A reliable HVAC system can make one’s home life more pleasant. However, if your system fails, it can be a nightmare.Learning about your HVAC system begins with the tips will prove very useful.
Know what type of system before calling someone to fix it. This will enable you give your chosen contractor any information they might need.
Clean the fan blades and coils prior to summertime. Shut off power before working or cleaning your system. The outside condenser unit should be kept free of leaves and other debris.
Don’t get grass clippings pile up against your outside unit. Aim your grass cuttings in a direction from your unit.This applies when you are taking care of the leaves in debris.
Trees Start
If you have units that are condensers outside of the home, keep them free of debris. Leaves and debris can accumulate quickly, particularly following storms, and that can cause problems for your system. It can overheat, leading to disaster within your system.
Your outdoor HVAC unit may suffer when trees start to lose their leaves. Make sure the fan’s grill often once nearby trees start shedding their leaves.The fan needs unobstructed air flow, and if it becomes blocked, you’ll have a lot of headaches eventually.
Lubricate the oil ports on your condenser once a year. These are often covered with 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.
You should clean your condenser fan’s blades and coils every spring. First, turn the power off so nothing moves when you’re working with it. Secondly, pop the grill off, take the blades off and clean them as well as the actual unit.
Put outdoor units in places with shade.
Turn off outdoor condensers you have when weather turns cold. This means that you should be done when the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This will help keep it in good working order.
Don’t let your outdoor HVAC units get smothered with clippings anytime you mow the yard. Aim your grass cuttings in a direction away from your unit. The same thing should go on when you blow leaves, so take your time when you’re working around HVAC units that are around when you’re blowing debris around.
It is always a good idea to swap out single pane windows with ones that have double panes. This will also help you save a lot of money.
Don’t ever let your home to overheat. Air conditioners really can only cool a home down about 20 degrees in a short time. If the temperature in your home rises to 100 degrees F or higher, 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.
Your outdoor HVAC units might suffer when your trees lose leaves. Clean outdoor units often to remove leaves. You can head off future problems that can be caused by blockages by making sure there is a free flow of air to your fan.
Research and check the companies that you consider using. Check them out at the BBB and look for reviews of potential companies online. These simple steps will help to ensure your decision is a better decision.
Fan Setting
Find a place that is shaded for your compressor. If it sucks in cool air, it will need to work less to coll the air inside, which can make it last longer.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line may also freeze over. If this is something that’s happening to you, immediately put your thermostat on the fan setting to turn off your compressor. You can call a HVAC professional, but switching to the fan setting should start to melt the ice.
Look for calculators online to help you determine the size of unit you need for your room or home. Look at the manual or on the manufacturer website for air conditioners.
For maximum efficiency, place outdoor units in a shady spot. As it brings in cool air to cool, you will save a lot of money.
Ask your friends and trust for contractor recommendations. People will tell you who they have used and if they are often happy to share the name of their contractor. This will also a great way to get names of companies that should be avoided.
Think about getting a radiant barrier installed in your attic so your HVAC system can run better. It blocks outside heat from coming in which will make sure you won’t have to use more energy to keep your home cool when it’s hot or cold as it should be. You could even find that you can use your attic as part of your living space if it is done right.
If you can, use double-paned windows instead of single-paned ones. Double pane windows will allow you to use less air during the summer because cooler air will stay in your house. Likewise, heat is better retained during the winter.
Check the ducts to find any leaks if you you feel your unit seems to not up to snuff. When these leaks are fixed, you’ll see that the tests paid for themselves.
If all you have is a corner spot, use one that doesn’t blow into the wall.
One great way to save some cash when you’re working on keeping a home cool is to install a thermostat that’s programmable. These convenient thermostats may shave ten percent or more off of your bills, because they significantly cut energy use when you’re not around. There are also some programmable thermostats that can be controlled with a computer or other web-connected advice.
Always get references from a contractor.
Any HVAC contractor or installer should have an emergency hotline. They need to be able to come to you when they are needed, whether during a heatwave or a terrible snowstorm.
Save energy use and money by turning off the air conditioner if there is nobody home. By raising the temperature from, for example 78 to 80, your house will be warmer, but only up to 80 before your AC kicks in. If you decide to set the temperature to 82 or 83 or so on, your AC won’t go on until it reaches that temperature. Leaving your heating or cooling running full blast while you are away is a waste of money and energy.
Cover your condenser in the weather becomes less than optimal. This will allow it to last longer when you’re not being used. Use the fan instead to avoid putting strain on the unit.
Always check out any references that are given to you receive for an HVAC contractor.
Make certain you properly investigate any company prior to hiring them. Check with the BBB and look for reviews of potential companies online. Doing all of this will make sure you hire the best company for your HVAC needs.
Consider have a programmable thermostat. This lowers your heating and cooling bills because your settings to ensure optimal performance.
These qualified energy devices are known to meet strict efficiency guidelines. These are put together by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). They are called the environment and human health. Taking time to fully research various units may help you save a significant amount of money.
Look online for a/c sizing calculators so you can really understand the unit size needed for your home or room. If you make the mistake of purchasing a unit that is too large, it will not cool efficiently. Check the manual it comes with for the information you need.
You may be surprised that as many as two-thirds of households have ducts that leak. These leaky ducts can represent one fourth of your utility costs. Sealing your ducts is both easy and cheap, you can even do it yourself, saving you money on your utility bills every year from then on.
Heating Ducts
How long has the contractor been in business? Companies that are established have been proven, and you can use their track record to to determine if they provide good service. It is riskier to hire someone who does not have a long history.
Keep your HVAC system running efficiently and enjoy clean air by cleaning the heating ducts. Check your heating ducts for damage or openings often. Damaged ducts can raise your heating bill by wasting air that is warm.
Keep your condenser unit protected when it’s getting colder. A nice cover should be placed on top of it to prevent any debris from the weather.
If you don’t know who to call to maintenance, repair, or install your HVAC, search for reviews online. There are quite a few sites now that allow customers to share their experiences with different services. You will be able to make a more informed choice if you do this.
Hvac Maintenance
You now likely see how essential HVAC maintenance is. If you don’t take care of it, it will fail. Hopefully, you’ll keep up the regular HVAC maintenance and won’t ever need to worry about this nightmare gripping you or your home.
Think about having a radiant barrier installed in your attic so support the efficient functioning of your HVAC system. It keeps heat blocked from inside to the outside, and that lowers how much energy it takes to keep your home cool. If it’s done right, the attic can become another useful living space.
