Many folks don’t know how to properly maintain an HVAC system, even though it is a critical component of their home. Learning the ins and outs of choosing an HVAC professional to maintain or repair your system is a smart homeowner. The article can help.
Know what work you want done before you hire a contractor. It will be hard for an HVAC contractor to provide you with an estimate on the phone if they have not seen your current system. It will be way more difficult for him to assist you can’t figure out what they need to do.
Get all of the details regarding a broken system before calling for repair. Write down the brand and the model and have all maintenance records on hand. This makes sure your contractor will be sufficiently prepared.
Clean the debris off your outdoor condenser units. You never know when things can pile up, like right after it’s windy or rains, and that can throw a wrench in your system. It can cause your unit.
Turn it off so nothing moves.Then, pop off its grills, pull the blades out, and gently clean them as well as the unit itself.
Leaves and debris can damage your system. Make sure you clean out your fan grill often once nearby trees start shedding their leaves. Otherwise, the unit will have to work unnecessarily hard.
Don’t get grass clippings pile up against your outdoor condenser. Aim the grass in a direction from the unit. This applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in the yard.
Sae 20 Oil
If the condenser fan has oil parts, then you need to lubricate it at least once per year. These ports are typically covered with caps made of metal or rubber. Use SAE 20 oil that is lightweight and detergent free, and put ten drops or fewer into each one. Make sure not to overfill them.
Lubricate the oil ports on your fan condenser at least once each year. These are often covered with rubber or metal caps. Use SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, putting 10 drops in each port.
Turn off any outdoor condenser units when the weather gets cold. This should be done when the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit.This can keep your system working for many years and save you a lot on repairs.
If the current location of your HVAC unit outside isn’t working, try having it moved to an area with more shade. As it brings in cool air to cool, you will save a lot of money.
It is always a good idea to swap out single pane windows with ones that have double panes. This also help you keep it warm in the winter.
Research and check the companies before hiring them. Check with different references to determine the BBB and look for reviews posted by former customers. These steps are going to help ensure you make the smartest and most informed choice.
Get your HVAC unit serviced two times per year. This should happen in the fall and the spring. Even if you don’t think anything’s wrong, it’s still worth an inspection.
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. You can call a HVAC professional, but switching to the fan setting should start to melt the ice.
Speak with someone close to you to see if they can recommend someone good to service their HVAC contractor. People that have had a good experience are usually more than willing to share this information. It’s also a good way to learn which companies should not be contracted for work.
A programmable thermostat can really help you out when it comes to your power bills. These can save you around 10 percent on your heating and cooling costs by just turning it back 10 percent to 15 percent for around eight hours each day. Take advantage of the convenience of the ability to control many programable thermostats from your favorite electronic device.
Contractors determine their own fee levels, so make sure that you acquire multiple estimates. You can save some money by asking for many quotes. You may want to get quotes from at least five contractors to determine what reasonable rates are.
Think about having a radiant barrier installed in your attic so your HVAC system can run better. It will serve as a barrier between your home cool when it’s hot outside. You could even find that you can use your attic as part of your living space more effectively.
Don’t let your house get too hot. Air conditioners only cool down a home by 20 degrees. If your home happens to get near 100 degrees Fahrenheit, then you will only be able to reasonably cool to around 80. When you factor in humidity, this can still be dangerously hot for the human body at rest.
Are you considering purchasing a new HVAC system? There are a number of things you should consider. Systems have ratings according to the total area they can effectively cool and heat. You are better off purchasing a bigger unit rather than purchasing one that is a bit too small.
Check for duct leaks if your unit seems to not up to snuff. When you have leaks repaired, you may see that the testing pays for itself.
Prior to hiring any HVAC contractor, you should ask how long their business has operated. Companies with proven track records typically provide better service. Hiring an inexperienced contractor can be risky.
One of the most important things to for the comfort of a home is the HVAC unit. However, big issues can occur when one doesn’t know much about them. Thankfully, the tips above can assist a homeowner with their HVAC system.
