The cooling and heating system in your home plays a major role in your comfort. This means that it is of utmost importance your HVAC system is constantly checked and you ensure it is properly working. Homeowners who don’t care for their HVAC system soon regret their choice when negligence turns simple maintenance into expensive repairs. To learn more about what you need to know to keep your system running, read on.
Check out the system that you have before you call a professional. Write down the make, model, and any maintenance history. Your contractor will appreciate this information.
If you struggle with your HVAC, try touring your home before calling a professional. Make a list of the temperatures in each room and whether they are hot or cold. That way, the contractor will have an easier time diagnosing the problem and repairing it fast.
Before the summer you should clean out your condenser fan’s blades and coils. Always make sure you shut off the power before you do any work on the unit other than superficial cleaning. Additionally, it’s important to clear out leaves and other debris from the outside condenser unit.
Be sure to clean the fan blades and coils of the condenser fan. Don’t forget to disconnect the power first. Then remove the grill, remove the blades and clean it from top to bottom gently.
You need to lubricate parts of your fan condenser. These ports are typically covered with caps made of metal or rubber. Chose SAE 20 oil, which has been proven to be the most effective.
Be sure you have the HVAC unit in your home checked about two times every year. Generally, you want it done in the fall and the spring. This will help you to avoid problems.
When it gets cold outside, turn off the outdoor condensers. If temps go below 60 you run the risk of damaging a unit that remains on. This will help keep your HVAC system in good health for years, which means you will save on repair bills.
A good way to save money with your air conditioning is by installing a programmable thermostat. Such thermostats help you save around ten percent when it comes to energy costs. Plus, some models allow you to control them over the internet or from a smartphone.
When you are away from home, adjust your thermostat to a money saving temperature. Turning it off does allow the temperature to rise, but only so far. When you keep it on, you will be using electricity.
Fan Setting
Occasionally, ice will form on your AC. Freezes also occur in your drain line. These freezes are easily confused as leaks to the untrained eye. If you see this, immediately put your thermostat on the fan setting to turn off your compressor. It is best to call a professional in to fix this particular issue, even though the switch to fan setting should cause the ice to start melting.
If you need a HVAC contractor, try and get recommendations from family and friends. When someone hires a quality professional, they are usually happy to share their info. This will also help you avoid bad companies.
Search online for reviews to find an HVAC customer you can trust. Many websites allow consumers to share their experience with a service. You will be able to make a more informed choice if you do this.
If your system doesn’t seem to be working efficiently, check your ducts for leaks. 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. Once you fix the leaks, the savings will be more than worth the hassle.
You need to measure the space of your home so you can purchase the proper size unit. In general, you need 20 BTU for each square foot. If multiple rooms need cooling, add together their square footage to reach this calculation.
Pick a contractor who gets back to you quickly and understands the job. Reliable companies keep a close eye on their technicians and ensure they honor their appointments. The tech will also know how to find the problem quickly. After they see what the problem is, they should be able to get the work done quickly for your sake.
When determining the location of your air conditioning unit, think about which way the air flows. For a corner location, check for a unit that has the ability to direct the air flow in a different direction from the wall.
Now you know how to maintain the HVAC in your home. Don’t allow things to go bad because you don’t pay attention to doing maintenance. Follow these tips to keep your HVAC system functioning properly and avoid unexpected breakdowns.