Many people don’t think about their HVAC systems until they all the sudden quit working. It is sometimes tricky to find the right individual to fix or install your HVAC system. The tips that follow will ensure you have no issues with the process.
Know what type of your HVAC system before calling someone to fix it. This helps make sure your contractor will be sufficiently prepared.
If your HVAC is running into problems, try touring your home before calling a professional. This will help the contractor determine what the problem is.
Know what you need before you select an HVAC contractor. A contractor will not be able to give you with an accurate price without accurate information about your system. It will be more difficult for him to assist you can’t figure out what they need to do.
Clean the fan blades and coils each spring to ensure that your condenser fan operates at it’s best. Clean the outside of your condenser as well.
Turn the power off first so you don’t get hurt or break something. Next, pop the grill off, pull out the blades and start cleaning them and the unit itself off gently.
Sae 20 Oil
Lubricate your fan condenser once each year. You can easily find the ports covered with rubber or metal caps. Use SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.
Put outdoor units in places with shade.
It is always a good idea to swap out single pane windows with ones that have double pane ones. This also keeps warm air in the winter months.
During the service check, the serviceman will inspect the unit’s motor, oil the moving parts and check the freon levels in the system. These few simple things will help your system to run at peak performance.
Don’t allow your home temperature get dangerously high. Air conditioners can only really cool down unreasonably high temps. If your home become 100F or more, you’ll only cool down to still above 80. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Research the reputation of companies that you consider using. Check them out at the BBB and look for your situation. Doing all of this will make sure you choose wisely..
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line might also freeze up.If you see this, disable the compressor by turning your thermostat to the fan only setting. You should call a pro to fix this problem, but switching to the fan setting should start to melt the ice.
Look for calculators online to help you determine the size of unit is necessary for your home. Look in the manual or on the recommended size for this information.
Speak with someone close to you to see if they can recommend someone good to service their HVAC contractor.People who’ve had quality work done are usually more than willing to tell of it. This will also help you with good information on which contractors you should avoid hiring.
Contractors determine their own fee levels, so make sure that you acquire multiple estimates. You can save a great deal of money by asking for many quotes. You want to get quotes from at least five contractors to determine what reasonable rates are.
Determine the direction that your home faces in order to establish efficient HVAC operation. The less your home is heated, the less time that the AC has to work.
Measure the living area that requires air conditioning. You will need about 20 BTU per square foot of the room. If you are cooling more than one room, add together their square footage to reach this calculation.
Any HVAC contractor you hire should have a 24-hour emergency number available to customers around the clock. They must be able to reach your home at any time, no matter how extreme the weather or what time of day it may be.
Some contractors attempt to charge you later for things such as material fees and fuel. Having a good written contract will let you avoid these types of issues.
Cover your condenser unit for protection in the winter. This simple cover keeps the condenser operating longer when you’re not using it. Use the fan instead to avoid putting strain on the unit.
Always check any references that you by an HVAC contractor.
You may be surprised that as many as two-thirds of all homes have ducts that leak. This alarming percentage is responsible for nearly one fourth of your total utility expense!It is not difficult to seal your ducts, and it will save you on your bills every month.
Look for an HVAC contractor that use Energy Star products and equipment. This will ensure that the EPA. This means that they can help you save money on utility bills.
Keep your HVAC system running efficiently and enjoy clean air by cleaning the heating ducts from time to time. Look at the ducts regularly so you can make sure there is nothing wrong with them. Damaged ducts increase your energy bill.
Make sure you know where the owner’s manual in handy when your unit is being operated. The information contained within this manual will help you out if you’re dealing with problems.
Now that you are done reading, you know quite a bit more about HVAC systems. If you need to have your existing system repaired or replaced, you will know what to look for and what to avoid. Keep these suggestions in mind in your search for the right system.
