Follow these tips on dealing with your HVAC system.
If your HVAC is giving you problems, tour your home before calling a technician. Figure out which rooms feel hot and which feel cold. If you do this, it will be a great help to the future contractor, who will now be able to quickly locate the problem issue.
Know the name and type of system before calling someone to fix it. This will help you to give your chosen contractor any information they might need.
Know what you need before you select an HVAC contractor. A contractor cannot give an accurate estimate if unfamiliar with your system. It will be way more difficult for him to assist you can’t figure out what they need to do.
When you call an HVAC system for help, you need to be aware of what you need them to do before calling. This is necessary so that they can give you a quote before doing any work. Getting an estimate will be even more difficult if you cannot adequately describe the problem. So, figure out this information before anything else.
Be sure to regularly clean external condenser units regularly. You never know when things can pile up, like right after it’s windy or rains, and that can throw a wrench in your system. It could overheat and cause your unit.
Turn it off first so nothing moves. Then, pop off its grills, pull the blades out, and gently clean them as well as the unit itself.
Clean the debris off your outdoor condenser unit. Things tend to pile up around these units, especially after storms come through, which could cause problems to your system. It will damage the system by overheating.
Don’t get grass clippings pile up against your outdoor condenser. Aim your grass cuttings in a different direction from your unit. This also applies when you are taking care of the leaves in the yard.
Put your outdoor unit in the shade.
Cover your unit when you are mowing the lawn. Instead, make sure that the grass is shooting in the opposite direction. This is the same if you are using a leaf blower.
Turn off outdoor condenser units when it’s getting cold. This means that you should be done when the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This can ensure your system working well throughout the years and save you a lot on repairs.
It is a good idea to replace single-paned windows for double panes. This also keeps warm air in the winter.
Your HVAC unit may suffer when trees start to lose their leaves. Cleaning your unit is very important for its effectiveness. When the fan becomes obstructed, you will lose out on quality air.
Don’t let your home to overheat. Air conditioners really can only cool a home by just twenty degrees Fahrenheit within a short time. If the temperature in your home rises above 100 degrees, cooling it will only drop the temperature to 80 degrees F. This won’t be a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.
Research the reputation of companies that you consider using. Check them out at the BBB and online reviews posted by former customers. These steps are going to help to ensure your decision is a better decision.
If the condenser fan has oil parts, then you need to lubricate it at least once per year. Such ports tend to have coverings made of rubber or metal. You should select an SAE 20 oil since it is lightweight and does not contain detergent. Be sure to use just 10 drops or so, or your system may overfill.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line may also freeze over. If you notice this, switch the thermostat in your home to fan only so the compressor is disabled. You should call a pro to fix this problem, but switching to the fan setting should start to melt the ice.
Speak with family and friends to get a recommendation for a reputable HVAC unit.People that have had quality work done are often happy to share this information. This is also be used to see who you should avoid hiring.
You want to put the outdoor compressor device in a shaded area. This will limit the work that it has to do.
There are quite a few sites now that allow customers talk about their experiences with contractors. This is useful for finding people that you want to work with all the information you don’t.
Contractors charge different rates, so make sure you get quotes from several contractors before you make any hiring decision. You can save a lot of money when you call different companies for price quotes. You want to call at least a handful of contractors to determine what you should be paying.
You should have your HVAC system inspected at least once, but preferably twice, per year. During a maintenance visit, professionals can help by inspecting the system’s motor, oil the different moving parts as well as check the system’s freon levels. These simple tasks will help keep your HVAC system running smoothly.
A well running HVAC is critical to keeping your home comfortable. If you aren’t performing regular maintenance, then the environment at home is not going to be a fun place to live. Use the tips in this article to make sure your HVAC system is providing air in the temperature you need.