An HVAC system helps keep you comfortable all year. Many houses come with them, but they do need to be replaced from time to time. It is important to know what you want in an HVAC unit and also how to keep it maintained. The tips that follow should help you begin to establish criteria for making the right choice of an HVAC system for your home.
Before you start calling to find someone to fix your unit, make sure you know the type of system that is installed. Learn the brand and the model. This will enable you to give your chosen contractor any information they might need.
Check the whole house before you call for help. Figure out which rooms feel hot and which feel cold. This can help contractors quickly figure out the issue and how to fix it easily and quickly.
Each spring it’s time to clean the inside of your condenser unit, including the fan and the sensitive coil. Before you begin cleaning the unit, make sure that it is unplugged. Remove the grill and carefully clean the blades and surrounding areas.
Your HVAC unit may suffer when trees start to lose their leaves. Be sure to clean your fan grill frequently when trees nearby are shedding. The air needs to be unobstructed into the fan, and any blockages create performance issues for the whole system.
Put outdoor condensers in the shade. This will help you save on your energy bill.
Check your unit at least twice each year. This should be checked often for debris and malfunctions. Even if everything seems fine, check things out to find potential problems.
If you can, use double-paned windows instead of single-paned ones. Double pane windows help minimize your air conditioning use in the summer by keeping the cooler air inside your home. Conversely, this also works to keep warm air in during colder months.
A good way to save money with your air conditioning is by installing a programmable thermostat. Programmable thermostats can reduce your power HVAC energy costs by as much as ten percent, just by dialing back your thermostat ten or fifteen percent up to eight daily hours. Some of these thermostats can even be controlled from your smart phone or computer.
Service your hearing and cooling systems once each year. During this service visit, they will inspect the motor of the system, oil the moving parts and check the freon levels in the system. Your unit will last longer this way.
When everyone is gone, turn your AC off. Turning it off does allow the temperature to rise, but only so far. When the AC is left running, your power bill will go up quite a bit.
Occasionally, air conditioners ice up. The drain line can freeze, making you think it’s a plumbing leak. If you see this, try switching your thermostat to just the fan so that it disables the compressor. If this doesn’t work, call a professional.
Research what size air conditioner you should purchase for the size of your home by using online calculators they have for this purpose. If you make the mistake of purchasing a unit that is too large, it will not cool efficiently. To get the right information, look in the manual to find out the rating the manufacturer gives the unit for cooling.
HVAC systems are the best investments that you can make in your home. When you need to repair or replace parts, use these tips. Following the considerations described above can help you make a more educated buying decision than you might have otherwise when you’re looking to purchase an HVAC system.