This article will help you understand everything about the great tips you’ve been looking for.
Before calling someone to repair your system, make sure you know what kind of HVAC system you actually have. You need to know who manufactured the product and the item number. Also, get the maintenance records from your files if you have them. This helps make sure the contractor has the information they will need.
Know what type of system before looking for a repair person. This will let you to give the contractor any information that can help them.
If your HVAC system us giving you issues, do a tour of your house before you call in help. This information will help the contractor determine what the problem is and how to fix it.
Make sure your condenser fan is in good working order by wiping down the fan blades and the coils. Make sure to turn off the fan’s power first to be safe. Then you need to get the grill popped off and get the blades out so you can clean them and your unit gently.
Know what work you want done before you hire a contractor. It will be hard for a contractor to provide you a price estimate on the phone if they have not seen your current setup is. It will be way more hard if you over the phone without the information readily available.
Put your outdoor condensers in the shade.
If your condenser comes with oil ports, you should lubricate it yearly. Most of these ports have some sort of protective cap covering them. Look for an oil that is lightweight and then put about 10 drops inside the port. You don’t want to put in too much.
Turn off your outdoor condensers you have when the weather gets cold. This should turn it off to prevent damage if the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit. This helps the system working for years and will have to be repaired less often.
A programmable thermostat is a simple way to help you save money on your air conditioning costs. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from a PC or computer.
Make sure you have your HVAC system checked at least twice a year. Checks in the spring as well as in autumn are the best. You should have it looked at even if no problems are occurring; there could still be a problem or potential problem.
During your service visit, the contractor will oil parts, oil the unit’s moving parts and ensure the unit has proper freon levels. These few simple tasks will help your system to run at its peak performance.
Do not allow your house get dangerously hot. Air conditioners can only cool a home down about 20 degrees in a short time. If your home become 100F or more, cooling it will only drop the temperature to 80 degrees F. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Installing double paned windows can save a lot of money over single panes, so upgrade if you are able. During the summer, the use of double-pane windows will help keep the cool air locked inside of the home. Likewise, in the winter more hot air stays inside during the cold season.
Look for calculators online to truly understand what size of unit is necessary for your home. Look at the manual to determine the manufacturer website for this information.
Companies that have been around for longer have a proven track records typically provide better service. Hiring a new contractor who is just starting out can be risky.
Shut off the air conditioning if nobody is home. By raising the temperature from, for example 78 to 80, your house will be warmer, but only up to 80 before your AC kicks in. If you decide to set the temperature to 82 or 83 or so on, your AC won’t go on until it reaches that temperature. The unit will use a large amount of electricity to combat the heat during the day when the house is empty.
Check for duct leaks if your unit seems to not up to snuff. When these leaks are fixed, the tests will pay for themselves.
Figure out the direction your home is facing so your HVAC system more efficient. If there is less heat coming into your home, your AC will work less.
Research the companies that you consider using. Check with the BBB and online reviews as well. In this way, you can be more sure of getting a good HVAC company.
If your HVAC system is clicking, look immediately to see if there is an obstruction. Sometimes debris that gets in the cooling system fans. Take a look for yourself before you call a service technician.
Measure the area you wish to cool before going air conditioning. You generally need about 20 BTU per square foot of room space. If you have multiple rooms to cool, add together their square footage to reach this calculation.
Before you hire any HVAC company, ask them how long they’ve been open for business. A company that has been in business for a long time will have a solid track record, and you can use this to figure out if you should spend your money with them. If you hire someone that’s new that this then you’ll be risking your money.
Replace the air filter monthly to keep your HVAC system every month. This will maximize the production of your unit remains in good operating condition.
Always get references from a contractor.
Ask for quotes from multiple contractors. If you make a few calls before you decide, it can result in great savings. To figure out what a good rate is, speak with about five or six contractors.
Any HVAC contractor or installer should have an emergency hotline. They owe it to you to show up to fix anything, even if when the weather gets to be extreme.
After reading the above article, you should have a good understanding of what your HVAC system is all about. Be sure you pay close attention to everything as you learn. Take the guidelines you read here and put them to work for you now!
It’s important to have doors and windows that are efficient for the most efficiency for your HVAC unit. Your windows and doors should all be tightly sealed. Double pane windows are a great idea. You could have a professional run a test for you, and sometimes this testing is done at no charge.