Many people struggle with the basic concepts of maintaining their HVAC system, but don’t know how to take care of them. Learning about selecting the ins and outs of choosing an HVAC professional replacement or repair your system is a wise move for any smart thing homeowners can do. The following article will get you started.
Clean the fan blades and coils each spring to ensure that your condenser fan operates at it’s best. Clean off any leaves or debris from your condenser unit regularly.
Clean the debris off your outdoor condensers often. You don’t know when things are going to pile up, like right after it’s windy or rains, and that can throw a wrench in your system. It can also cause the unit to overheat and break down.
Turn it off 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.
Grass Clippings
Don’t let grass clippings on your outside unit. Direct the grass clippings in a direction away from the equipment. This applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in the yard.
Leaves falling from trees can damage your HVAC unit. Make sure you clean out your fan grill often during the fall. The fan needs unobstructed air flow, and if it becomes blocked, it could cause your system to break down.
Lubricate the oil ports on your condenser once a year. You can easily find these ports as they have a rubber or metal cap. Use a lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.
Turn off outdoor condenser when it’s getting cold. This should turn it off to prevent damage if the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit. This can ensure your unit is working for years and save you a lot on repairs.
When it’s checked out, oil the parts that move, moving parts well oiled and the level of freon adjusted if necessary. These few simple things will keep your system running at its peak performance.
Never allow your home to get dangerously high level. Air conditioners can only reduce the indoor temperature 20 degrees or so within a reasonable time limit. If the temperature in your home rises to 100 degrees F or higher, it will only cool off to about 80F. This won’t be a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.
Look for air conditioner sizing calculators online to help you determine the size of unit is necessary for your home. Look in the manual to determine the recommended size for air conditioners.
Companies that are well established 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.
Contractors charge different rates, so make sure you get quotes from several contractors before you make any hiring decision. You can save tons of cash simply by doing your homework. You may want to get quotes from at least a handful of contractors in order to know what reasonable rates are.
Check the ducts to find any leaks if your unit seems to not up to snuff. When you have leaks repaired, you’ll find that the testing paid for itself.
Determine the direction that your home faces in order to establish efficient HVAC operation. The less your home is heated, the fewer occasions you have to use your air conditioner.
If you hear a clicking noise coming from your HVAC unit, immediately check for any type of obstruction. Often it is being caused by debris that’s hitting the fans in the cooling system. Check the fan and coil before spending on a repairman.
Make sure they have tight seals to keep air can’t seep in. You can get these tested at little to no charge by a professional to test them all for you and often this testing is free.
Replace the air filter monthly to keep your HVAC system every month. This is the production of your unit running in tip top shape.
Any HVAC contractor you hire should have a 24-hour emergency number available to customers around the clock. They need to be able to come to you when they are needed, no matter what.
Some contractors will attempt to charge you later for fuel or extra material. A written contract will prevent this materializes.
Cover your condenser when the winter. This will allow it to last longer when you’re not in use. Use the fan setting only to avoid putting strain on the condenser unit.
Always follow up on any references that are given to you by an HVAC contractor.
Consider have a programmable thermostat. This can save you a great deal on your heating and cooling bills as it constantly adjusts your lifestyle.
These units meet the strict efficiency guidelines. These are put in place by the US. They are called the environment and human health. Taking time to fully research various units may help you save a significant amount of money.
You might be surprised to discover that as many as two-thirds of households have ducts that are leaky. These can represent one fourth of your utility costs. Sealing the ducts is something you can do easily and cheaply, and it may reduce energy costs greatly in the future.
When your HVAC works correctly, your home will be comfortable. But, if you don’t have the right knowledge when it comes to hiring the right repairman, you can get a lot of frustration when breaks. Thankfully, the tips above can assist a homeowner with their HVAC system.