You may think the topic of HVAC is really complex. This is probably due to the right information on hand.
If your HVAC is giving you problems, tour your home before calling a technician. Make note of which rooms are cold and which are hot. The contractor can probably figure out and fix the problem easier.
Know what you want done before you select an HVAC contractor. It will be hard for a contractor to provide you with an estimate over the phone if they have not seen your current system. It will be way more difficult for him to assist you can’t figure out what they need to do.
Clean your condenser’s fan blades and coils prior to summertime. Clean off any leaves or debris from your external condenser unit regularly.
It is important to have some knowledge of your present system and needs before calling a contractor. They won’t be able to offer you a quote if they haven’t seen your system. In addition, you need to be able to tell the contractor what you have already tried. Having this information handy will make the process much smoother.
Be sure to clean external condenser units. You never know when things can pile up, especially after a windy or rainy storm, and that can ruin your system. It could overheat and cause your unit.
Turn it off first so nothing moves. Next, pop off the grill, put the blades out and start to gently clean them along with the unit.
By the end of spring, the fan blades and coils of your condenser should be thoroughly cleaned, so operation can proceed with greater efficiency. Always shut off all power to your unit for any work beyond superficial cleaning. Clean the outside of your condenser unit regularly.
Trees Start
Your HVAC units might suffer when trees start to lose leaves. Make sure you clean out your fan grill is cleaned often once nearby trees start shedding their leaves. The fan must be unobstructed to work properly, and if it is clogged, you will end up with many headaches with the unit.
Clean any debris that accumulates on an external condenser unit. You never know when things can pile up, especially after a windy or rainy storm, and that can throw a wrench in your system. It could overheat and cause a disaster with your unit.
Lubricate your fan condenser once a year. You will see rubber or metal caps covering them. Use SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, putting 10 drops in each port.
Put outdoor unit in places with shade.
Clean your condenser’s fan blades and coil in the spring. Make sure to turn off the fan’s power first to be safe. Pull out each of the blades and clean them one by one.
Make sure you have your HVAC system checked twice a year. This should be done in the fall and the spring.
Turn off any outdoor condensers you have when it’s getting cold. This should turn it off to prevent damage if the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This can keep your system remain in good working order.
HVAC units may suffer when leaves are falling off the trees. Make sure the unit’s fan grill is cleaned frequently when the leaves begin to fall. When blockages restrict the flow of air to the fan, you could end up with serious issues on your hands.
It is always a good idea to swap out single pane windows with ones that have double panes. This also keeps warm in the winter months.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line may also freeze over. If you notice this, disable the compressor by switching the thermostat to run the fan only. You can call a HVAC professional, even if switching it to its fan setting starts making the ice melt.
Find a place that is shaded for your compressor. If the unit is taking in cooler air, the efficiency will be boosted since it will not need to work as hard.
Look for air conditioner sizing calculators online to truly understand what size of unit you need for your room or home. Look in the manual to determine the manufacturer website for air conditioners.
Companies that are well established have a better record than those that haven’t been. Hiring a newer contractor may be taking a bigger risk.
Put your outdoor unit in places with shade. It will help you save on your energy bill when you do this.
There are a number of online websites that let customers talk about how they received. This will be an excellent way to locate people that you wish to work with and people that may not work well with you.
Do you wish to buy a new cooling system? There are many things you must consider first. Systems get rated according to the total area they effectively cool and heat. You are better off purchasing a bigger unit that is slightly too large for your needs than purchasing one that is a smaller one.
Make sure you have your HVAC system checked at least twice a year. Generally, you want it done in the fall and the spring. Whether you know of problems or not, good maintenance will help you to avoid future issues.
Figure out the direction your home faces in order to make your HVAC system more efficient. The less heat in your home, the fewer occasions you have to use your air conditioner.
Measure the area that requires air conditioner shopping.You generally need about 20 BTU for each square foot of room space. If the unit will be cooling several rooms, sum their areas.
If possible, your single pane windows should be replaced with double-paned ones. Double pane windows help minimize your air conditioning use in the summer by keeping the cooler air inside your home. This also helps retain heated air during the colder months.
Always get some references when you are considering a HVAC contractor.
Any HVAC contractor or installer should have a 24-hour emergency hotline. They must be able to reach your home at any time, no matter how extreme the weather or what time of day it may be.
Install a programmable thermostat to save energy costs. Such thermostats help you save around ten percent when it comes to energy costs. Some of these thermostats can even be controlled from your smart phone or computer.
This article offered a lot of information about HVAC systems. Without proper motivation, it is difficult to begin, so remember that before you get involved. You won’t be sorry you did, especially when it clicks in your mind!