An efficient HVAC system is needed to live in comfortable home. At the same time, a malfunctioning system can make your home inhabitable to some. The repairs are costly, and you also have to live in a situation that is not pleasant due to uncomfortable temperatures. To learn all you can about your HVAC system, check out the tips below.
When you start making calls to get someone to help with your HVAC system, it’s a good idea to know what system you have before that phone call. Look for the maintenance history and brand and model. This information will be helpful to any contractor you hire to repair it.
If you’ve been having trouble with an HVAC system, look around your home before calling in people to help. Pay attention to which areas of the house are warm and which ones are cool. The contractor can probably figure out and fix the problem easier.
If your condenser units are outisde, make sure any debris is cleaned from them regularly. You can never tell when things will pile up, especially following rain or wind storms. These can wreak havoc on your units. The whole thing can overheat, causing major problems and possibly an enormous expense for you.
The coils and blades on the fans should be cleaned once a year. Be sure to turn the power off first; you don’t want anything to move. Next, pop off the grill, pull out the blades and start cleaning them and the unit itself off gently.
Avoid showering your outdoor unit with grass clippings when you mow the lawn. When you work with your lawn mower, make sure it spits the grass to the side opposite of your unit. The same thing should go on when you blow leaves, so take your time when you’re working around HVAC units that are around when you’re blowing debris around.
You need to lubricate parts of your fan condenser. These are usually covered with rubber or metal caps. Use SAE 20 oil that is lightweight and detergent free, and put ten drops or fewer into each one. Make sure not to overfill them.
When selecting the spot to put the outdoor compressor for your unit, choose somewhere that gets plenty of shade. When your unit is bringing in cool air, it will not have to work as hard to cool the air as it moves it inside, boosting efficiency.
Turn off your outdoor condenser when it’s getting cold. Once the temperature drops into the 50s, the unit should no longer be on. Your system will work longer for you this way.
Equipping your home with a programmable thermostat can be an excellent way to cut utility costs. In fact, you can save as much as 10 percent on both heating and cooling when you turn your thermostat by by 10-15 percent for at least 8 hours daily. Furthermore, there are a few programmable thermostats that you can control from your computer or any other web-connected device.
Service your HVAC yearly. Make sure the person takes a look at the motor and examines the levels of freon. This will keep you energy efficient and comfortable.
Never allow the temperature in your home to rise to a dangerously high level. Air conditioners cannot sufficiently cool down unreasonably high temps. If you have your home at above 100 degrees then you can only get it to about 80 or above. With high humidity, this is an unsafe temperature even for sleeping.
Fan Setting
Sometimes, air conditioners collect ice. Sometimes the drain line will freeze, causing leaks. If you see this, immediately put your thermostat on the fan setting to turn off your compressor. You should call a pro to fix this problem, even if switching it to its fan setting starts making the ice melt.
Look for calculators online to help you determine the size of unit you need for your home. If you purchase something that is too big, it won’t be cost effective to run. Check your manual to learn what it is rated by the manufacturer if you want accurate information.
Ask people you know for recommendations if you need to hire a contractor for an HVAC system. People who’ve had great service are usually willing to tell of it. You will also find out who NOT to use!
If you need help locating someone to help take of your HVAC system, a great place to seek advice is online at a review site. There are now different online sites that let customers share their service experiences. This is a good way to locate contractors that do good work and ones that are poor.
Hvac System
Keeping your home comfortable relies on having a great HVAC system. Failing to maintain this type of system will lead to discomfort. Remember these hints to keep your HVAC system operating at it’s maximum efficiency.
