Many people do not give their HVAC system until it quits working. It can be difficult to find a qualified HVAC professional to install a new system correctly. This article will guide you navigate your way through this process.
If your HVAC is running into problems, take a tour of the house prior to calling a professional. This information will help the repairman determine where the problem is and how to fix it.
If you have some problems with the HVAC system, check out your home before calling a contractor. Pay attention to which areas of the house are warm and which ones are cool. This will help the repairman determine what the problem is.
Grass Clippings
Don’t get grass clippings on your outdoor condenser. Direct the grass clippings away from the equipment. This applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in the yard.
To make sure your condenser fan works properly, keep the fan blades and the coils clean. Shut off power before working or cleaning your system. Clean the outside of your condenser unit regularly.
Your outdoor HVAC system could suffer when trees lose leaves. Make sure the fan’s grill is cleaned frequently when the leaves begin to fall. The fan must be unobstructed to work properly, and if it gets blocked, you will end up with many headaches with the unit.
Lubricate your condenser at least once each year. These are often covered by a rubber or metal caps. Use a lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, putting 10 drops in each port.
When you are choosing a location for the outdoor compressor unit, it’s preferable to use a shaded area. The cooler the air that the unit is able to access, the less work it has to perform.
Be sure you have the HVAC system checks. This should be done in the fall and malfunctions.
Turn off any outdoor condenser when it becomes cold out. This should be done when the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit.This can keep your system last much longer and save you a lot on repairs.
Put your outdoor unit in places with shade. This will ensure cool air is sucked in, meaning less cooling must be done by the unit.
Look for air conditioner sizing calculators online to truly understand what size of unit you need for your home. Look at the manual or on the recommended size for this information.
Companies that are around awhile have a better record than those that can help you decide if they’re worth your money and time. Hiring a contractor can be risky.
Make sure your HVAC systems is checked twice a year. Your system should be inspected in Spring and Fall. Whether you know of problems or not, good maintenance will help you to avoid future issues.
Ask people that you know and family for their HVAC contractor recommendations. People that have gotten great work done in the past generally love to share this information. This can also provide you to figure out some names of businesses that you should avoid hiring.
There are a lot of sites these days that allow customers to share their service experiences. This method of finding contractors that you are interested in dealing with as well as those that you need to make the best hiring decisions.
Once it gets cold outside, you should turn off the outdoor condenser unit. If it’s lower than 60 degrees, the time has come to turn it off. This will help keep your HVAC system in good health for years, which means you will save on repair bills.
Are you thinking of getting a new heating/cooling system? There are a number of things you must consider first. Systems get rated according to the total area they effectively cool and heat. You are wise to err on the side of a bigger unit rather than purchasing one that is a smaller one.
Figure out the direction your home is facing so your HVAC system more efficient. The less heat, the fewer occasions you have to use your air conditioner.
Installing double paned windows can save a lot of money over single panes, so upgrade if you are able. Good double pane windows keep cool air in during the summer and minimize your utility expenses. It keeps heat in during the winter, too.
If you hear a clicking in the HVAC unit at home, look immediately to see if there is an obstruction. Often it is being caused by debris hitting the fans in your cooling system. Check it out before you waste time contacting a contractor.
Make certain they are tightly sealed so air inside. You can hire someone to test them.
One great way to save some cash when you’re working on keeping a home cool is to install a thermostat that’s programmable. Turning down the thermostat around 10 percent for 8 hours per day can give you a 10 percent savings using the programmable thermostat. Take advantage of the convenience of the ability to control many programable thermostats from your favorite electronic device.
Replace the air filter to keep your HVAC system every month. This will help your unit remains in good operating condition.
Ask any potential contractor about their experience prior to hiring them. Make sure they are experienced with the kind of work that you need.
Make sure to have your unit serviced once a year. During the visit, the contractor will oil parts, inspect the motor and the freon levels. This will help keep your system performing at maximum efficiency.
Some contractors will attempt to charge you later for items like materials and fuel. Having a signed contract can help avoid issues like that.
Cover your condenser in the weather becomes less than optimal. This will ensure that your unit from damage. Use the fan instead to avoid putting strain on the unit.
Make sure that your AC is turned off when you are not using it. Even though the house will get hotter, it won’t get too bad if the unit is off. Leaving your heating or cooling running full blast while you are away is a waste of money and energy.
Always check any references that you by a prospective HVAC contractor.
This needs to be factored in when figuring out the best sized unit for your system has to be.
Before you invest in any HVAC contractor, make sure you spend a good deal of time researching their reputations and credentials. Check with different references to determine the best one for your situation. In this way, you can be more sure of getting a good HVAC company.
Consider a programmable thermostat installed.This will save you money on your bills as it constantly adjusts your settings to ensure optimal performance.
Energy Star units must be met. These are determined by the US Environmental Protection Agency. They are called the environment and human health. Taking the time to look into these units may help you save a significant amount of money.
Sometimes air conditioners will ice up. Drain lines can also suffer an occasional freeze, and these are sometimes mistaken for plumbing leak issues. If this happens, disable the compressor by switching the thermostat to run the fan only. Get a professional to deal with this, even if you see the ice start melting because you turned the compressor off.
From reading the above article, you should now be more comfortable in your knowledge about HVAC systems. You now know where to look, what you are looking for, and what they should be doing when you hire them. Use these tips to ensure great success.