A reliable HVAC system can make one’s home really enjoyable. The heat in the winter and cool air in the summer are very refreshing to come home to. When your system fails, your life may fall into chaos. These tips will help you master some very simple HVAC maintenance strategies to prevent this nightmare from occurring.
If your HVAC is running into problems, check out each room in your house before calling for assistance. Make a list of the rooms which are comfortable and which just aren’t. The contractor can probably figure out and fix the problem easier.
Before you choose someone to do HVAC work, figure out what they need to do for you. It is going to be hard to get a price estimate on the phone if the current system isn’t something they’ve seen. In addition, you need to be able to tell the contractor what you have already tried. This is information that you should have prepared in advance.
Clean the coils of your condenser fan each month. Except when cleaning the outside, turn the unit off when performing any type of maintenance. Take away all of the debris as well.
If you have outside condenser units, make sure to regularly clean the debris that builds up. After a wind or rain storm things may pile up, causing problems with your HVAC system. It could overheat and cause a disaster with your unit.
Each spring, clean the fan blades and coils on your condenser. Don’t forget to disconnect the power first. Then remove the grill, remove the blades and clean it from top to bottom gently.
HVAC units may suffer when leaves are falling off the trees. Frequently clean the fan grill when trees are shedding leaves. Your fan needs an unobstructed way to get air inside, and the more blocked up it becomes, the more headaches will develop for you with the system.
You can boost the efficiency of your HVAC unit by replacing it with a new energy efficient one or moving your old one to a shady outside location. The unit will have to do less work cooling this air.
Replace single pane windows by installing double pane, if possible. They help cool air remain inside your home, effectively cutting back on how much you have to run your air conditioner. When it is cold in the winter months, these same windows will keep the warm air inside as well.
A good way to save money with your air conditioning is by installing a programmable thermostat. A thermostat that’s programmable is going to save you around ten percent on the heating and cooling costs you have to pay when you turn it back about fifteen percent for a part of the day. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from a PC or other device.
Don’t let your home get way too hot to where it’s dangerous. Your average AC unit can only reduce the temperature in your home by about 20 degrees in a normal span 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.
Sometimes air conditioners will ice up. Sometimes the drain line will freeze, causing leaks. If this is something you notice, switch the thermostat in your home to fan only so the compressor is disabled. This problem will need to be handled by a professional, even though the fan will probably help with the ice situation.
Consider how long a given HVAC company has been in existence before giving them your business. Obviously, a company with a longer history and a positive reputation is the better choice. Working with someone that does not yet have a reputation in the business is a bit riskier.
Now that you’ve read these tips, you can see how you can keep your HVAC working properly. By failing to do routine inspections, you’re setting yourself up for failure. Thankfully, you came across this article, and you now have great tips to follow to help ensure that your HVAC system has the right kind of air coming out.