Having an HVAC system that works well is a joy, but one that malfunctions can cause all kinds of grief. A bad HVAC system is costly in terms of energy use and repair, and it can make your home uncomfortable to live in. Therefore, it is important to know how to maintain your system, and what to do if you need to replace or repair it.
Know what work you want done before you select an HVAC contractor. This will make the quote process much easier. It will be way more hard if you can’t figure out what they need to do. Learn this information to start with.
Clean your fan and coils when the weather begins to warm. Before you do clean the coils and fan blades, always take the precaution of turning off all power to the unit. Remove leaves and debris from the condenser outside.
When spring rolls around, give the condenser fan blades and coils a good clean. First, turn the power off so nothing moves when you’re working with it. Then, pop off its grills, pull the blades out, and begin cleaning the unit and them gently.
Leaves and debris can damage your system. Clean the fan grill often when leaves are falling. Otherwise, the unit will have to work unnecessarily hard.
If there are oil ports on your fan condenser, lubricate it annually. They generally have a rubber or metal cap on them. Get an oil that is SAE 20 and put about 10 drops into each port, but don’t overfill it.
Make certain that an outdoor unit is in the shade. When it draws in air for cooling, it will be more efficient because it will not need to work as hard to cool down the air.
Shop around before hiring an HVAC contractor. Checking with the BBB is a good idea, and so is checking online reviews to see the experiences that other customers have had with a company. Taking these steps will help ensure that you make a wise decision.
Some air conditioners can ice up. Drain lines can also suffer an occasional freeze, and these are sometimes mistaken for plumbing leak issues. Change your thermostat in situations like this. You should call a pro to fix this problem, even if switching it to its fan setting starts making the ice melt.
Ask friends and family for contractor recommendations. People will tell you who they have used and if they are worth calling. You are likely to also hear about negative experiences.
If you don’t know who you should call to repair, install and maintain your HVAC systems, check out reviews online. There are now different online sites that let customers share their service experiences. Read through them and figure out who you want to try out.
For greater efficiency, put a radiant barrier in your attic. It blocks outside heat from coming in which will make sure you won’t have to use more energy to keep your home cool when it’s hot outside. If it is done correctly, it is even possible to convert the attic as a living space.
If your existing system is malfunctioning, look for leaks in the ducts. A local utility company often performs free duct testing. If it isn’t free, then it is still cheaper than an HVAC specialist in most areas. When these leaks are fixed, the testing will pay for itself in energy savings.
All of your windows and doors must be air-tight, in order for your HVAC system to run at maximum efficiency. They should be able to seal tightly without letting air seep in or out. You can get these tested at little to no charge by a professional.
Replace the air filter to keep your HVAC system working well. It’s easy and has a huge impact on performance. Also, this will not cost a lot of money.
Always request references when you are considering a HVAC contractor. Call and ask if their service was everything they expected, timely, and that it stayed on budget. By checking references, you can avoid being cheated.
Make sure that you are clear about what is included in the cost of the HVAC work you are contracting someone to do. Sometimes, contractors will not include everything in order to secure the job. Solidly written contracts let you prevent such issues.
Hvac System
The HVAC system in your home is a key component to a comfortable setting. If you don’t try to care for it on an ongoing basis, the system can break and cause you frustration. Never let this happen to you; keep in mind all the advice here to make sure that your HVAC system is providing you good air.