
It can be quite upsetting to arrive home to find that your HVAC has broken down. The following tips are great for helping you in this process.
Know the name and type of your HVAC system you currently have before calling someone to fix it. This will enable you can give your new contractor all the information they need.
Before you choose an HVAC contractor, have an idea in your mind of what needs to be done. It will be difficult for an HVAC contractor to provide you with an estimate on the phone without knowing what your current setup is. If you don’t have any idea, they will have trouble giving you any sort of quote. Learn this information to start with.
If your HVAC is running into problems, tour your home before calling a technician. This will help the contractor determine what the problem is and how to fix it.
Know what work you need before you hire a contractor. It will be difficult for an HVAC contractor to give you a price estimate over the phone if they have not seen your current system. It will be more hard if you can’t figure out what they need to do.
Clean your fan and coils when the weather begins to warm. Prior to working on or cleaning the unit, be sure to turn off the power. If you see debris, get rid of it.
Turn the power off first so nothing moves. Then, take the grill off, pull the blades out, and begin cleaning the unit and them gently.
10 Drops
If you have units that are condensers outside of the home, keep them free of debris. Things tend to pile up around these units, especially after storms come through, which could cause problems to your system. It could overheat and cause a disaster with your unit.
Lubricate the oil ports on your condenser at least once a year. These ports are usually covered with rubber or metal cap. Use a lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, putting 10 drops in each port.
Turn off outdoor condenser when weather turns cold. This should turn it off to prevent damage if the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This simple tip will help keep the system working for many years and save you a lot on repairs.
Clean the fan blades and coils in your condenser each spring. Make sure to turn off the fan’s power first to be safe. Then you need to get the grill popped off and get the blades out so you can clean them and your unit gently.
It is a good idea to swap out single pane windows for double panes. This also helps keep in the winter.
Install a programmable thermostat you can program to save energy costs. Some can even be controlled from a PC or other device.
Lubricate your condenser yearly if it has oil ports. You’ll see that the ports here are closed with a rubber or metal cap. Chose SAE 20 oil, which has been proven to be the most effective.
During your service visit, they will inspect the motor of the system, inspect the motor and the freon levels. These things will boost the performance of your HVAC system running smoothly.
Research and check the companies that you consider using. Check with the BBB and look for your situation. This can help you make the best choice.
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. When the unit sucks in cooler air, then less work is required to cool it further which in turn boosts the units efficiency.
Air conditioners tend to ice up.The drain line might also freeze up.If this happens, put the fan on to shut the compressor off. If the issue persists, call a professional.
Ask friends and relations for contractor recommendations. People who have had quality work done are often happy to share this information. This is also a great way to get names of companies that should avoid.
Your HVAC unit requires regular maintenance at least two times per each year. The best time of year to have the system checked is right before the weather begins to change. Even if everything seems okay, it doesn’t hurt to check things out.
Contractors are responsible for their own charges and fees, so make sure that you acquire multiple estimates. You can save quite a bit of money this way. You may want to get quotes from at least a handful of contractors to determine what reasonable rates are.
Think about getting a radiant barrier in your attic so support the efficient functioning of your HVAC system. It blocks outside heat from coming in which will make sure you won’t have to use more energy to keep your unit stays hot or cold as it should be. You may even find that you can use your attic as part of your living space if it is done right.
Turn off any outdoor condensers you have when the weather gets cold. If you get into temperatures that are less than 60 degrees you need the unit to be shut off so it doesn’t get damaged. This will help keep your HVAC system in good health for years, which means you will save on repair bills.
Check for duct leaks if your unit seems to not up to snuff. Once leaks have been fixed, the savings will be more than worth the hassle.
Replace the air filter to keep your HVAC system every month. This will keep your HVAC.
If you can, install double-paned windows throughout your home. They help cool air remain inside your home, effectively cutting back on how much you have to run your air conditioner. Your home will also stay warmer in the winter.
If you have no choice but to put it in the corner, buy one that lets the air flow to be redirected so that it is not flowing towards the wall.
Ask any potential contractor about their experience prior to hiring them. You need to know that they have done the type of experience needed to work on your particular system.
You can keep energy costs in your home lower by choosing to have professional maintenance done on your HVAC unit. The motor should be checked, the parts oiled and the freon levels inspected. These repairs will keep your HVAC system running smoothly.
Hvac System
Use the tips you’ve just read to keep your HVAC system up and running. Getting to your home and noticing that there isn’t air going out of your vents doesn’t feel good. Your stress will only be compounded when you find out how much it will cost to fix. Prevention is possible through using these tips. Keep these tips in mind as you perform regular maintenance on your HVAC system.
Save energy use and money by turning off the air conditioner if there is nobody home. This will save you money on your energy bills. The unit will use a large amount of electricity to combat the heat during the day when the house is empty.
