A properly functioning HVAC system is an important for your home. 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 tips in this article discusses what you need to know about HVAC systems.
Know what type of system before looking for a repair person. This makes sure the contractor will be sufficiently prepared.
If you have some problems with the HVAC system, take a tour of the house prior to calling a professional. This will help the repairman determine what the problem is and how to fix it.
Know what you want done before you select an HVAC contractor. It will be difficult for a contractor to provide you a price estimate on the phone without knowing what your current system. It will be way more hard if you don’t know what’s wrong.
Clean any debris on an external condenser unit. You never know when things can pile up, like right after it’s windy or rains, and that can throw a wrench in your system. It can cause your system by overheating.
Turn the power off first so nothing moves. Then, pop off its grills, pull the blades out, and gently clean them as well as the unit itself.
Your HVAC system could suffer when trees start to lose their leaves. Make sure the unit’s fan grill is cleaned often during the leaves begin to fall. The fan must not have anything in the way so that air can flow into it, and if it is clogged, you will have to contend with problems.
Lubricate your condenser once each year. You will notice these ports covered with rubber or metal cap covering them. Use a lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.
Put your outdoor units in places with shade.
Have your HVAC system checked twice a year at least yearly. This should be checked often for debris and the spring.
Turn off outdoor condensers you have when the weather turns cold. This means that you should turn it off to prevent damage if the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This will help keep the life of your unit.
Never allow the temperature in your home to get dangerously hot inside. An AC unit is really only able to reduce the internal temperature of your home approximately twenty degrees in a short time span. If your home gets above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, cooling it will only drop the temperature to 80 degrees F. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Companies that are around awhile have a better record than those that can help you decide if they’re worth your money and time. It is riskier to hire a contractor with little experience.
Ask for helpful information when you can find a HVAC contractor. People who’ve had a good experience are often happy to share the name of their contractor. This can also a great way to get names of companies that should avoid.
Contractors charge different rates, so make sure to get multiple quotes. You should save a great deal of money this way. You want to get quotes from at least five contractors in order to know what you should be paying.
Check the ducts to find any leaks if you you feel your unit seems to not be working efficiently. When you get leaks repaired, the testing has paid for itself.
Make certain they are tightly sealed so air can’t seep in. You can hire someone to test them all for you and often this testing is free.
If you have to place it in a corner of your home, try buying a unit that lets you change its air flow direction away from your wall.
Ask any potential contractor about their experience prior to hiring them. You need to verify they have done the type of experience needed to work you require.
There are some contractors out there that try to charge you more later for such things like material fees and fuel charges. Having a good written contract will let you avoid these types of issues.
This determines the number of BTUs needed to maintain comfort in your system has to be.
Look for HVAC contractor that uses Energy Star products and products. This will ensure that is required by the EPA. This means that in the end you can save a bit of money on energy all year.
Clean your ducts on a regular basis. Check your ducts weekly. Damaged ducts can raise your energy bill.
Keep your condenser protected in cold weather. A thick cover should be placed on top of it to prevent any debris from the weather.
Make sure that you know where the owner’s and operator’s manuals about your HVAC system in a convenient place.The manual will be very useful.
Be sure you get an estimate that’s written HVAC estimates. These estimates should be written out.There are quite a few jobs that you to get written estimates of the cost.This can ensure you receive good service. Compare various elements of the deals that you receive.
Your HVAC helps you to stay comfortable in your home. Thankfully, the tips you just read will help save you from costly repairs. But it is up to you to follow them, so you don’t find yourself in the position to shell out thousands of dollars fixing something that could have been prevented.