A reliable HVAC system can make one’s home really enjoyable. It can be a great joy to have warm air during cold winter months and cool air in the heat of summer. However, it can quickly turn into a nightmare if your HVAC system fails on you. You must learn how to properly maintain your HVAC, and the following article has some basic info for you.
When spring rolls around, give the condenser fan blades and coils a good clean. Be sure to turn the power off first; you don’t want anything to move. Secondly, pop the grill off, take the blades off and clean them as well as the actual unit.
Don’t get grass clippings on your outside unit. Instead, make sure that the grass is shooting in the opposite direction. This applies when you are taking care of the leaves in the yard.
As you notice the tress begin to lose their leaves, keep an eye on your outdoor condenser unit. Make sure the fan’s grill is cleaned often during the fall. The fan must be unobstructed to work properly, and if it becomes blocked, it could cause your system to break down.
If the condenser fan has oil parts, then you need to lubricate it at least once per year. You’ll see that the ports here are closed with a rubber or metal cap. Choose a SAE 20 oil whch is lightweight and non-detergent and place 10 drops or less into each port, ensuring it doesn’t overfill.
Make sure you have your HVAC system checked at least twice a year. This should be checked often for debris and malfunctions. Even if nothing seems wrong, checking it out can help you find and fix potential issues.
When colder weather arrives, switch off all outdoor condenser units. If it’s less than 60 degrees outside, turn the unit off. You will save in repair bills and increase the efficiency of your system.
One great way to save some cash when you’re working on keeping a home cool is to install a thermostat that’s programmable. With this device installed, it can help you save money on your energy bills by you having the power to regulate the temperature throughout the day. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from a PC or other device.
If you want your energy costs to go down, have the heating an cooling system you own serviced every year at least. During a maintenance visit, professionals can help by inspecting the system’s motor, oil the different moving parts as well as check the system’s freon levels. Those things are going to help your system at peak performance.
When everyone is gone, turn your AC off. The house will only heat up to a certain point. The longer the unit stays on, the more it ends up costing you in energy bills.
If you need recommendations for an HVAC contractor, check online. There are many sites that other customers can place their reviews. This can help filter out the people you would like to work with.
For greater efficiency, put a radiant barrier in your attic. It can help keep heat out during the hot summer months, which means you will lower your power bills. If done correctly, this also enables you to start using your attic as a living space.
Test your duct work for leaks. This is a job your local utility provider may do for you inexpensively or even free of charge. Paying for the test is fine as repairing the leaks will pay for itself quickly.
When your unit is clicking, immediately go out and look to see if anything is inside it. Often the issue is some sort of debris that’s hitting the fans in the cooling system. Get rid of the debris and this will no longer be an issue. Always check for yourself before getting someone out to repair the unit.
Before you hire a HVAC contractor, you should find out what their experience is. Make sure they are experienced doing the kind of work that you need. While someone with less experience might be able to do a great job too, you do not want to take that chance.
Always get some references prior to hiring any contractor. You need to know if previous clients have gotten what they needed, like timely service within their budget. Also, it will prevent you from getting robbed.
Understand the costs beforehand with your HVAC unit. You might find that some contractors try to add hidden charges for odd items, such as materials and fuel. Ensure your contract is solid to avoid any problems.
Cover your condenser unit for protection in the winter time. This will help your condenser last longer when not being used. Also, you shouldn’t use your compressor if the temperature outside drops to below 60 degrees. Use the fan instead to avoid putting strain on the condenser unit.
When you get a contractor to come by to offer a quote to you, make sure they do include heat-loss calculation. This determines the number of BTUs needed to maintain comfort in your home. There are several factors involved, including your insulation and how many outside windows and doors you have.
Now you understand why it’s important to keep the HVAC system working properly. Nothing good will come out of you ignoring all of the issues that occur. Fortunately, you came across the info here, and you now know what you must do to keep your system in working order.