Most people suddenly fill dread when they get home after a long day and learn their cooling or heating system is not working the way it should. A temperature controlled home is a comfortable home, and you should make yourself aware of what you need to know to keep it cared for. You will find tips on locating a service repairman, choosing a new HVAC system and maintaining your current system.
Before calling for help, know the system you have. You need to know who manufactured the product and the item number. Also, get the maintenance records from your files if you have them. If you have to have someone come out to repair the unit, you will be able to help the contractor understand more about what is going on.
What do you need done? Know this before calling a contractor. This is necessary so that they can give you a quote before doing any work. If you can’t explain changes you’ve made, the process will be even more difficult. It’s a good idea to learn this information in advance.
Clean any debris that accumulates on an external condenser unit. You don’t know when things are going to pile up, like right after it’s windy or rains, and that can ruin your system. It could overheat and cause a disaster with your unit.
The HVAC unit in your home can become damaged from falling leaves. Clean the fan grill often when leaves are falling. The fan must be unobstructed to work properly, and if it becomes blocked, it could cause your system to break down.
If there are oil ports on your fan condenser, lubricate it annually. These are usually covered with rubber or metal caps. 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.
You want to put the outdoor compressor device in a shaded area. When your unit is bringing in cool air, it will not have to work as hard to cool the air as it moves it inside, boosting efficiency.
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. If the air your machine draws in is already cooler, it will require less energy to regulate before it’s filtered into your home.
Pane Windows
If you are a home owner, replace whatever single pane windows you have with more efficient double-paned versions. Double pane windows will allow you to use less air during the summer because cooler air will stay in your house. This also helps retain heated air during the colder months.
Research multiple contractors before choosing one. Look at review sites and check with the BBB. These steps are going to help to ensure your decision is a wise one.
You can get ice in your air conditioner. The drain line may also freeze up. If you notice this, switch your thermostat to fan only to disable the compressor. You should leave the repair to a professional, but switching to the fan setting should start to melt the ice.
Use the tips from this article to help your system run smoothly. Getting to your home and noticing that there isn’t air going out of your vents doesn’t feel good. Having to deal with repair costs makes things harder. Use these tips to help avoid costly problems. Remember these hints when taking care of your HVAC system.
