HVAC systems are excellent at maintaining a comfortable temperature in your home no matter what season it is. Most homes will already come with an HVAC system installed, but repairs and replacements are often a part of owning a home. Having good knowledge about HVAC systems is important so when the time comes to find something for your home, you will know exactly what to purchase. Below are some great tips for you to consider!
Before you start calling to find someone to fix your unit, make sure you know the type of system that is installed. It is important to understand what model it is and which brand it is. Also, if it has been serviced before, you should have that information handy. This will help you give the new contractor the necessary information.
If your HVAC is giving you problems, tour your home before calling a technician. Make a list of the rooms which are comfortable and which just aren't. That will help your repairman figure out where the problem is, and how he can fix it easily and quickly.
Clean the fan blades and coils prior to summertime. Before you clean the unit, be sure to turn off the power. Remove leaves and debris from the outdoor unit.
If the outside of your home has condenser units, ensure they are constantly cleaned. Falling leaves and wind or rain may cause debris to reduce the efficiency of your unit. Left unchecked, your unit is more likely to break down.
When spring rolls around, give the condenser fan blades and coils a good clean. Shut the power off before you do anything. Remove the grill and carefully clean the blades and surrounding areas.
Don't let grass clippings pile up against your outdoor condenser. Turn your lawnmower in the opposite direction. The same goes for blowing leaves, so always be careful if you are moving debris near your HVAC devices.
If trees are losing leaves around your home, this can impact your HVAC unit. Whenever leaves are falling, consistently clean the fan grill. Otherwise, the unit will have to work unnecessarily hard.
To increase the efficiency of your HVAC unit, be sure to keep it in the shade. The air in the shade is cooler and can help save on energy costs.
Make sure you have your HVAC system checked at least twice a year. The best times to have the system checked is spring and fall, so you are sure everything is running at peak performance before the heating and cooling seasons. Even if you don't think anything's wrong, it's still worth an inspection.
Having a programmable thermostat installed is a money saving idea. With this device installed, it can help you save money on your energy bills by you having the power to regulate the temperature throughout the day. In addition, some models make things really easy on you, allowing you to adjust them from the computer.
To help lower cooling costs when not at home, make sure the air conditioner is turned off. Even though the house will get hotter, it won't get too bad if the unit is off. It will use more electricity if you keep it running.
Sometimes, air conditioning units ice up. The drain line might also freeze over. If this happens, turn the thermostat so it is on fan only mode, which 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.
Find an air conditioner calculator online to determine what models are best for you. If you get something that's too big, it won't work as well for you in the end. Check your manual to learn what it is rated by the manufacturer if you want accurate information.
Try to get as many quotes from contractors that you can. Getting several quotes will ultimately help you save lots of money. Ideally, you should call five to six contractors to get a good idea of what a reasonable rate is.
Are you going to buy a new HVAC system? There are some things you need to keep in mind. Systems get rated according to how large an area they can effectively cool and heat. If your home falls in size between two units, select the one that is larger.
You can usually have free duct testing performed if you are concerned about your HVAC system not running properly. Your utility company will usually test the unit for free or for a small fee. When you get leaks repaired, you may see that the testing pays for itself.
A heating and air conditioning system is a crucial part of many homes. The suggestions above should provide you with a good starting point for your consideration if you're in the market to buy an HVAC system. The tips here can help you make a wise choice in purchasing and installing a system that serves you well.
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