The comfort of a home has a lot to do with whether or not it is being heated or cooled is important. That is why it is important to keep your HVAC has to be in tip top shape. If you don’t care for your HVAC, you should expect terrible living conditions and expensive repairs. Here are some suggestions to help you keep your HVAC system running smoothly.
Clean the debris on your outdoor condenser units. Debris can pile up at rates that increase during rainy or windy weather, bringing potential damage with it. It could overheat and cause your system to malfunction by overheating.
Know what type of system you currently have before calling someone to fix it. Write down the make, model, and any maintenance history. In this way, you can be sure your repair person has all vital information.
Leaves and debris can wreak havoc with your system. Make sure the unit’s fan grill is cleaned often during the leaves begin to fall. The fan needs to have an unobstructed path for air to enter the unit, and if it is clogged, you will have to contend with problems.
10 Drops
Don’t hire a contractor until you know a little about what you are facing. A contractor will be hard pressed to provide you with an over-the-phone estimate if unfamiliar with your system. If you don’t have any idea, they will have trouble giving you any sort of quote. So, you should know this beforehand.
Lubricate your fan condenser at least once each year. These ports are usually 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.
It is a good idea to swap out single pane windows for double pane ones. This also keeps warm air during the colder months.
Clean your condenser’s fan blades and coils come spring. Turn off your power before doing any job like this. Leaves and debris can build up inside the unit and cause damage.
A programmable thermostat is a simple way to help you save money on your air conditioning bill. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from your smart phone or computer.
When they come out for a service visit, oil the parts that move, and see how much freon is in your system. These easy to do things will boost the performance of your system.
Keep your outdoor units free of debris when you are mowing the lawn. Aim the grass clippings in the other direction. This applies when you are taking care of the leaves in the yard.
Don’t let your home temperature get dangerously high. Air conditioners cannot sufficiently cool a home by just twenty degrees in a short time. If the temperature in your home reaches 100 degree Fahrenheit, you will only be able to cool it down to 80. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Research the companies before hiring them. Check with the BBB and online reviews posted by former customers. This can help you make the best choice.
As the trees around your home lose leaves, it can cause your HVAC unit trouble. Make sure the unit’s fan grill is cleaned frequently when the leaves begin to fall. The fan needs to be able to get proper air inside without any blockages, and extra blockage can later develop into more serious problems.
Air conditioners tend to ice up.The drain line might also freeze up.If this is something that’s happening to you, immediately put your thermostat on the fan setting to turn off your compressor. If the issue persists, call a professional.
Look for calculators online to truly understand what size of unit you need for your home. Look in the manual to determine the recommended size for this information.
Lubricate your fan condenser at least once a year. A rubber or metal cap is typically placed over such ports. Put about ten drops or less of a good non-detergent SAE 20 oil into each port.
Companies that are well established have a better record than those that haven’t been. Hiring a new contractor means taking a considerable risk.
Contractors determine their own fee levels, so make sure you get quotes from several contractors before you make any hiring decision. You will be likely to save some cash simply by doing your homework. You want to get quotes from at least five contractors in order to know what reasonable rates are.
When you are choosing a location for the outdoor compressor unit, it’s preferable to use a shaded area. If your unit is sucking in cooler air, it will have less work to do to cool that air as it sends it inside which boosts efficiency.
Think about having 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 could even use the attic as part of your living space more effectively.
Are you thinking about buying a new HVAC system installed? You will need to think about a few things into account. Systems have ratings according to the total area they can effectively cool and heat. 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.
Be sure to place your outdoor unit in a shady spot to maximize efficiency. When your unit sucks in cooler air, then much less is required to cool it further, which saves you money on energy bills.
Figure out which direction your home is facing so your HVAC system more efficient. The less heat inside the house, the less you’ll have to use your air conditioner to cool things off.
Make sure they have tight seals to keep air inside. You can get these tested at little to no charge by a professional to test them all for you and often this testing is free.
Have the HVAC system serviced twice per year. The fall and spring are the optimal times for this maintenance. This will help you to avoid problems.
Square Footage
Measure the living area that needs cooling before going air conditioner shopping. You can easily calculate this by using the formula: 20 BTU for each square footage of room space. If you have a lot of rooms to keep cool, combine their square footage in your calculations.
Installing a programmable digital thermostat can help save money. A programmable thermostat can save you up to ten percent on your cooling and heating costs by simply turning the thermostat back ten to fifteen percent for eight hours a day. Also, you’ll find that you can program your thermostat from a computer or anything connected to the web.
If it must be in a corner, make sure your unit permits airflow to be redirected.
Now you should be able to see what must be done to keep your HVAC system in working order. Follow regular maintenance procedures in order to avoid malfunctions. Use these tips to keep your HVAC system from failing when it should be running smoothly. It’s not really a tough job at all!
Research and check the reputation of companies before hiring them. Checking with the BBB is a good idea, and so is checking online reviews to see the experiences that other customers have had with a company. These steps can help ensure you make the smartest and most informed choice.
