You may not pay attention to your HVAC system in the home until it starts malfunctioning. It can be hard to get a repairman to fix or install your HVAC system. The tips here will help you understand the process.
Clean your condenser’s fan blades and coils come spring. Except when you do superficial cleaning, you need to always make sure the power is off on the unit. Leaves and debris can build up inside the unit and cause damage.
Know what work you want done before you hire a contractor. A contractor will not be able to give you an over-the-phone estimate if unfamiliar with your system. It will be more difficult for him to assist you can’t figure out what they need to do.
Clean your condenser’s fan blades and coils each spring to ensure that your condenser fan operates at it’s best. Clean the outside of your condenser as well.
Your outdoor HVAC units might suffer when your trees lose leaves. Make sure the unit’s fan grill is cleaned frequently when the leaves begin to fall. The fan must stay clear in order to function, and if it gets blocked, you will have to contend with problems.
Turn it off so nothing moves.Next, pop the grill off, pull out the blades and start cleaning them and the unit itself off gently.
Don’t get grass clippings pile up against your outdoor condenser. Aim the grass in the other direction. This also applies when you are taking care of the leaves in debris.
If you have a fan condenser with oil ports, it needs to be lubricated every year. They are usually fitted with a rubber or metal cap. Choose an oil graded SAE 20, it is non-detergent and lightweight. Place about 10 drops into each of the ports, taking care that it does not overfill.
Lubricate the oil ports on your condenser at least once a year. You will notice these ports covered with rubber or metal caps. Use a lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.
Turn off your outdoor condenser units when it becomes cold out. This should turn it off to prevent damage if the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This can keep it in good condition for many years.
When you are choosing a location for the outdoor compressor unit, it’s preferable to use a shaded area. Your unit won’t have to work as hard to cool the inside air if the outside air it sucks from is cooler.
It is a good idea to swap out single pane windows with ones that have double pane ones. This also helps keep it warm in heat when it gets cold.
Research the reputation of companies before hiring them.Check them out at the BBB and online reviews posted by former customers. Doing this makes it more likely that you make a better decision.
Outdoor condenser units need to be turned off when the weather turns cold. This means that you should turn it off to prevent damage if the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit. This will maximize the life of your unit.
Air conditioners tend to ice up.The drain line may also freeze over. If you see this, put your thermostat over to fan. You should call a pro to fix this problem, but switching to the fan setting should start to melt the ice.
Look for calculators online to truly understand what size of unit you need for your room or home.Look at the manual or on the recommended size for this information.
If you can, use double-paned windows instead of single-paned ones. In warmer months, these windows will help to maintain the cooler inside temperature. Your home will also stay warmer in the winter.
Companies that are around awhile have track records that haven’t been. Hiring a new contractor may be taking a bigger risk.
There are plenty of online websites that give people the opportunity to leave comments about the service they were treated by services. This is a good way to locate contractors that you wish to work with and ones that are poor.
Install a thermostat you can program to save money on cooling your home. Turning down the thermostat around 10 percent for 8 hours per day can give you a 10 percent savings using the programmable thermostat. Additionally, some programmable thermostats can be controlled remotely using a web-connected device.
Contractors determine their own fee levels, so make sure that you acquire multiple estimates. You will be likely to save some money this way. You want to get quotes from at least a handful of contractors in order to know what reasonable rates are.
Think about getting a radiant barrier in your attic so support the efficient functioning of your HVAC system can run better. It will make sure you won’t have to use more energy to keep your home and the outside. You could even use your attic as part of your living space more effectively.
Keep energy costs from rising by having your system serviced annually. The service will include motor inspection, oiling of moving parts, and a freon level check. This will help keep your system performing at maximum efficiency.
Do you want to buy a new HVAC unit? You will need to think about a few things into account. Systems get rated according to how large an area they effectively heat or cool. You are better off purchasing a bigger unit rather than a bit too small.
Check the ducts to find any leaks if you you feel your existing system is not be working efficiently. If you do end up paying, the money spent on finding and repairing the leak will pay for itself.
Icing up is common in air conditioners. The drain line also occasionally freezes, which can be misdiagnosed as a plumbing leak. If you notice this, switch your thermostat to fan only to disable the compressor. This problem will need to be handled by a professional, even though the fan will probably help with the ice situation.
Figure out the direction your home faces in order to make your HVAC system can work better. The cooler your home already is, the less time your air conditioner will have to work.
Hopefully, you now understand more about HVAC systems in general. Next time you have trouble with your unit, you will now be much better prepared. Remember this so you can find the proper system.
Before you hire any HVAC companies, find out how the amount of time they’ve been in business. Companies that are around awhile have a better record than those that haven’t been. Working with someone that does not yet have a reputation in the business is a bit riskier.