When a home HVAC system develops issues, homeowners often don’t know where to begin. But anyone can make the situation much more simple by learning what they need to know ahead of time. This piece is meant to provide solid instruction on hiring proper HVAC contractors.
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 way, the contractor will have an easier time diagnosing the problem and repairing it fast.
If you struggle with your HVAC, try touring your home before calling a professional. Find out which rooms are hot and which are cold. Give this information to your contractor when they arrive.
Don’t hire a contractor until you know a little about what you are facing. You might not be able to get a price quote unless you let the contractor see your current system first. If you do not know what you want, the process can become tedious, especially over the phone. This is information that you should have prepared in advance.
Know what work you want done before you select an HVAC contractor. A contractor will be hard pressed to provide you with an over-the-phone estimate if unfamiliar with your system. Being unable to explain what has been already done will make it even harder. So, figure out this information before anything else.
Make sure that you regularly clean debris that might build up on external condenser units. Things tend to pile up around these units, especially after storms come through, which could cause problems to your system. Also, you are risking your system overheating.
If you have units that are condensers outside of the home, keep them free of debris. Excess debris can really affect your system’s quality. Also, you are risking your system overheating.
When you cut the grass, make sure your mower isn’t tossing clippings toward your outdoor units. Now so the grass clippings are shot away from your unit. This is the same if you are using a leaf blower.
Grass Clippings
As the leaves are falling off the trees, your HVAC system can really take a hit. Make sure the fan’s grill is cleaned often during the fall. When blockages restrict the flow of air to the fan, you could end up with serious issues on your hands.
Cover your unit when you are mowing the lawn. Now so the grass clippings are shot away from your unit. This includes grass clippings and leaves.
Lubricate your fan condenser at least once a year. You’ll see that the ports here are closed with a rubber or metal cap. Use SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.
If you can, use double-paned windows instead of single-paned ones. Good double pane windows keep cool air in during the summer and minimize your utility expenses. This also helps keep it warm in the winter.
In order to boost efficiency, place new outdoor units or move your current unit to a place which resides in the shade. As your air conditioner sucks in cool air, little will have to be done to cool it any further, saving you a ton on your energy bills.
Putting in a programmable thermostat is a smart way to cut back on air-conditioning costs. A programmable thermostat can save you up to ten percent on your cooling and heating costs by simply turning the thermostat back ten to fifteen percent for eight hours a day. Some newer programmable thermostats have computerized controls you can access from your personal computer, laptop or mobile media device.
Condenser units for the outdoors should be shut off when it starts to get cold outside. If it’s less than 60 degrees outside, turn the unit off. This can keep your system working for years and save you a lot on repairs.
AC units will tend to get ice on them due to the cold. Sometimes the drain line will freeze, causing leaks. If this is something that’s happening to you, change the setting on your thermostat to the fan setting and this will disable the compressor. This problem will need to be handled by a professional, even though the fan will probably help with the ice situation.
Replace any single-paned windows with double-paned versions. They help cool air remain inside your home, effectively cutting back on how much you have to run your air conditioner. When it is cold in the winter months, these same windows will keep the warm air inside as well.
Look for calculators online to help you determine the size of unit you need for your home. If you buy a unit that is too big, it won’t do an efficient job. Look at the manual for more information.
Don’t allow your home to become dangerously hot. AC units will only cool a house down 20 degrees. This limits their overall benefit. Depending on humidity levels, this isn’t even a safe temperature for a human body to sleep at to recover from summer heat.
Before you hire someone from an HVAC place, figure out how long they’ve been doing this kind of work. Firms that have been in business for a long time are easier to assess. It’s a risk to hire a new one.
Some air conditioners can ice up. Many times people think there is a plumbing leak, but instead the drain line has water that is frozen. If you see this happen, disable the compressor by turning your thermostat to the fan only setting. Once you know the problem, contact a local HVAC professional and let them know what’s going on in your system.
Ask for quotes from multiple contractors. This can help you to save money by knowing what people are charging. You may want to get quotes from at least five contractors in order to know what you should be paying.
When you need an HVAC contractor, obtain recommendations from friends and family members. People that have had quality work done are usually more than willing to share this information. This will also help you to avoid undesirable companies.
To help your heating and cooling system run efficiently, install 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. If it is done correctly, it is even possible to convert the attic as a living space.
Search online for reviews to find an HVAC customer you can trust. There are different sites that let customers share experiences of different services. This is an awesome way to find contractors to work with.
If you hear a clicking noise coming from the HVAC unit, see if there is any debris in it. Sometimes there is debris that gets in the fan’s way. Just clear the debris to remove the problem. Take a look before calling a service technician.
A radiant barrier is something that you may want to consider. This device helps block the heat from the outside, which reduces your dependency on your HVAC system, as well as your bill. If done right, you can even start using the attic as living space.
Make sure your windows and doors are efficient. Your windows and doors should all be tightly sealed. Double pane windows are a great idea. A professional can easily have this tested for you, and oftentimes, this service is free.
Test your duct work for leaks. Call your utility company and ask if they test for free, as many do. If you do end up paying, you’ll find that fixed leaks are worth the money.
System Working
When choosing the proper air conditioner size, measure the area that needs cooling. You generally need 20 BTU for each square foot of room space. Combine the square footage of all rooms, in the event that you will be cooling more than one.
Replace the air filter to keep your HVAC system working well. This represents an easy way to keep your system working well. Filters only cost a few bucks, and it’s a small price to pay.
Replace the air filter to keep your HVAC system working well. It’s easy and has a huge impact on performance. Filters are cheap, and changing them regularly adds up to long term savings.
Use an HVAC company who has a lot of experience in the field. A sign of a great company is one that arrives on time for their appointment. These techs that come out should be quickly able to figure out the issue and remedy the problem right away. After they know what the problem is, it’s just a matter of time before they have it back and running properly.
Never hire a contractor before asking about the work experience they have when it comes to dealing with HVAC units. He or she may not have experience working with your type of system or performing the work that you need done. Though it is possible that a newer contractor will be just fine, you may not want to take the risk.
It is important to think about the direction air flows from your unit. Put it in a corner where the air does not flow into the wall.
When you engage a contractor, request references. You want to make sure that the contractor has satisfied previous customers. The references will help you avoid wasting your money on someone that is not professional.
The estimate needs to state exactly what is included. Some contractors attempt to add charges on later for things such as material fees and fuel charges. Make sure that you have an ironclad written contract to avoid these disasters.
Only choose a contractor to repair or install your HVAC unit if they provide a 24 hour hotline in case of emergencies. You want a company that will be there when you need them.
Use a fully-enclosing cover to protect your condenser unit in the winter. This can help it last longer when it is not in use. Also don’t use the compressor when it’s less than about 60 degrees outside. Do this by simply turn on the fan so that you don’t cause the unit unnecessary strain.
You should cover the condenser on your HVAC unit during the winter. That ensures it isn’t damaged by the cold and snow. Also, never use your compressor when the outside temperature is less than 60 degrees. Turn the fan on instead, to avoid putting undue stress on the system.
Usually your HVAC system will stop working during the bitter days of winter season or the sultry days of summer. However, homeowners who are educated in basic heating and cooling maintenance can overcome many of the issues that may arise during trying times. The tips you just read will help you with whatever comes your way.
Make certain that any potential contractor calculates potential heat loss. This will determine how much BTU your new system will need to keep your home comfortable. This means that they need to count all doors and windows in your home, along with an insulation check, and taking full measurement of your home.
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