When a contractor gives you a list of references, be sure to make use of it. Call the people on the list and ask about the quality of the work, how closely they came to their quote and whether or not the work was completed according to the promised timeline.
When the spring comes and the days begin to warm up, call in a pro to give your HVAC a once over. This will ensure that your air conditioner works as expected all summer long, stopping you from sweating it out when you least expect the system to fail.
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.
Clean your filters! If you have a window unit air conditioner, there will be a filter right under the grill you can vacuum. If you have a furnace or outdoor units, they will also have filters to be cleaned or replace. A dirty filter can make your unit inefficient or even let it overheat.
If there are oil ports on your fan condenser, lubricate it annually. They are usually fitted with a rubber or metal cap. Use a lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, putting 10 drops in each port.
Do you hear a clicking sound when your fan is turning? This may mean that there is something in the way of the blades of the fan. If it gets so bad that the blade bends, you must replace it, just unbending it will leave the fan unbalanced and can cause further issues.
If you are going to be gone during the day or on vacation, turn the temperature up on your air conditioning unit. Your home will become somewhat warmer during this time. If will be constantly fighting the heat and using lots of electricity if it is left on all day.
Whenever possible, try to shade the compressor unit outside. The air that's in a place that is shaded is usually five to six degrees cooler than the surrounding air. Your air conditioning unit will be up to ten percent more efficient if it is properly shaded during the summer months.
If you want to pay for less power use, consider installing an HVAC-specific solar panel system. Such an installation harnesses the power of the sun directly for your heating and air conditioning. Don't worry though; you can have a switch put in that automatically connects to the power grid the days there isn't enough sun.
When http://www.5starfilter.com/ you buy a new air conditioning unit, don't let the salesperson talk you into too large of a unit. This will be a waste of money and won't efficiently cool your home. The longer a system runs, the more efficient it will be when it's running, so look for one which runs 15 to 30 minutes.
Want to save the most you can with your HVAC unit? Consider increasing your room temperature by a single degree or two. Each degree means money that stays in your pocket. In fact some estimate that each degree you move up can work out to be around 9% in overall energy savings.
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.
When water condenses on your air conditioner, it drips into a pan and drains out. This drain should be inspected on a regular basis. If algae forms in the drain line or if the drain line freezes, you could be in for some expensive repairs. The drip pan could overflow causing extensive damage to your ceilings.
Get a more efficient HVAC system by looking at the way your home faces. If you strategically place trees, it's possible to block some of the morning sunlight so your home won't become overheated. A cooler home means less work for your air conditioner.
If your system isn't working as it should, test its ducts for leaks. Your local energy company may do such testing at a reduced cost or maybe even for free. When you have leaks repaired, the testing has paid for itself.
Get bids from several companies before deciding who you are going to hire to install or repair your HVAC system. Most people know to avoid the company that has the highest quote, but you should also stay away from the one with the lowest. The price may be lower due to shoddy workmanship an/or using low-quality equipment.
Check the licensing of any HVAC company that you plan to hire. Start by making sure they are fully licensed. They should be in compliance with your state's business laws. Good HVAC companies should be fully insured. This is to protect their company, their employees, and their customers should anything happen when they are performing a service at the home of a customer.
If you do only one thing for HVAC maintenance, it ought to be replacing the air filter. It is the easiest way to take care of it. Filters are cheap, and changing them regularly adds up to long term savings.
Get your work order in writing. You should always have a written proposal before the HVAC http://helpforum.sky.com/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/2338646 contractor begins work. This will help prevent overspending, or any extra fees or expenses that you may be unaware of. Make sure you go over it with your contractor so that you understand every charge.
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As long as you have the motivation, you can learn about your HVAC system. Apply this advice and you will be in great shape. You will save on your electric bill by doing so.
