Your HVAC Should Be Working For You, Here’s How

TIP! When you start making calls to get someone to help with your HVAC system, it’s a good idea to know what system you have before that phone call. Write down what brand your system is along with the model number and, if they’re available, maintenance records.

Letting your HVAC system break is not something you want to deal with. You are probably came to this article to learn how to keep your HVAC system running and healthy for a very long time. The article has some helpful tips just for you!

TIP! Before the summer you should clean out your condenser fan’s blades and coils. The power to the unit should be removed before you begin any maintenance, even cleaning.

Know what you want done before you hire a contractor. A contractor will be hard pressed to provide you with an accurate estimate if unfamiliar with your system. It will be way more hard if you over the phone without the information readily available.

Clean the fan blades and coils come spring. Clean the outside of your condenser unit.

TIP! If you have oil ports as part of the fan condenser, annual lubrication is key. These ports have a metal covering.

Be sure to clean external condenser units. You don’t know when things are going to pile up, especially after a windy or rainy storm, and that can ruin your system. It can cause a disaster with your unit.

Grass Clippings

Don’t get grass clippings on your outdoor condenser. Direct the grass clippings away from the HVAC unit. This applies when you are taking care of the leaves in debris.

TIP! Once it grows cold outside, turn off your outside condenser unit. If the temperature drops to under 60 degrees, you risk damage to the unit if you leave it on.

Leaves falling from trees can wreak havoc with your system. Make sure you clean out your fan grill often during the fall. The fan must not have anything in the way so that air can flow into it, and if it becomes blocked, you will end up with many headaches with the unit.

Put outdoor condensers in the shade if you are installing them.

TIP! Never allow the temperature in your home to rise to a dangerously high level. A simple AC unit will usually only cool the home around 20 degrees within a short period of time.

Turn off your outdoor condenser units when weather turns cold. This means that you should be done when the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit. This simple tip will help keep the system working for years and save you a lot on repairs.

It is a good idea to swap out single pane windows for double panes. This same effect also helps retain heated air during the colder months.

TIP! If you need recommendations for an HVAC contractor, check online. Many websites allow consumers to share their experience with a service.

When they come out for a service visit, the motor will be inspected, and they will oil all the moving parts. These few simple things will keep your system running smoothly.

TIP! Before you hire a contractor, make sure you get different quotes. If you call around before making a final decision, it can save you a lot of money in the end.

Never let your home to rise to a dangerously hot temperature. Air conditioners really can only cool down a home by 20 degrees. If your home happens to get near 100 degrees Fahrenheit, it will only cool off to about 80F. This is not a healthy environment to live in.

TIP! Do you need a new cooling system? There are several things you should consider. These machines are categorized according to the space they are able to efficiently heat and cool.

Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line might also freeze up.If this is something that’s happening to you, try switching your thermostat to just the fan so that it disables the compressor. If this doesn’t work, call in help.

Look for calculators online to truly understand what size of unit you need for your home. Look at the manual to determine the manufacturer website for this information.

TIP! If you would like your HVAC unit to be more efficient, simply look at where the front of your home faces. Strategically placed trees outside your home can block out the morning sun which can cause your home to overheat.

Think about having a radiant barrier in your attic so your HVAC system. It blocks outside heat from coming in which will serve as a barrier between your home and the outside. You could even find that you can use the attic space if it is done right.

TIP! To run your HVAC at full efficiency, you must have efficient doors and windows in place as well. Seal them tightly to prevent air from coming in.

Are you thinking about buying a cooling and heating system that’s new? You could keep a few things into account. Systems have ratings according to the total area they can effectively cool and heat. You are wise to err on the side of a unit rather than purchasing one that is a bit too small.

TIP! When thinking of what kind of air conditioner you should get, you should measure the area that you need to cool. The area’s calculation can help you figure out what the size is and there are 20 BTUs for every foot squared in this area.

Check the ducts to find any leaks if your unit seems to not be working efficiently. When you repair the leaks, the testing will pay for itself in energy savings.

TIP! The most important thing to do to your HVAC system each month is replace the air filter. This is an easy and essential thing to do.

If there’s a clicking in your HVAC unit, immediately start looking for any obstructions. Often the issue is some sort of debris hitting the fans in your cooling system. Check this out yourself first before you call in the professionals.

Make sure they are tightly sealed so air inside. You can hire a professional.

TIP! When placing your unit, think about the direction the air will flow from the unit. Put it in a corner where the air does not flow into the wall.

Measure the living area that needs cooling before buying a unit. You can easily calculate this by using the formula: 20 BTU for each square footage of room space. If you have a lot of rooms to keep cool, sum their areas.

Ask a contractor about their experience.You need to verify they have done the sort of experience needed to work you require.

Always follow up on any references that are given to you by a prospective HVAC contractor.

TIP! Your contractor should perform a heat loss calculation when coming to give you an estimate. This information is used to determine the number of BTUs your system should be.

Consider a programmable thermostat installed.This will save you a lot of money in terms of energy because it allows your system some downtime while you are warm in your bed.

TIP! Consider have a programmable thermostat installed. You can save money while you sleep by lowering the thermostat and lower your power bill at the same time.

You may be surprised that as many as two-thirds of households have ducts that are leaky. This equals up to 25% of your utility costs. Sealing your ducts is both easy and cheap, you can even do it yourself, and it can reduce your electricity bills significantly every year thereafter.

TIP! The owner’s manual should be kept in a safe and easy to locate place. This manual has a lot of tips and tricks that are unique to your unit and may be essential if you experience a serious problem.

Seek a HVAC contractors that only use products that carry the Energy Star equipment and products. This ensures efficiency that the EPA. This can help you reduce your energy bills during the year.

Make sure that your condenser unit is protected once the weather begins to get colder.This may be accomplished by putting a thick cover on it.

TIP!

Make sure that you know where the owner’s and operator’s manuals about your HVAC system is running. The information contained within this manual will help you out if you’re dealing with problems.

Hvac System

TIP!

You should now have a good understanding of how important it is to maintain your HVAC system correctly. When your HVAC system breaks, it is going to cost you a lot. Use the tips you’ve just been given to keep yours in working order.