One of the best ways to keep your home’s temperature comfortable is with the help of an HVAC unit. As these units age, they may need to be replaced. Understanding what to look for in an HVAC system can really help you to buy a great product when the time is right. This advice will be of help.
Be aware of the type of system that is installed in your home prior to calling a contractor to fix it. Know what the manufacturer’s name is, which particular model you have and what’s gone on with the unit in the past. Then, you’ll be ready to tell the contractor what they need to know.
If your HVAC system us giving you issues, take a look around the house prior to calling a contractor. You will be looking to see which of your rooms feel hotter or colder than they should be. Taking this step aids a contractor in figuring out what the problem is and how to repair it as quickly as possible.
Understand what you want before talking to a contractor. It’s hard for these contractors to give phone estimates without seeing the current system you have. If you can’t explain anything to them, this will be even more difficult. Make an effort to gather all information you need before making the phone call.
Regularly remove debris from outside condenser units. Falling leaves and wind or rain may cause debris to reduce the efficiency of your unit. Overheating may be the result if you don’t.
Avoid showering your outdoor unit with grass clippings when you mow the lawn. Get the grass shot away from your unit. Do the same when blowing snow or leaves.
If the condenser fan has oil parts, then you need to lubricate it at least once per year. These ports are often covered by a rubber or metal cap. Look for an oil that is lightweight and then put about 10 drops inside the port. You don’t want to put in too much.
In order for your new unit to be as efficient as possible, or to make older units more efficient, make sure it’s put in a shaded area. When the air conditioner pulls in cooler air, it won’t have to do much more to cool it and that will save you a lot of money on energy bills.
Be sure you have the HVAC unit in your home checked about two times every year. This should be done in Fall and Spring to prepare it for the extreme months. Even if you can’t see anything wrong, checking it may help you locate and repair some possible issues.
One way to save some money with A/C is by having a programmable thermostat installed. If you adjust it to keep the house a little warmer or a little cooler during the time you are sleeping, you may see your energy bill go down by as much as ten percent. Take advantage of the convenience of the ability to control many programable thermostats from your favorite electronic device.
If there isn’t anyone at home, then there’s no need for the AC unit to be running and wasting electricity. When it’s off the house will get hot, but only by a certain amount. The longer the unit stays on, the more it ends up costing you in energy bills.
AC units will tend to get ice on them due to the cold. Freezing drain lines are also possible and can be mistaken for leaks. If this is something you notice, switch the thermostat in your home to fan only so the compressor is disabled. You should leave the repair to a professional, but switching to the fan setting should start to melt the ice.
Online reviews are a great source of information about HVAC contractors. There are plenty of online websites that give people the opportunity to leave comments about the service they received. This works both in finding those you want to hire and also with those you want to avoid.
HVACs are great investments since they can keep your home comfy all year. When it is time to consider replacing your HVAC system, keep the useful tips here in mind. They can assist you in making a smart decision that will make you happy for years to come.
