When seeking a new contractor, ask loved ones for referrals. They'll often have already had someone in for similar work and will know who http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&page=1&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3AAir%20Filters to trust and who to avoid. If your family hasn't used anyone, ask co-workers or other people you trust in your community for some references.
Look for discounts wherever possible. HVAC systems can be rather costly, so you'll want to seek out whatever discounts and deals that may be out there. When shopping around, ask about any current specials running, and look for discounts that are related to ENERGY STAR compliance. Both can save you a lot of cash.
If you want to know more about efficiently heating or cooling your home, go online and download the ENERGY STAR Guide. It provides information for homeowners to learn more about how they can save money while still keeping their home comfortable all year round, so it is a worthy ready.
If you are looking to save money with your HVAC system, consider turning down the air conditioner in the summer and turning the heat down in the winter. Putting on a sweater on a cold day can save you a ton of money on your utility bill, as can enjoying a cold drink instead of heavy air conditioning use.
When you want a HVAC contractor who is reliable, you need to spend some time in researching the background and reputation of several potential companies. It is always wise to check their status with the BBB. In addition, check out customer reviews that appear online. When done in advance you can be sure of making a sound decision.
Make sure to have your unit serviced once a year. During service the technician will check the motor and refill the system fluids. This ensures your system runs smoothly.
Keep your air conditioner off when people aren't home to save you money. Sure, the temp will rise, but no one is home anyway. However, leaving it on increases your electric bill and wear and tear on the system.
Ask for references and be sure to call them as well. You are dealing with a high ticket item here, so you'll want to do your due diligence to make sure you are getting the best for your money. Ask for references, but don't stop there. Call each reference to check. A lot of people don't take that important last step.
Make sure things don't get too hot or cold where your thermostat is. Any electronics or heat sources like lamps or televisions nearby can trick the thermostat into thinking the home is warmer than it actually is. This just means it runs your air conditioning longer than necessary, wasting energy and money.
Call in a contractor to find out if you can install an air conditioner on your current forced-air system without having to install new duct work. This can save you a ton of time and money, plus it takes up less space in your walls and rooms to boot.
If you don't want to install ductwork in your home, consider a mini-split system instead. They work form the outside in, allowing your whole home to cool without a central air conditioner. This allows you to enjoy all of your indoor space in a cool, comfortable way all summer long.
Looking for an efficient way to cool your home? Consider installing a whole-house evaporative cooler. They use water to cool air instead of traditional chemical coolants, using a ton less energy to cool your home than those other units. That said, they do work best in dry climates and not at all in humid ones.
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Be careful of sounds in your HVAC. If the condenser fan begins to make a grating or clicking sound, the blades could be hitting an obstruction. If blades get bent, don't try straightening them. You could unbalance them and cause them to hit the condenser coil. This could loosen the motor in the fan. Try replacing the bent blades with new ones. Make sure the new blades can freely rotate without wobbling.
Get a handful of quotes before accepting any. By calling around and asking a few different contractors, you can save a ton of money. Get in touch with more than a few contractors to best understand the going rate.
When you have a short list of contractors to consider, ask the people on their reference list about not only the service they received, but also how well the system is still running. Did they need more work down the road? Has the http://youtu.be/UD3oNWiTFkM company come back to make things right?
Ask your neighbors who they have fixing their HVAC systems. Neighborhoods are often built at the same time and will have the same set-ups for heating and cooling. That means if someone did a good job on their unit, they should offer you the same high quality service as well.
Learn the rules and regulations regarding licenses and insurance before hiring an HVAC professional. This way you can check to make sure that any contractor you consider hiring meets any requirements. This can prevent a costly legal process, especially in case of an accident on site. Without insurance, you could be held liable for damages.
When talking to a new contractor, he should show you how much money you can save on each unit he has available. He should offer you information on how much it will cost to operate each for a year. You can then compare these numbers to see which is the best bet for your home.
When comparing quotes from multiple contractors, think carefully about those on the bottom of the price list. It's likely they didn't really look into your home deeply, or they're making promises they can't keep. Do they offer you a guarantee? Are they insured? Do they have a current licence in your state?
It's easy to see that HVAC isn't hard to get into if you just take your time with it. In the end, you won't have too much trouble if you put what you've learned here to good use. Don't take our word for it and give it a try yourself before you do anything else!
