It can be quite upsetting to arrive home to find that your HVAC has broken down. The tips that follow will assist you do just that.
Always make sure you are up-to-date about your HVAC unit. Learn the brand, model, and if you have it, the maintenance history. If you have to have someone come out to repair the unit, you will be able to help the contractor understand more about what is going on.
Know what type of your HVAC system you currently have before looking for a repair person. This makes sure the contractor has the information they will need.
Before contacting a repair service, walk around the home and check out the temps in every room.This will help the repairman determine where the problem is.
Clean the debris from outside units often. You don’t know when things are going to pile up, like right after it’s windy or rains, and that can ruin your system. It could overheat and cause a disaster with your unit.
Be sure to clean debris from external condenser units regularly. You never know when things can pile up, like right after it’s windy or rains, and that can throw a wrench in your system. It will damage the system to malfunction by overheating.
Turn it off so you don’t get hurt or break something. Next, pop off the grill, put the blades out and start to gently clean them along with the unit.
As you notice the tress begin to lose their leaves, keep an eye on your outdoor condenser unit. Make certain you are cleaning the fan grill often if trees nearby have leaves that are falling. The fan must stay clear in order to function, and if it gets blocked, you will have to contend with problems.
Grass Clippings
Don’t get grass clippings on your outdoor condenser. Aim the grass clippings in the unit. This applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in the yard.
Lubricate your condenser yearly if it has oil ports. You’ll see that the ports here are closed with a rubber or metal cap. Get an oil that is SAE 20 and put about 10 drops into each port, but don’t overfill it.
Your HVAC unit may suffer when your trees lose their leaves. Make sure the fan’s grill is cleaned often once nearby trees start shedding their leaves. The fan must be unobstructed to work properly, and if it is clogged, it could cause your system to break down.
Lubricate your condenser at least once a year. You will notice these ports as they have a rubber or metal cap. Use a lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.
If you are choosing where to place your outdoor compressor device, try to put it in a place where there is plenty of shade. The unit will operate more efficiently to cool your home if the intake air is cooler to begin with.
It is a good idea to swap out single pane windows with ones that have double pane ones. This will also helps keep in the winter.
A programmable thermostat is a simple way to help save money on your air conditioning bill. Some of these thermostats can even be controlled from a PC or computer.
Boost energy efficiency by putting your condenser unit in the shade. When your unit sucks in cooler air, then much less is required to cool it further, which saves you money on energy bills.
During the service check, the serviceman will inspect the unit’s motor, oil the moving parts and check the freon levels in the system. These simple things will keep your system to run at its peak performance.
Degrees Fahrenheit
Be sure you have the HVAC unit in your home checked about two times every year. Ideally, you should have it looked at in the spring and fall so you know everything is set for the hot and cold months. You should have it looked at even if no problems are occurring; there could still be a problem or potential problem.
Don’t ever let your home temperature get too hot. Air conditioners can cool a home down about 20 degrees Fahrenheit within a short time. If your home happens to get near 100 degrees Fahrenheit, it will only reduce it to 80 or more. This won’t be a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.
Air conditioners tend to ice up.The drain line may also freeze over. If you see this, disable the compressor by switching the thermostat to run the fan only. If this doesn’t work, call in help.
Turn off your outdoor condenser when it’s getting cold. If the temperature outside is less than 60ºF, be sure to turn off the unit so that you don’t damage it. This can keep your HVAC running and can save you money on repairs.
Companies that are around awhile have a better record than those that can help you decide if they’re worth your money and time. Hiring an inexperienced contractor who is just starting out can be risky.
Ask around so you can find a HVAC contractor. People that have had a good experience are often happy to share the name of their contractor. This will also let you avoid bad companies.
Getting a programmable thermostats can be a terrific way to realize savings. If you adjust it to keep the house a little warmer or a little cooler during the time you are sleeping, you may see your energy bill go down by as much as ten percent. This will save you a lot of money during the year.
Check the ducts to find any leaks if you you feel your unit seems to not be working efficiently. When you repair the leaks, the testing will pay for itself in energy savings.
Figure out the direction your home faces in order to make your HVAC system can work better. The less heat inside the house, the less you’ll have to use your air conditioner to cool things off.
To help lower cooling costs when not at home, make sure the air conditioner is turned off. The house will only heat to certain level and a decent HVAC system can quickly cool this down once you are home. Leaving the system on all day will cost a lot of money in terms of electricity.
Measure the living area that needs cooling before going air conditioner shopping. You generally need 20 BTUs per square foot of room space. If you are cooling more than one room, be sure to add their square footage together.
Make sure that your HVAC system runs smooth by sticking to the tips in the above article. If you don’t, your home may quickly become uncomfortable. It’s even worse to think about how much it will cost to fix. This can be prevented if you follow the tips you have just read. Keep these tips handy at all times so that you can tackle any HVAC issue.
Find an air conditioner calculator online to determine what models are best for you. If you purchase something too large, you will be throwing away money. Check the manufacturer’s handbook to see what amount of space the unit can effectively cool.