
Everyone with a home HVAC knows that maintenance is key. An improperly or inefficiently functioning HVAC system that doesn’t work right is something that costs quite a lot of homeowner money. This article can help you keep your HVAC in optimal condition.
Know what you want done before you select an HVAC contractor. It will be difficult for a contractor to provide you a price 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.
Before you choose someone to do HVAC work, figure out what they need to do for you. Discussing the problem is simplified if you understand what has happened with the unit. They also won’t be able to offer you a quote if they don’t have a detailed idea of what you want done. Know the right information ahead of time.
Clean the fan blades and coils each spring to ensure that your condenser fan operates at it’s best. Clean the outside of your condenser as well.
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.
Clean your condenser’s fan blades and coils come spring. Always make sure you shut off the power before you do any work on the unit other than superficial cleaning. Also, make sure you remove any debris or leaves from the condenser unit outside.
Grass Clippings
Don’t get grass clippings pile up against your outside unit. Aim the grass clippings in the unit. This also applies when you are taking care of the leaves in debris.
If you have outside condenser units, make sure to regularly clean the debris that builds up. You never know when things can pile up, especially after a windy or rainy storm, and that can throw a wrench in your system. It will damage the system by overheating.
Your outdoor HVAC unit may 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 must not have anything in the way so that air can flow into it, and if debris is blocking this air flow, then your system could suffer.
Lubricate your condenser at least once each year. These ports are often covered by a 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.
When the trees are losing their leaves, your HVAC unit can suffer. Cleaning your unit is very important for its effectiveness. Because the fan requires a clear path for air to enter, you may encounter issues with your system if the fan gets blocked up.
Put outdoor units in the shade.
Turn off any outdoor condensers you have when it becomes cold out. This should turn it off to prevent damage if the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This simple tip will help keep your HVAC running efficiently for many years to come.
When selecting a location for an outdoor compressor, opt for a shady area, if possible. The unit will operate more efficiently to cool your home if the intake air is cooler to begin with.
It is always a good idea to swap out single pane windows for double panes. This same effect also keeps warm in the winter months.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line may also freeze over. If you see this happen, put your thermostat over to fan.You should call a pro to fix this problem, but switching to the fan setting should start to melt the ice.
To boost the efficiency of your HVAC system, you should put your unit in a shady place. As your air conditioner sucks in cool air, little will have to be done to cool it any further, saving you a ton on your energy bills.
Look for air conditioner sizing calculators online to truly understand what size of unit is necessary for your home. Look at the manual or on the manufacturer website for air conditioners.
Companies that are well established have a better record than those that can help you decide if they’re worth your money and time. Hiring a new contractor may be taking a bigger risk.
Replace single pane windows by installing double pane, if possible. Double-pane windows keep inside air cooler, allowing you to reduce AC usage in the summertime. This also helps keep it warm in the winter.
Contractors are responsible for their own charges and fees, so make sure that you acquire multiple estimates. You can save quite a lot of money when you call different companies for price quotes. You want to get quotes from at least five contractors to determine what you should be paying.
Think about getting a radiant barrier installed in your attic so your HVAC system. It blocks outside heat from coming in which will serve as a barrier between your home cool when it’s hot outside. You could even find that you can use your attic space more effectively.
Getting a programmable thermostats can be a terrific way to realize savings. It will help save on your heating and cooling costs by turning itself down at certain times. There are also some programmable thermostats that can be controlled with a computer or other web-connected advice.
Do you want to find a new HVAC system? There are a number of things to consider. Systems have a rating based on how well the system is able to cool and heat an area. You are better off purchasing a unit that is slightly too large for your needs than a smaller one.
Determine which way your home faces.The less amount of heat inside of your home, the easier time the air conditioner in your home will have.
Make sure to have your unit serviced once a year. The motor should be checked, the parts oiled and the freon levels inspected. This maintenance means that your system will operate optimally.
Make sure they have tight seals to keep air inside. You can also hire someone to test them all for you and often this testing is free.
Hvac System Running
Don’t let your home get too hot. Expect an air conditioning unit to drop the temperature down 20 degrees within a short amount of time. A home that is over one hundred degrees will only be cooled to around eighty. Depending on the humidity level, this temperature isn’t considered a safe sleeping temperature for the human body to be able to recover from the summer heat.
You should know how to keep your HVAC system running after reading this article. A malfunctioning HVAC system is not something you want, since that can run up your stress and budget. Use these handy tips to keep your HVAC system running for as long as possible.