When you hear anything about HVAC, it may sound really complicated to you. This is due to the fact that so much goes into these things. Lucky for the average homeowner, the internet has plenty of information on the subject.
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. It is important to understand what model it is and which brand it is. Also, if it has been serviced before, you should have that information handy. If you have to have someone come out to repair the unit, you will be able to help the contractor understand more about what is going on.
What do you need done? Know this before calling a contractor. A contractor cannot give an accurate estimate without looking at your system. If you can’t explain anything to them, this will be even more difficult. You need to know this before you begin.
Your outside condenser fan can be helped to run better by you cleaning the fan blades and coils prior to summer starting up. The power to the unit should be removed before you begin any maintenance, even cleaning. Clean off any leaves or debris from your external condenser unit.
Be sure to clean the fan blades and coils of the condenser fan. Be sure to turn the power off first; you don’t want anything to move. Then, take off the grill and get the blades out. Clean everything with care.
When you’re trying to cut your grass, don’t cover a unit outside with the clippings. Direct the clippings away from the equipment. This includes grass clippings and leaves.
The operation of your HVAC system can be in danger when the tree leaves begin to fall. Frequently clean the fan grill when trees are shedding leaves. If your fan is obstructed, it can keep your system from working properly.
If you want to know where you should put an outdoor compressor, you should place it somewhere where there is a lot of shade. In this way, it will be cooling air that is already somewhat cooled. This saves energy.
Boost energy efficiency by putting your condenser unit in the shade. As you get your air conditioner to suck in cool air it won’t have to do too much work to cool it which saves you some money.
Turn off your outdoor condenser when it becomes cold out. If the outside temp is under 60 degrees, turn the unit off to prevent damage. Doing this keeps your system working well for years and saves you from having to spend money to repair it.
To help keep your energy costs down, have your heating and cooling system serviced at least once a year. This visit will include a motor inspection and checking the freon. This ensures your system runs smoothly.
Don’t allow your home to become dangerously hot. AC units will only cool a house down 20 degrees. If the temperature in your home rises above 100 degrees, you will only be able to cool it down to 80. With high humidity, this is an unsafe temperature even for sleeping.
Research multiple contractors before choosing one. Look at review sites and check with the BBB. Investing the time to check out potential contractors can save you money and headaches.
Look for air conditioner sizing calculators online to truly understand what size of unit is necessary for your room or home. If you buy something too large it won’t be efficient as it cools the same. Look in the manual or on the manufacturer website for this information.
How long has the contractor been in business? Companies that are established have been proven, and you can use their track record to to determine if they provide good service. It’s a risk to hire a new one.
If you don’t know who you should contact to do your HVAC maintenance or any installations, look online to see if you can find reviews. There are plenty of online websites that give people the opportunity to leave comments about the service they received. This will make it easier for you to find the right contractor.
You shouldn’t rely on a single quote from one contractor to gauge the cost, because different specialists set their own price. This can help you to save money by knowing what people are charging. Call around to find out what the rates are.
The above article has given you some HVAC knowledge. Take all that you’ve just read into account when working on any system. You will be happy that you did.