If you want to increase your understanding of HVAC maintenance, you are in the right place. This article can help you get more acquainted with the process of keeping your HVAC up and running properly. Don’t rush into anything. Research until you are comfortable enough to get some hands-on experience.
Before you hire an HVAC contractor, have some sort of idea of the work that needs to be done. You might not be able to get a price quote unless you let the contractor see your current system first. If you do not know what you want, the process can become tedious, especially over the phone. So, know this information in advance.
Be sure to clean the fan blades and coils of the condenser fan. First, turn off the power so that nothing will move as you are working on it. Then, take off the grill and get the blades out. Clean everything with care.
When you cut the grass, don’t cover the outdoor units with their clippings. Make sure you shoot the clippings in the other direction from the unit. This includes grass clippings and leaves.
HVAC units may suffer when leaves are falling off the trees. Be sure to clean your fan grill frequently when trees nearby are shedding. The fan needs to be able to get proper air inside without any blockages, and extra blockage can later develop into more serious problems.
You must keep your HVAC systems oil ports lubricated annually. These are usually covered with rubber or metal caps. Get an oil that is SAE 20 and put about 10 drops into each port, but don’t overfill it.
You need to have a contractor review your unit twice a year. This should be done in the fall and again in the spring. A quick check is worth it to avoid problems down the road.
During cold weather , be sure to turn off outdoor condenser units. If the outside temp is under 60 degrees, turn the unit off to prevent damage. This helps the system last much longer and will have to be repaired less often.
Programmable Thermostat
A good way to save money with your air conditioning is by installing a programmable thermostat. Turning down the thermostat around 10 percent for 8 hours per day can give you a 10 percent savings using the programmable thermostat. Some can even be controlled from a computer.
Service your HVAC yearly. This visit will include a motor inspection and checking the freon. This will keep you energy efficient and comfortable.
Never allow the temperature in your home to rise to a dangerously high level. A simple AC unit will usually only cool the home around 20 degrees within a short period of time. If the temperature in your home rises to 100 degrees F or higher, cooling it will only drop the temperature to 80 degrees F. While it depends on the humidity, this is not safe for a human to sleep in to recover from the heat of the summer.
Ask those you know for the name of a great HVAC technician, should you need one. People who have had a good experience are often happy to share the name of their contractor. This will also help you to avoid undesirable companies.
If you don’t know who to call to maintenance, repair, or install your HVAC, search for reviews online. There are plenty of online websites that give people the opportunity to leave comments about the service they received. This is useful for finding people that you wish to work with and those that you don’t.
A radiant barrier improves the efficiency of your HVAC. This blocks heat from entering your home, which lowers how much energy is needed to keep it cool in the warm months. It it’s installed properly, you might even be able to use your attic as an extra room.
As this article’s contents indicate, learning about HVAC can be a complicated process, but some preliminary information can help get you started. It’s just something you need to take your time with so you don’t break anything on accident or something of that nature. Good luck with your HVAC and feeling comfortable in your home.