Having an HVAC system helps your home from getting too hot or cold. Lots of houses have these built in, they sometimes need to be replaced or have additions added after some time.Knowing what you need when it comes to an HVAC system may help with buying the right products.
Before you call someone to help you fix your system, be sure to know what sort of system you have in place. Know the brand name and model number. It is also helpful to have the maintenance history. The contractor will likely need all of this information.
Know what work you need before you hire a contractor. It will be hard for an HVAC contractor to provide you a price estimate over the phone if they have not seen your current system. It will be more difficult for him to assist you can’t figure out what they need to do.
Don’t get grass clippings on your outdoor condenser. Aim your grass in a different direction away from your unit. This also applies when you are taking care of the leaves in debris.
Before you choose an HVAC contractor, have an idea in your mind of what needs to be done. Discussing the problem is simplified if you understand what has happened with the unit. They also won’t be able to offer you a quote if they don’t have a detailed idea of what you want done. It’s a good idea to learn this information in advance.
Your HVAC unit may suffer when trees lose their leaves.Make sure the fan’s grill is cleaned frequently when the fall. The fan needs to have an unobstructed path for air to enter the unit, and if debris is blocking this air flow, then your system could suffer.
Put your outdoor units in the shade if you are installing them.
Try to prevent debris from getting in your HVAC unit. Be sure to clean your fan grill frequently when trees nearby are shedding. When blockages restrict the flow of air to the fan, you could end up with serious issues on your hands.
Turn off outdoor condenser units when the weather gets cold. This should turn it off to prevent damage if the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This can keep your system working well throughout the years without the cost of repairs.
It is a good idea to swap out single pane windows with ones that have double panes. This same effect also keeps warm air during the colder months.
If you own your own home or have permission from your landlord, replace your single pane windows with double paned versions. During the summer, the use of double-pane windows will help keep the cool air locked inside of the home. It keeps heat in during the winter, too.
Install a programmable thermostat you can program to save energy costs. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from your smart phone or other device.
Don’t ever let your home to become dangerously hot. Air conditioners are limited in that they can only really cool your home down 20 degrees Fahrenheit in a reasonable time period. If the temperature in your home rises to 100 degrees F or higher, it will only cool off to about 80F. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Turn your AC off if no one is at home. You may want to turn your unit off if your house will not become extremely hot or cold. The longer the unit stays on, the more it ends up costing you in energy bills.
Research and check the reputation of companies that you consider using. Check them out at the BBB and online reviews posted by former customers. This can help you make a smart decision.
Air conditioners tend to ice up.The drain line may also freeze over. If this is something you notice, try switching your thermostat to just the fan so that it disables the compressor. You can call a HVAC professional, even if switching it to its fan setting starts making the ice melt.
Did you know an AC unit can freeze? You may even encounter a freeze in your drain line which is often confused with a plumbing leak. If you see this, try switching your thermostat to just the fan so that it disables the compressor. Once you know the problem, contact a local HVAC professional and let them know what’s going on in your system.
Companies that are well established have track records that haven’t been. It is riskier to hire a contractor with little experience.
There are many sites that let customers talk about how they were treated by services. This is useful for finding people that you wish to work with and people that may not work well with you.
Prior to hiring any HVAC contractor, you should ask how long their business has operated. Someone that has been in the business for a while probably isn’t going to scam you. It’s a risk to hire a new one.
HVAC systems are important investments, since they make your home much more comfortable. When it comes to maintaining your HVAC, installing a new one or finding the right contractor, this article has hopefully answered most of your questions. They will help you to make an educated buying decision and end up with a system you are happy with.