Most homeowners want an HVAC system that works well. If they buy a low quality one or have one that breaks, it can be very frustrating. In addition to the discomfort of living in a home where the heating and/or air conditioning don’t work, you’ll likely be worried about the expense of fixing your HVAC system. The best thing to do would be to learn about HVAC maintenance; this article can help you with that.
If your HVAC is giving you problems, tour your home before calling a technician. Make note of which rooms are cold and which are hot. The contractor can probably figure out and fix the problem easier.
Hvac System
If there are condenser units as part of your HVAC system, clean them often as they tend to have lots of debris. After a wind or rain storm things may pile up, causing problems with your HVAC system. The whole thing can overheat, causing major problems and possibly an enormous expense for you.
Keep your outdoor units free of debris when you are mowing the lawn. Instead, make sure that the grass is shooting in the opposite direction. 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.
Your HVAC unit may suffer when trees start to lose their leaves. Clean outdoor units often to remove leaves. The fan must stay clear in order to function, and if it gets blocked, you will have to contend with problems.
A good place to place your compressor unit outside is in a shady spot. When your unit is bringing in cool air, it will not have to work as hard to cool the air as it moves it inside, boosting efficiency.
Have your heating and cooling system inspected twice a year. Generally, you want it done in the fall and the spring. Even if you do not detect a problem, you can identify and fix any potential problems when you have it checked.
Turn off your outdoor condenser when it’s getting cold. This should be done when the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This will keep your system in working order year after year, saving you a ton on repairs.
Service your HVAC yearly. During your service visit, the serviceman will inspect the unit’s motor, oil the unit’s moving parts and ensure the unit has proper freon levels. Small problems can occur in any of these areas and lead to serious issues if ignored for too long.
Research multiple contractors before choosing one. Check them out at the BBB and look for reviews posted by former customers. These steps can help ensure you make the smartest and most informed choice.
There are sizing calculators available to determine the proper sized system for your home. If you purchase something too large, you will be throwing away money. Check the manufacturer’s handbook to see what amount of space the unit can effectively cool.
Check any company you are considering to see how long it has been around. The older they are, the more likely it will be for you to find out their history, which will help you gauge their quality. Hiring a new contractor comes with an element of risk.
Are you thinking about buying a new HVAC system? There are a number of things to think about first. Each system has a rating and that rating tells the area that can be effectively temperature controlled. You are wise to err on the side of a bigger unit rather than a smaller one.
If the system you’re using now isn’t working great, then check the ducts for some leakage. 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 get leaks repaired, you may see that the testing pays for itself.
Measure the area that requires air conditioning. 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. If the unit will be cooling several rooms, combine their square footage in your calculations.
A well running HVAC is critical to keeping your home comfortable. If you don’t properly maintain it, then your home is not a good place to be. Avoid this by following the tips presented here for proper HVAC functioning.