HVAC systems can bring you immense joy and immense pain. They can be costly to repair and can lead to miserable living conditions. Here are some suggestions to help you maintain your unit.
Check out the system that you have before you call a professional. Know the brand name and model number. It is also helpful to have the maintenance history. 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.
If your HVAC is giving you problems, tour your home before calling a technician. Note which of your rooms are hot and which are cold. Doing so can help your technician fix your HVAC issue quickly.
If you have units that are condensers outside of the home, keep them free of debris. You can never tell when things will pile up, especially following rain or wind storms. These can wreak havoc on your units. This can lead to overheating.
Make certain that you clean your condenser when the weather begins to warm. Don’t forget to disconnect the power first. Next, pop the grill off, put the blades out and start to gently clean them along with the unit.
When you cut the grass, don’t cover the outdoor units with their clippings. Turn your lawnmower in the opposite direction. When blowing leaves, do the same. Always take care when passing your HVAC units while moving leaves, grass or other debris.
If the condenser fan has oil parts, then you need to lubricate it at least once per year. The port usually has either a rubber or metal cap on top of it. Chose SAE 20 oil, which has been proven to be the most effective.
When selecting the spot to put the outdoor compressor for your unit, choose somewhere that gets plenty of shade. The cooler air entering the unit will require less work to get to the proper temperature.
You need to have a contractor review your unit twice a year. The best time of year to have the system checked is right before the weather begins to change. You should have it looked at even if no problems are occurring; there could still be a problem or potential problem.
Your home should not have temperatures that are too hot. Air conditioners can only really cool your home down 20 degrees or so within a reasonable time period. If your home gets above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, you’ll only cool down to still above 80. With high humidity, this is an unsafe temperature even for sleeping.
Make sure to make a well-informed decision on the size of your HVAC. Proper sizing will increase efficiency. Use the manual to determine what size is right for you.
Use recommendations when you are looking for a contractor. If they know a good contractor, they will surely guide you right. This can also help you to figure out some names of businesses that you should avoid at all costs.
If you don’t know who you should call to repair, install and maintain your HVAC systems, check out reviews online. There are a lot of sites these days that let customers talk about their experiences with contractors. This method provides you with all the information you need to make the best hiring decisions.
If you are a having trouble with your existing system, check for leaks in the ducts. You can call in your local utility company to do the testing for you, often for free or at a lower cost than a contractor. When you have leaks repaired, the testing has paid for itself.
If you HVAC unit is clicking, immediately check for any type of obstruction. Many times it could be debris hitting the cooling system fans. Get rid of this obstruction and that should take care of the problem. Look carefully at it before you call up a service technician.
All of your windows and doors must be air-tight, in order for your HVAC system to run at maximum efficiency. They should have tight seals so outside air cannot get in and inside air can not get out. A professional can also test the windows and many times the testing is free.
A well running HVAC is critical to keeping your home comfortable. If you don’t try to care for it on an ongoing basis, the system can break and cause you frustration. Use the tips located above to help you maintain your system or choose a new system.