Follow these tips on dealing with your HVAC system.
Before calling for help, know the system you have. Get the brand, model name, and if you can you should get the maintenance history out. This information will be helpful to any contractor you hire to repair it.
Know what type of system before looking for a repair person. This will ensure that you can give your chosen contractor all the information they might need.
Know what you want done before you hire a contractor. It will be difficult for an HVAC contractor to give you with an estimate over the phone if they have not seen your current system. It will be more hard if you can’t figure out what they need to do.
If your HVAC doesn’t seem to be working properly, check things out yourself prior to calling in a technician. Determine which rooms are hotter or colder than they should be. This gives the repairer a starting point to work from.
Be sure to clean external condenser units. You don’t know when things are going to pile up, especially after a windy or rainy storm, and that can throw a wrench in your system. It can cause your unit.
Turn it off so nothing moves.Then, pop off its grills, pull the blades out, and gently clean them as well as the unit itself.
Don’t hire a contractor until you know a little about what you are facing. This will make the quote process much easier. In addition, you need to be able to tell the contractor what you have already tried. So, you should know this beforehand.
Put outdoor units in places with shade.
Be sure to have the HVAC system checks. This should be checked often for debris and the spring.
Before the summer you should clean out your condenser fan’s blades and coils. Always shut the power off before doing any work or cleaning on the unit. Also, it is important to clear the outside condenser unit from any debris that maybe trapped inside.
Turn off your outdoor condensers you have when the weather gets cold. This should turn it off to prevent damage if the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This can ensure your system working for years without the cost of repairs.
Install a thermostat you can program to save energy costs. Some of these thermostats can even be controlled from your smart phone or other device.
If you have units that are condensers outside of the home, keep them free of debris. Debris can pile up at rates that increase during rainy or windy weather, and this can foul up the inner workings of your system. Left unchecked, your unit is more likely to break down.
When they come out for a service visit, the motor will be inspected, and they will oil all the moving parts. These easy to do things are going to allow your system running smoothly.
Do not let your house to get dangerously hot. Air conditioners really can only cool down 20 degrees or so within a reasonable time period. If your home become 100F or more, you would only be able to cool it down just above 80 degrees. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Make sure that you do not cover your outdoor components with grass clippings when you are trimming the grass. Instead, make sure that the grass is shooting in the opposite direction. The same goes for blowing leaves, so always be careful if you are moving debris near your HVAC devices.
Research and check the companies that you consider using. Check with different references to determine the best one for reviews of potential companies online. This is what you have to do in order to make the right choice.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line may also freeze over. If this is something that’s happening to you, disable the compressor by turning your thermostat to the fan only setting. You should leave the repair to a professional, even if switching it to its fan setting starts making the ice melt.
It’s a good idea to put your outdoor compressor in a shady area. The cooler air that the unit can suck in, the less work it will need to do to further cool the air.
Companies that are well established have a better record than those that haven’t been. It is always risky to hire someone who does not have a long history.
Ask your friends and trust for their HVAC contractor recommendations. People who have had a good experience are usually willing to tell of their contractor. This is also a great way to get names of companies that you should be avoided.
As the temperature outside drops, remember to turn off your outdoor condenser unit. If it’s less than 60 degrees outside, turn the unit off. This will maximize the life of your unit.
Contractors charge different rates, so make sure to get multiple quotes. You can save tons of money by doing your homework. You want to call at least a handful of contractors to determine what price you can reasonably expect to pay.
Your home’s HVAC system is critical to providing a comfortable environment in your home. Many homeowners choose to neglect these units until it is too late and they begin malfunctioning, which can lead to expensive repairs or even an entire replacement! Avoid this by following the tips presented here for proper HVAC functioning.
If you are a home owner, replace whatever single pane windows you have with more efficient double-paned versions. Windows that are double pane keep the cool air in and can greatly reduce the amount of time your air conditioner will need to run. Likewise, in the winter more hot air stays inside during the cold season.