It is frustrating to have a failing HVAC system when the weather is at it’s peak.Learning what you can about HVAC units will help you when it needs repair. Read on to learn how to do just that.
Before you hire an HVAC contractor, have some sort of idea of the work that needs to be done. You can’t get a decent estimate over a telephone, so disregard those numbers and wait until they view your system. It will be more difficult for him to assist you over the phone without the information readily available. You need to know this before you begin.
If your HVAC doesn’t seem to be working properly, tour your home before calling a technician. This information will help the contractor determine what the problem is and how to fix it.
Clean your condenser’s fan blades and coils prior to summertime. Clean off any leaves or debris from your condenser unit.
Be sure to clean the fan blades and coils of the condenser fan. Before you do anything, however, turn the power off. Secondly, pop the grill off, take the blades off and clean them as well as the actual unit.
Clean the debris that accumulates on an external condenser units. You never know when things can pile up, like right after it’s windy or rains, and that can ruin your system. It could overheat and cause your unit.
Turn the power 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.
One great way to save some cash when you’re working on keeping a home cool is to install a thermostat that’s programmable. These can save you around 10 percent on your heating and cooling costs by just turning it back 10 percent to 15 percent for around eight hours each day. Take advantage of the convenience of the ability to control many programable thermostats from your favorite electronic device.
10 Drops
Lubricate your condenser at least once each year. These ports are usually covered by a rubber or metal caps. Use a lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, putting 10 drops in each port.
Your home should not have temperatures that are too hot. A simple AC unit will usually only cool the home around 20 degrees within a short period of time. Assuming the temperature in your home rises to a hundred degrees, you will only be able to reduce that by twenty degrees. Depending on what the humidity is, this may not be cool enough to be a safe temperature to sleep at when recovering from the harsh summer heat.
During the service check, they will inspect the motor of the system, inspect the motor and the freon levels. These easy to do things will boost the performance of your system.
Never let your home reach a dangerously high level. Air conditioners are limited in that they can only reduce the indoor temperature 20 degrees or so within a reasonable time period. If the temperature in your home rises to 100 degrees F or higher, you’ll only cool down to still above 80. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Research multiple contractors before choosing one. Check reputations at the BBB, and read online reviews to gauge customer satisfaction. Doing all of this will make sure you hire the best company for your HVAC needs.
Research the reputation of companies before hiring them.Check with the best one for your situation. These steps can help ensure you make a better decision.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line may also freeze over. If you notice this, disable the compressor by turning your thermostat to the fan only setting. If the issue persists, call a professional.
Check any company you are considering to see how long it has been around. Firms that have been in business for a long time are easier to assess. Taking risks is not something that you want to do in this area.
Look for calculators online to help you determine the size of unit is necessary for your room or home. Look at the manual or on the recommended size for this information.
Are you considering purchasing a HVAC system? You could keep a few things into account. Systems are given ratings by how well the system is able to cool or heat an area well. You are better off purchasing a unit that is slightly too large for your needs than purchasing one that is a smaller one.
The Internet can really help you out when it comes to finding someone to work on your HVAC unit. You have a choice of review sites to use. This is an excellent method of finding contractors that you are interested in dealing with as well as those that you want to avoid.
Determine which way your home faces.The less heat in your home, the less work your AC will have to do.
Make sure they are tightly sealed so air inside. You can get a professional out to help you test them.
Each contractor will have their own fee schedule, so make sure you get several different quotes before you hire anybody. Save yourself some money by calling around before you make your final decision. Get in touch with more than a few contractors to best understand the going rate.
Measure the living area that requires air conditioning. You will need about 20 BTU for each square foot of the room. If you are cooling more than one room, make sure to add the square footage together.
Replace the air filter to keep your HVAC system every month. This represents an easy way to help you keep things running well for you overall.
Think about having a radiant barrier installed in your attic so support the efficient functioning of your HVAC system. It blocks heat from the inside out, lowering the amount of energy needed to cool your home in the summer. If you install the unit properly, you can even begin to use the attic as a bedroom as it will be so comfortable!
Pick an HVAC companies that understands the unit and works quickly to solve the problem. The best companies make sure their technicians stay on schedule and keep appointments. A licensed technician will also have no problem diagnosing any problems with your HVAC. Once the technician figures out what’s wrong, they will also be able to quickly and efficiently resolve it.
The idea of having to hire an HVAC professional may seem daunting if you don’t have the right knowledge. It doesn’t need to be that tough. With the information given, you will hopefully be prepared now.
Be sure to test for leaks in the ducts if your system seems inefficient. You can have your utility company test for you, sometimes for free or less than an HVAC contractor would charge. The testing will pay for itself once you find and repair the leaks.