A lot of people have an HVAC type of unit where they live. These units make sure homes stay at a temperature that is comfortable. If you have an HVAC system, you will likely need help from a professional from time to time. Read on for useful HVAC information.
Before contacting a repair service, do a short tour of the entire home. Determine which rooms are hotter or colder than they should be. That knowledge can help the technician figure out what is going on.
Know what work you want done before you select an HVAC contractor. You might not be able to get a price quote unless you let the contractor see your current system first. In addition, you need to be able to tell the contractor what you have already tried. Thus, it is worthwhile to have this knowledge ahead of time.
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 when you blow leaves, so make sure your are careful when moving any debris in the vicinity of your HVAC devices.
Lubricate your fan condenser at least once a year. You’ll find these ports are covered with a metal or rubber cap. Chose SAE 20 oil, which has been proven to be the most effective.
For maximum efficiency, place outdoor units in a shady spot. As it brings in cool air to cool, you will save a lot of money.
Your HVAC system should be checked a few times a year. This should be checked often for debris and malfunctions. Even if nothing seems wrong, checking it out can help you find and fix potential issues.
Have a smart thermostat installed. A programmable thermostat can save you up to ten percent on your cooling and heating costs by simply turning the thermostat back ten to fifteen percent for eight hours a day. You can often control it from your mobile phone!
Don’t allow your home to become dangerously hot. Air conditioners really can only cool a home down about 20 degrees Fahrenheit within a reasonable amount of time. Assuming the temperature in your home rises to a hundred degrees, you will only be able to reduce that by twenty degrees. While it depends on the humidity, this is not safe for a human to sleep in to recover from the heat of the summer.
Look for air conditioner sizing calculators online to truly understand what size of unit is necessary for your room or home. If you make the mistake of purchasing a unit that is too large, it will not cool efficiently. Any unit’s manual will be able to give you an accurate idea for the size of the unit versus your home.
Before you hire any HVAC companies, find out how the amount of time they’ve been in business. Companies that have been around for longer have a proven track record that you can use to decide if they are worth the time and money. Hiring a new company will be riskier.
To find out which HVAC company is worth hiring, make sure to use the Internet to look for reviews about any company you’re interested in. Many online sites permit customers to let others know about their experiences with various services and contractors. This will help you to sort out the good from the bad.
Try to get as many quotes from contractors that you can. This will reduce your overall spending. You want to call at least a handful of contractors to determine what reasonable rates are.
Put a radiant barrier in your attic and what your HVAC performance improve. It blocks the heat from inside out, reducing the energy that’s needed for your home to get cooled during the summer. If done correctly, this also enables you to start using your attic as a living space.
For top efficiency, figure out what direction your home faces. Strategically placed trees can block sunlight and help keep the home cooler without the use of an AC unit. If there’s less heat inside your home, your AC will work less.
As you can see, there are some things that can help you when you are dealing with HVAC units and contractors. Always be sure that your home heating, ventilation and air conditioning are properly installed and well maintained. Take the solid ideas from the above article to ensure that you know the best way to have an HVAC unit installed, and there is proper maintenance done.
