If the thought of an HVAC failure leaves you scratching your head wondering what you would do during such an event, you are not alone. The key to knowing how to handle such events is spending some time learning how to hire the best possible professionals. The information found below can serve as just the resource you need.
Ask for referrals when hiring someone to install your HVAC system. Someone may seem like they know what they are doing, but you cannot simply take their word for it. You should be able to call past customers to get an idea of what to expect from this particular installer.
Let your friends and family know about the discounts that are possible via ENERGY STAR. There's a lot of savings that can be had here, so why hold this good news all to yourself! You can save those closest to you hundreds of dollars over the course of a year.
If the outside of your home has condenser units, ensure they are constantly cleaned. Debris can pile up after a storm, bringing potential damage with it. Overheating may be the result if you don't.
Lubricate your fan condenser if it has oil ports. You can find these ports covered with rubber or metal caps. Choose a SAE 20 oil whch is lightweight and non-detergent and place 10 drops or less into each port, ensuring it doesn't overfill.
To boost the efficiency of your HVAC system, you should put your unit in a shady place. As your air conditioner sucks in cool air, little will have to be done to cool it any further, saving you a ton on your energy bills.
When you are looking for a service provider to perform service on your HVAC system, look for a company that stands behind their work. This is especially important if your compressor or condenser is being repaired. Repairs to these two things are extremely expensive, so you want to ensure that the service provider warranties their work.
If you want to pay for less power use, consider installing an HVAC-specific solar panel system. Such an installation harnesses the power of the sun directly for your heating and air conditioning. Don't worry though; you can have a switch put in that automatically connects to the power grid the days there isn't enough sun.
Sometimes, air conditioners collect ice. In addition, the drain line sometimes freezes, and people often think that there is a plumbing leak. When you see ice, turn the unit to fan. Talk to a professional if you are unsure of how to do this.
In order to avoid having any problems with your air conditioning unit, keep all vegetation at least two feet away from the outdoor unit. The unit should be clear of any vegetation on all sides and above. When you mow check here the lawn, aim the grass clippings away from the a/c unit. This will prevent grass getting inside the a/c and making it malfunction.
Installing a whole-house fan can either cool your home without the use of air conditioning or make your air conditioner more efficient. It blows out all of the hot air which collects in your attic, and this air flow draws in cool air from your basement and up into your home.
Speak with family and friends to get a recommendation for a reputable HVAC contractor. If they know a good contractor, they will surely guide you right. This will also help you avoid scammers.
If you have a window air conditioner, be sure to check and see if it has an Energy Saver button. If so, use it! This turns off the fan when the unit isn't actually cooling the air, which can save you as much as 30 kwh over the period of a month!
Speak with family and friends to get a recommendation for a reputable HVAC contractor. Someone who has used a contractor in the past is generally willing to let you know what they thought about it. It's also important to do this to learn which companies should not be contracted for work.
Call in a contractor to find out if you can install an air conditioner on your current forced-air system without having to install new duct work. This can save you a ton of time and money, plus it takes up less space in your walls and rooms to boot.
If there's only one thing that you do in terms of HVAC maintenance monthly, it should be to replace your air filter. It's easy and has a huge impact on performance. Filters are relatively cheap, so it does not cost much to do this.
Choose a contractor who knows how to work with your current system. If they work with that set-up frequently, they'll quickly diagnose any problems and know exactly how to maintain it. Choosing such a firm will save you time and money, and will also save you from unnecessary headaches.
Make sure that you are clear about what is included in the cost of the HVAC work you are contracting someone to do. Unfortunately, there are a few unscrupulous contractors that will tack un-discussed charges onto your bill. A contract will really help you if something like this materializes.
In the winter, protect the condenser unit with a cover that fits around it. This will make sure the condenser will last for a long time. Another bit of great advice is to not run the unit's compressor if it's under 60 degrees outside. Switch your fan on instead so the unit doesn't get strained.
Be sure to look up information online about the reliability of any unit you are thinking of having installed. While the efficiency ratings, BTU and price are important, knowing that it will continue working for many years will save you a lot of money on repairs over time, so be vigilant.
If your outdoor compressor unit sits in the sun, consider building a shade over it. Air in the shade is about 5 degrees cooler than air in the sun. This can have a significant impact on your cooling bill. When done properly, you could see up to a 10 percent savings over the season.
As stated in the introduction, it is your home's HVAC system that lets you enjoy a consistent indoor temperature range all year long. Regardless of the season, your properly maintained home heating, ventilation and air conditioning means you rest comfortably inside. Use the advice from this article to make sure that your home stays the temperature you want.
