HVAC Do’s And Don’ts For The Average Person
Heating and cooling are certainly essential to any home. That is why it is important to keep your HVAC system healthy. Otherwise, you may end up with excessive repair bills and unbearable temperatures. Here are some great tips to help you keep your HVAC system running smoothly.
Don’t hire a contractor until you know a little about what you are facing. They won’t be able to offer you a quote if they haven’t seen your system. Being unable to explain what has been already done will make it even harder. This is information that you should have prepared in advance.
Don’t hire a contractor until you know a little about what you are facing. 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. So, figure out this information before anything else.
Don’t let your outdoor HVAC units get smothered with clippings anytime you mow the yard. Instead, make sure that the grass is shooting in the opposite direction. Do the same when blowing snow or leaves.
Cleaning the blades and coils will help the system run better. The power to the unit should be removed before you begin any maintenance, even cleaning. Clean the outside of your condenser unit regularly.
The HVAC unit in your home can become damaged from falling leaves. When you see nearby trees shedding their leaves, clean the fan grill on your unit constantly. When blockages restrict the flow of air to the fan, you could end up with serious issues on your hands.
Every spring you should clean the coils and fan blades on your condenser fan. First, make sure the power is off to ensure nothing moves while you are working. Take the grill off and pull the blades out to clean them.
Lubricate your condenser yearly if it has oil ports. These ports have a metal covering. Sometimes it is rubber. Get an oil that is SAE 20 and put about 10 drops into each port, but don’t overfill it.
When you’re trying to cut your grass, don’t cover a unit outside with the clippings. Shoot grass the other way. This is the same if you are using a leaf blower.
You want to put the outdoor compressor device in a shaded area. If the unit is taking in cooler air, the efficiency will be boosted since it will not need to work as hard.
Some fan condensers may contain oil parts, and if yours does, ensure it is lubricated at least once per year. They generally have a rubber or metal cap on them. Buy an SAE 20 product that is lightweight, and then put no more than ten drops into the ports.
If you want things to be more efficient, get new units outside or have your current one moved into the shade. If your air conditioner is able to constantly suck in cool air, it won’t have to work overtime to cool your space, which can in turn save you money on your electricity bills.
Boost energy efficiency by putting your condenser unit in the shade. As your air conditioner sucks in cool air, little will have to be done to cool it any further, saving you a ton on your energy bills.
Keep your air conditioner off when people aren’t home to save you money. The house will only heat up to a certain point. However, leaving it on increases your electric bill and wear and tear on the system.
Service your HVAC yearly. The service will include motor inspection, oiling of moving parts, and a freon level check. These simple things will keep your system running at peak performance.
Do not allow your home to reach excessive levels of heat during the summer. Air conditioners can only really cool your home down 20 degrees or so within a reasonable time period. The temperature will only reduce to about 80 if your home heats up to 100 degrees. You may suffer adverse effects from letting the house get that hot, too.
Don’t allow your home to overheat. It is only possible for an air conditioner to lower the temperature in a home by 20 degrees F in a short time. So, if you house heats up to about 95, you won’t see the temperature go below 75 for a while. Depending on the levels of humidity, that is not a safe temperature when it comes to sleeping or escaping from the heat of summer.
To help you pick a good HVAC contractor, carefully search for information that offers honest reviews about the companies that you might be looking to hire. Check with different references to determine the best one for your situation. You will make a more informed choice if you use these resources.
Research multiple contractors before choosing one. You may also want to check with the BBB for information. You will make a more informed choice if you use these resources.
Icing up is common in air conditioners. There are also occasional freezes in the drain line, which are often confused for plumbing leaks. If you notice this, switch your thermostat to fan only to disable the compressor. If the problem persists be sure to call in a professional.
Sometimes air conditioners get iced up. You may even mistake the frozen drains as an issue for a plumber. Switch the thermostat to the fan only. 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.
Ask those you know for the name of a great HVAC technician, should you need one. Someone who has used a contractor in the past is generally willing to let you know what they thought about it. This can also help you learn the names of those companies that you should avoid.
Always check to see how long a company or contractor has been working for. Companies that have been around for longer have a proven track record that you can use to decide if they are worth the time and money. Hiring a new contractor comes with an element of risk.
Check the Internet for reviews on those who fix or install HVAC systems. Many websites allow consumers to share their experience with a service. Read through them and figure out who you want to try out.
Check the Internet for reviews on those who fix or install HVAC systems. There are quite a few sites now that allow customers to share their experiences with different services. Read through them and figure out who you want to try out.
Your HVAC system can run more efficiently if your attic has a radiant barrier. This will block heat from coming in, which means that less energy will be needed to keep your home cool. This can also help you make the attic useful again.
Install a radiant barrier in your attic to boost HVAC efficiency. It ensures that your unit stays hot or cold as it should be. If this is installed correctly, it will give you the ability to actually use your attic as extra space to live in.
If you current HVAC doesn’t work that well, try testing 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. When you get leaks repaired, you may see that the testing pays for itself.
Do you want to buy a new cooling and heating system? You should first think about several things. Systems get rated according to how large an area they can effectively cool and heat. Getting a unit that’s a little larger than you need will be better than getting one that’s smaller.
To keep your HVAC unit running at full capacity, you should have quality doors and windows installed that are efficient. Be sure their seal is tight so no exterior air gets in or interior air gets out. A professional can easily have this tested for you, and oftentimes, this service is free.
Figure out which direction your home faces in order to make your HVAC system more efficient. Trees in certain areas can provide shade, which means your house will stay cooler. You will reduce the need for AC when your home is naturally cooler.
Measure the living area you wish to cool before going air conditioner shopping. Plan for 20 BTU of power in your air conditioner for each square foot that needs to be cooled. Make certain that you calculate using all of the rooms the unit will be treating.
Your doors and windows need to be as efficient as the HVAC system you use. Be sure that they’re sealed well so that air from the outside or inside doesn’t come in or escape. Professional testing is available, and it is often free of charge.
Speed should be a concern when you are looking for an HVAC specialist. They should be able to get in and get the job done quickly. This will ensure that the job is done efficiently. They should quickly know what’s wrong with your system as well. They should offer you answers which can be implemented right away.
Square Footage
Avoid using any contractor for HVAC repairs or installation, unless they provide you with a 24-hour number for emergency situations. This includes during extreme weather.
You need to measure the space of your home so you can purchase the proper size unit. You will need about 20 BTU per square footage of the room. If multiple rooms need cooling, add together their square footage to reach this calculation.
Cover your condenser in the winter. This will help your condenser last longer when not being used. Don’t turn it on if the temperature is below 60 either. Do this by simply turn on the fan so that you don’t cause the unit unnecessary strain.
Understand where the air flows in your home and use that information to determine where to put your AC unit. If you must position it in a corner, be sure you can change the direction of air flow to avoid having it hit the wall.
When a quote is given, make sure to ask for a heat-loss calculation in addition to the price. This will determine how much BTU your new system will need to keep your home comfortable. To properly calculate the heat-loss calculation, a service tech will count the number of windows and doors, calculate the square footage and determine the amount of insulation in the home.
Before you hire an HVAC contractor to perform work on your system, learn about their experience level. It’s important that a contractor is experienced in the area of the kind of work you require. Don’t risk the success of your job by taking a chance on someone who may not be able to do it right.
Whether you are repairing your existing unit or installing a new system, consider a programmable thermostat. This sort of device will save you a lot of money in terms of energy because it allows your system some downtime while you are warm in your bed.
It may be tempting to hire the first HVAC company in the phone book, but it’s important to get references from them. You need to know if previous clients have gotten what they needed, like timely service within their budget. That is why it is vital that you check references, so you don’t run into those shady contractors!
To save money, try going with an HVAC unit that is an Energy Star unit. Energy Star units must meet certain guidelines. These are established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Spending your time looking over these types of things can help you to save quite a bit later on.
Now you’re better educated when it comes to maintaining your home’s HVAC system. Do not avoid the regular servicing your unit requires. Prevent your home’s temperature from getting uncomfortable by using this advice.
Make sure that your condenser unit is protected. One way to do this is by laying a thick cover on it. Running the system when the outside temperature is below 60 degrees will lower its efficiency.
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