A properly functioning HVAC system can mean the difference between comfort and discomfort in the home. A lot of people spend quite a bit to fix things when they don’t work right, but could have avoided such issues if they had maintained them properly. The tips below will help you to make the most of your purchase.
Know the name and type of your HVAC system you currently have before looking for a repair person. This will enable you give the new contractor any information they might need.
If your HVAC is running into problems, check out each room in your house before calling for assistance. Note which of your rooms are hot and which are cold. Doing so can help your technician fix your HVAC issue quickly.
If you have some problems with the HVAC system, check the entire house before contacting someone to come for repairs. This will help the contractor determine what the problem is and how to fix it.
Clean the debris on an external condenser unit. 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.
When you cut the grass, make sure your mower isn’t tossing clippings toward your outdoor units. Direct the grass clippings in a direction away from the HVAC unit. This also applies when you blow leaves, so be very careful near your exterior HVAC units when you move debris.
10 Drops
Lubricate your fan condenser at least once each year. You can easily find the ports covered with rubber or metal cap. Use SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, putting 10 drops in each port.
As you notice the tress begin to lose their leaves, keep an eye on your outdoor condenser unit. When you see nearby trees shedding their leaves, clean the fan grill on your unit constantly. The fan needs unobstructed air flow, and if debris is blocking this air flow, then your system could suffer.
Be sure you have the HVAC system checks. This should be checked often for debris and the spring.
Turn off any outdoor condenser when it becomes cold out. This means that you should be done when the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This can keep your system working well throughout the years without the cost of repairs.
Put outdoor units in the shade if you are installing them. It will help you save on your energy bill when you do this.
It is always a good idea to replace single-paned windows for double pane ones. This also keeps warm air during the colder months.
During the service check, the contractor will oil parts, oil the moving parts and check the freon levels in the system. These things will boost the performance of your system to run at its peak performance.
Turn off your outdoor condenser when it becomes cold out. If the temperature drops to under 60 degrees, you risk damage to the unit if you leave it on. This will allow your system to work well every year, and that saves you quite a bit on making repairs.
Don’t allow your home temperature get dangerously hot. Air conditioners can only cool a home down about 20 degrees Fahrenheit within a reasonable amount of time. If the temperature in your home rises to 100 degrees F or higher, it will only reduce it to 80 or more. This won’t be a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line may also freeze over. If this is something that’s happening to you, try switching your thermostat to just the fan so that it disables the compressor. You should call a pro to fix this problem, but switching to the fan will make the ice melt.
If you can, install double-paned windows throughout your home. To keep your home cool, investing in double pane windows is a must. Likewise, in the winter more hot air stays inside during the cold season.
Look for air conditioner sizing calculators online to help you determine the size of unit is necessary for your home. Look in the manual to determine the manufacturer website for this information.
As you can now see, an HVAC system is a very important part of your home. You can save money by using the advice above. However, they can only help if you choose to follow them carefully. They can prevent serious damage and should be taken seriously.
A programmable thermostat is a simple way to help save money on air conditioning costs. These convenient thermostats may shave ten percent or more off of your bills, because they significantly cut energy use when you’re not around. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from a PC or other device.
