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Although most people are thinking of their heating systems during the winter months, air conditioning is also important. When installing a new furnace or heating system, make sure the air ducts are also set up to work with your air condition system. Using the ducts for both heating and cooling is the most economical choice.
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 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.
Don't hire a contractor until you know a little about what you are facing. They won't be able to offer you a quote if they haven't seen your system. You need to know how to describe any issues. So, have this information ready.
Turn off your outdoor condenser when it's getting cold. When the temperature goes below 60 degrees, shut off the unit in order to prevent damage. This will maximize the life of your unit.
If your evaporator coil, found inside your home, becomes dirty, your unit will lose efficiency. Just pop off the front panel of the furnace and check to see that the coil is dry. Using a brush attachment on a vacuum, gently clean the coil of any dust or other debris.
When you have an outdoor unit, be sure to keep all plants, flowers, shrubs and trees at least two feet from it. Anything that grows inside it, either above the ground or even roots beneath the soil, can block it up and cause it to break. Give it some breathing room.
To cut energy costs, you should service your cooling and heating system once a year at least. The contractor should oil the parts that move and check the motor and freon levels. All of these little jobs will add up to big savings in energy use, with the improved efficiency.
If you plan on having a service on your HVAC unit, ask the technician what he will be doing. Any thorough service should consist of several things. The technician should check temperature levels, pressures, amperage draw, and coolant levels. They should adjust any belts that need it and clean the coils.
Equipping your home with a programmable thermostat can be an excellent way to cut utility costs. Such thermostats help you save around ten percent when it comes to energy costs. Some can even be controlled from a computer.
Before having someone install a new HVAC system or maintain or repair yours, make sure they are insured. Having someone who is insured work on your system will assure that if anything happens while they are working at your home, they are financially covered and you will not be responsible.
Use your HVAC system to heat your water for free! In the summer, residual heat pulled out of your house is used to heat water through a geothermal system. This will cool your home while allowing you to save a ton on hot http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3165134/ water costs, plus it's environmentally friendly 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 http://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=176026 allows you to enjoy all of your indoor space in a cool, comfortable way all summer long.
Change your filter on a regular basis. This is one of the easiest HVAC tips that you can do yourself. It is also one of the least expensive things that you can do to ensure that your system is running efficiently. Clogged and dirty filters can make your unit work 5-10% harder.
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?
Consider how long a contractor has been in business before you hire them. The longer they've been in your community, the more likely they are to do a good job. Fly by night operations pop up wherever people haven't heard of them before, and they're just the firms you want to avoid.
Improve the efficiency of your air conditioning by installing ceiling fans. Change the airflow direction of the ceiling fans. During the summer, the blades should move in a counter-clockwise direction. During the winter, the blades should move clockwise to help move the hot air in the ceiling down into the room.
Make sure to be specific about everything that is written in your contracts. It should detail the work that is being done, the materials being used and the amount of time it will take to complete the job. Leaving anything out can give the contractor an exit if something goes wrong.
If you're only wanting to do the minimal amount of HVAC maintenance, you should work on replacing your air filter. This is the easiest step to take to ensure that your unit remains in good operating condition. They are very inexpensive and well worth the time and money to replace.
When buying a new HVAC unit, make sure that you have it install from a licensed contractor. Ask them for references and make sure that the contractor followed up with customers whenever they needed to. Check the contractor's record with the Better Business Bureau and Department of Consumer Affairs before you hire them.
HVAC isn't hard to work with once you know what it's all about. Hopefully this guide gave you the tips you need to get ahead with all of this. It's a great thing to work on carefully because it can save you money while paying off in other ways as well.
