It is not easy for many homeowners to know where to go when their heating or cooling system isn’t working properly. To prevent real inconvenience and misery, it is helpful to read up on the topic in advance. This article was put together to help conscientious homeowners get the help they need for their HVAC unit.
Know what type of system before looking for a repair person. This will enable you can give your chosen contractor any information they might need.
Clean your condenser’s fan and coils when the weather begins to warm. Clean the outside of your condenser unit.
Grass Clippings
Don’t get grass clippings pile up against your outdoor condenser. Aim your grass clippings in the other direction. This also applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in the yard.
Leaves falling from trees can wreak havoc with your system. Make sure the unit’s fan grill is cleaned often during the fall. The fan must stay clear in order to function, and if it becomes blocked, then your system could suffer.
Lubricate the oil ports on your condenser at least once a year. You will notice these ports as they have a rubber or metal cap. Use a lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.
Have your heating and cooling system serviced twice per year. This should be checked often for debris and the spring.
It is always a good idea to replace single-paned windows for double panes. This will also help you save a lot of money.
Install a thermostat to save energy costs. Some can even be controlled from a PC or other device.
During this service visit, professionals can help by inspecting the system’s motor, the moving parts will be oiled and the freon levels will be checked These few simple things will keep your system running smoothly.
Research and check the companies before hiring them. Check them out at the BBB and look for your situation. These steps can help ensure you make a better decision.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line may also freeze over. If this is something you notice, change the setting on your thermostat to the fan setting and this will disable the compressor. You should leave the repair to a professional, but switching to the fan will make the ice melt.
Look for calculators online to truly understand what size of unit is necessary for your home. Look in the manual to determine the manufacturer website for air conditioners.
There are a number of great sites now that let customers talk about how they were treated by services. This is useful for finding people that you are interested in dealing with as well as those that you want to avoid.
Contractors are responsible for their own charges and fees, so make sure that you acquire multiple estimates. You can save some money if you make several calls prior to reaching a final decision. Call around 5 contractors so that you can get the rates are.
Think about getting a radiant barrier installed in your attic so support the efficient functioning of your HVAC system. It blocks outside heat from coming in which will serve as a barrier between your home and the outside. You may even find that you can use your attic as part of your living space if it is done right.
Replace the air filter in your HVAC system working well.This is the easiest step to take to ensure that you can do to keep your unit running in tip top shape.
Pick an HVAC business that understands the unit and can work quickly. The best companies will ensure that their technicians stay on schedule. A licensed technician should also have no problem diagnosing any potential faults with your HVAC. After diagnosis, they resolve issues swiftly.
Always request references before hiring any contractor.
Some contractors attempt to overcharge you on material fees and fuel. Having a written contract can help to avoid issues like that.
Cover your condenser unit for protection in the weather becomes less than optimal.This can help your condenser last longer when it is not in use. Use the fan instead to avoid putting strain on the unit.
This will help you to figure out how many BTUs the new system has to be.
You may be surprised that as much as 66% of all homes have ducts that are leaky. These leaky ducts can account for up to one fourth of your home’s utility costs. Sealing up your ducts is cheap and easy, and it is something you can do yourself, and it can reduce your electricity bills significantly every year thereafter.
Look for an HVAC contractors that use Energy Star equipment and equipment. This will ensure that the EPA standards for efficiency. This means that they can help you save money on your expenses throughout the year.
Keep your HVAC system running efficiently and enjoy clean air by cleaning the heating ducts from time to time. Look often at the ducts to make sure they are in good shape.Damaged ducts increase the energy bill and waste warm air.
It is indisputable that a collapse of a home’s heating or cooling system during the depths of winter or the sweltering days of summer can be a real mess for any homeowner. However, with the right information, such disasters can be avoided. The tips in this article will help you make smart decisions about your HVAC system.
