Follow these helpful tips to put yourself in the best position.
Understand what you want before talking to a contractor. It will be difficult for an HVAC contractor to provide you with an estimate on the phone without knowing what your current setup is. It can be harder if you don’t know what’s wrong. Having this information handy will make the process much smoother.
Know the name and type of system before looking for a repair person. This will be helpful to any contractor asks for this information.
If your HVAC is running into problems, take a look around the house prior to calling a contractor. This information will help the repairman determine what the problem is and how to fix it.
Clean your fan blades and coils each spring to ensure that your condenser fan operates at it’s best. Before you do clean the coils and fan blades, always take the precaution of turning off all power to the unit. Also, make sure you remove any debris or leaves from the condenser unit outside.
Know what you want done before you hire a contractor. It will be difficult for a contractor to provide you a price estimate over the phone without knowing what your current system. It will be more hard if you can’t figure out what they need to do.
Clean any debris that accumulates on an external condenser units. You never know when things can pile up, especially after a windy or rainy storm, and that can ruin your system. It will damage the system to malfunction by overheating.
Be sure to clean the fan blades and coils of the condenser fan. First, turn off the power so that nothing will move as you are working on it. Then take off the grill, take the blades out, and gently clean them.
Don’t get grass clippings pile up against your outdoor condenser. Direct the clippings in a direction away from the HVAC unit. This also applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in the yard.
Put your outdoor condensers in places with shade.
If the fan on your condenser includes oil ports, they must be lubricated annually. They are usually fitted with a rubber or metal cap. Chose SAE 20 oil, which has been proven to be the most effective.
Have your heating and cooling system inspected twice a year at the least. This should be checked often for debris and the spring.
Turn off any outdoor condenser units when the weather gets cold. This means that you should be done when the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit. This can ensure your system remain in good working well throughout the years without the cost of repairs.
Turn off outdoor condenser units when weather turns cold. Avoid damaging the unit by turning it off when the outdoor temperature drops below 60 degrees. This helps your system remain in good working order.
A programmable thermostat can really help you save money on your air conditioning bill. Some of these thermostats can even be controlled from a PC or other device.
During the service check, the contractor will oil parts, oil the moving parts and check the freon levels in the system. This will help keep your system run better.
Keep energy costs from rising by having your system serviced annually. 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. This will help keep your system performing at maximum efficiency.
Companies with proven track records that can help you decide if they’re worth your money and time. Hiring a newer contractor means taking a bigger risk.
Contractors are responsible for their own charges and fees, so make sure to get multiple quotes.You should save tons of money this way. Call at least four or five different HVAC specialist to find the rates are.
Never allow your home to get dangerously hot inside. An air conditioning unit is really only able to reduce the temperature by twenty degrees in a short time span. If your home gets above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, you’ll only cool down to still above 80. You may suffer adverse effects from letting the house get that hot, too.
Are you looking at purchasing a new HVAC system? You should first think about a few important things. Systems have a rating based on how effectively they can cool and heat an area well. You are better off purchasing a bigger unit that is slightly too large for your needs than a bit too small.
Figure out the direction your home faces in order to make your HVAC system can work better. The less amount of heat inside of your home, the less work your AC will have to do.
Research the companies that you consider using. Look at review sites and check with the BBB. Taking these steps will help ensure that you make a wise decision.
Make certain they have tight seals to keep air can’t seep in.You can hire a professional to test them.
If it has to be placed in a corner, make certain that the air does not point towards a wall.
Before you hire a contractor, make sure you get different quotes. If you call around before making a final decision, it can save you a lot of money in the end. You want to call at least a handful of contractors to determine what reasonable rates are.
Ask any potential contractor about their experience prior to hiring them. You need to know that they have the type of experience needed to work on your particular system.
Always make sure to get references when you are considering a contractor.
Think about getting a radiant barrier in your attic so your HVAC system can run better. It blocks heat from the inside out, lowering the amount of energy needed to cool your home in the summer. It it’s installed properly, you might even be able to use your attic as an extra room.
Cover your condenser when the winter time. This can help it last longer if it is protected when it is not in use. Use the fan setting only to avoid straining the condenser unit.
The HVAC in your house is a vital part of your daily life whether you know it or not. If you do not take good care of it, you home isn’t comfortable. To ensure this never happens to you, keep the tips you’ve read today in mind.
Are you considering purchasing a new heating and cooling system? You need to know some things first. Systems have ratings according to the total area they effectively heat or cool. It is best to get a bigger unit than you need, instead of a smaller one.