The level of your home has a great deal to do with the temperature that it maintains. This is why your HVAC system is constantly checked and you ensure it is properly working. If you have a poor HVAC, things will cost a lot to fix and it will be hard to live with it all. Here are some suggestions to help you keep your HVAC system running smoothly.
Know the name and type of your HVAC system before calling someone to fix it. This will facilitate the process when your chosen contractor asks for this information.
Get all of the details regarding a broken system before calling for repair. Learn the brand, model, and if you have it, the maintenance history. This will ensure that you can give your new contractor all the information they need.
Know what work you need before you hire a contractor. It will be difficult for an HVAC contractor to give you with an estimate over the phone if they have not seen your current setup is. It will be way more hard if you don’t know what’s wrong.
Clean the debris that accumulates on an external condenser units. You never know when things can pile up, especially after a windy or rainy storm, and that can ruin your system. It can cause your unit.
If you are having issues with your HVAC, do a tour of your house before you call in help. Figure out which rooms are too cool or warm. This information will help the contractor determine where the problem is and how to fix it.
Turn the power off first so you don’t get hurt or break something. Next, pop the grill off, pull out the blades and start cleaning them and the unit itself off gently.
Grass Clippings
When you call an HVAC system for help, you need to be aware of what you need them to do before calling. If you can’t describe the problem, you may not get an accurate quote. If you don’t have any idea, they will have trouble giving you any sort of quote. Understand this information beforehand.
Don’t get grass clippings on your outdoor condenser. Aim your grass clippings in the other direction. This also applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in the yard.
Put your outdoor units in the shade if you are installing them.
To make sure your condenser fan works properly, keep the fan blades and the coils clean. The power to the unit should be removed before you begin any maintenance, even cleaning. Remove leaves and debris from the outdoor unit.
Be sure to have the HVAC system checks. This should be checked often for debris and again in the spring.
Turn off any outdoor condenser when the weather gets cold. This means that you should turn it off to prevent damage if the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This can ensure your system remain in good working well throughout the years without the cost of repairs.
If the condenser for your HVAC system is located outside, make sure you clear away any debris that might settle in or around it. Things pile up after storms and damage your system. If you do not, the unit may get too hot and cause additional problems.
A programmable thermostat is a simple way to help you save money on air conditioning costs. Some of these thermostats can even be controlled from your smart phone or other device.
During the visit, the contractor will oil parts, oil the different moving parts as well as check the system’s freon levels. These easy to do things will boost the performance of your system to run its best.
Don’t let your outdoor HVAC units get smothered with clippings anytime you mow the yard. Direct the grass clippings in a direction away from the HVAC unit. This same tip applies when you are blowing fallen leaves around the yard. Grass and leaves pose a serious problem for the internal functioning of your unit.
Research the reputation of companies that you consider using. Check with the BBB and look for reviews posted by former customers. These simple steps will help make the smartest and most informed choice.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line may also freeze over. If this is something that’s happening to you, disable the compressor by turning your thermostat to the fan only setting. You should leave the repair to a professional, but switching to the fan will make the ice melt.
If trees are losing leaves around your home, this can impact your HVAC unit. Cleaning your unit is very important for its effectiveness. If your fan is obstructed, it can keep your system from working properly.
Companies that are around awhile have track records that haven’t been. Hiring a new contractor who is just starting out can be risky.
Ask friends and relations for contractor recommendations. People who have had a good experience are usually willing to tell of their contractor. This is also help you learn the names of those companies that should avoid.
To increase the efficiency of your HVAC unit, be sure to keep it in the shade. As you get your air conditioner to suck in cool air it won’t have to do too much work to cool it which saves you some money.
There are a lot of online websites that let customers talk about their experiences with contractors. This will tell you should work with and who isn’t.
Contractors are responsible for their own charges and fees, so make sure that you acquire multiple estimates. You can save tons of cash simply by doing your homework. Call around to find the best rates.
If you can, install double-paned windows throughout your home. Good double pane windows keep cool air in during the summer and minimize your utility expenses. This same effect also keeps warm air in during the winter months.
Are you considering purchasing a new HVAC system? There are some things you should consider. Systems get rated according to how large an area they can 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.
If you hear clicking inside your HVAC unit, immediately start looking for any obstructions. Often it is being caused by debris that’s hitting the fans in the cooling system. Check it out before spending on a professional.
Make sure to have your unit serviced once a year. When they come out for a service visit, expect inspections of freon levels and the motor, and they will oil all the moving parts. Doing this simple task can ensure that your system will be running for years with no problem!
Measure the area that needs cooling before going air conditioner shopping. You can figure out the unit you need by calculating 20 BTU for each square foot. If the unit will be cooling several rooms, add together their square footage to reach this calculation.
Any HVAC contractor or installer should have a 24-hour emergency number available to customers around the clock. They need to be able to come to a home when needed, no matter what.
Use an HVAC company that has been in business for a while. Someone that has been in the business for a while probably isn’t going to scam you. Hiring an inexperienced contractor can be risky.
This determines the BTU your system should be.
These types of units meet strict guidelines set for efficiency. These standards are determined by the US Environmental Protection Agency. They are called the environment and human health. Taking time to fully research various units may help you get long-term savings on energy costs.
Speak with someone close to you to see if they can recommend someone good to service their HVAC unit. People will tell you who they have used and if they are worth calling. This will prevent you from getting scammed.
Keep your HVAC system operating efficiently by cleaning the heating ducts from time to time. Look often at the ducts to make sure they are in good shape. Ducts that are damaged can increase your heating because you have to pay more to keep the warm air.
Hvac System
If you aren’t sure who to call for HVAC maintenance, repairs, or installation, look online for reviews. You have a choice of review sites to use. This will help you to sort out the good from the bad.
This article has given you some excellent basics on keeping your HVAC system maintained correctly. If you ignore the system and the required maintenance, then it will fail when you need it the most. Use these tips to keep your HVAC system from failing when it should be running smoothly. It’s not really a tough job at all!
