Anyone that has an HVAC system in their home knows how it important it is to have it properly maintaining it. An improperly or inefficiently functioning HVAC system that doesn’t work right is something that costs quite a bit of money. This article can help you keep your HVAC system running.
If your HVAC is giving you problems, check out your home before calling a contractor. This information will help the repairman determine where the problem is and how to fix it.
Before an HVAC expert comes to your home to do any repair work, walk around the home and check out the temps in every room. Notice the temperature in each room. Are some cooler or hotter than others? Taking this step aids a contractor in figuring out what the problem is and how to repair it as quickly as possible.
Know what work you want done before you hire a contractor. It will be difficult for a contractor to give you a price estimate over the phone without knowing what your current setup is. It will be more difficult for him to assist you can’t figure out what they need to do.
Clean the fan blades and coils come spring. Clean the outside of your condenser as well.
Make sure that you regularly clean debris that might build up on external condenser units. Things pile up after storms and damage your system. Left unchecked, your unit is more likely to break down.
Turn it off 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.
Don’t get grass clippings pile up against your outside unit. Aim the grass in the unit. This applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in the yard.
You should clean your condenser fan’s blades and coils every spring. First, turn the power off so nothing moves when you’re working with it. Remove the grill and the blades, and then you can give them all a gentle clean.
Put outdoor units in places with shade.
Turn off your outdoor condensers you have when it becomes cold out. This means that you should be done when the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit. This will help keep it in good condition for many years to come.
Make sure clippings don’t get on your outdoor units when your mowing your lawn. Instead, make sure that the grass is shooting in the opposite direction. If you’re blowing leaves, this same problem can occur, so make sure you move around the unit and blow the leaves away from it.
It is a good idea to swap out single pane windows with ones that have double pane ones. This same effect also keeps warm in during the winter.
A programmable thermostat can help save money on your air conditioning costs. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from a computer.
Leaves and debris can damage your system. The grill on the fan can become cluttered with debris, which will cause a serious operating deficiency. The fan needs to be able to get proper air inside without any blockages, and extra blockage can later develop into more serious problems.
Never let your home reach a dangerously hot inside. Air conditioners really can only cool a home down about 20 degrees in a reasonable amount of time. So, if you house heats up to about 95, your air conditioning will only bring that temp down to about 80 degrees. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
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 simple steps will help ensure you make a better decision.
To cut energy costs, you should service your cooling and heating system once a year at least. Make sure the person takes a look at the motor and examines the levels of freon. These simple things will keep your system running at peak performance.
Companies that have been around for longer have a proven track records typically provide better service. Hiring a newer contractor may be taking a bigger risk.
Check for duct leaks if you you feel your unit seems to not be working efficiently. When you have leaks repaired, you’ll see that the tests paid for themselves.
If you’re away from home during the day, raise the temperature setting on your air conditioner to save money. You may want to turn your unit off if your house will not become extremely hot or cold. If you leave it on all day, it’s fighting the heat constantly, meaning it’s using a lot of electricity to do its job.
This advice should assist you in maintaining and repairing your HVAC system. You certainly don’t want it to break on you. By choosing to implement these great tips, you are ensuring that your HVAC will function for quite some time.
