It is very frustrating to return home to find that your HVAC has broken down. The following tips are great for helping you in this process.
Know what work you want done before you select an HVAC contractor. If you can’t describe the problem, you may not get an accurate quote. Getting an estimate will be even more difficult if you cannot adequately describe the problem. Make an effort to gather all information you need before making the phone call.
If your HVAC system us giving you issues, check out your home before calling a contractor. This information will help the contractor determine what the problem is and how to fix it.
Clean your fan blades and coils when the weather begins to warm. Clean off any leaves or debris from your condenser unit regularly.
Before the summer you should clean out your condenser fan’s blades and coils. If you are doing more than a light surface cleaning, make sure that the power is shut off to the HVAC unit. Additionally, it’s important to clear out leaves and other debris from the outside condenser unit.
Grass Clippings
Don’t get grass clippings on your outdoor condenser. Aim the grass clippings in the unit. This applies when you are taking care of the leaves in debris.
If you have outside condenser units, make sure to regularly clean the debris that builds up. You don’t know the amount of stuff that can pile up right after heavy winds or a storm. It can also cause it to overheat.
Lubricate the oil ports on your condenser at least once a year. You can easily find the ports have a 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.
Put your outdoor condensers in places with shade.
Each spring, clean the fan blades and coils on your condenser. Don’t forget to disconnect the power first. Then, take the grill off, pull the blades out, and gently clean them as well as the unit itself.
Make sure you have your HVAC systems is checked twice a year. This should be checked often for debris and again in the spring.
Turn off outdoor condensers you have when the weather turns cold. This should turn it off to prevent damage if the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit. This can keep the system working for many years to come.
Lubricate your fan condenser if it has oil ports. They are usually fitted with a rubber or metal cap. Buy an SAE 20 product that is lightweight, and then put no more than ten drops into the ports.
During this service visit, the serviceman will inspect the unit’s motor, inspect the motor and the freon levels. These repairs will help your HVAC system running smoothly.
Companies with proven track records that can help you decide if they’re worth your money and time. Hiring a contractor can be risky.
When selecting a location for an outdoor compressor, opt for a shady area, if possible. When your unit is bringing in cool air, it will not have to work as hard to cool the air as it moves it inside, boosting efficiency.
Ask your friends and family for contractor recommendations. People who’ve had great service are usually more than willing to tell of it. This can also help you learn the names of those companies that you should avoid at all costs.
There are many review sites you can place their reviews. This is a good way to locate contractors that do good work and ones that you don’t.
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.
Contractors are responsible for their own charges and fees, so make sure to get multiple quotes.You can save quite a bit of money when you call different companies for many quotes. You may want to get quotes from at least a handful of contractors in order to know what you should be paying.
Think about getting a radiant barrier installed in your attic so support the efficient functioning of your HVAC system. It ensures that your unit stays hot outside. You may even find that you can use your attic as part of your living space if it is done right.
When the weather starts to cool down, make sure you turn off outdoor condenser units. If temps go below 60 you run the risk of damaging a unit that remains on. You will save in repair bills and increase the efficiency of your system.
Check for duct leaks if your existing system is not be working efficiently. When the leaks are repaired, you may see that the testing pays for itself.
Figure out the direction your home is facing so your HVAC system more efficient. The less heat inside the house, the fewer occasions you have to use your air conditioner.
It is a good idea to replace single-paned windows with ones that have double panes. Windows that are double pane keep the cool air in and can greatly reduce the amount of time your air conditioner will need to run. As with other steps you take to improve your ability to keep your air conditioned air or heated air inside your home, double-paned windows can help you save on energy costs.
Replace the air filter monthly to keep your HVAC system every month. It is the efficiency of it.
Always make sure to get references before hiring any contractor.
One great way to save some cash when you’re working on keeping a home cool is to install a thermostat that’s programmable. Turning down the thermostat around 10 percent for 8 hours per day can give you a 10 percent savings using the programmable thermostat. Furthermore, there are a few programmable thermostats that you can control from your computer or any other web-connected device.
Any HVAC contractor or installer should have a 24-hour emergency number available to customers around the clock. They should be there when you need them, no matter how extreme the weather or what time of day it may be.
There are dishonest contractors that try to charge you more later for such things like material fees and fuel charges. Having a solid written contract can help you avoid any issues like this.
Service your HVAC unit at least one time a year. This visit will include a motor inspection and checking the freon. These things will boost the performance of your system.
Hvac System
These suggestions will assist you in maintaining your system. Arriving home to find a broken HVAC system does not feel good. It becomes even less fun when you factor in the costs of repairing it. You can prevent all of this because you now have great information that this article gave to you. Remember these tips when it comes to doing HVAC system maintenance.
Keep your air conditioner off when people aren’t home to save you money. Sure, the temp will rise, but no one is home anyway. Leaving your heating or cooling running full blast while you are away is a waste of money and energy.