If your HVAC system is acting up, take a tour of the house prior to calling a professional. Make a list of the temperatures in each room and whether they are hot or cold. This information will help the contractor determine where the problem is and how to fix it.
Before you ever begin looking for an HVAC contractor, first consider the entire job that you'll need completed. Discussing the problem is simplified if you understand what has happened with the unit. You need to know how to describe any issues. Be sure to find this out ahead of time.
If there are condenser units as part of your HVAC system, clean them often as they tend to have lots of debris. Falling leaves and wind or rain may cause debris to reduce the efficiency of your unit. This can lead to overheating.
Make sure that you do not cover your outdoor components with grass clippings when you are trimming the grass. Shoot grass the other way. Be just as mindful when you blow leaves to not blow them toward your HVAC equipment.
As you notice the tress begin to lose their leaves, keep an eye on your outdoor condenser unit. Clean the fan grill often when leaves are falling. The air needs to be unobstructed into the fan, and any blockages create performance issues for the whole system.
You need to lubricate parts of your fan condenser. These are usually covered with rubber or metal caps. Use a lightweight oil and do not overfill them.
Be sure to place your outdoor unit in a shady spot to maximize efficiency. As it brings in cool air to cool, you will save a lot of money.
Have the HVAC system checked twice a year at the least. The ideal thing to do would be to have it checked out in the fall and spring so you're able to figure out if everything is ready for the cold and hot months. This will help you to avoid problems.
Turn off your air conditioner when no one is home to help save money. By raising the temperature from, for example 78 to 80, your house will be warmer, but only up to 80 before your AC kicks in. If you decide to set the temperature to 82 or 83 or so on, your AC won't go on until it reaches that temperature. If the A/C is on when you're gone, it'll be working hard constantly.
Problems with an air conditioning unit happen when it ices up. Freezing drain lines are also possible and can be mistaken for leaks. 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. Get a professional to deal with this, even if you see the ice start melting because you turned the compressor off.
When you're purchasing an HVAC system, make sure that you get a unit that is properly sized for your space. A unit that is bigger than you need simply isn't efficient. Look in the manual or on the manufacturer website for this information.
How long has the contractor been in business? Companies that are around awhile have a better record than those that haven't been. If you choose to hire a new contractor, you may be risking things.
If you need a HVAC contractor, try and get recommendations from family and friends. If a person had a good experience with a company, they are likely to share it. This can also help you to figure out some names of businesses that you should avoid at all costs.
Checkout online reviews if you do not know which contractor to call for installation, maintenance or repair of your HVAC system. There are quite a few sites now that allow customers to share their experiences with different services. This method provides you with all the information you need to make the best hiring decisions.
If you HVAC unit is clicking, immediately check for any type of obstruction. Many times you will find debris hitting that knock up against the fans inside the cooling unit. Simply clear away the debris or remove any foreign objects and your problem is solved. Check it out before spending on a contractor.
Your doors and windows need to be as efficient as the HVAC system you use. Be sure their seal is tight so no exterior air gets in or interior air gets out. Ask a contractor to test them for you.
Choose an HVAC contractor who know what he is doing and works quickly. The best companies keep the technicians working honestly and on time. Contractors ought to be able to find the problem quickly. Once the problem is identified, fixing it should be quick and easy.
Think about the air flow coming out of the air conditioner and where you want to place it for maximum comfort. If you have to place it in a corner, get one with moving vents.
You should now have a good understanding of how important it is to maintain your HVAC system correctly. If your HVAC fails, it can be expensive to repair. Make sure that this does not happen in your home; remember the advice that you read here.
