If you want to increase your understanding of HVAC maintenance, this article is for you. This article will provide a gentle introduction and a helping hand on the basic tips you should begin with. Take the time to read carefully and you will do well.
Clean your fan blades and coils come spring. Clean the outside of your condenser as well.
Know what type of system you currently have before calling someone to fix it. Know the model and brand and find it’s maintenance history, if possible. This makes sure your contractor will be sufficiently prepared.
Clean the debris off your outdoor condensers often. Debris can pile up at rates that increase during rainy or windy weather, bringing potential damage with it. It could overheat and cause a disaster with your system to malfunction by overheating.
Turn the power off first so nothing moves. Next, pop off the grill, put the blades out and start to gently clean them along with the unit.
If you have outside condenser units, make sure to regularly clean the debris that builds up. You don’t know the amount of stuff that can pile up right after heavy winds or a storm. It can cause the unit to overheat and break down.
Don’t let grass clippings pile up against your outside unit. Aim the grass cuttings in a different direction from the unit. This also applies when you are taking care of the leaves in the yard.
Sae 20 Oil
Every spring you need to make sure your condenser fan’s coils and blades on the fan part are clean. For safety, always turn the power off first. Remove the grill and carefully clean the blades and surrounding areas.
Lubricate your fan condenser once a year. You will notice these ports have a 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.
Put your outdoor units in the shade if you are installing them.
As the leaves are falling off the trees, your HVAC system can really take a hit. Make certain you are cleaning the fan grill often if trees nearby have leaves that are falling. You can head off future problems that can be caused by blockages by making sure there is a free flow of air to your fan.
Be sure you have twice annual HVAC system checks. This should be done in the fall and the spring.
It is always a good idea to swap out single pane windows with ones that have double pane ones. This same effect also helps retain heated air in during the colder months.
Be sure to place your outdoor unit in a shady spot to maximize efficiency. As you get your air conditioner to suck in cool air it won’t have to do too much work to cool it which saves you some money.
A programmable thermostat can really help you out when it comes to your air conditioning bill. Some can even be controlled from a PC or other device.
Don’t let your home temperature get dangerously high. Air conditioners can only cool a home by just twenty degrees in a reasonable amount of time. If your home become 100F or more, you would only be able to cool it down just above 80 degrees. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Once it gets cold outside, you should turn off the outdoor condenser unit. If it’s less than 60 degrees outside, turn the unit off. This will help keep your HVAC system in good health for years, which means you will save on repair bills.
Research the reputation of companies before hiring them.Check with different references to determine the best one for reviews posted by former customers. These simple steps will help make a wise one.
Look for air conditioner sizing calculators online to truly understand what size of unit you need for your home. Look at the manual or on the recommended size for this information.
Service your HVAC unit at least one time a year. During a maintenance visit, professionals can help by inspecting the system’s motor, oil the different moving parts as well as check the system’s freon levels. These few simple things will help your system to run at its peak performance.
There are quite a few sites these days that let customers talk about their experiences with contractors. This can help filter out the people you who is great and who isn’t.
Think about getting a radiant barrier installed 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 could even use the attic as part of your living space more effectively.
Sometimes, air conditioning units ice up. This can also happen on the drain line. If this happens, disable the compressor by switching the thermostat to run the fan only. Get a professional to deal with this, even if you see the ice start melting because you turned the compressor off.
Check the ducts to find any leaks if you you feel your unit seems to not up to snuff. When you get leaks repaired, you’ll see that the tests paid for themselves.
Determine which way your home faces.If there is less heat in the home from sunlight, then your air conditioning unit won’t have to work as hard.
Use online AC sizing calculators to figure out what size unit you need. If you buy something too large it won’t be efficient as it cools the same. Check the manufacturer’s handbook to see what amount of space the unit can effectively cool.
Measure the living area you wish to cool before buying a unit. You will need about 20 BTU per square foot in the room. If multiple rooms need cooling, get their square footage added together.
Replace the air filter to keep your HVAC system every month. This is an easy thing to do and it keeps the system running well.
Use an HVAC company that has been in business for a while. The older they are, the more likely it will be for you to find out their history, which will help you gauge their quality. Hiring a new contractor comes with an element of risk.
Pick an HVAC business that is fast and knows what to do. The best companies will ensure that their technicians working honestly and on time. The technicians will be able to diagnose problems in your HVAC in no time. After they see what the problem is, it’s just a matter of time before they have it back and running properly.
Always make sure to get references from a HVAC contractor.
An online search will give you further information about any contractor you are considering. There are quite a few sites now that allow customers to share their experiences with different services. This will make it easier for you to find the right contractor.
These types of units meet strict guidelines set for efficiency. These guidelines have been set up by the U.S. They are called the environment and human health. Taking time to fully research various units may help you get long-term savings on energy costs.
Look for HVAC contractor that use Energy Star products and products. This will ensure that your system has met the EPA. This will help you save more on your bills throughout the year.
Contractor set their own prices; this is why you should get many quotes. Getting several quotes will ultimately help you save lots of money. Call at least four or five different HVAC specialist to find the best rates.
Keep your system operating efficiently by cleaning the heating ducts. Check your ducts at least once per month. Damaged ducts could increase the energy bill.
Make sure your owner’s manual is handy when your unit is being operated. The manual will be very useful.
A radiant barrier is something that you may want to consider. This type of barrier will help to block heat, which in turn will help your system work less at cooling your home. If done correctly, this also enables you to start using your attic as a living space.
Be sure you get an estimate that’s written HVAC estimates. It is important to get your agreement in writing and not a verbal estimate. There are quite a few jobs that you have to get multiple estimates for to see what they take. This procedure helps to ensure you receive good service. Compare various elements of the deals that you receive.
Getting into HVAC isn’t tough using the tips from the article. It is important to always use caution when working with your HVAC unit, as the wrong information can do more harm than good. Hopefully, the suggestions above will better enable you to approach HVAC with an eye towards understanding before doing in order to achieve great system results.
Do you need a new HVAC unit? Many considerations must be scrutinized. Systems have ratings according to the total area they effectively heat or cool. If your home falls in size between two units, select the one that is larger.
