It is not easy for homeowners to know where to turn when their heating or cooling system isn’t working properly. To stop disaster from ensuing, you really should spend your time to learn what you can on this subject. The following information will help anyone make the right choices for homeowners who need quick insight into HVAC.
If your HVAC system us giving you issues, take a look around the house prior to calling a contractor. Make a list of the temperatures in each room and whether they are hot or cold. This can help the contractor determine the problem areas quickly and fix the problem easily.
Know what type of your HVAC system you currently have before calling someone to fix it. This helps make sure the contractor will need.
If you struggle with your HVAC, check the entire house before contacting someone to come for repairs. This will help the repairman determine what the problem is and how to fix it.
Each spring, try cleaning the fan blades and coils on the condenser fan. Be sure to turn the power off first; you don’t want anything to move. Secondly, pop the grill off, take the blades off and clean them as well as the actual unit.
Know what work you want done before you hire a contractor. It will be difficult for an HVAC contractor to provide you with an estimate over the phone if they have not seen your current system. It will be more difficult for him to assist you can’t figure out what they need to do.
Clean your condenser’s fan and coils when the weather begins to warm. Clean the outdoor condenser unit regularly.
Check to determine if the fan condenser on your HVAC system is equipped with oil ports, and if it is, be sure to lubricate every year. These are usually covered with rubber or metal caps. You should select an SAE 20 oil since it is lightweight and does not contain detergent. Be sure to use just 10 drops or so, or your system may overfill.
Grass Clippings
Don’t let grass clippings on your outside unit. Aim the grass clippings in a different direction from the other direction. This applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in debris.
As the temperature outside drops, remember to turn off your outdoor condenser unit. If the outside temp is under 60 degrees, turn the unit off to prevent damage. This will ensure your system works well each year, which could save you quite a bit in repair costs.
Your outdoor HVAC unit may suffer when trees start to lose leaves. Make sure the fan’s grill often once nearby trees start shedding their leaves.The fan needs to have an unobstructed path for air to enter the unit, and if it is clogged, it could cause your system to break down.
Lubricate the oil ports on your condenser once a year. You can find the ports covered with rubber or metal caps. Use SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.
Having a programmable thermostat installed is a money saving idea. With this device installed, it can help you save money on your energy bills by you having the power to regulate the temperature throughout the day. Additionally, some models of programmable thermostats actually allow you to control them remotely from your office computer or cell phone.
Put outdoor units in the shade.
Turn off any outdoor condensers you have when the weather turns cold. This means that you should be done when the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit. This simple tip will help keep your HVAC running and can save you money on repairs.
Your home should never reach a dangerous temperature. It is only possible for an air conditioner to lower the temperature in a home by 20 degrees F in a short time. So, if you house heats up to about 95, you won’t see the temperature go below 75 for a while. This won’t be a healthy environment to live in.
During this service visit, the contractor will oil parts, oil the unit’s moving parts and ensure the unit has proper freon levels. These things will keep your system to run at its peak performance.
Research the companies before hiring them. Check them out at the BBB and look for reviews of potential companies online. These simple steps will help ensure you make the smartest and most informed choice.
You shouldn’t rely on a single quote from one contractor to gauge the cost, because different specialists set their own price. If you call people before you work on hiring one person, you can save some money overall. Call around to find out what the rates are.
Fan Setting
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 can call a HVAC professional, but switching to the fan setting should start to melt the ice.
Your HVAC system will run more efficiently if your windows and doors are energy efficient. Make sure that their seals are tight and that they do not allow air to seep in or out. Testing for energy efficiency may be free, if you are interested in hiring a professional to find out.
Ask people that you know and family for contractor recommendations. People will tell you who they have had quality work done are worth calling. This can also a great way to get names of companies that should be avoided.
The home’s heating and cooling system is integral if you want to be comfortable. But, if they get the right kind of information before they get started with this, it won’t be so bad. Using the solid advice in the article above can be the best decision any homemaker can make.
Think about which way the air flows when installing a air conditioner. If you have to put the unit in a corner, use one that doesn’t blow into the wall.