Anyone who has a HVAC unit in their house knows the importance of properly maintaining it. A HVAC system that does no function properly can cost a ton of money. To better learn how to keep an HVAC working properly, the article below contains some great advice. Read on!
If you are having issues with your HVAC, do a tour of your house before you call in help. Jot down the rooms that are hot and the ones that are cold. The contractor can probably figure out and fix the problem easier.
Before choosing an HVAC contractor, think of what you wish to have done. You might not be able to get a price quote unless you let the contractor see your current system first. Getting an estimate will be even more difficult if you cannot adequately describe the problem. So, figure out this information before anything else.
Outside Condenser
Keeping the outside condenser clean of debris and leaves will improve the system’s efficiency. Make sure your power is off before doing more than cleaning, such as working on the unit. The outside condenser unit should be kept free of leaves and other debris.
Every spring you need to make sure your condenser fan’s coils and blades on the fan part are clean. Before you begin cleaning the unit, make sure that it is unplugged. Pull out each of the blades and clean them one by one.
When you are cutting the grass, be sure not to cover your outdoor units with clippings. Direct the clippings away from the equipment. The same goes for when you blow leaves, so make sure your are careful when moving any debris in the vicinity of your HVAC devices.
You must keep your HVAC systems oil ports lubricated annually. You’ll see that the ports here are closed with a rubber or metal cap. Look for an oil that is lightweight and then put about 10 drops inside the port. You don’t want to put in too much.
In order for your new unit to be as efficient as possible, or to make older units more efficient, make sure it’s put in a shaded area. When your unit sucks in cooler air, then much less is required to cool it further, which saves you money on energy bills.
Have your heating and cooling system inspected twice a year. The ideal thing to do would be to have it checked out in the fall and spring so you’re able to figure out if everything is ready for the cold and hot months. You should have it looked at even if no problems are occurring; there could still be a problem or potential problem.
Condenser units for the outdoors should be shut off when it starts to get cold outside. If the temperature outside is less than 60ºF, be sure to turn off the unit so that you don’t damage it. This can ensure your unit is working well throughout the years without the cost of repairs.
A programmable thermostat is a simple way to help save money on air conditioning costs. It may save you as much as 10 percent of your overall utility bill if you turn your thermostat down by 10-15 degrees for a portion of the day. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from a PC or other device.
Get your HVAC unit serviced yearly. During your service visit, the serviceman will inspect the unit’s motor, oil the unit’s moving parts and ensure the unit has proper freon levels. This will help your system run better.
Do your homework on a number of HVAC companies before selecting the one that has the best reputation and service record. Check with the BBB and look for reviews of potential companies online. Doing all of this will make sure you hire the best company for your HVAC needs.
Always check to see how long a company or contractor has been working for. Companies that are around awhile have a better record than those that haven’t been. It’s a risk to hire a new one.
Use recommendations when you are looking for a contractor. Find someone that has a lot of quality work under their belt. This can also be used to see who you should avoid.
If your system doesn’t seem to be working efficiently, check your ducts for leaks. Your utility company can test this for you, oftentimes at no charge. If not, it should be less expensive than a HVAC contractor. When these leaks are fixed, the testing will pay for itself in energy savings.
Hvac System
Do you better understand the job of your HVAC system now? Do you understand simple maintenance techniques and how to keep your system operating year-round? You really do not want your HVAC system to be faulty since you could end up with excessive expense due to repairs and maintenance. Keep these tips for referral so you can get your HVAC system to last a long time.