A great HVAC system can mean the difference between comfort and discomfort in a home so you have to be sure you maintain this equipment right at all times. A lot of people spend quite a bit to fix things when they don’t work right, but could have avoided such issues if they had maintained them properly. The following article will help you maximize your HVAC system.
If you’ve been having trouble with an HVAC system, tour your home before calling a technician. This will help the repairman determine where the problem is.
Know what work you want done before you hire a contractor. It will be hard for an HVAC contractor to give you with an estimate on the phone if they have not seen your current setup is. It will be more hard if you over the phone without the information readily available.
Clean your fan blades and coils come spring. Clean the outside of your condenser as well.
Turn the power off first so you don’t get hurt or break something. Then, pop off its grills, pull the blades out, and gently clean them as well as the unit itself.
Your HVAC unit may suffer when trees lose their leaves.Make sure you clean out your fan grill is cleaned often once nearby trees start shedding their leaves. The fan needs to have an unobstructed path for air to enter the unit, and if it becomes blocked, you’ll have a lot of headaches eventually.
Lubricate your fan condenser yearly if it has oil ports. They are usually fitted with a rubber or metal cap on them. Use a lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.
Be sure to have the HVAC unit in your home checked about two times every year. This should be done in the fall and malfunctions.
During this service visit, the serviceman will inspect the unit’s motor, oil the moving parts and check the freon levels in the system. These simple tasks will help keep your system.
Companies that are around awhile have a better record than those that can help you decide if they’re worth your money and time. Hiring a contractor may be taking a considerable risk.
Ask people that you know and relations for contractor recommendations. People that have had quality work done are usually more than willing to share the information they know about it. This can also a great way to get names of those companies that you should be avoided.
Think about having a radiant barrier installed in your attic so your HVAC system can run better. It blocks outside heat from coming in which will serve as a barrier between your home cool when it’s hot outside. You could even find that you can use the attic space if it is done right.
Check for duct leaks if your existing system is not be working efficiently. When you get leaks repaired, the testing will pay for itself in energy savings.
Figure out the direction your home is facing so your HVAC system more efficient. The less heat, the less time that the AC has to work.
Make sure they have tight seals to keep air inside. A professional can sometimes test the windows and many times the testing is free.
Measure the living area that requires air conditioning. You can usually substitute 20 BTU for each square footage of the area to be cooled. If you need to cool multiple rooms, just add their total square footage.
Replace the air filter monthly to keep your HVAC system every month. This is the production of your HVAC.
If you have to put the unit in a corner, make certain that the air does not point towards a wall.
Ask any potential contractor about their experience prior to hiring them. You need to know that they have the sort of experience needed to work you require.
Any HVAC contractor you hire should have an emergency hotline. They should be there when you need them, whether during a heatwave or a terrible snowstorm.
Some contractors will attempt to add charges on material fees and other charges. Having a solid written contract will help avoid issues like this.
Cover your condenser in the winter time. This helps the condenser operating longer when not in use. Use the fan instead to avoid putting strain on the unit.
This needs to be factored in when figuring out the number of BTUs your system has to be.
You may be surprised to discover that as many as two-thirds of households have ducts that leak. This equals up to 25% of your utility costs. Sealing your ducts is both easy and cheap, and it is something you can do yourself, and it can reduce your electricity bills significantly every year thereafter.
Heating Ducts
Keep your system running efficiently by cleaning the heating ducts from time to time. Check your heating ducts for damage or openings often. Ducts that are damaged can increase your heating bill by wasting the area warm.
Always get estimates for HVAC services. These estimates need to be written down on paper. There are many jobs that require you have to get written estimates for to see what they take. This procedure helps you get great service. Compare all of the estimates you are offered.
As stated above, your HVAC system is very important and you need to keep it running right. You can save money by using the advice above. But it is your responsibility to take your HVAC system seriously and keep it in good shape.