Heating and cooling units can be a great thing, but what do you do when they start to fail? To prevent the situation from becoming disastrous, learn all you can on the topic. This piece is meant to provide solid instruction on hiring proper HVAC contractors.
Before calling anyone to repair your system, know what system you have. Write down the brand and the model and have all maintenance records on hand. This will facilitate the process when your contractor asks for this information.
If you have some problems with the HVAC system, check out your home before calling a contractor. Figure out which rooms feel hot and which feel cold. This can help the contractor determine the problem areas quickly and fix the problem easily.
To make sure your condenser fan works properly, keep the fan blades and the coils clean. Except when you do superficial cleaning, you need to always make sure the power is off on the unit. Additionally, remove leaves and any other debris from the outside condenser unit.
Be sure to clean external condenser units regularly. You don’t know the amount of stuff that can pile up right after heavy winds or a storm. It may begin to overheat, causing massive damage.
Clean the fan blades and coils on the condenser fan every spring. First, turn off the power so that nothing will move as you are working on it. Next, pop off the grill, pull out the blades and start cleaning them and the unit itself off gently.
Your outdoor HVAC units might suffer when your trees lose leaves. Make certain you are cleaning the fan grill often if trees nearby have leaves that are falling. The air needs to be unobstructed into the fan, and any blockages create performance issues for the whole system.
If you have a fan condenser with oil ports, it needs to be lubricated every year. These ports are often covered by a rubber or metal cap. You should select an SAE 20 oil since it is lightweight and does not contain detergent. Be sure to use just 10 drops or so, or your system may overfill.
Hvac System
Make sure you have your HVAC system checked at least twice a year. The normally recommended time for HVAC system inspections is once before the peak cooling season when it gets hot and you’ll be using your AC, and once before the peak heating season, during the cold months when you’re likely to be using your heat. Even though it may seem as nothing is wrong with the unit, a simple inspection can prove otherwise.
If you can, use double-paned windows instead of single-paned ones. In warmer months, these windows will help to maintain the cooler inside temperature. This also helps keep it warm in the winter.
If nobody is home, turn off the air conditioner to save money. The house will heat up when it is turned off, but only a certain amount. If it’s left on all day, it will fight the heat all day, which uses quite a bit of electricity.
Never let your home reach a dangerously hot temperature. A simple AC unit will usually only cool the home around 20 degrees within a short period of time. The temperature will only reduce to about 80 if your home heats up to 100 degrees. This is not a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.
Sometimes, air conditioners collect ice. In addition, the drain line sometimes freezes, and people often think that there is a plumbing leak. Switch the thermostat to the fan only. If this doesn’t work, call a professional.
If you are purchasing an AC unit, there are calculators on the Internet that can help you figure out the right size. If you buy a unit that is too big, it won’t do an efficient job. Look at the manual to figure out the manufacturing rates the unit for accurate cooling information.
How long has the contractor been in business? It is more likely that a contractor who has been in business for a longer time will give you better value for your money. If you choose to hire a new contractor, you may be risking things.
A radiant barrier improves the efficiency of your HVAC. This will block the heat that comes in. If it’s done right, the attic can become another useful living space.
Measuring the space you want to cool is the first step to figure how large of an air conditioner you need. You can usually substitute 20 BTU for each square foot in the area to be cooled. If you need to cool multiple rooms, make sure to add the square footage together.
Never hire a contractor before asking about the work experience they have when it comes to dealing with HVAC units. You need to know that they have done the sort of work you require. While you may not know if a worker with no experience will work well or not, it’s not a good idea to take a chance with this.
When hiring a contractor, choose one that offers 24-hour emergency hours. You want a company that will be there when you need them.
Any HVAC contractor references given to you need checking out. Never assume that just because the contractor gives you references that they will check out well. Calling a person and checking him out takes just a couple of minutes, so go ahead and do it.
Experiencing serious problems with your HVAC during the dead of winter or heat of summer can spell big trouble. If they have learned everything there is to know about their system, then the situation doesn’t have to be too bad. These tips can help homeowners make HVAC decisions that are smart.
