HVAC: What You Should Know Before You Begin

This article can help to those that are looking to familiarize yourself with the subject.

TIP! Before the summer you should clean out your condenser fan’s blades and coils. Turn off your power before doing any job like this.

Know what you want done before you hire a contractor. It will be difficult for an HVAC contractor to give you a price estimate on the phone if they have not seen your current system. It will be way more difficult for him to assist you can’t figure out what they need to do.

Clean your fan blades and coils when the weather begins to warm. Clean the outside of your condenser unit.

TIP! Don’t let your outdoor HVAC units get smothered with clippings anytime you mow the yard. Aim your grass cuttings in a direction away from your unit.

Don’t get grass clippings pile up against your outside unit. Aim the grass cuttings in a direction away from your unit. This applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in the yard.

Put outdoor unit in places with shade.

Have your heating and cooling system checked twice a year. This should be checked often for debris and the spring.

A programmable thermostat can help save money on your air conditioning bill. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from a PC or computer.

Degrees Fahrenheit

TIP! Save some cash by shutting down the air-conditioning system when there is no one in the house. The house will only heat up to a certain point.

Don’t ever let your house get too hot. Air conditioners can cool a home down about 20 degrees Fahrenheit within a reasonable amount of time. If your home happens to get near 100 degrees Fahrenheit, cooling it will only drop the temperature to 80 degrees F. This is not a healthy environment to live in.

TIP! Did you know an AC unit can freeze? Many times people think there is a plumbing leak, but instead the drain line has water that is frozen. If this happens, put your thermostat over to fan.

Research the companies before hiring them. Check with different references to determine the BBB and online reviews as well. Doing all of this can help you make a better decision.

TIP! Use online AC sizing calculators to figure out what size unit you need. A unit that is bigger than you need simply isn’t efficient.

Air conditioners tend to ice up.The drain line might also freeze up.If this happens, disable the compressor by turning your thermostat to the fan only setting. You should leave the repair to a professional, even if switching it to its fan setting starts making the ice melt.

TIP! If you don’t know who to call to maintenance, repair, or install your HVAC, search for reviews online. In many cases you will find local review sites where previous customers will share the experience they had with companies they used.

Look for air conditioner sizing calculators online to truly understand what size of unit is necessary for your home. Look at the manual to determine the manufacturer website for this information.

TIP! Contractors are responsible for their own charges and fees, so make sure you get quotes from several contractors before you make any hiring decision. You should save some money this way.

Speak with family and friends to get a recommendation for a reputable HVAC unit.People who’ve had a good experience are often happy to share the name of it. This will also let you with good information on which contractors you should avoid hiring.

TIP! Think about having a radiant barrier installed in your attic so support the efficient functioning of your HVAC system. It blocks the heat from inside, reducing how much energy you need to cool down your home during summer.

Do you want to find a new cooling and heating system? You will need to take a few things first. Systems get rated according to the total area they effectively heat or cool. You are better off purchasing a unit rather than a bit too small.

TIP! Take measurements of the space you are trying to cool. The area’s calculation can help you figure out what the size is and there are 20 BTUs for every foot squared in this area.

If you hear a clicking noise coming from your HVAC unit, see if there are any obstructions right away. Sometimes debris interferes with the fan’s way. Check the fan and coil before you waste time contacting a contractor.

Square Footage

TIP! Think about the air flow coming out of the air conditioner and where you want to place it for maximum comfort. If you have to place it in a corner of your home, be sure you’re getting a unit that has air flow coming from a direction that’s not facing the wall.

Measure the area you wish to cool before buying a unit. You will need about 20 BTU for each square footage of room space. If the unit will be cooling several rooms, be sure to add their square footage together.

Replace the air filter monthly to keep your HVAC system every month. This represents an easy way to help you keep your system working well.

TIP! Hire contractors that can repair or install HVAC systems with 24-hour emergency services. They owe it to you to show up to fix anything, no matter how extreme the weather or what time of day it may be.

Any HVAC contractor or installer should have a 24-hour emergency hotline. They should be able to get to your home whenever you need them there, even if when the weather gets to be extreme.

Some contractors attempt to overcharge you later for items like materials and other charges. Having a written contract can help to avoid issues like that.

Cover your condenser unit for protection in the winter.This will help your condenser operating longer when not in use. Use the fan instead to avoid straining the condenser unit.

This will determine how much BTU your system needs to make sure your home stays comfortable.

Consider a programmable thermostat installed.This sort of device will help you money on your utility bill and give your unit needed rest.

TIP! If you have your unit running, make sure you know where the owner’s manual is. There are a lot of tricks that you will find in this book.

These units are energy products that meet strict efficiency guidelines. These are set up by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. They are in charge of protecting the EPA for short.Taking time to look into these units may help you save a significant amount of money.

TIP! Be sure to ask for written HVAC estimates. These estimates should be on paper.

Look for HVAC contractor that uses Energy Star products and products. This rating means that your system has met the EPA. This will help you to save more on your bills year round.

TIP!

Keep your system running efficiently by cleaning the heating ducts from time to time. Look often at the ducts regularly so you can make sure they are in good shape. Ducts that are damaged can increase your heating bill by wasting the area warm.

Make sure that you know where the owner’s manual is anytime the system is running. The manual will help you out if you’re dealing with problems.

TIP!

Be sure you get an estimate that’s written HVAC company. You need these estimates written down for you. There are quite a few jobs that require you to get written estimates of the cost. This helps ensure you are getting a good deal on your service. Compare various elements of the estimates you are offered.

TIP!

As you can see, information goes a long way in understanding. You can make learning it easier, by taking it one step at a time. Use all the guidelines that have been provided as you get to work.