Follow these tips on dealing with your HVAC system.
If your HVAC system us giving you issues, check the entire house before contacting someone to come for repairs. This will help the repairman determine what the problem is and how to fix it.
Before calling for help, know the system you have. Look for the model and brand number. That way you can provide the contractor with all the necessary information.
Know what work you want done before you hire a contractor. It will be hard for an HVAC contractor to provide you a price estimate over the phone without knowing what your current setup is. It will be way more difficult for him to assist you can’t figure out what they need to do.
Clean the fan blades and coils each spring to ensure that your condenser fan operates at it’s best. Clean the outside of your external condenser unit.
Clean the coils and blades in your condenser at the beginning of summer. Always shut the power off before doing any work or cleaning on the unit. The outside condenser unit should be kept free of leaves and other debris.
Your HVAC units might suffer when trees lose leaves. Make sure the fan’s grill often during the fall. The fan must be unobstructed to work properly, and if it becomes blocked, then your system could suffer.
Put your outdoor condensers in the shade.
If your condenser units are outisde, make sure any debris is cleaned from them regularly. 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.
Turn off any 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 can ensure your system remain in good working order.
A programmable thermostat is a simple way to help save money on your air conditioning costs. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from your smart phone or computer.
Each spring, try cleaning the fan blades and coils on the condenser fan. First, turn the power off so nothing moves when you’re working with it. Next, pop the grill off, put the blades out and start to gently clean them along with the unit.
Never let your home to get dangerously hot temperature. Air conditioners can only really cool a home down 20 degrees or so within a reasonable time period. If your home become 100F or more, it will only reduce it to 80 or more. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Look for calculators online to help you determine the size of unit is necessary for your home. Look at the manual or on the recommended size for this information.
Be careful when doing yard work that you do not get debris on or in your unit. When you work with your lawn mower, make sure it spits the grass to the side opposite of your unit. This also applies to blowing leaves or moving debris. Just be careful with that exterior HVAC unit.
Companies with proven track records that can help you decide if they’re worth your money and time. Hiring a newer contractor may be taking a bigger risk.
Think about having a radiant barrier installed in your attic so support the efficient functioning of your HVAC system can run better. It blocks outside heat from coming in which will serve as a barrier between your home and the outside. You may even use the attic space if it is done right.
Fall is a hard time on HVAC units. When the leaves fall from nearby trees, clean the grill of your fan often. 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.
You need a good HVAC system to keep your home comfortable. Without maintenance, you may find yourself very uncomfortable. Make sure that you do not let this happen.
