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Ask for referrals when hiring someone to install your HVAC system. Someone may seem like they know what they are doing, but you cannot simply take their word for it. You should be able to call past customers to get an idea of what to expect from this particular installer.
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. If you can't explain changes you've made, the process will be even more difficult. Be sure to find this out ahead of time.
Try to prevent debris from getting in your HVAC unit. Cleaning your unit is very important for its effectiveness. The fan should have a clear path for air to come in. If it is blocked, your system will suffer.
Clean your permanent air filters or replace disposable ones every single month. If you have the choice, an electrostatic is the best option on the market today. Be sure to http://unitedfilter.com/ turn off your unit before you change the filter as it should never be run without a filter in place.
You should be sure to change the air filter of your HVAC system once every six months. Neglecting to do so can cause dust particles to clog the air ducts. In turn, your system will not work properly and you will find your bills going up. It's worth spending the time to clean the filters.
Turn off outdoor condenser units when weather turns cold. Avoid damaging the unit by turning it off when the outdoor temperature drops below 60 degrees. This can keep your HVAC running and can save you money on repairs.
The energy efficiency of a unit should be taken into consideration when purchasing a new heating and cooling system. Although you should be concerned about the price of a unit, the efficiency of the unit will save you thousands over the lifetime of the http://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=176026 heating and cooling system and should weigh heavily on your buying decision.
If you want to cool your home in the summer without using your air conditioning on full, consider installing fans in your home. An attic fan can blow hot air out while sucking in cool air into your basement, and ceiling fans help distribute the air in your rooms evenly.
Talk to others that you have in your life to see if they can recommend an HVAC contractor to you. People that have gotten great work done in the past generally love to share the information they know about it. This can also be used to see who you should avoid.
Consider all of your alternatives before installing a central air conditioner. You can only cool certain rooms, use whole-house fans, or even make use of a geothermal system. The more efficient the system you set up, the less you'll spend on utility bills over time as you use it.
Consider an annual service agreement for technicians to regularly inspect your AC unit. Schedule brief inspections for the winter to make sure nothing is obviously wrong. The most important time for an inspection and service is just before it starts getting warm. You don't want to discover an AC breakdown when you need it working most.
To reduce the air conditioning's energy cost, close drapes, blinds and shades that cover windows which face the sun. Also, white shades will reflect the heat away from the house, keeping it cooler and saving you money. It is also recommended that you close the vents in rooms that are not used often. This will ensure that you are not spending money cooling less-used rooms.
If your home gets hot in the summer and you'd like to use your air conditioner less often, consider a metal roof. It reflects the heat right back up into the sky, allowing your home to gain less heat on sunny days. Since metal roofs are permanent, you'll save on repair and replacement costs also.
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.
For greater efficiency, put a radiant barrier in your attic. This blocks heat from entering your home, which lowers how much energy is needed to keep it cool in the warm months. It can even make your attic a livable space.
If you can, find a way to create shade over your outdoor HVAC unit. This can actually save you money as shaded air being pulled in by the HVAC unit is typically 5 to 6 degrees cooler than air that's heated by direct sunlight. It's a smart solution to lowering those energy bills.
Think about installing a digital programmable thermostat to keep your heating and cooling bills low. These digital thermostats have timers that allow you to completely control your HVAC use. You can set the heat and cooling to only turn on when you are home and to turn off when you are at work.
Think about the air flow coming out of the air conditioner and where you want to place it for maximum comfort. If it must be in a corner, make certain that the air does not point towards a wall.
Hire contractors who offer guarantees of at least 5 year on all labor and parts. This will ensure that you can go back to them to fix anything that goes wrong shortly after your system is installed or repaired. Anyone who doesn't offer a guarantee won't come back unless you pay them again.
To keep your home feeling comfortable it is very important that your HVAC system is working the right way. The tips and information from above hopefully have showed you what it needed to make the HVAC last a very long time. Remember what you learned here, and use it to ensure you have a home that has a comfortable living space.
