Coming home to an HVAC unit is no fun. The following tips that follow will assist you in this process.
Know the name and type of your HVAC system before calling someone to fix it. This helps make sure the contractor will be sufficiently prepared.
If your HVAC system is acting up, do a tour of your house before you call in help. This information will help the repairman determine what the problem is and how to fix it.
Know what you want done before you hire a contractor. It will be hard for a contractor to give you a price estimate over the phone if they have not seen your current setup is. It will be more hard if you can’t figure out what they need to do.
Clean the debris off your outdoor condenser units. You don’t know when things are going to pile up, especially after a windy or rainy storm, and that can throw a wrench in your system. It could overheat and cause your system to malfunction by overheating.
Turn it off first so nothing moves. Next, pop the grill off, pull out the blades and start cleaning them and the unit itself off gently.
10 Drops
Lubricate the oil ports on your fan condenser at least once each year. You can find these ports 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 unit in the shade if you are installing them.
Have your heating and cooling system inspected twice per year. This should be checked often for debris and again in the spring.
During a maintenance visit, the contractor will oil parts, inspect the motor and the freon levels. These simple tasks will help keep your HVAC system to run its best.
Research and check the companies that you consider using. Check with different references to determine the BBB and online reviews as well. These simple steps will help ensure you make the smartest and most informed choice.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line may also freeze over. If this happens, try switching your thermostat to just the fan so that it disables the compressor. You can call a HVAC professional, but switching to the fan setting should start to melt the ice.
Ask your friends and family for their HVAC contractor recommendations. People who have had quality work done are often happy to share the name of their contractor. This is also a great way to get names of companies that should avoid.
Contractors charge different rates, so make sure you get quotes from several contractors before you make any hiring decision. You can save a lot of money by doing your homework. You should try to contact 5 to 6 contractors to find out what reasonable rates are.
Think about having a radiant barrier installed in your attic so support the efficient functioning of your HVAC system can run better. It will make sure you won’t have to use more energy to keep your home and the outside. You could even use the attic space if it is done right.
Are you considering purchasing a new heating/cooling system? You will need to take a few important things. Systems are given ratings by how well the system is able to cool and heat an area well. You are better off purchasing a bigger unit that is slightly too large for your needs than a bit too small.
If you HVAC unit is making a clicking sound, look for an obstruction. Often it is being caused by debris that’s hitting the fans in the cooling system. Check it out before you waste time contacting a professional.
Pick an HVAC business that is fast and works quickly to solve the problem. The best companies will ensure that their technicians working honestly and on schedule. A knowledgeable technician should also easily diagnose any problems with your HVAC unit quickly. Once they know what’s wrong, they will also be able to quickly and efficiently resolve it.
Any HVAC contractor you hire should have an emergency hotline. They need to be able to come to a home when needed, even if when the weather gets to be extreme.
Some contractors attempt to add charges on later for fuel or extra material. A written contract will prevent this materializes.
Always check any references that are given to you by an HVAC contractor.
This will determine how many BTUs will be used.
These energy devices are known to meet strict efficiency guidelines. These are set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. They are called the environment and human health. Taking the time to look into these units may help you save a significant amount of money.
Choose a contractor that prefers Energy Star units. This ensures efficiency that the EPA. This can help you money on your expenses throughout the year.
Make sure the owner’ manual in handy when you use the unit. The information contained within this manual is going to give you quite a few things to learn about the unit you have and will help you out if you’re dealing with problems.
Keep your HVAC unit healthy by using the tips shared here. It’s frustrating to come home after a long day to find out your system doesn’t work. And high repair costs on top of that just compounds the issues. This can all be prevented now that you have solid information from this article. Keep this advice close to you while you work on an HVAC system to be successful.