Even though it is very important to have an HVAC system that runs optimally, most homeowners are clueless about doing this. Learning about selecting the ins and outs of choosing an HVAC professional to maintain or repair your system is a smart homeowner. The following article here is going to assist you.
Know what type of system before calling someone to fix it. This will enable you can give your chosen contractor any information they might need.
If you are having issues with your HVAC, check out each room in your house before calling for assistance. This will help the contractor determine where the problem is and how to fix it.
Clean your fan blades and coils prior to summertime. Clean the outdoor condenser unit regularly.
Be sure to clean debris from external condenser units. Debris can pile up after a storm, and this can foul up the inner workings of your system.It can also cause your system to malfunction by overheating.
Turn it off so nothing moves.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 your trees start to lose leaves. Make sure you clean out your fan grill is cleaned frequently when the leaves begin to fall. The fan must be unobstructed to work properly, and if debris is blocking this air flow, you will end up with many headaches with the unit.
10 Drops
Lubricate the oil ports on your condenser at least once a year. These are usually covered with rubber or metal cap. Use SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, putting 10 drops in each port.
Put your outdoor units in the shade if you are installing them.
Be sure to have the HVAC system checks. This should be checked often for debris and the spring.
Turn off any outdoor condenser units when the weather gets cold. This means that you should be done when the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This can keep your system last much longer and will have to be repaired less often.
Don’t let your home get way too hot. Air conditioners really can cool a home down about 20 degrees in a reasonable amount of time. If your home become 100F or more, you will only be able to cool it down to 80. This won’t be a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.
Look for calculators online to truly understand what size of unit you need for your home. Look at the manual or on the recommended size for this information.
Companies that are well established have track records typically provide better service. Hiring a new contractor who is just starting out can be risky.
Think about having a radiant barrier in your attic so your HVAC system can run better. It blocks outside heat from coming in which will make sure you won’t have to use more energy to keep your home cool when it’s hot or cold as it should be. You could even find that you can use the attic as part of your living space if it is done right.
Do you wish to buy a new HVAC unit? You need to think about a few things into account. Systems have ratings according to how large an area they effectively heat or cool. You are wise to err on the side of a bigger unit that is slightly too large for your needs than purchasing one that is a smaller one.
Check the ducts to find any leaks if you you feel your unit seems to not be working efficiently. When the leaks are repaired, you may see that the testing pays for itself.
Make sure they have tight seals to keep air inside. You can also hire someone to test things and a lot of the time the testing costs nothing.
Ask any potential contractor about their experience prior to hiring them. You need to verify they have the sort of work you require.
Always request references from a contractor.
There are contractors out there that will overcharge you. Having a signed contract will help you avoid issues like that.
Cover your condenser unit for protection in the weather becomes less than optimal. This simple cover keeps the condenser operating longer when not using it. Use the fan instead to avoid putting strain on the unit.
This will determine how much BTU your system requires to keep the environment of your home comfortable.
You may be surprised that as many as two-thirds of all homes have ducts that leak. These can lead to as much as twenty five percent of what you pay for utilities. 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.
Keep your HVAC system running efficiently by cleaning the heating ducts from time to time. Look at the ducts to make sure they are in good shape. Damaged ducts can raise your electric bill.
Keep your condenser protected in cold weather. This can be done by placing a cover on the condenser unit.
There aren’t many things that can help you more with your home than an HVAC system that works in the right way. You will need to find a quality professional to install it though. Fortunately, by using the information you learned here, homeowners can know just what needs to be done.