A good HVAC system is a great thing to have in any home, but a bad one can give a homeowner a huge headache. They are costly to fix, but being uncomfortable is even worse. Follow these tips to put yourself in the best position.
Tour your home before calling a contractor. Make note of which rooms are cold and which are hot. This will help the repairman determine what the problem is.
Think about what improvements you want made before picking an HVAC contractor. It is going to be hard to get a price estimate on the phone if the current system isn’t something they’ve seen. You need to know how to describe any issues. Understand this information beforehand.
Prior to choosing an HVAC customer, try to have an idea of what you want done. This will make the quote process much easier. Being unable to explain what has been already done will make it even harder. Make an effort to gather all information you need before making the phone call.
If you have units that are condensers outside of the home, keep them free of debris. After a wind or rain storm things may pile up, causing problems with your system. It can cause your system to malfunction by overheating.
To make sure your condenser fan works properly, keep the fan blades and the coils clean. Before you clean the unit, be sure to turn off the power. Take away all of the debris as well.
Clean the fan blades and coils in your condenser each spring. Start by turning off the power to avoid having anything move when you work on it. Then, take the grill off, pull the blades out, and gently clean them as well as the unit itself.
During cold weather , be sure to turn off outdoor condenser units. If it’s lower than 60 degrees, the time has come to turn it off. This simple tip will help keep the system running efficiently for many years to come.
Each spring, try cleaning the fan blades and coils on the condenser fan. Turn it off first so you don’t get hurt or break something. Take the grill off and pull the blades out to clean them.
To save money and be more comfortable in your home, install double-paned windows instead of single pane. They help cool air remain inside your home, effectively cutting back on how much you have to run your air conditioner. Likewise, heat is better retained during the winter.
To cut energy costs, you should service your cooling and heating system once a year at least. During your service visit, the serviceman will inspect the unit’s motor, oil the unit’s moving parts and ensure the unit has proper freon levels. These simple tasks will help keep your HVAC system running smoothly.
Check to determine if the fan condenser on your HVAC system is equipped with oil ports, and if it is, be sure to lubricate every year. These ports are typically covered with caps made of metal or rubber. Put 10 drops of lightweight, non-detergent SAE oil in each port. Be careful not to use too much.
Don’t let your home get overly hot. Even the best air conditioners can only realistically cool your home approximately 20 degrees Farenheit. If the temperature in your home rises above 100 degrees, you will only be able to cool it down to 80. While it depends on the humidity, this is not safe for a human to sleep in to recover from the heat of the summer.
Look for calculators online to help you determine the size of unit you need for your home. If you get something that’s too big, it won’t work as well for you in the end. Check the manual it comes with for the information you need.
When you are choosing a location for the outdoor compressor unit, it’s preferable to use a shaded area. The cooler air entering the unit will require less work to get to the proper temperature.
Hvac Unit
Speak with someone close to you to see if they can recommend someone good to service their HVAC unit. Anyone that has previously needed work done on their HVAC unit are more than happy to tell you their experiences. It’s also a good way to learn the names of contractors you should avoid.
Have the HVAC system checked twice a year at the least. The best times to have the system checked is spring and fall, so you are sure everything is running at peak performance before the heating and cooling seasons. Regular inspection will help you avoid unexpected repairs.
The HVAC system in your home is a key component to a comfortable setting. Maintenance is what keeps it working well. Do not let this happen by using these tips to have a properly working HVAC.