All The Help You Need To Maximize HVAC Success

Many homeowners have no idea what to do when the HVAC system collapses.To ward off disaster, it is worth taking the time to learn about the subject. This article is intended to help homeowners get the proper help they need for their HVAC unit.

Before calling someone to repair your system, make sure you know what kind of HVAC system you actually have. Know the brand name and model number. It is also helpful to have the maintenance history. This makes sure your contractor will be sufficiently prepared.

If you’ve been having trouble with an HVAC system, tour your home before calling a technician. This will help the contractor determine where the problem is and how to fix it.

Before you choose an HVAC contractor, have an idea in your mind of what needs to be done. If you can’t describe the problem, you may not get an accurate quote. They also won’t be able to offer you a quote if they don’t have a detailed idea of what you want done. Know this stuff ahead of time.

Grass Clippings

Cover your unit when you are mowing the lawn. Get the grass shot away from your unit. This also applies to blowing leaves or moving debris. Just be careful with that exterior HVAC unit.

Don’t get grass clippings pile up against your outside unit. Direct the grass clippings away from the HVAC unit. This applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in the yard.

When the leaves start to fall, the HVAC equipment can be harmed. When you see nearby trees shedding their leaves, clean the fan grill on your unit constantly. The fan needs to have an unobstructed path for air to enter the unit, and if it becomes blocked, you will end up with many headaches with the unit.

Your HVAC units might suffer when your trees lose leaves. Make sure the fan’s grill is cleaned frequently when the leaves begin to fall. The fan must not have anything in the way so that air can flow into it, and if it is clogged, you will end up with many headaches with the unit.

Look for shade when placing a compressor outdoors. This will limit the work that it has to do.

Lubricate your fan condenser yearly if it has oil ports. You can easily find these ports as they have a rubber or metal caps. Use SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.

You can boost the efficiency of your HVAC unit by replacing it with a new energy efficient one or moving your old one to a shady outside location. You save money this way because the air conditioner is now pulling in cooler air, which is easier to cool further.

Put outdoor condensers in the shade if you are installing them.

Turn off your outdoor condenser when it becomes cold out. If it’s lower than 60 degrees, the time has come to turn it off. This can ensure your unit is working well throughout the years without the cost of repairs.

Have your HVAC serviced at the least. This should be done in the fall and malfunctions.

Replace any single-paned windows with double-paned versions. In warmer months, these windows will help to maintain the cooler inside temperature. They help in the winter, too, keeping the heat in.

Turn off any outdoor condensers you have when it becomes cold out. This means that you should turn it off to prevent damage if the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This helps your system last much longer and will have to be repaired less often.

Installing a programmable digital thermostat can help save money. 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 programmable thermostats can even be controlled from a PC or other device.

It is a good idea to replace single-paned windows for double panes. This same effect also helps retain heated air during the winter months.

Your home should not have temperatures that are too hot. Air conditioners can only really cool your home down 20 degrees or so within a reasonable time period. If your home gets above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, you’ll only cool down to still above 80. Depending on how humid it is, this isn’t really that safe for a person to sleep in when it’s really hot.

Don’t let your home get too hot to where it’s dangerous. Air conditioners can only really cool down unreasonably high temps. If your home gets above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, it will only reduce it to 80 or more. This is not a healthy environment to live in.

Did you know an AC unit can freeze? The drain line also occasionally freezes, which can be misdiagnosed as a plumbing leak. If this is something you notice, switch the thermostat in your home to fan only so the compressor is disabled. This problem will need to be handled by a professional, even though the fan will probably help with the ice situation.

Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line might also freeze up.If you see this happen, switch your thermostat to fan only to disable the compressor. If this doesn’t work, call in help.

Before you hire any HVAC companies, find out how the amount of time they’ve been in business. Companies that have been around for longer have a proven track record that you can use to decide if they are worth the time and money. It’s a risk to hire a new one.

Companies that have been around for longer have a proven track records typically provide better service. Hiring a new contractor who is just starting out can be risky.

Use recommendations when you are looking for a contractor. When people have had great service, they are generally pleased to pass on a good word. It’s also important to do this to learn which companies should not be contracted for work.

Ask friends and family for their HVAC contractor recommendations. People that have had great service are usually willing to tell of it. This is also help you to figure out some names of businesses that you should avoid at all costs.

A radiant barrier improves the efficiency of your HVAC. This will block the heat that comes in. If done right, you can even start using the attic as living space.

There are plenty of sites these days that give people the opportunity to leave comments about their experiences with contractors. This will help filter out the people you would like to work with.

Do you need a new HVAC system? You could keep a few points in mind. Systems have ratings according to the total area they effectively heat or cool. If your home falls in size between two units, select the one that is larger.

Check for duct leaks if you you feel your unit seems to not up to snuff. When you repair the leaks, you may see that the testing pays for itself.

Test your duct work for leaks. The local utility company may be able to do this for you at a cost lower than what a contractor would charge you. The testing will pay for itself once you find and repair the leaks.

If your HVAC system is clicking, see if there are any obstructions right away. Often the issue is some sort of debris that’s hitting the fans in your cooling system. Look carefully at it before you call for help.

Make your HVAC work efficiently when you consider what way your home faces. If trees are placed strategically, you can block morning sunlight that can overheat the house. If there is less heat in the home from sunlight, then the HVAC will require less work to actually cool the home.

Square Footage

If you hear a clicking noise coming from the HVAC unit, see if there is any debris in it. The problem may be debris getting into the fans of the cooling system. Remove the debris and you have solved the problem. Always check for yourself before getting someone out to repair the unit.

Measure the area you wish to cool before going air conditioning. You generally need 20 BTUs per square footage of space. If more than one room needs AC service, get their square footage added together.

Pick out an HVAC business that is fast and knows what to do. The best HVAC companies do their best to maintain their appointments and get to their customers quickly. Good technicians are also able to diagnose issues quickly. When they know the issue, they ought to have it fixed quickly and efficiently.

Ask any potential contractor about their experience prior to hiring them. You need to know that they have the sort of work on your particular system.

Consider what kind of experience a company has before you consider hiring any contractor for HVAC work in your home. They should have a good history of working with HVAC units. That isn’t to say that a worker with less experience can’t handle the job, we all have to start somewhere, but it’s not a chance you should take.

Nobody ever wants their heating and/or cooling systems to go out when it is really hot or really cold. If you perform regular maintenance, you are less likely to experience an untimely break down. The tips you learned here can help homeowners make informed decisions regarding their HVAC systems.

Any HVAC contractor or installer should have an emergency number available to customers around the clock. A good company will have repairman available in any weather situation.