Achieve Better HVAC Success Thanks To This Article
One important thing about a home is how well it gets cooled or heated. That is why it is important to keep your HVAC system healthy. Without proper care, you won't be comfortable in your home and you may spend a fortune. Following is some great advice to aid you in keeping your HVAC working well.
Before you contact people to assist you in getting your system fixed, know what kind of system you're working with in the first place. Learn the brand, model, and if you have it, the maintenance history. This will facilitate the process when your contractor asks for this information.
What do you need done? Know this before calling a contractor. If you can't describe the problem, you may not get an accurate quote. You need to know how to describe any issues. Be sure to find this out ahead of time.
Clean your condenser's fan blades and coils come spring. Shut off power before working or cleaning your system. Additionally, it's important to clear out leaves and other debris from the outside condenser unit.
HVAC units may suffer when leaves are falling off the trees. Clean outdoor units often to remove leaves. The fan must stay clear in order to function, and if it gets blocked, you will have to contend with problems.
If the fan on your condenser includes oil ports, they must be lubricated annually. You'll see that the ports here are closed with a rubber or metal cap. Choose a SAE 20 oil whch is lightweight and non-detergent and place 10 drops or less into each port, ensuring it doesn't overfill.
Put outdoor condensers in the shade. This will help ensure that the AC is pulling in cooler air, reducing the amount of work it has to do and saving you money.
Get your HVAC unit serviced two times per year. This should be checked often for debris and malfunctions. Even though it may seem as nothing is wrong with the unit, a simple inspection can prove otherwise.
If you can, use double-paned windows instead of single-paned ones. Windows that are double pane keep the cool air in and can greatly reduce the amount of time your air conditioner will need to run. This also works during the cold months to keep the warm air inside.
Having a programmable thermostat installed is a money saving idea. If you adjust it to keep the house a little warmer or a little cooler during the time you are sleeping, you may see your energy bill go down by as much as ten percent. In addition, some models make things really easy on you, allowing you to adjust them from the computer.
Don't let your home get overly hot. Your average AC unit can only reduce the temperature in your home by about 20 degrees in a normal span of time. If the temperature in your home rises to 100 degrees F or higher, cooling it will only drop the temperature to 80 degrees F. Depending on how humid it is, this isn't really that safe for a person to sleep in when it's really hot.
When you want a HVAC contractor who is reliable, you need to spend some time in researching the background and reputation of several potential companies. It is a good idea to check with the BBB and look for reviews from prior clients. Doing all of this will make sure you hire the best company for your HVAC needs.
Air conditioners occasionally freeze up, literally. The drain line also occasionally freezes, which can be misdiagnosed as a plumbing leak. When you see ice, turn the unit to fan. It's a good idea to call up professionals to help with this even though you can get the ice to melt when you switch everything to the fan.
If you need a HVAC contractor, try and get recommendations from family and friends. Find someone that has a lot of quality work under their belt. You will also find out who NOT to use!
If you don't know who you should call to repair, install and maintain your HVAC systems, check out reviews online. Many websites allow consumers to share their experience with a service. This is useful for finding people that you wish to work with and those that you don't.
Check out your ductwork for leaks if your whole home isn't being cooled or heated. Your local energy company may do such testing at a reduced cost or maybe even for free. When the leaks are repaired, you'll find that the testing paid for itself.
You should know the facing direction of your home for the most effective placement of the HVAC system. Consider where to place trees to reduce the morning sunlight on your home. A cooler home means less work for your air conditioner.
All of your windows and doors must be air-tight, in order for your HVAC system to run at maximum efficiency. Seal them tightly to prevent air from coming in. You can get these tested at little to no charge by a professional.
Find a HVAC company that knows its stuff. Many reliable companies ensure techs keep their appointments to stay on schedule. The tech will also know how to find the problem quickly. They should offer you answers which can be implemented right away.
Consider what potential direction your air conditioner's flow will have when choosing where to put it. Put it in a corner where the air does not flow into the wall.
Ask a contractor about their experience prior to hiring them. They should have a good history of working with HVAC units. While a worker with less experience may be capable of doing a good job, you will be taking a risk.
Now you will be able to take good care of your HVAC system. Don't ignore it or it could fail on you because you didn't give it regular maintenance. Use what you've learned to keep your system up and running.
