Heating and cooling units can be a great thing, but what do you do when they start to fail? To prevent a situation like this from mushrooming into a disaster, it is helpful to read up on the topic in advance. This article will help any conscientious homeowner hire the right contractor.
Before choosing a HVAC company find out what the company offers. It’s hard to get an estimate since they haven’t look at your system. It will be even harder if you cannot explain what you have done. Understand this information beforehand.
Keep your outdoor units free of debris when your cutting grass. Try shooting the clippings away from it. The same should happen if you are blowing leaves, so be especially careful when you are going by your exterior HVAC devices whenever you are moving debris.
When the leaves start to fall, the HVAC equipment can be harmed. At least twice a week, you need to clean the grill of your fan. Otherwise, the unit will have to work unnecessarily hard.
Many homeowners forget to oil their condenser at least once per year, but it is required. You will notice these ports have a rubber or metal cap covering them. Put 10 drops of lightweight, non-detergent SAE oil in each port. Be careful not to use too much.
It’s a good idea to put your outdoor compressor in a shady area. In this way, it will be cooling air that is already somewhat cooled. This saves energy.
Have the HVAC system serviced twice per year. This should be checked often for debris and malfunctions. Even though it may seem as nothing is wrong with the unit, a simple inspection can prove otherwise.
Replace any single-paned windows with double-paned versions. You can reduce your energy costs from energy leaking out through your windows by installing window that are double-paned. Conversely, this also works to keep warm air in during colder months.
Programmable Thermostat
Equipping your home with a programmable thermostat can be an excellent way to cut utility costs. A programmable thermostat can save you up to ten percent on your cooling and heating costs by simply turning the thermostat back ten to fifteen percent for eight hours a day. Additionally, some programmable thermostats can be controlled remotely using a web-connected device.
In order to keep energy costs down, make sure heating and cooling systems are services at least once per year. An HVAC specialist will inspect the entire system, including the oil, the motor, and the ducts. Those things are going to help your system at peak performance.
If nobody is home, turn off the AC. By raising the temperature from, for example 78 to 80, your house will be warmer, but only up to 80 before your AC kicks in. If you decide to set the temperature to 82 or 83 or so on, your AC won’t go on until it reaches that temperature. Leaving the system on all day will cost a lot of money in terms of electricity.
Ask people you know for recommendations if you need to hire a contractor for an HVAC system. People usually love to boast about the wonderful work they have had done, so you should be given great leads to follow. This can also help you learn the names of those companies that you should avoid.
Each contractor establishes his own fees, so before you hire one, obtain a few estimates. Making some phone calls before deciding is a good way to save money. Ideally, you should call five to six contractors to get a good idea of what a reasonable rate is.
The home’s heating and cooling system is integral if you want to be comfortable. However, homeowners who are educated in basic heating and cooling maintenance can overcome many of the issues that may arise during trying times. These tips have armed you with all you need to know.