Coming home to an HVAC unit is no fun. The tips that follow will assist you do just that.
Know what type of your HVAC system you currently have before calling someone to fix it. This will ensure that you to give your chosen contractor all the information they might need.
Know what you want done before you select an HVAC contractor. It will be difficult for a contractor to give you a price estimate over the phone without knowing what your current system. It will be more difficult for him to assist you can’t figure out what they need to do.
Before choosing an HVAC contractor, think of what you wish to have done. It is going to be hard to get a price estimate on the phone if the current system isn’t something they’ve seen. If you do not know what you want, the process can become tedious, especially over the phone. Having this information handy will make the process much smoother.
Clean your condenser’s fan blades and coils prior to summertime. Clean the outside of your condenser as well.
Don’t get grass clippings on your outdoor condenser.Aim the grass cuttings in a direction from the unit. This also applies when you are taking care of the leaves in the yard.
Leaves falling from trees can damage your system. Make sure you clean out your fan grill is cleaned often during the fall. The fan must stay clear in order to function, and if debris is blocking this air flow, then your system could suffer.
Clean the fan blades and coils prior to summertime. Turn off your power before doing any job like this. Clean off any leaves or debris from your external condenser unit.
Lubricate the oil ports on your condenser at least once each year. You will see rubber or metal cap covering them. Use a lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.
Be sure you have twice annual HVAC system checks. This should be done in the fall and the spring.
Turn off any outdoor condensers you have when the weather turns cold. This means that you should be done when the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit. This can keep the system working for years and save you a lot on repairs.
Clean your outdoor condensers often. You never know when things can pile up, especially after a windy or rainy storm, and that can throw a wrench in your system. It may begin to overheat, causing massive damage.
A programmable thermostat can help you out when it comes to your air conditioning bill. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from a PC or computer.
During this service visit, the system motor will be inspected, inspect the motor and the freon levels. These simple tasks will help your system to run at its peak performance.
Research the companies before hiring them. Check with the BBB and online reviews posted by former customers. Doing this can help you to make a better decision.
Make sure clippings don’t get on your outdoor units when your mowing your lawn. Make sure you shoot the clippings in the other direction from the unit. The same goes for blowing leaves, so always be careful if you are moving debris near your HVAC devices.
Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line might also freeze up.If this is something you notice, disable the compressor by switching the thermostat to run the fan only. You should leave the repair to a professional, even if switching it to its fan setting starts making the ice melt.
Look for calculators online to truly understand what size of unit you need for your room or home. Look at the manual to determine the manufacturer website for this information.
Check for duct leaks if your existing system is not be working efficiently. If you do have leaks that are repaired, you’ll find that fixed leaks are worth the money.
If the condenser fan has oil parts, then you need to lubricate it at least once per year. You will see rubber or metal caps covering the ports. Pick out a SAE 20 type of oil because it has no detergent, is lightweight, and you should put around 10 drops in the ports but make it to where they don’t get too full.
Figure out which direction your home faces in order to make your HVAC system can work better. If there is less heat in the home from sunlight, then your air conditioning unit won’t have to work as hard.
Be sure you keep your HVAC up and running by using the advice found above. It is never pleasant to come home and discover that your HVAC is not working. And, trying to figure out how you’re going to pay for repairs is even worse. Using the information in this article can help. Use these tips to make sure your HVAC system stays maintained for a long time.
