Having an HVAC system that works well is a joy, but one that malfunctions can cause all kinds of grief. 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. Follow these tips to put yourself in the best position.
Before making that repair phone call, make sure you know the specifics about your particular system. Learn the brand, model, and if you have it, the maintenance history. This will enable you to give your chosen contractor any information they might need.
When you call an HVAC system for help, you need to be aware of what you need them to do before calling. If you can’t describe the problem, you may not get an accurate quote. It will be even harder if you cannot explain what you have done. This is information that you should have prepared in advance.
Clean the condenser on your debris regularly. Your HVAC system may run into problems after storms if it is surrounded by debris. It may even overheat, which can ruin your system.
Clean the coils on the condenser fan from time to time. First, turn the power off so nothing moves when you’re working with it. Then, remove the grill, then remove the blades and begin the cleaning process of the blades and the unit.
Don’t let grass clippings pile up against your outdoor condenser. When you work with your lawn mower, make sure it spits the grass to the side opposite of your unit. This same tip applies when you are blowing fallen leaves around the yard. Grass and leaves pose a serious problem for the internal functioning of your unit.
To boost the efficiency of your HVAC system, you should put your unit in a shady place. The unit will have to do less work cooling this air.
Condenser units for the outdoors should be shut off when it starts to get cold outside. If you get into temperatures that are less than 60 degrees you need the unit to be shut off so it doesn’t get damaged. This will maximize the life of your unit.
Never allow your home to get dangerously hot inside. Expect an air conditioning unit to drop the temperature down 20 degrees within a short amount of time. If you have your home at above 100 degrees then you can only get it to about 80 or above. If humidity is high, this temp is still unsafe for people.
Do your homework on a number of HVAC companies before selecting the one that has the best reputation and service record. Look at review sites and check with the BBB. This can help you make the right choice.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up. You may even mistake the frozen drains as an issue for a plumber. Try switching to fan-mode and disabling your compressor to test whether the water is a leak or melting ice. The ice will melt. You will likely need professional help to stop the problem.
To know how large of an air conditioner you need, look for a calculator online. If you get a unit that is too large, it will cost a lot in energy costs. Check your manual to figure out what the rating is from the manufacturer to be sure you’re getting the right information.
Ask those you know for the name of a great HVAC technician, should you need one. Someone who has used a contractor in the past is generally willing to let you know what they thought about it. This is an excellent way to find which companies to stay away from.
Figure out which direction your home faces in order to make your HVAC system more efficient. Block the sun in the morning with trees around your home. The less heat in your home, the less time your air conditioner will have to work.
Inspect your HVAC unit quickly for blockage if you become away of any clicking sound. The issue may be debris hitting the fans of the cooling system. Get rid of this obstruction and that should take care of the problem. Look carefully at it before you call up a service technician.
You need to check your windows and outside doors to make certain your HVAC runs well. 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.
You need a good HVAC system to keep your home comfortable. If you don’t properly maintain it, then your home is not a good place to be. Make sure that you do not let this happen.