Many homeowners are at a loss when the HVAC system collapses. To avoid creating costly repairs, it is best for any homeowner to get acquainted with this topic. This article was written to help homeowners get the proper help they need for their HVAC unit.
If you struggle with your HVAC, try touring your home before calling a professional. Determine which rooms feel cold and which feel hot. This will help your contractor quickly determine where the issue lies and how to get it fixed quickly and easily.
Think about what improvements you want made before picking an HVAC contractor. Providing you with an accurate estimate over the telephone may be difficult to impossible is they can’t see the system you have. They need to come look at the unit. Thus, it is worthwhile to have this knowledge ahead of time.
Make sure your condenser fan is in good working order by wiping down the fan blades and the coils. Don’t forget to disconnect the power first. Then, pop off its grills, pull the blades out, and begin cleaning the unit and them gently.
If you have oil ports as part of the fan condenser, annual lubrication is key. Such ports tend to have coverings made of rubber or metal. Your oil should be an SAE 20. This particular oil is very lightweight and it only requires about 10 drops per port.
Put your outdoor unit in places with shade. As it brings in cool air to cool, you will save a lot of money.
You can keep energy costs in your home lower by choosing to have professional maintenance done on your HVAC unit. The contractor should oil the parts that move and check the motor and freon levels. These simple things will keep your system running at peak performance.
Save some cash by shutting down the air-conditioning system when there is no one in the house. This will save you money on your energy bills. However, leaving it on increases your electric bill and wear and tear on the system.
Don’t let your home get overly hot. An air conditioner can only cool your home by 20ºF quickly. This limits their overall benefit. With high humidity, this is an unsafe temperature even for sleeping.
Before you invest in any HVAC contractor, make sure you spend a good deal of time researching their reputations and credentials. Check out the online reviews, and run a quick search on the BBB website to make sure they have been good to past customers. It would be wise of you to take these steps.
Icing up is common in air conditioners. There are also occasional freezes in the drain line, which are often confused for plumbing leaks. If this happens, disable the compressor by switching the thermostat to run the fan only. Talk to a professional if you are unsure of how to do this.
If you are purchasing an AC unit, there are calculators on the Internet that can help you figure out the right size. Buying a unit that is too large for your home is a poor decision that wastes money. Use the manual to determine what size is right for you.
Make certain the HVAC company you choose has a proven track record. Someone that has been in the business for a while probably isn’t going to scam you. Otherwise, you are taking a huge risk with the person you hire.
Try installing a type of radiant barrier in the attic for to have a more efficient HVAC system. It ensures that your unit stays hot or cold as it should be. It can even make your attic a livable space.
Are you going to buy a new HVAC system? There are a number of things to think about first. Systems are rated by the amount of area the system can heat and cool effectively. Be sure to choose a slightly too large system over a too small of one.
If you are a having trouble with your existing system, check for leaks in the ducts. Your local energy company may do such testing at a reduced cost or maybe even for free. Having these repaired is worth the cost of testing if you had to hire a contractor to do the job.
If the HVAC unit makes a clicking noise, look immediately to see if there is an obstruction. Often the problem will be some kind of debris hitting your fans in your cooling system. Removal of the debris should solve the issue. Have a look at the fan prior to putting in a call for service.
It’s messy for a homeowner when their heating and cooling system goes down. But, if they get the right kind of information before they get started with this, it won’t be so bad. Use these suggestions to increase the performance of your unit.