Anyone who has a HVAC system in their home knows the importance of properly maintaining it. An HVAC unit operating at minimum efficiency is costing money on pricey repairs. This article will give you tips to keep your HVAC in optimal condition.
Turn the power off first so nothing moves. Next, pop the grill off, pull out the blades and start cleaning them and the unit itself off gently.
Go through your home before you call HVAC professional. Find out which rooms are hot and which are cold. This can help contractors quickly figure out the issue and how to fix it easily and quickly.
Don’t let grass clippings on your outside unit. Aim your grass cuttings in a different direction away from your unit. This applies when you are taking care of the leaves in debris.
Your outdoor HVAC units might suffer when your trees start to lose their leaves. Make sure the unit’s fan 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 is clogged, you’ll have a lot of headaches eventually.
Think about what improvements you want made before picking an HVAC contractor. This is necessary so that they can give you a quote before doing any work. If you are unable to explain the work that needs to be taken care of, the conversation will be even less fruitful. Understand this information beforehand.
Put outdoor unit in places with shade.
Be sure to have twice annual HVAC unit in your home checked about two times every year. This should be done in the fall and malfunctions.
Help the outside condenser fan run efficiently by cleaning the coils and fan blades before the summer starts. Before you clean the surface, be sure to turn off the power. Clean off any leaves or debris from your external condenser unit.
Install a programmable thermostat to save money on cooling your home. Some of these thermostats can even be controlled from a PC or computer.
Don’t let your home get too hot to where it’s dangerous. An AC unit is really only able to reduce the internal temperature by twenty degrees in a short time span. If your home happens to get near 100 degrees Fahrenheit, it will only cool off to about 80F. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Clean the debris on your condenser units. Debris can pile up at rates that increase during rainy or windy weather, and this can foul up the inner workings of your system. It can get overheated, which will cause problems with the whole system.
Air conditioners tend to ice up.The drain line may also freeze over. If you notice this, disable the compressor by turning your thermostat to the fan only setting. If this doesn’t work, call in help.
Look for calculators online to help you determine the size of unit is necessary for your home. Look in the manual to determine the manufacturer website for air conditioners.
You should clean your condenser fan’s blades and coils every spring. Start by turning off the power to avoid having anything move when you work on it. Then, take off the grill and get the blades out. Clean everything with care.
Companies with proven track record that you can use to decide if they are worth the time and money. Hiring a newer contractor who is just starting out can be risky.
There are a lot of sites now that allow customers to share their experiences with different services. This is a great way to find people you wish to work with all the information you don’t want to work with.
You must keep your HVAC systems oil ports lubricated annually. These are usually covered with rubber or metal caps. Look for an oil that is lightweight and then put about 10 drops inside the port. You don’t want to put in too much.
Contractors charge different rates, so make sure you get quotes from several contractors before you make any hiring decision. You should save some cash if you take the time to call around before you decide. You may want to call at least five contractors in order to know what reasonable rates are.
Think about having a radiant barrier in your attic so support the efficient functioning of your HVAC system. It will make sure you won’t have to use more energy to keep your home and the outside. You may even find that you can use your attic space more effectively.
Putting in a programmable thermostat is a smart way to cut back on air-conditioning costs. If you adjust it to keep the house a little warmer or a little cooler during the time you are sleeping, you may see your energy bill go down by as much as ten percent. Some can even be controlled from a computer.
Check for duct leaks if your existing system is not up to snuff. When you have leaks repaired, the testing will pay for itself in energy savings.
Figure out the direction your home faces in order to make your HVAC system more efficient. The less amount of heat inside of your home, the easier time the air conditioner in your home will have.
Service your HVAC yearly. Make sure the person takes a look at the motor and examines the levels of freon. These few simple things will help your system to run at its peak performance.
If the HVAC unit makes a clicking noise, look for an obstruction. Sometimes debris interferes with the fan’s way. Check it out yourself first before spending on a contractor.
Make sure they are tightly sealed so air inside. You can hire someone to test them.
Turn your AC off if no one is at home. When you turn the air conditioner off, the house may heat up a little but only a certain amount. Leaving it on all the time only makes it work harder and results in a larger utility bill.
Hvac System
Replace the air filter to keep your HVAC system every month. This is the simplest thing to do and it will keep your HVAC system running in tip top shape.
Research the companies that you consider using. Check out the online reviews, and run a quick search on the BBB website to make sure they have been good to past customers. Investing the time to check out potential contractors can save you money and headaches.
If you’re stuck with putting it in a corner, ensure that the air is not directed towards a wall.
Always get references before hiring any contractor.
Look for air conditioner sizing calculators online to truly understand what size of unit is necessary for your room or home. If the unit is too large, it won’t cool more than a smaller unit, just less efficiently. Check your manual to learn what it is rated by the manufacturer if you want accurate information.
Some contractors will attempt to overcharge you after the work is complete for things such as material fees and fuel or extra material. Having a written contract will help you avoid any issues like this.
You may be surprised that as many as two-thirds of households have ducts that leak. This can result in as much as one fourth of your utility costs. Sealing up your ducts is cheap and easy, you can even do it yourself, saving you money on your utility bills every year from then on.
Ask for helpful information when you are looking for a HVAC contractor. You should be able to find someone that has had a good experience. This will also let you know which companies to stay away from.
Keep your condenser protected in cold weather. This may be accomplished by placing a cover that’s thick over it.
Make sure your owner’s manual is anytime the system is running. The information contained within this manual will help you out if you’re dealing with problems.
Do you want to buy a new cooling and heating system? Many considerations must be scrutinized. Systems have ratings according to the total area they effectively heat or cool. You are wise to err on the side of a bigger unit rather than a smaller one.
Be sure to ask for written HVAC company are in writing. You need to get these estimates written. There are many jobs that you to get written estimates of the cost. This will allow you to be sure you’re getting a good deal on your service. Compare various elements of the deals that you receive.
Now you should be better prepared to make sure your HVAC system runs well for a long time. The last thing that anyone wants is an HVAC system that doesn’t work right, because it costs a lot of money to get that fixed. Keep these tips in mind, because they will only help you out over the life of your system.
Your HVAC can work more efficiently if you take into consideration which way your home faces. It’s always a good idea to plant trees in areas that will help block the scorching sun that heats up your home and causes your AC unit to work harder. If there is less heat in the home from sunlight, then the HVAC will require less work to actually cool the home.
