Many people forget about their HVAC systems until there is an issue. It is sometimes tricky to find a good HVAC contractor. The information below will help you go through the process.
Know what you want done before you select an HVAC contractor. It will be hard for an HVAC contractor to provide you a price estimate over the phone without knowing what your current system. It will be way more hard if you over the phone without the information readily available.
Make a circuit around your home before calling for help with your HVAC. While you are walking through the house, gauge which rooms are the coolest and which are the warmest. The contractor can probably figure out and fix the problem easier.
Clean your fan blades and coils come spring. Clean the outside of your condenser as well.
Turn the power off first so you don’t get hurt or break something. Then, take the grill off, pull the blades out, and begin cleaning the unit and them gently.
To make sure your condenser fan works properly, keep the fan blades and the coils clean. If you are doing more than a light surface cleaning, make sure that the power is shut off to the HVAC unit. Remove leaves and debris from the condenser outside.
Have your heating and cooling system inspected twice per year. This should be checked often for debris and again in the spring.
It is always a good idea to swap out single pane windows with ones that have double panes. This will also works during the cold months to keep in heat when it gets cold.
Make sure your condenser fan is in good working order by wiping down the fan blades and the coils. For safety, always turn the power off first. Then, take off the grill and get the blades out. Clean everything with care.
A programmable thermostat can help you out when it comes to your air conditioning bill. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from your smart phone or computer.
During the 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 simple things will keep your system.
Keep your outdoor units free of debris when your cutting grass. Shoot grass the other way. This is the same if you are using a leaf blower.
Don’t ever let your house get dangerously high. Air conditioners are limited in that they can only reduce the indoor temperature 20 degrees Fahrenheit in a reasonable time period. If the temperature in your home rises above 100 degrees, cooling it will only drop the temperature to 80 degrees F. This won’t be a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.
Research the companies before hiring them. Check with different references to determine the BBB and look for reviews posted by former customers. Doing these things beforehand will allow you make a better decision.
Many homeowners forget to oil their condenser at least once per year, but it is required. You can easily find the ports as they have a rubber or metal cap. Put about ten drops or less of a good non-detergent SAE 20 oil into each port.
Air conditioners tend to ice up.The drain line may also freeze over. If this is something that’s happening to you, switch the thermostat in your home to fan only so the compressor is disabled. You should call a pro to fix this problem, but switching to the fan will make the ice melt.
Look for calculators online to truly understand what size of unit you need for your room or home.Look at the manual or on the recommended size for this information.
If you are choosing where to place your outdoor compressor device, try to put it in a place where there is plenty of shade. When the unit sucks in cooler air, then less work is required to cool it further which in turn boosts the units efficiency.
Ask around so you can find a HVAC contractor. People who’ve had great service are usually willing to tell of their contractor. This can also help you know which companies to stay away from.
Contractors charge different rates, so make sure to get multiple quotes. You can save a bit of cash simply by doing your homework. Call around 5 contractors so that you can get the best rates.
Installing double paned windows can save a lot of money over single panes, so upgrade if you are able. Double pane windows help minimize your air conditioning use in the summer by keeping the cooler air inside your home. This also helps keep it warm in the winter.
If you hear a clicking noise coming from your HVAC unit, see if there is any debris in it. Often the issue is some sort of debris hitting fans in your cooling system. Check it out before you waste time contacting a repairman.
Make certain they are tightly sealed so air can’t seep in. You can hire a professional.
Don’t let your house get too hot. It is only possible for an air conditioner to lower the temperature in a home by 20 degrees F in a short time. A home that is over one hundred degrees will only be cooled to around eighty. Taking into consideration the humidity level, this may not even be adequate for the human body to recover from excessive heat while sleeping.
Measure the area you wish to cool before going air conditioning. You can easily calculate this by using the formula: 20 BTUs per square foot of room space. If you are cooling more than one room, get their square footage added together.
Ask a contractor about their experience.You need to verify they have the type of work you require.
If you need a HVAC contractor, try and get recommendations from family and friends. People will tell you who they have used and if they are worth calling. This can also help you learn the names of those companies that you should avoid.
Any HVAC contractor or installer should have an emergency hotline. They must be able to reach your home at any time, whether during a heatwave or a terrible snowstorm.
There are some contractors that will overcharge you. Having a written contract will let you avoid issues like that.
Every contractor out there is responsible for setting up their own fees, so get several quotes before hiring anyone. If you make a few calls before you decide, it can result in great savings. Ideally, five or six contractors should be called so you can get a good ball park figure of a reasonable rate.
Cover your condenser unit for protection in the weather becomes less than optimal. This will help your condenser last longer when it is not in use. Use the fan instead to avoid straining the unit.
Always check out any references provided to you by a prospective HVAC contractor.
Having a radiant barrier installed in your attic is an excellent way to make sure that your HVAC runs better. This type of barrier will help to block heat, which in turn will help your system work less at cooling your home. This can also help you make the attic useful again.
This tells you the number of BTUs your system requires to keep your home comfortable.
Consider have a programmable thermostat. This sort of device will save you to regulate the temperature at all times.
Determine the direction your home is facing to help get your HVAC system functioning efficiently. If your home is surrounded by strategically planted trees, they can often block out the morning sunlight. If there’s less heat inside your home, your AC will work less.
Look for an HVAC contractor that use Energy Star products and products. This rating means that the EPA standards for efficiency. This will help you save money on your bills year round.
Keep your HVAC system operating efficiently and enjoy clean air by cleaning the heating ducts. Look often at the ducts to make sure they are in good shape. Damaged ducts increase the energy bill to rise.
All of your windows and doors must be air-tight, in order for your HVAC system to run at maximum efficiency. They should have tight seals so outside air cannot get in and inside air can not get out. You can get these tested at little to no charge by a professional.
This article has given you some great tips about HVAC systems that you may not have been familiar with before. If you are in need of repair, you know how to find it. Use what you’ve just learned to make it a simple process.
