Not everyone is familiar with HVAC service and contracting. This fact can become a problem if it is time to work on a heating or cooling problem in a home. The good news is that the material below can help any hapless homeowner identify the very best HVAC professionals around.
Before you call someone to help you fix your system, be sure to know what sort of system you have in place. You need to know who manufactured the product and the item number. Also, get the maintenance records from your files if you have them. That way you can provide the contractor with all the necessary information.
If your HVAC is giving you problems, tour your home before calling a technician. Jot down the rooms that are hot and the ones that are cold. That way, the contractor will have an easier time diagnosing the problem and repairing it fast.
To make sure your condenser fan works properly, keep the fan blades and the coils clean. Before you clean the surface, be sure to turn off the power. The outside condenser unit should be kept free of leaves and other debris.
Be careful when doing yard work that you do not get debris on or in your unit. Now so the grass clippings are shot away from your unit. This same tip applies when you are blowing fallen leaves around the yard. Grass and leaves pose a serious problem for the internal functioning of your unit.
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. The fan needs to be able to get proper air inside without any blockages, and extra blockage can later develop into more serious problems.
Lubricate your condenser yearly if it has oil ports. You can easily find the ports as they have a rubber or metal cap. Choose an oil graded SAE 20, it is non-detergent and lightweight. Place about 10 drops into each of the ports, taking care that it does not overfill.
Be sure you have the HVAC unit in your home checked about two times every year. The best time of year to have the system checked is right before the weather begins to change. Even if you don’t think anything’s wrong, it’s still worth an inspection.
Double Pane
If the house is yours or you’re permitted to, replace the windows that are single pane with windows that are double pane. Good double pane windows keep cool air in during the summer and minimize your utility expenses. They help in the winter, too, keeping the heat in.
Installing a programmable digital thermostat can help save money. Programmable thermostats can automatically dial back settings, saving you money. Also, you’ll find that you can program your thermostat from a computer or anything connected to the web.
If you are going to be gone during the day or on vacation, turn the temperature up on your air conditioning unit. Sure, the temp will rise, but no one is home anyway. If it’s left on all day, it will fight the heat all day, which uses quite a bit of electricity.
To choose a reliable HVAC contractor, the best thing to do is to do your homework on a number of possible firms and check out their reputations. Inquiring with the Better Business Bureau is always a good idea, as is looking for online review sites where previous customers can post their experiences. Investing the time to check out potential contractors can save you money and headaches.
Your friends or family likely have recommendations for a local HVAC specialist. You should be able to find someone that has had a good experience. This will prevent you from getting scammed.
Contractor set their own prices; this is why you should get many quotes. By calling around and asking a few different contractors, you can save a ton of money. Contact a minimum of five contractors so you can determine realistically what the price will be.
Having a radiant barrier in your attic helps you HVAC system run better. It can help keep heat out during the hot summer months, which means you will lower your power bills. If you do things right your attic can be used as a living space too.
Do you want to buy a new cooling and heating system? There are many things to consider. Each system has a rating and that rating tells the area that can be effectively temperature controlled. Be sure to choose a slightly too large system over a too small of one.
Make an HVAC system run more efficiently by determining what direction your house faces. If you have some trees that are placed in good spots, you can be sure they block the sunlight during the morning. This will reduce the work of your AC unit.
When your HVAC fails, the situation is bad. However, taking the time to research the topic of HVAC systems, any homeowner can avoid the nightmare of dealing with a last minute fix. By choosing to follow the great advice from the above article, any homeowner can quickly resolve issues in a prompt and affordable manner.