Good running HVACs are important to any house, which is why you must have the equipment properly maintained. The cost of fixing a system is high while maintaining it could save you that money. This article was designed to help you learn as much as needed about HVAC systems to properly care for them all year long.
Understand what you want before talking to a contractor. A contractor will not be able to give you an accurate price without accurate information about your system. If you don’t have any idea, they will have trouble giving you any sort of quote. You need to know this before you begin.
In order to keep your outside condenser fan running efficiently, make sure the coils and the fan blades are cleaned before the cooling season begins. Except when you do superficial cleaning, you need to always make sure the power is off on the unit. The outside condenser unit should be kept free of leaves and other debris.
Clean your condenser’s fan blades and coil in the spring. Turn it off first so you don’t get hurt or break something. Take the grill off and pull the blades out to clean them.
Make sure that you do not cover your outdoor components with grass clippings when you are trimming the grass. Shoot grass the other way. The same goes for blowing leaves, so always be careful if you are moving debris near your HVAC devices.
As the leaves are falling off the trees, your HVAC system can really take a hit. Clean outdoor units often to remove leaves. The fan needs unobstructed air flow, and if debris is blocking this air flow, then your system could suffer.
Lubricate your fan condenser if it has oil ports. Such ports tend to have coverings made of rubber or metal. Use a lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, putting 10 drops in each port.
Be sure to have twice annual HVAC system checks. It’s best to have it checked before you turn it on for the summer and again for the winter. This type if preventative maintenance is highly necessary to ward off any expensive troubles from coming your way.
Pane Windows
If possible, your single pane windows should be replaced with double-paned ones. Double pane windows help minimize your air conditioning use in the summer by keeping the cooler air inside your home. This will help you save a lot of money.
Try to have your HVAC system looked at every year, because regular maintenance will go a long way in energy efficiency. The motor should be checked, the parts oiled and the freon levels inspected. This will keep you energy efficient and comfortable.
Shut off the air conditioning if nobody is home. When you turn the air conditioner off, the house may heat up a little but only a certain amount. If it’s left on all day, it will fight the heat all day, which uses quite a bit of electricity.
Don’t let your home get overly hot. Air conditioners really can only cool a home down about 20 degrees Fahrenheit within a reasonable amount of time. The temperature will only reduce to about 80 if your home heats up to 100 degrees. With high humidity, this is an unsafe temperature even for sleeping.
Do your homework on a number of HVAC companies before selecting the one that has the best reputation and service record. Check reputations at the BBB, and read online reviews to gauge customer satisfaction. Doing all of this will make sure you hire the best company for your HVAC needs.
AC units will tend to get ice on them due to the cold. This can also happen on the drain line. If you notice this, switch your thermostat to fan only to disable the compressor. It’s a good idea to call up professionals to help with this even though you can get the ice to melt when you switch everything to the fan.
Look online for a/c sizing calculators so you can really understand the unit size needed for your home or room. If you buy a unit that’s too large, it won’t be energy efficient for your needs. Check the manual to see what the manufacturer rates the unit to cool for accurate information.
Ask friends and family for contractor recommendations. Those who have had a great experience should have no issue giving you this info. This is also a great way to get names of companies that should be avoided.
The above article states the HVAC is an essential part of any home, so maintain it and keep it working well. The suggestions above should help you save money on expensive repairs to your HVAC system. Follow these tips to prevent yourself from spending thousands of dollars in repairs.