TIP! Think about what improvements you want made before picking an HVAC contractor. Discussing the problem is simplified if you understand what has happened with the unit.
The way your home has a lot to do with whether or not it is being heated or cooled properly. This is why your HVAC system is constantly checked and you ensure it is properly working. If you’re not able to take care of it, you should expect terrible living conditions and expensive repairs. Here are some great tips to get you keep your HVAC system running smoothly.
TIP! Clean your fan and coils when the weather begins to warm. The power to the unit should be removed before you begin any maintenance, even cleaning.
Know what type of your HVAC system before looking for a repair person.This will let you know that you’re able to give your chosen contractor the information that can help them.
TIP! The coils and blades on the fans should be cleaned once a year. First, turn off the power so that nothing will move as you are working on it.
If you are having issues with your HVAC, take a tour of the house prior to calling a professional. This information will help the contractor determine what the problem is and how to fix it.
TIP! Cover your unit when you are mowing the lawn. Turn your lawnmower in the opposite direction.
Know what work you want done before you hire a contractor. It will be hard for an HVAC contractor to give you a price estimate on the phone if they have not seen your current setup is. It will be more hard if you can’t figure out what they need to do.
Clean your fan blades and coils come spring. Clean the outside of your condenser as well.
TIP! If you need to decide the best place to put your outdoor compressor unit, consider putting it in a location that is in the shade. The unit will operate more efficiently to cool your home if the intake air is cooler to begin with.
Your outdoor HVAC unit may suffer when your trees lose their leaves. Make sure the fan’s grill is cleaned often during the leaves begin to fall. The fan needs to have an unobstructed path for air to enter the unit, and if it gets blocked, you will end up with many headaches with the unit.
TIP! Your HVAC unit requires regular maintenance at least two times per each 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.
Lubricate the oil ports on your fan condenser once a year.You will notice these ports as they have a rubber or metal cap covering them. Use a lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.
Be sure you have twice annual HVAC system checks. This should happen in the fall and malfunctions.
TIP! Get your HVAC unit serviced yearly. The service will include motor inspection, oiling of moving parts, and a freon level check.
Turn off any outdoor condensers you have when weather turns cold. This should be done when the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit.This can keep the system running and can save you money on repairs.
TIP! Do not allow your home to reach excessive levels of heat during the summer. Your average AC unit can only reduce the temperature in your home by about 20 degrees in a normal span of time.
It is a good idea to swap out single pane windows for double panes. This will also works during the cold months to keep in heat when it gets cold.
TIP! Sometimes air conditioners will ice up. The drain line may also freeze up.
During the service check, professionals can help by inspecting the system’s motor, oil the unit’s moving parts and ensure the unit has proper freon levels. These simple things will help keep your HVAC system running at peak performance.
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TIP! Before you go out there and hire an HVAC contractor, find out the length of time they’ve been in the industry. Companies that are around awhile have a better record than those that haven’t been.
Do not allow your house to get dangerously hot. Air conditioners really can cool a home down about 20 degrees Fahrenheit within a reasonable amount of time. If your house’s interior temperature hits 100 degrees Fahrenheit, you’ll only cool down to still above 80. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
TIP! Ask those you know for the name of a great HVAC technician, should you need one. People that have gotten great work done in the past generally love to share the information they know about it.
Research the reputation of companies that you consider using. Check with different references to determine the BBB and look for your situation. These simple steps will help make a wise one.
TIP! Do you wish to buy a new cooling and heating system? If so, you must consider a number of things. Those systems get rated by the area amount they are able to cool and heat effectively.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line may also freeze over. If this is something you notice, change the setting on your thermostat to the fan setting and this will disable the compressor. If this doesn’t work, call in help.
TIP! Make your HVAC work efficiently when you consider what way your home faces. You can help keep your home cool with the strategic placement of trees.
Ask your friends and relations for contractor recommendations. People who’ve had a good experience are usually willing to tell of it. This is also help you learn the names of those companies that should be avoided.
TIP! When choosing the proper air conditioner size, measure the area that needs cooling. You can usually substitute 20 BTU for each square foot in the area to be cooled.
There are quite a few sites these days that let customers share their experiences with contractors. This is useful for finding people that you wish to work with and those that you want to avoid.
TIP! Replacing your unit’s air filter each month is a key maintenance task. This is an easy way to help you keep things running well for you overall.
Think about getting a radiant barrier in your attic so support the efficient functioning of your HVAC system can run better. It blocks outside heat from coming in which will serve as a barrier between your home and the outside. You may even find that you can use your attic as part of your living space more effectively.
TIP! 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.
Are you thinking of getting a cooling and heating system installed? You will need to know some things first. Systems have ratings according to how large an area they can effectively cool and heat. You are wise to err on the side of a unit that is slightly too large for your needs than purchasing one that is a bit too small.
TIP! Ask any potential contractor about their experience. You need to ensure that they are experienced with the work that you need done.
If your HVAC system is producing any type of clicking sounds, look for blockages right away. Sometimes debris interferes with the fan’s way. Check the fan and coil before spending on a repairman.
Make certain they have tight seals to keep air can’t seep in.You can also hire someone to test things and a lot of the time the testing costs nothing.
TIP! You need a cover for your condenser during the cold months. This will help your condenser last longer when not being used.
Measure the area that needs cooling before going air conditioner shopping. You will need about 20 BTU for each square footage of the room. If multiple rooms need cooling, sum their areas.
TIP! Any HVAC contractor references given to you need checking out. Many people assume that they are legitimate simply because they were offered freely, but that can turn out very badly.
Any HVAC contractor you hire should have an emergency number available to customers around the clock.They should be able to get to your home whenever you need them there, no matter how extreme the weather or what time of day it may be.
TIP! When in the process of installing new HVAC equipment or getting repairs done, see if you can have a programmable thermostat installed. This can save you a lot on your energy bills and gives you a nice comfortable home.
These energy products are guaranteed to meet very strict efficiency guidelines. These guidelines are determined by the United State Environmental Protection Agency. They are called the environment and human health. Taking time to fully research various units may help you save a significant amount of money.
TIP! An Energy Star system is really the way to go when it comes to your HVAC. These great products help you save on energy because they adhere to efficiency guidelines.
You may be surprised to discover that as many as two-thirds of all homes have ducts that leak.This will kick up your utility expense! Sealing the ducts is easy and cheap to do yourself, and it can significantly decrease your electrical bill yearly thereafter.
Hvac System
You now see what you need to do in order to maintain your HVAC system. Maintain your unit on a monthly basis. Use these tips to keep your HVAC system from failing when it should be running smoothly. It’s not really a tough job at all!