It is not easy for many homeowners to know where to turn when their heating or cooling system isn’t working properly. To prevent the situation from becoming disastrous, spend time getting to know the subject before something goes awry. The thrust of this article is to assist homeowners in finding the help they need.
Know what type of system before calling someone to fix it. This will enable you can give your chosen contractor any information they need.
Before making that repair phone call, make sure you know the specifics about your particular system. Know what the manufacturer’s name is, which particular model you have and what’s gone on with the unit in the past. Then, you’ll be ready to tell the contractor what they need to know.
If you’ve been having trouble with an HVAC system, tour your home before calling a technician. This will help the contractor determine what the problem is and how to fix it.
Don’t get grass clippings on your outdoor condenser. Aim the grass cuttings in a direction away from your unit. This applies when you are taking care of the leaves in debris.
To make sure your condenser fan works properly, keep the fan blades and the coils clean. 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.
Your outdoor HVAC unit may suffer when your trees start to lose their leaves. Make sure the fan’s 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 it gets blocked, then your system could suffer.
Make sure you have your HVAC systems is checked at least twice a year. This should be checked often for debris and the spring.
Don’t get grass clippings on your outside unit. Make sure the grass does not get in your unit. This also applies to blowing leaves or moving debris. Just be careful with that exterior HVAC unit.
Turn off outdoor condenser units when the weather turns cold. This should turn it off to prevent damage if the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This can keep your system last much longer and will have to be repaired less often.
It is always a good idea to replace single-paned windows with ones that have double panes. This also works during the cold months to keep in heat when it gets cold.
Try to prevent debris from getting in your HVAC unit. Make certain you are cleaning the fan grill often if trees nearby have leaves that are falling. An obstruction, such as a leaf, prevents the maximum amount of cool air from entering the system.
Install a thermostat to save money on cooling your home.Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from your smart phone or other device.
During the service check, the contractor will oil parts, oil the unit’s moving parts and ensure the unit has proper freon levels. These things will boost the performance of your system to run at its peak performance.
Lubricate your fan condenser at least once a year. You can easily find the ports as they have a rubber or metal cap. You should select an SAE 20 oil since it is lightweight and does not contain detergent. Be sure to use just 10 drops or so, or your system may overfill.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line might also freeze up.If you see this happen, switch the thermostat in your home to fan only so the compressor is disabled. You should leave the repair to a professional, but switching to the fan will make the ice melt.
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.
If you want to know where you should put an outdoor compressor, you should place it somewhere where there is a lot of shade. The cooler the air which goes in, the less work the unit will have to do.
Companies with proven track records that can help you decide if they’re worth your money and time. Hiring a contractor comes with an element of risk.
Ask friends and relations for contractor recommendations. People that have had quality work done are usually willing to share this information. This will also help you know which companies to stay away from.
Have the HVAC system serviced twice per year. Checks in the spring as well as in autumn are the best. It doesn’t matter if your unit seems to be properly working, it is still advisable that you perform maintenance and resolve any potential problems.
There are a number of sites out there that let customers talk about how they were treated by services. This is a good way to locate contractors that you wish to work with and ones that are poor.
Contractors are responsible for their own charges and fees, so make sure to get multiple quotes.You can save some money by asking for many quotes. You want to call at least a handful of contractors to find out what reasonable rates are.
Condenser units for the outdoors should be shut off when it starts to get cold outside. If you get into temperatures that are less than 60 degrees you need the unit to be shut off so it doesn’t get damaged. This will help keep your HVAC system in good health for years, which means you will save on repair bills.
Are you thinking of getting a new HVAC system that’s new? You will need to know some things first. Systems have ratings according to how large an area they effectively heat or cool. You are better off purchasing a bigger unit that is slightly too large for your needs than purchasing one that is a bit too small.
Determine the direction that your home faces in order to establish efficient HVAC operation. The less your home is heated, the less time your air conditioner will have to work.
A programmable thermostat can really help you out when it comes to your power bills. It may save you as much as 10 percent of your overall utility bill if you turn your thermostat down by 10-15 degrees for a portion of the day. Additionally, these items can be controlled remotely through your computer.
If the HVAC unit makes a clicking noise, immediately start looking for any obstructions. Sometimes there is debris interferes with the fan’s way. Look at it before you call up a service technician.
If all you have is a corner spot, buy one that lets the air flow to be redirected so that it is not flowing towards the wall.
To cut energy costs, you should service your cooling and heating system once a year at least. During this service visit, they will inspect the motor of the system, oil the moving parts and check the freon levels in the system. These simple things will keep your system running at peak performance.
Ask a contractor about their experience.You need to know that they have the type of experience needed to work on your particular system.
Any HVAC contractor you hire should have an emergency number available to customers around the clock.They need to be able to come to you when they are needed, no matter how extreme the weather or what time of day it may be.
Shut off the air conditioning if nobody is home. When you turn it off, the house heats up, but only to a certain threshold. If it is on all day, it is trying to maintain a cool temperature constantly, using a great deal of electricity to fight the heat.
Cover your condenser when the winter. This helps the condenser last longer when it is not using it. Use the fan instead to avoid straining the condenser unit.
Seek out HVAC contractor with Energy Star label. This rating means that is required by the EPA. This can help you save money on your heating and cooling bills throughout the year.
Don’t let your house get too hot. Air conditioners only cool down a home by 20 degrees. If the temperature in your home rises above 100 degrees, you will only be able to cool it down to 80. Depending on humidity levels, this isn’t even a safe temperature for a human body to sleep at to recover from summer heat.
Make sure your condenser unit is protected. This can be done by placing a cover on the condenser unit.
Nobody wants their HVAC system to break down in the dead of winter or during the dog days of summer. However, had you known what you know now, you could have likely avoided the problem all together. These tips have armed you with all you need to know.
To choose an HVAC contractor that’s trustworthy, take time to research some companies you’re interested in, along with their reputations. The BBB is always great when you are looking for references or online reviews. Doing this can help you make a better decision.
