Anyone that has an HVAC systems in a house knows how it important it is to have it running right. A HVAC system can end up costing the homeowner a ton of money. This article offers you tips to make sure your HVAC in optimal condition.
Know what you need before you select an HVAC contractor. It will be difficult for a contractor to give you with an estimate on the phone if they have not seen your current setup is. It will be more difficult for him to assist you can’t figure out what they need to do.
Tour your home before calling a contractor. Know what part of the house is cold and which is hot. If you do this, it will be a great help to the future contractor, who will now be able to quickly locate the problem issue.
Clean the condenser on your debris off your outdoor condenser unit. You don’t know when things are going to pile up, like right after it’s windy or rains, and that can throw a wrench in your system. It can cause a disaster with your unit.
Turn the power off first so nothing moves. Next, pop off the grill, put the blades out and start to gently clean them along with the unit.
By the end of spring, the fan blades and coils of your condenser should be thoroughly cleaned, so operation can proceed with greater efficiency. Turn off your power before doing any job like this. Remove leaves and debris from the outside condenser.
Don’t let grass clippings on your outdoor condenser.Aim the grass in a different direction from your unit. This also applies when you are taking care of the leaves in the yard.
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, you’ll have a lot of headaches eventually.
Each spring, clean the fan blades and coils on your condenser. Start by turning off the power to avoid having anything move when you work on it. Secondly, pop the grill off, take the blades off and clean them as well as the actual unit.
Sae 20 Oil
Lubricate the oil ports on your condenser at least once a year. You can find these ports covered with rubber or metal cap. Use SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.
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. Also do this when blowing leaves or shoveling snow.
Put your outdoor unit in the shade if you are installing them.
Turn off your outdoor condenser units when it’s getting cold. This means that you should be done when the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit. This can keep your system remain in good working order.
During the fall, leaves can gather around your HVAC. Frequently clean the fan grill when trees are shedding leaves. A blocked unit can quickly become a broken unit.
When they come out for a service visit, oil the parts that move, and they will oil all the moving parts. These few simple things will help your system to run its best.
Companies that are well established have track records typically provide better service. Hiring a new contractor may be taking a bigger risk.
For maximum efficiency, place outdoor units in a shady spot. This will ensure cool air is sucked in, meaning less cooling must be done by the unit.
Ask friends and relations for contractor recommendations. People will tell you who they have used and if they are usually more than willing to share this information. This is also a great way to get names of those companies that should avoid.
Contractors determine their own fee levels, so make sure you get quotes from several contractors before you make any hiring decision. You can save a great deal of money by asking for many quotes. You want to get quotes from at least five contractors in order to know what reasonable rates are.
Having a programmable thermostat installed is a money saving idea. Programmable thermostats can automatically dial back settings, saving you money. This will save you a lot of money during the year.
Think about getting a radiant barrier installed in your attic so your HVAC system can run better. It ensures that your home cool when it’s hot or cold as it should be. You may even use your attic as part of your living space if it is done right.
Are you looking into getting a new HVAC system? You could keep a few important things. Systems have ratings according to the total area they effectively cool and heat. You are better off purchasing a bigger unit that is slightly too large for your needs than purchasing one that is a smaller one.
Some air conditioners can ice up. The drain line may also freeze up. Change your thermostat in situations like this. If the issue persists, call in help.
Determine which way your home faces.If there is less heat in the home from sunlight, your AC will work less.
Ask any potential contractor about their experience prior to hiring them. Make sure they are experienced doing the kind of work that is needed.
Before you hire any HVAC companies, find out how the amount of time they’ve been in business. This gives you some history so that you can be sure the company is reliable. Taking risks is not something that you want to do in this area.
Hvac System
Now you should be better prepared to make sure your HVAC system runs well for a long time. A malfunctioning HVAC system is not something you want, since that can run up your stress and budget. Bookmark these suggestions and refer back to them as needed.
Go to people that you know and ask for recommendations when it is time for you to hire an HVAC contractor. People who have had a good experience are often happy to share the name of their contractor. This can also be used to see who you should avoid.
