Not many people look forward to a malfunctioning heater or air conditioner. Your HVAC system is a key component to your living space, so it is vital that you take good care of it. Use the recommendations below as part of your approach to maintaining your HVAC system.
Before making that repair phone call, make sure you know the specifics about your particular system. Get information on the make and model, plus if you have information on the history of maintenance, that will help, too. This information will be helpful to any contractor you hire to repair it.
Before contacting a repair service, do a short tour of the entire home. Make a list of the temperatures in each room and whether they are hot or cold. This will allow a contractor to quickly figure out what the issue is and how it can be fixed fast.
It is important to have some knowledge of your present system and needs before calling a contractor. Providing you with an accurate estimate over the telephone may be difficult to impossible is they can’t see the system you have. If you don’t have any idea, they will have trouble giving you any sort of quote. So, have this information ready.
Before you hire an HVAC contractor, have some sort of idea of the work that needs to be done. You can’t get a decent estimate over a telephone, so disregard those numbers and wait until they view your system. If you are unable to explain the work that needs to be taken care of, the conversation will be even less fruitful. This is information that you should have prepared in advance.
Don’t let your outdoor HVAC units get smothered with clippings anytime you mow the yard. Make sure the grass does not get in your unit. This also applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in debris.
Make sure that you regularly clean debris that might build up on external condenser units. Your HVAC system may run into problems after storms if it is surrounded by debris. Left unchecked, your unit is more likely to break down.
If there are oil ports on your fan condenser, lubricate it annually. These are usually covered with rubber or metal caps. Buy an SAE 20 product that is lightweight, and then put no more than ten drops into the ports.
Keep your outdoor units free of debris when you are mowing the lawn. Shoot the grass away from the unit. This applies when you are taking care of the leaves in the yard.
In order for your new unit to be as efficient as possible, or to make older units more efficient, make sure it’s put in a shaded area. This will help you save on your energy bill.
Put outdoor units in the shade if you are installing them. It will reduce the temperature of the air going into the unit, meaning that it will not have to work as hard to cool it.
Consumers are usually advised to have their HVAC systems inspected twice a year. Checks in the spring as well as in autumn are the best. It doesn’t matter if your unit seems to be properly working, it is still advisable that you perform maintenance and resolve any potential problems.
You need to have a contractor review your unit twice a year. The ideal thing to do would be to have it checked out in the fall and spring so you’re able to figure out if everything is ready for the cold and hot months. Regular inspection will help you avoid unexpected repairs.
Replace single pane windows by installing double pane, if possible. Double pane windows can help minimize how much you use your air conditioner in the summer, because they keep cool air inside the home. This also works during the cold months to keep the warm air inside.
Pane Windows
Have a smart thermostat installed. This will help you to keep the temperature at optimal levels. Additionally, these items can be controlled remotely through your computer.
It is always a good idea to swap out single pane windows for double pane ones. Double pane windows will allow you to use less air during the summer because cooler air will stay in your house. Your home will also stay warmer in the winter.
Service your HVAC unit at least one time a year. When they come out for a service visit, expect inspections of freon levels and the motor, and they will oil all the moving parts. Small problems can occur in any of these areas and lead to serious issues if ignored for too long.
If nobody is home, turn off the AC. Sure, the temp will rise, but no one is home anyway. When the AC is left running, your power bill will go up quite a bit.
To help you pick a good HVAC contractor, be sure to research a number of different companies. The BBB is always great when you are looking for references or online reviews. Investing the time to check out potential contractors can save you money and headaches.
Don’t let your home get way too hot to where it’s dangerous. Air conditioners can only really cool your home down 20 degrees or so within a reasonable time period. If the temperature in your home reaches 100 degree Fahrenheit, it will only reduce it to 80 or more. You may suffer adverse effects from letting the house get that hot, too.
Some air conditioners can ice up. You may even mistake the frozen drains as an issue for a plumber. If you see this, put the fan on to shut the compressor off. You can call a HVAC professional, but switching to the fan will make the ice melt.
Problems with an air conditioning unit happen when it ices up. Many times people think there is a plumbing leak, but instead the drain line has water that is frozen. Turn your unit to the fan setting to turn off the compressor. The fan setting can help melt some of the ice, but you should still call a professional to check your unit out.
To know how large of an air conditioner you need, look for a calculator online. Proper sizing will increase efficiency. Always look through the manual as well.
Before you hire a contractor, make sure you get different quotes. By calling around and asking a few different contractors, you can save a ton of money. Call around 5 contractors so that you can get the best deal possible.
Prior to hiring any HVAC contractor, you should ask how long their business has operated. A company that has been in business for a long time will have a solid track record, and you can use this to figure out if you should spend your money with them. If you choose to hire a new contractor, you may be risking things.
Are you looking at purchasing a HVAC system? There are things you must consider first. For example, the ratings on most systems describe how much space they can work to cool or heat. Be sure to choose a slightly too large system over a too small of one.
Make certain that you get written estimates before you hire a contractor. By calling around and asking a few different contractors, you can save a ton of money. Contact a minimum of five contractors so you can determine realistically what the price will be.
Determine which way your home faces in order to establish efficient HVAC operation. Consider where to place trees to reduce the morning sunlight on your home. When there is less heat inside your home, the air conditioner will not have to work as hard.
Determine the direction your home is facing to help get your HVAC system functioning efficiently. You can help keep your home cool with the strategic placement of trees. The less your home is heated, the less you’ll have to use your air conditioner to cool things off.
Use the techniques presented in the article you have just read. It’s frustrating to come home after a long day to find out your system doesn’t work. Your stress will only be compounded when you find out how much it will cost to fix. Use these tips to help avoid costly problems. Use these tips when you are dealing with your HVAC system.
Make certain that you hire an experienced contractor with a good reputation. Companies that are most reliable stick to the appointment time they give you. An experienced person will quickly know what is going on with your unit. After diagnosis, they should then know how to deal with the problem.
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