Before an HVAC expert comes to your home to do any repair work, walk around the home and check out the temps in every room. Jot down the rooms that are hot and the ones that are cold. This can help the contractor determine the problem areas quickly and fix the problem easily.
If you struggle with your HVAC, try touring your home before calling a professional. Note which of your rooms are hot and which are cold. This can help contractors quickly figure out the issue and how to fix it easily and quickly.
Regularly remove debris from outside condenser units. The dirt could pile up and harm your system. It will damage the system by overheating.
Clean the fan blades and coils on the condenser fan every spring. First, make sure the power is off to ensure nothing moves while you are working. Secondly, pop the grill off, take the blades off and clean them as http://www.airfilters.net/ well as the actual unit.
If the fan on your condenser includes oil ports, they must be lubricated annually. You'll find these ports are covered with a metal or rubber cap. Use SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.
Keep your outdoor units free of debris when your cutting grass. Instead, make sure that the grass is shooting in the opposite direction. Make sure you move around the unit and blow the leaves away from it while blowing your leaves.
Have your HVAC serviced at least yearly. Ideally, you should have it looked at in the spring and fall so you know everything is set for the hot and cold months. You should have it looked at even if no problems are occurring; there could still be a problem or potential problem.
A programmable thermostat can really help you out when it comes to your power bills. These can save you around 10 percent on your heating and cooling costs by just turning it back 10 percent to 15 percent for around eight hours each day. In addition, some models make things really easy on you, allowing you to adjust them from the computer.
Before you invest in any HVAC contractor, make sure you spend a good deal of time researching their reputations and credentials. 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. These steps are going to help to ensure your decision is a wise one.
In order to select an HVAC contractor that you can trust, it pays to invest some time researching a few prospective companies and checking their reputations. Inquire with the BBB and look elsewhere for other reviews from customers. This can help you make the right choice.
Do not allow your home to reach excessive levels of heat during the summer. 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. If humidity is high, this temp is still unsafe for people.
Each contractor establishes his own fees, so before you hire one, obtain a few estimates. Making some phone calls before deciding is a good way to save money. It is best to speak to several contractors so that you know which rates are reasonable.
Think about getting a radiant barrier in your attic so your HVAC system can run better. It blocks outside heat from coming in which will make sure you won't have to use more energy to keep your home cool when it's hot outside. You could even use your attic as part of your living space if it is done right.
Look for leaks in the ducts if your system isn't working right. Your utility company can test this for you, oftentimes at no charge. If not, it should be less expensive than a HVAC contractor. Once you fix the leaks, the savings will be more than worth the hassle.
Take measurements of the space you are trying to cool. In general, you best auto air filters need 20 BTU for each square foot. If multiple rooms need cooling, add together their square footage to reach this calculation.
Use an HVAC company who has a lot of experience in the field. The best companies out there have technicians that keep a schedule and their appointments too. Contractors ought to be able to find the problem quickly. Once the problem is identified, they will also be able to quickly and efficiently resolve it.
Decide which way your house faces to make sure your HVAC system can work its best. Block the sun in the morning with trees around your home. Anything that provides shade from direct sunlight can reduce the temperature inside your home and help reduce your energy bill for air conditioning during warm months.
Be sure you know what goes into what you're about to pay for the HVAC work if you're paying a contractor. Do not get scammed with material fees and fuel charges. You can avoid these issues if you have a contract that is written out.
Follow through on the references provided by the contractor. You may be horrified by what you find. It only takes a couple minutes to call to check a person out by calling, so don't worry about doing that.
When you have a contractor come to give you an estimate, make sure they perform a heat-loss calculation. This determines the BTU your system has to be. To properly calculate the heat-loss calculation, a service tech will count the number of windows and doors, calculate the square footage and determine the amount of insulation in the home.
After reading the above article, you should have a good understanding of what your HVAC system is all about. Be sure to take time to learn as much as you can. This will put you and your family in the safest position.
