tests paid for themselves.
It can be intimidating when you find that you must hire someone to come fix your HVAC system. However, if you have good information, this won’t be so hard on you. It is hoped you are now prepared for any future issues with your system.