You may think that anything to do with HVAC is really complex. There is indeed lots to think about surrounding this subject. However, you can learn quite a bit which you can use to help you.
Know what work you want done before you select an HVAC contractor. They won’t be able to offer you a quote if they haven’t seen your system. It will be way more hard if you can’t figure out what they need to do. So, have this information ready.
If the outside of your home has condenser units, ensure they are constantly cleaned. You can never tell when things will pile up, especially following rain or wind storms. These can wreak havoc on your units. It can cause your system to malfunction by overheating.
Each spring, clean the fan blades and coils on your condenser. Before you get started, cut the power. Then, take off the grill and get the blades out. Clean everything with care.
When you are cutting the grass, be sure not to cover your outdoor units with clippings. Shoot grass the other way. Make sure you move around the unit and blow the leaves away from it while blowing your leaves.
The HVAC unit in your home can become damaged from falling leaves. Clean the fan grill often when leaves are falling. Otherwise, the unit will have to work unnecessarily hard.
Have your heating and cooling system inspected twice a year. Checks in the spring as well as in autumn are the best. This type if preventative maintenance is highly necessary to ward off any expensive troubles from coming your way.
If you can, use double-paned windows instead of single-paned ones. They help cool air remain inside your home, effectively cutting back on how much you have to run your air conditioner. This same effect also keeps warm air in during the winter months.
Having a programmable thermostat installed is a money saving idea. 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. This will save you a lot of money during the year.
If you are going to be gone during the day or on vacation, turn the temperature up on your air conditioning unit. You don’t need to keep the house cool if you aren’t there. Leaving it on all the time only makes it work harder and results in a larger utility bill.
Don’t let your home get too hot. Even the best air conditioners can only realistically cool your home approximately 20 degrees Farenheit. A home that is over one hundred degrees will only be cooled to around eighty. This can still be way too warm for you.
Do your homework on a number of HVAC companies before selecting the one that has the best reputation and service record. Inquire with the BBB and look elsewhere for other reviews from customers. This is what you have to do in order to make a smart decision.
Fan Setting
Sometimes, air conditioning units ice up. In addition, the drain line sometimes freezes, and people often think that there is a plumbing leak. If this is something that’s happening to you, change the setting on your thermostat to the fan setting and this will disable the compressor. The fan setting can help melt some of the ice, but you should still call a professional to check your unit out.
Research what size air conditioner you should purchase for the size of your home by using online calculators they have for this purpose. Buying a unit which is too big reduces efficiency. You can look online or do other research to get information from HVAC system manufacturers and sellers in order to determine the best unit size for your needs.
Ask people you know for recommendations if you need to hire a contractor for an HVAC system. People usually love to boast about the wonderful work they have had done, so you should be given great leads to follow. This is an excellent way to find which companies to stay away from.
Having a radiant barrier in your attic helps you HVAC system run better. This helps block the heat from outside, and will reduce the energy needed for cooling your home during the summer. You might even be able to start living in your attic.
When your unit is clicking, immediately go out and look to see if anything is inside it. There may be particles of debris that are touching the fans. Simple removal of the debris will solve the problem. Have a look at the fan prior to putting in a call for service.
This article was written to help make you comfortable and familiar with the average HVAC system. With the above tips and some motivation, it will be easy to delve into this world. You will be happy you found this article.