If you want to increase your understanding of HVAC maintenance, you’ve come to the right place. This article can help you get more acquainted with the process of keeping your HVAC systems. Take some time to read carefully and you will do well.
If you have some problems with the HVAC system, 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.
Help the outside condenser fan run efficiently by cleaning the coils and fan blades before the summer starts. Always make sure you shut off the power before you do any work on the unit other than superficial cleaning. Additionally, remove leaves and any other debris from the outside condenser unit.
Clean your fan and coils come spring. Clean the outdoor condenser unit regularly.
Don’t get grass clippings pile up against your outdoor condenser. Aim your grass cuttings in a direction away from the unit. This applies when you are taking care of the leaves in debris.
Clean the fan blades and coils on the condenser fan every spring. Before you do anything, however, turn the power off. Take the grill off and pull the blades out to clean them.
Sae 20 Oil
Lubricate the oil ports on your fan condenser once a year.These are often covered by a rubber or metal cap. Use SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, putting 10 drops in each port.
Be careful when doing yard work that you do not get debris on or in your unit. Aim the grass in a different direction from the unit. This same tip applies when you are blowing fallen leaves around the yard. Grass and leaves pose a serious problem for the internal functioning of your unit.
Turn off your outdoor condensers you have when it becomes cold out. This means that you should be done when the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This helps your system remain in good working well throughout the years without the cost of repairs.
A programmable thermostat can help save money on your air conditioning costs. Some of these thermostats can even be controlled from a PC or other device.
In order for your new unit to be as efficient as possible, or to make older units more efficient, make sure it’s put in a shaded area. Your air conditioner won’t have to work so hard if the air is sucks in is already cool.
During the visit, professionals can help by inspecting the system’s motor, the moving parts will be oiled and the freon levels will be checked These repairs will boost the performance of your system.
Research the reputation of companies before hiring them.Check with the BBB and online reviews posted by former customers. These steps can help to ensure you make the smartest and most informed choice.
Your system should be checked twice a year. The normally recommended time for HVAC system inspections is once before the peak cooling season when it gets hot and you’ll be using your AC, and once before the peak heating season, during the cold months when you’re likely to be using your heat. Even if you don’t think anything’s wrong, it’s still worth an inspection.
There are many sites these days that let customers talk about their service experiences. This will help you should work with and people that may not work well with you.
Contractors charge different rates, so make sure you get quotes from several contractors before you make any hiring decision. You will be likely to save some cash simply by doing your homework. You want to get quotes from at least five contractors to determine what reasonable rates are.
When you are away from home, adjust your thermostat to a money saving temperature. You may want to turn your unit off if your house will not become extremely hot or cold. Leaving your heating or cooling running full blast while you are away is a waste of money and energy.
Think about having a radiant barrier in your attic so your HVAC system can run better. It ensures that your home cool when it’s hot or cold as it should be. You may even use your attic space more effectively.
Are you looking into getting a cooling and heating system that’s new? There are things to consider. Systems have ratings according to the total area they can effectively cool and heat. You are wise to err on the side of a unit rather than a smaller one.
Never allow the temperature in your home to rise to a dangerously high level. Your average AC unit can only reduce the temperature in your home by about 20 degrees in a normal span of time. If your home gets above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, you’ll only cool down to still above 80. Taking into consideration the humidity level, this may not even be adequate for the human body to recover from excessive heat while sleeping.
Check for duct leaks if you you feel your unit seems to not up to snuff. When the leaks are repaired, you’ll see that the tests paid for themselves.
If you HVAC unit is clicking, check for any sort of obstructions immediately. Often it is being caused by debris that’s hitting the fans in the cooling system. Check this out before spending on a repairman.
When you’re purchasing an HVAC system, make sure that you get a unit that is properly sized for your space. While you might think that a larger HVAC system is always better, in fact, larger systems sometimes are not the best choice for a particular space. Look at the manual to determine the recommended size for air conditioners.
Square Footage
Measure the living area that needs cooling before going air conditioner shopping. You generally need 20 BTU for each square footage of space. If multiple rooms need cooling, be sure to add their square footage together.
Check any company you are considering to see how long it has been around. The older they are, the more likely it will be for you to find out their history, which will help you gauge their quality. If you hire someone that’s new that this then you’ll be risking your money.
Pick HVAC business that understands the unit and works quickly to solve the problem. The most reliable companies will ensure that their technicians will always be on schedule. The technicians should also know what to do to figure out what’s going wrong with an HVAC in no time. Once they know what’s wrong, fixing it should be quick and easy.
If you have to put the unit in a corner, make certain that the air does not point towards a wall.
When you need an HVAC contractor, obtain recommendations from friends and family members. Find someone that has a lot of quality work under their belt. It’s also a good way to learn the names of contractors you should avoid.
Always get references prior to hiring any contractor.
Some contractors will attempt to add charges on later for fuel or extra material. Having a solid written contract will help avoid issues like this.
Check around and get a number of quotes prior to hiring a contractor. This can help you to save money by knowing what people are charging. To get the best picture and get an idea of what rates are reasonable, call five or six different contractors.
Cover your condenser in the winter time. This helps the condenser last longer when not being used. Use the fan instead to avoid straining the unit.
These units are qualified energy efficient and meet strict guidelines set for efficiency. These are enforced by the federal government. They are called the environment and human health. Taking time to fully research various units may help you save a significant amount of money.
Try installing a type of radiant barrier in the attic for to have a more efficient HVAC system. It blocks heat from the inside out, lowering the amount of energy needed to cool your home in the summer. It it’s installed properly, you might even be able to use your attic as an extra room.
Keep your system operating efficiently by cleaning the heating ducts from time to time. Look at the ducts to make sure there is nothing wrong with them.Ducts that are damaged can increase your heating because you have to pay more to keep the warm air.
Keep your condenser protected in cold weather. This may be accomplished by placing a thick cover on it.
Obstructions often cause a clicking noise in a compressor. Often it is being caused by debris hitting fans in your cooling system. Get rid of this obstruction and that should take care of the problem. Always check for yourself before getting someone out to repair the unit.
Make sure that you know where the owner’s and operator’s manuals about your HVAC system is running. The manual will be very useful.
Be sure to ask for written HVAC company are in writing. It pays to get your agreement in writing. There are many jobs that require you have to get multiple estimates of the cost. This ensures that you are getting a good deal on your service. Compare various elements of the deals that you are offered.
Make sure that your doors and windows are efficient. They should have tight seals so outside air cannot get in and inside air can not get out. A professional can sometimes test these for you for free.
It is not tough to ensure that your HVAC system is working properly when you keep the great information from this article on hand. Use these tips for maintenance and repair questions. Good luck and hopefully now things will start to work fantastically for you well into the future!
