It may be difficult to understand initially, but having the right information should simplify it. This article will help you if you like this type of thing. If this sounds interesting to you, then continue reading.
If your HVAC system is acting up, take a tour of the house prior to calling a professional. Figure out which rooms feel hot and which feel cold. This can help the contractor determine the problem areas quickly and fix the problem easily.
Think about what improvements you want made before picking an HVAC contractor. This is necessary so that they can give you a quote before doing any work. It will be more difficult for him to assist you over the phone without the information readily available. Be sure to find this out ahead of time.
If you have outside condenser units, make sure to regularly clean the debris that builds up. The dirt could pile up and harm your system. It will damage the system by overheating.
Clean the fan blades and coils in your condenser each spring. Shut the power off before you do anything. Then, take off the grill and get the blades out. Clean everything with care.
If your fan condenser has oil ports, you must lubricate it once per year. You can easily find the ports as they have a rubber or metal cap. Chose SAE 20 oil, which has been proven to be the most effective.
Put your outdoor unit in places with shade. You save money this way because the air conditioner is now pulling in cooler air, which is easier to cool further.
You need to have a contractor review your unit twice a year. Checks in the spring as well as in autumn are the best. This will help you to avoid problems.
When the weather cools down, turn your outdoor condenser off. If temps go below 60 you run the risk of damaging a unit that remains on. This simple tip will help keep the system running efficiently for many years to come.
Install a thermostat you can program to save money on cooling your home. 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. Some of these thermostats can even be controlled from your smart phone or computer.
Keep energy costs from rising by having your system serviced annually. The contractor should oil the parts that move and check the motor and freon levels. This will help keep your system performing at maximum efficiency.
When everyone is gone, turn your AC off. Sure, the temp will rise, but no one is home anyway. Leaving it on all the time only makes it work harder and results in a larger utility bill.
To know how large of an air conditioner you need, look for a calculator online. Proper sizing will increase efficiency. Check the manufacturer's handbook to see what amount of space the unit can effectively cool.
All contractors charge differently for their services, so get at least four or five quotes before hiring a particular person. Getting several quotes will ultimately help you save lots of money. You may want to get quotes from at least five contractors in order to know what you should be paying.
Install a radiant barrier in your attic to boost HVAC efficiency. It blocks the heat from inside, reducing how much energy you need to cool down your home during summer. If it is done correctly, it is even possible to convert the attic as a living space.
Do you need a new HVAC unit? There are some things you need to keep in mind. Learn about the size systems need to be for optimal efficiency. It may be wise to get a unit that is a bit larger than needed. Just don't get one that is smaller than you need.
Know which direction the house faces so that your HVAC system operates more efficiently. If you strategically place trees, it's possible to block some of the morning sunlight so your home won't become overheated. The less your home is heated, the less you'll have to use your air conditioner to cool things off.
If you are purchasing an AC unit, take measurements. You need to know how big the area is that you want to have cooled off. Typically, 20 BTUs are required per square foot. If you need to cool multiple rooms, make sure to add the square footage together.
Be sure the HVAC contractor you pick is fast and knowledgeable. A sign of a great company is one that arrives on time for their appointment. The technicians need to also know what to do to figure out what's going wrong with an HVAC unit quickly. Once they are able to locate a problem, they should be able to fix it as fast as they can.
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. Use the guideline above to help you make those important decisions.
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