It can be difficult for many homeowners to know where to turn when the HVAC system begins to fail. To prevent a situation like this from mushrooming into a disaster, it is worth taking the time to learn about the subject. This article was written to help homeowners get the proper help they need for their HVAC contractors.
Prior to choosing an HVAC customer, try to have an idea of what you want done. It is going to be hard to get a price estimate on the phone if the current system isn’t something they’ve seen. Getting an estimate will be even more difficult if you cannot adequately describe the problem. It’s a good idea to learn this information in advance.
Know what you need before you select an HVAC contractor. It will be hard for a contractor to give you with an estimate over the phone without knowing what your current setup is. It will be more hard if you over the phone without the information readily available.
Turn the power off first so you don’t get hurt or break something. Next, pop the grill off, pull out the blades and start cleaning them and the unit itself off gently.
Clean the fan blades and coils prior to summertime. Turn off your power before doing any job like this. Take away all of the debris as well.
Sae 20 Oil
Lubricate the oil ports on your fan condenser at least once each year. You can find the ports covered with rubber or metal cap. Use SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.
Clean any debris that accumulates on an external condenser unit. You don’t know when things are going to pile up, like right after it’s windy or rains, and that can ruin your system. It could overheat and cause a disaster with your unit.
Have the HVAC system serviced twice a year. This should be done in the fall and malfunctions.
Turn off any outdoor condenser when it’s getting cold. This means that you should turn it off to prevent damage if the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This can keep your system working for many years and save you a lot on repairs.
Every spring you should clean the coils and fan blades on your condenser fan. Before you get started, cut the power. Take the grill off and pull the blades out to clean them.
A programmable thermostat can really help you save money on your power bills. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from a computer.
Do not let your house to get dangerously hot. An AC unit is really only able to reduce the temperature by twenty degrees in a fair time. If the temperature in your home reaches 100 degree Fahrenheit, it will only cool off to about 80F. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Your outdoor HVAC units might suffer when your trees lose leaves. Make sure you clean out your fan grill often once nearby trees start shedding their leaves. The fan needs to have an unobstructed path for air to enter the unit, and if it becomes blocked, you will end up with many headaches with the unit.
Look for calculators online to truly understand what size of unit you need for your home. Look in the manual to determine the recommended size for this information.
Companies that are well established have track records typically provide better service. Hiring a newer contractor means taking a considerable risk.
Lubricate your fan condenser at least once a year. You can easily find the ports as they have a rubber or metal cap. Get an oil that is SAE 20 and put about 10 drops into each port, but don’t overfill it.
Contractors are responsible for their own charges and fees, so make sure to get multiple quotes.You should save a great deal of money this way. You want to call at least five contractors to determine what reasonable rates are.
Think about having a radiant barrier in your attic so your HVAC system. It blocks outside heat from coming in which will make sure you won’t have to use more energy to keep your unit stays hot or cold as it should be. You could even find that you can use your attic as part of your living space more effectively.
Check your unit at least twice each year. It’s best to have it checked before you turn it on for the summer and again for the winter. This will help you to avoid problems.
Check the ducts to find any leaks if you you feel your unit seems to not be working efficiently. When you get leaks repaired, the testing will pay for itself in energy savings.
Nobody ever wants their heating and/or cooling systems to go out when it is really hot or really cold. But if they know what’s going on, they can quickly fix the situation. The tips in this article will help you make smart decisions about your HVAC system.
Turn off any outdoor condensers you have when the weather gets cold. To prevent damage, turn off your unit if the outside temperature is less than 60 degrees. Doing this keeps your system working well for years and saves you from having to spend money to repair it.