Anyone who has a HVAC system in their home knows the importance of properly maintained. An improperly or inefficiently functioning HVAC system that doesn’t work right is something that costs quite a bit of homeowner money. This article has tips to help you keep your HVAC unit in tip top shape.
Always make sure you are up-to-date about your HVAC unit. It is important to understand what model it is and which brand it is. Also, if it has been serviced before, you should have that information handy. This helps make sure the contractor has the information they will need.
If your HVAC system is acting up, do a tour of your house before you call in help. This will help the contractor determine what the problem is and how to fix it.
Know what you need before you select an HVAC contractor. It will be hard for a contractor to give you a price estimate over the phone without knowing what your current system. It will be more difficult for him to assist you can’t figure out what they need to do.
If you have some problems with the HVAC system, check out your home before calling a contractor. You will be looking to see which of your rooms feel hotter or colder than they should be. This can help contractors quickly figure out the issue and how to fix it easily and quickly.
Clean your fan blades and coils when the weather begins to warm. Clean the outside of your condenser as well.
Turn it off so you don’t get hurt or break something. Then, pop off its grills, pull the blades out, and gently clean them as well as the unit itself.
When you cut the grass, make sure your mower isn’t tossing clippings toward your outdoor units. Get the grass shot away from your unit. Be just as mindful when you blow leaves to not blow them toward your HVAC equipment.
Put outdoor units in places with shade.
Turn off any outdoor condensers you have when weather gets cold. This means that you should be done when the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This can keep your unit is working well throughout the years and save you a lot on repairs.
If you have a fan condenser with oil ports, it needs to be lubricated every year. You can find these ports covered with rubber or metal caps. 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.
It is a good idea to replace single-paned windows with ones that have double pane ones. This same effect also helps keep it warm air in the winter.
During your service visit, the system motor will be inspected, oil the unit’s moving parts and ensure the unit has proper freon levels. This maintenance means that your system performing at maximum efficiency.
When selecting a location for an outdoor compressor, opt for a shady area, if possible. When the unit sucks in cooler air, then less work is required to cool it further which in turn boosts the units efficiency.
Don’t ever let your house get too hot. Air conditioners really can only cool a home by just twenty degrees in a short time. If the temperature in your home rises to 100 degrees F or higher, you’ll only cool down to still above 80. This won’t be a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.
Companies that are well established have track records typically provide better service. Hiring a new contractor who is just starting out can be risky.
In order to boost efficiency, place new outdoor units or move your current unit to a place which resides in the shade. You save money this way because the air conditioner is now pulling in cooler air, which is easier to cool further.
Ask for helpful information when you can find a HVAC contractor. People that have had quality work done are usually willing to share this information. This is also a great way to get names of those companies that should be avoided.
Are you thinking about buying a cooling and heating system that’s new? You will need to think about a few important things. The systems are it can cover.You are better off purchasing a bigger unit that is slightly too large for your needs than a smaller one.
Condenser units for the outdoors should be shut off when it starts to get cold outside. Avoid damaging the unit by turning it off when the outdoor temperature drops below 60 degrees. Your system will work longer for you this way.
If your HVAC system is producing any type of clicking sounds, look for blockages right away. Often the issue is some sort of debris that’s hitting fans in the cooling system. Check it out before you call in the professionals.
Make certain they have tight seals to keep air can’t seep in.You can also hire a professional to test them.
It is always a good idea to swap out single pane windows for double pane ones. During the summer, the use of double-pane windows will help keep the cool air locked inside of the home. Conversely, this also works to keep warm air in during colder months.
Square Footage
Measure the area you wish to cool before going air conditioning. You generally need 20 BTU for each square footage of space. If you have a lot of rooms to keep cool, add together their square footage to reach this calculation.
Consider getting a programmable thermostat for your AC. It will help save on your heating and cooling costs by turning itself down at certain times. Some newer programmable thermostats have computerized controls you can access from your personal computer, laptop or mobile media device.
Now you should be better prepared to make sure your HVAC system runs well for a long time. You certainly don’t want it to break on you. Remember this advice in order to ensure that your HVAC remains in tip top condition.