Follow these helpful tips to put yourself in the best position.
It is important to have some knowledge of your present system and needs before calling a contractor. You can’t get a decent estimate over a telephone, so disregard those numbers and wait until they view your system. Getting an estimate will be even more difficult if you cannot adequately describe the problem. Be sure to find this out ahead of time.
Know the name and type of system before looking for a repair person. This information will facilitate the process when your contractor you hire to repair it.
Know what you need before you select an HVAC contractor. It will be difficult for a contractor to give you with an estimate on the phone if they have not seen your current setup is. It will be way more hard if you don’t know what’s wrong.
If trees are losing leaves around your home, this can impact your HVAC unit. 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.
Trees Start
Your HVAC units might suffer when trees start to lose leaves. Make sure you clean out your fan grill is cleaned often once nearby trees start shedding their leaves. The fan must not have anything in the way so that air can flow into it, and if it gets blocked, then your system could suffer.
Consumers are usually advised to have their HVAC systems inspected twice a year. This should happen in the fall and the spring. It doesn’t matter if your unit seems to be properly working, it is still advisable that you perform maintenance and resolve any potential problems.
Lubricate your condenser at least once each year. These ports are usually covered with rubber or metal cap. Use a lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.
Turn off outdoor condensers you have when the weather gets cold. This means that you should be done when the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit. This can ensure your unit is working well throughout the years and save you a lot on repairs.
If at all possible, install double-paned windows in your home instead of those with a single pane. Double pane windows can help minimize how much you use your air conditioner in the summer, because they keep cool air inside the home. This will help you save a lot of money.
It is a good idea to swap out single pane windows for double panes. This also works during the cold months to keep in heat when it gets cold.
During a maintenance visit, they will inspect the motor of the system, oil the unit’s moving parts and ensure the unit has proper freon levels. These repairs will help keep your system.
To cut energy costs, you should service your cooling and heating system once a year at least. During service the technician will check the motor and refill the system fluids. Doing this simple task can ensure that your system will be running for years with no problem!
Research the companies before hiring them. Check them out at the BBB and look for your situation. This will help you make a smart decision.
Air conditioners tend to ice up.The drain line may also freeze over. If this happens, immediately put your thermostat on the fan setting to turn off your compressor. You should leave the repair to a professional, but switching to the fan will make the ice melt.
If you aren’t sure who to call for HVAC maintenance, repairs, or installation, look online for reviews. Many Internet sites let customers discuss experiences with certain companies. This is a great way to find people you want to work with and those you don’t want to work with.
Look for calculators online to truly understand what size of unit is necessary for your home. Look at the manual or on the recommended size for this information.
Companies that are well established have track records typically provide better service. Hiring an inexperienced contractor who is just starting out can be risky.
Do you wish to buy a new cooling and heating system? There are many things to consider. System ratings are based on the area that can be cooled and heated effectively by the system. It is better to purchase a slightly larger than needed unit, rather than a slightly smaller than needed unit.
There are a number of great sites out there that other customers share experiences of different services. This is an awesome way to locate contractors to work with.
Contractors determine their own fee levels, so make sure you get quotes from several contractors before you make any hiring decision. You can save tons of money by doing your homework. You want to call at least a handful of contractors to determine what you should be paying.
If you hear a clicking noise coming from the HVAC unit, see if there is any debris in it. Many times it could be debris hitting the cooling system fans. All you have to do is get this debris out of there to fix the problem. Have a look at the fan prior to putting in a call for service.
Think about getting a radiant barrier in your attic so your HVAC system. It blocks outside heat from coming in which will serve as a barrier between your home cool when it’s hot outside. You could even find that you can use your attic space more effectively.
A working HVAC system contributes greatly to the comfort of your home. If it isn’t, you will often be too hot or too cold in your living space. You can avoid this catastrophe by reading the tips above once more and implementing them within your home.
Measure the area that needs cooling before buying a unit. You will need about 20 BTU per square footage of the room. If more than one room needs AC service, combine all the square footage.