Content written by-Strong Stephens
At home your HVAC system must work well in order to have proper air circulating. If your HVAC system goes bad, then you are looking at costly repairs. If you would like good tips and solid ideas on how to maintain your HVAC system, then you came to the right place. Below you will find many solutions to the common HVAC problems, and what to look for in order to keep it working right.
When a contractor gives you a list of references, be sure to make use of it. Call the people on the list and ask about the quality of the work, how closely they came to their quote and whether or not the work was completed according to the promised timeline.
When you have an outdoor unit, be sure to keep all plants, flowers, shrubs and trees at least two feet from it. Anything that grows inside it, either above the ground or even roots beneath the soil, can block it up and cause it to break. Give it some breathing room.
An HVAC system is a really expensive investment. This is why you should do some browsing before purchasing your system. Try to find a good sale so you can get your system at a discount. Check out a couple of sites before making a decision. A great site to begin is www.energystar.gov.
Look to your neighbors and family to get recommendations of good HVAC specialists. Likely there's someone you know who's already done a ton of research. Use this knowledge to help get you the best specialist you can. This can save you many hours of research time and money too.
Clean your filters! If you have a window unit air conditioner, there will be a filter right under the grill you can vacuum. If you have a furnace or outdoor units, they will also have filters to be cleaned or replace. A dirty filter can make your unit inefficient or even let it overheat.
One of the most important things to consider when purchasing a new heating and cooling system is the manufacturer's warranty. Units come with a variety of warranties. Choose one with a long warranty for maximum long term savings. Generally, it is advised that homeowners should purchase the extended warranty if one is offered.
Make sure that the HVAC contractor you plan to hire does not use subcontractors to do their work. Many people use this as an excuse to shirk their responsibility in the event that something goes wrong when your system is being worked on. Only allow this if there is a note in the contract about what will happen if there is an issue.
When colder weather arrives, switch off all outdoor condenser units. If it's less than 60 degrees outside, turn the unit off. This will ensure your system works well each year, which could save you quite a bit in repair costs.
If you want to turn off your air conditioning at night to save money, consider putting a standing fan next to your bed. You can set it to oscillate from your toes to your head, blowing cool air over your body and letting you sleep comfortably all night long.
Manage the heat flow into your home with window coverings to help out your HVAC system. In the warmer months, use drapes, curtains and blinds to block out sunward facing windows to keep heat from building up through the greenhouse effect. Alternatively, make sure that sunlit windows are letting light and warmth in during the colder months.
If your evaporator coil, found inside your home, becomes dirty, your unit will lose efficiency. Just pop off the front panel of the furnace and check to see that the coil is dry. Using a brush attachment on a vacuum, gently clean the coil of any dust or other debris.
Sometimes, air conditioning units ice up. Freezes also occur in your drain line. These freezes are easily confused as leaks to the untrained eye. Switch the thermostat to the fan only. Once you know the problem, contact a local HVAC professional and let them know what's going on in your system.
Be careful of sounds in your HVAC. If the condenser fan begins to make a grating or clicking sound, the blades could be hitting an obstruction. If blades get bent, don't try straightening them. You could unbalance them and cause them to hit the condenser coil. This could loosen the motor in the fan. Try replacing the bent blades with new ones. Make sure the new blades can freely rotate without wobbling.
Never hire anyone to work on your HVAC system unless they are licensed and bonded.
heating and air repair companies near me is one where mistakes happen often and you want to make sure that you are protected. You do not want to be stuck paying for medical bills that are more expensive than the work you were having done.
Make sure you wipe up any water that is close to the air intake of the vents of your HVAC system. Clean up any water that is standing around because water can cause mold to easily expand.
high velocity air conditioning contractors near me is normal but if you're picking up water more than once every six months you might have a problem, so contact a HVAC technician.
To reduce the air conditioning's energy cost, close drapes, blinds and shades that cover windows which face the sun. Also, white shades will reflect the heat away from the house, keeping it cooler and saving you money. It is also recommended that you close the vents in rooms that are not used often. This will ensure that you are not spending money cooling less-used rooms.
If you are thinking of installing a new roof and want it to also boost the efficiency of your HVAC, choose white materials. They reflect the sun's heat so that your attic doesn't get hot, and that means your air conditioner doesn't have to labor as hard to cool your home.
Is your home's electrical set-up ready to handle a new air conditioning unit? Most homes have 115-volt circuits in place, but larger air conditioners need 230-volts to be used. Some smaller units may need their own dedicated circuit as well to ensure your home doesn't go dark when you turn them on.
If you already have someone servicing your HVAC unit every year, consider talking to them about installing a new system. Even if you need something custom built, they may have staff on hand who can do what you need. If you already trust them, you know they'll be right for the job.
Now you're able to see that you can learn about HVAC easily when you know a few tips first. Hopefully this guide is something that has taught you all that you need to know when you're starting out. If you still have questions then make sure you do even more research!