Anyone that has an HVAC system in their house knows the importance of properly maintaining it. An HVAC system that doesn’t work right is something that costs quite a lot of money. This article offers you keep your HVAC unit in optimal condition.
Know what type of your HVAC system you currently have before calling someone to fix it. This will enable you to give the contractor any information that can help them.
Think about what improvements you want made before picking an HVAC contractor. It’s hard for these contractors to give phone estimates without seeing the current system you have. It can be harder if you don’t know what’s wrong. So, you should know this beforehand.
If your HVAC system us giving you issues, do a tour of your house before you call in help. This information will help the repairman determine what the problem is and how to fix it.
Clean the debris off your 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 could overheat and cause your system to malfunction by overheating.
Help the outside condenser fan run efficiently by cleaning the coils and fan blades before the summer starts. Before you clean the unit, be sure to turn off the power. Remove leaves and debris from the outside condenser.
Turn the power off first so nothing moves. Then, pop off its grills, pull the blades out, and gently clean them as well as the unit itself.
Sae 20 Oil
Lubricate your condenser yearly if it has oil ports. These ports have a metal covering. Sometimes it is rubber. Choose an oil graded SAE 20, it is non-detergent and lightweight. Place about 10 drops into each of the ports, taking care that it does not overfill.
Lubricate your condenser once each year. You will notice these ports have a rubber or metal caps. Use SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, putting 10 drops in each port.
Put outdoor units in the shade.
Find a place that is shaded for your compressor. When your unit is bringing in cool air, it will not have to work as hard to cool the air as it moves it inside, boosting efficiency.
Be sure you have twice annual HVAC unit in your home checked about two times every year. This should be checked often for debris and again in the spring.
Turn off outdoor condensers you have when weather gets cold.This means that you should turn it off to prevent damage if the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This helps your unit is working well throughout the years without the cost of repairs.
Make sure your HVAC systems is checked twice a year. This should be checked often for debris and malfunctions. Regular inspection will help you avoid unexpected repairs.
Don’t ever let your house get dangerously high. An air conditioning unit is really only able to reduce the temperature of your home approximately twenty degrees in a fair time. If your house’s interior temperature hits 100 degrees Fahrenheit, you will only be able to cool it down to 80. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Air conditioners tend to ice up.The drain line might also freeze up.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, even if switching it to its fan setting starts making the ice melt.
Having a programmable thermostat installed is a money saving idea. A thermostat that’s programmable is going to save you around ten percent on the heating and cooling costs you have to pay when you turn it back about fifteen percent for a part of the day. Also, you can find a thermostat that is controllable from a computer or smart phone.
Look for air conditioner sizing calculators online to truly understand what size of unit is necessary for your home. Look at the manual to determine the manufacturer website for this information.
Companies with proven track records that can help you decide if they’re worth your money and time. It is riskier to hire a contractor with little experience.
Service your HVAC unit at least one time a year. During your service visit, the serviceman will inspect the unit’s motor, oil the unit’s moving parts and ensure the unit has proper freon levels. This will help your system run better.
There are now different online sites now that let customers can place their service experiences. This is a good way to locate contractors that do good work with and ones that are poor.
Contractors determine their own fee levels, so make sure you get quotes from several contractors before you make any hiring decision. You can save tons of cash simply by asking for many quotes. Call at least four or five different HVAC specialist to find the best deal possible.
Make sure that your AC is turned off when you are not using it. The house will heat up when it is turned off, but only a certain amount. The unit will use a large amount of electricity to combat the heat during the day when the house is empty.
Are you thinking of getting a new HVAC system installed? There are things to think about first. Systems are given ratings by how well the system is able to cool or heat an area well. You are wise to err on the side of a unit that is slightly too large for your needs than purchasing one that is a bit too small.
Check for duct leaks if you you feel your unit seems to not be working efficiently. When you repair the leaks, the testing has paid for itself.
Don’t ever let your home temperature get dangerously high. Air conditioners cannot sufficiently cool down unreasonably high temps. If your home happens to get near 100 degrees Fahrenheit, then you will only be able to reasonably cool to around 80. While it depends on the humidity, this is not safe for a human to sleep in to recover from the heat of the summer.
If you hear a clicking noise coming from your HVAC unit, look immediately to see if there is an obstruction. The issue may be debris getting into the fans of the cooling system. Check this out before spending on a professional.
Square Footage
Air conditioners tend to ice up at times. There can be occasional freezes in their drain lines, and these are usually confused with plumbing leaks. If this happens, put your thermostat over to fan. If the problem persists be sure to call in a professional.
Measure the living area that needs cooling before going air conditioner shopping. You generally need 20 BTU per square footage of room space. If multiple rooms need cooling, make sure to add the square footage together.
Replace the air filter in your HVAC system working well.This is the production of your HVAC.
Find an air conditioner calculator online to determine what models are best for you. Buying one that’s too large will not cool that well. Check your manual to learn what it is rated by the manufacturer if you want accurate information.
Ask any potential contractor about their experience prior to hiring them. You need to know that they have done the type of experience needed to work on your particular system.
Always get some references when you are considering a HVAC contractor.
Turn to online reviews if you’re not sure how you should hire to perform HVAC maintenance. In many cases you will find local review sites where previous customers will share the experience they had with companies they used. Read through them and figure out who you want to try out.
Always follow up on any references that are given to you by an HVAC contractor.
Consider have a programmable thermostat. This device can save you a great deal of money on your bills because your lifestyle.
You should think about putting in a radiant barrier in order to help your system run efficiently. It ensures that your unit stays hot or cold as it should be. If done right, you can even start using the attic as living space.
The condenser unit needs protection in cold weather. This can easily be done by placing a thick cover on the condenser unit.
Make sure your owner’s manual is always handy. The information contained within this manual will help you out if you’re dealing with problems.
Are you thinking about having a new HVAC system installed? There are some things to consider. First, the rating a system has indicates how much area they can warm up or cool down. It is probably wiser to purchase a system that is slightly larger than what you think you need rather than one that is smaller.
Having read this article concerning heating, ventilation and air conditioning, you now have a thorough comprehension of what you need to do to keep things running well for the long-term. You really do not want your HVAC system to be faulty since you could end up with excessive expense due to repairs and maintenance. Keep these tips handy so you never forget anything.
