How do you to know what kind of system to purchase? What size should you need?What sort of features will you want? It can overwhelming to shop since so many new products and innovations.
Know the name and type of your HVAC system you currently have before looking for a repair person. This will enable you give your chosen contractor any information they might need.
Before calling for help, know the system you have. Get the brand, model name, and if you can you should get the maintenance history out. This will facilitate the process when your contractor asks for this information.
Be sure to regularly clean debris from external condenser units regularly.Debris can pile up at rates that increase during rainy or windy weather, bringing potential damage with it. It can cause a disaster with your unit.
Turn it off so you don’t get hurt or break something. Next, pop off the grill, put the blades out and start to gently clean them along with the unit.
Inspect the temps in your home before you call a service to help you with any HVAC issues you’re having. Make note of which rooms are cold and which are hot. This can help the contractor determine the problem areas quickly and fix the problem easily.
Don’t get grass clippings on your outdoor condenser. Aim the grass cuttings in a different direction from your unit. This applies when you are taking care of the leaves in debris.
10 Drops
It is important to have some knowledge of your present system and needs before calling a contractor. It’s hard to get an estimate since they haven’t look at your system. If you can’t explain changes you’ve made, the process will be even more difficult. So, you should know this beforehand.
Lubricate the oil ports on your fan condenser once a year.You can find the ports as they have a rubber or metal caps. 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.
Put outdoor units in places with shade.
Clean any debris that accumulates on an external condenser unit. After a wind or rain storm things may pile up, causing problems with your HVAC system. It could overheat and cause a disaster with your unit.
Make sure your HVAC systems is checked at least twice a year. This should be done in the fall and the spring.
Turn off any outdoor condensers you have when it’s getting cold. This means that you should be done when the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit. This simple tip will help keep the system running efficiently for many years.
Make certain that you clean your condenser when the weather begins to warm. First, turn off the power so that nothing will move as you are working on it. Next, pop the grill off, put the blades out and start to gently clean them along with the unit.
It is always a good idea to swap out single pane windows for double panes. This will also help you keep the warm air inside.
During a maintenance visit, they will inspect the motor of the system, oil the unit’s moving parts and ensure the unit has proper freon levels. This will keep your system performing at maximum efficiency.
When the trees are losing their leaves, your HVAC unit can suffer. When the leaves fall from nearby trees, clean the grill of your fan often. The fan should have a clear path for air to come in. If it is blocked, your system will suffer.
Don’t let your home get too hot to where it’s dangerous. An air conditioning unit will reduce the temperature by twenty degrees in a fair time. If the temperature in your home reaches 100 degree Fahrenheit, then you will only be able to reasonably cool to around 80. This won’t be a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.
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.
Lubricate your fan condenser at least once a year. They generally have a rubber or metal cap on them. Look for an oil that is lightweight and then put about 10 drops inside the port. You don’t want to put in too much.
There are many sites now that allow customers share their service experiences. This is a good way to find decent people you want to work with and those you don’t want to work with.
Think about getting a radiant barrier installed in your attic so your HVAC system. It will serve as a barrier between your home cool when it’s hot outside. You may even use the attic as part of your living space if it is done right.
Boost energy efficiency by putting your condenser unit in the shade. If the air your machine draws in is already cooler, it will require less energy to regulate before it’s filtered into your home.
Are you thinking of getting a new HVAC system installed? You need to think about several things. Systems get rated according to the total area they effectively heat or cool. You are wise to err on the side of a bigger unit that is slightly too large for your needs than a bit too small.
Figure out which direction your home is facing so your HVAC system more efficient. The less your home is heated, the easier time the air conditioner in your home will have.
Have your heating and cooling system inspected twice a year. Most homeowners choose to have their unit inspected during the spring and the fall months. This helps prepare for the coming weather changes of summer and winter. A quick check is worth it to avoid problems down the road.
Square Footage
Measure the living area that requires air conditioning. You will need about 20 BTU for each square footage of the room. If you are cooling more than one room, combine all the square footage.
Condenser units for the outdoors should be shut off when it starts to get cold outside. If it’s lower than 60 degrees, the time has come to turn it off. This will allow your system to work well every year, and that saves you quite a bit on making repairs.
If you have to place it in a corner, be sure you’re getting a unit that has air flow coming from a direction that’s not facing the wall.
Ask a contractor about their experience.You need to know that they have the sort of work on your particular system.
One way to save some money with A/C is by having a programmable thermostat installed. These can save you around 10 percent on your heating and cooling costs by just turning it back 10 percent to 15 percent for around eight hours each day. Plus, some models allow you to control them over the internet or from a smartphone.
Some contractors attempt to overcharge you after the work is complete for fuel charges. Having a solid written contract will help avoid issues like this.
Cover your condenser unit for protection in the winter.This extends the life of your condenser. Use the fan instead to avoid putting strain on the unit.
Do not let your house get dangerously hot. Air conditioners really can only cool a home down about 20 degrees Fahrenheit within a reasonable amount of time. 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.
Always follow up on any references that you receive for an HVAC contractor.
This will determine how many BTUs will be used.
Research what size air conditioner you should purchase for the size of your home by using online calculators they have for this purpose. Buying a unit that is too large for your home is a poor decision that wastes money. To get the right information, look in the manual to find out the rating the manufacturer gives the unit for cooling.
These qualified energy products are guaranteed to meet very strict guidelines for efficiency. These are determined by the United State Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). They are in charge of protecting the EPA for short.Taking the time to look into these units may help you get long-term savings on energy costs.
Keep your condenser unit protected when it’s getting colder. This may be accomplished by placing a cover on it.
You should always review the experience and history of an HVAC specialist before hiring them. Obviously, a company with a longer history and a positive reputation is the better choice. It is always risky to hire a contractor with little experience.
Selecting your HVAC system can be hard to do, and it may overwhelm you sometimes. Ideally, you learned some information to assist you in your selection. Go over this advice to make sure that you’ve got everything down, and you’ll be able to make sure that your system stays working as it should.
