HVAC is what a lot of people would like to learn about but they dont know where to get started. This is why things like this guide were put together to help people like you out. Once youre ready to tackle the subject all you have to do is read along.
Your outside condenser fan can be helped to run better by you cleaning the fan blades and coils prior to summer starting up. Turn off your power before doing any job like this. The outside condenser unit should be kept free of leaves and other debris.
Whenever possible try to shade the compressor unit outside. The air thats in a place that is shaded is usually five to six degrees cooler than the surrounding air. Your air conditioning unit will be up to ten percent more efficient if it is properly shaded during the summer months.
You should be sure to change the air filter of your HVAC system once every six months. Neglecting to do so can cause dust particles to clog the air ducts. In turn your system will not work properly and you will find your bills going up. Its worth spending the time to clean the filters.
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 isnt actually cooling the air which can save you as much as 30 kwh over the period of a month!
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.
Service your hearing and cooling systems once each year. This inspection will ensure that your unit is working efficiently including a freon level and motor check and oiling moving parts. All of these little jobs will add up to big savings in energy use with the improved efficiency.
If you want to ensure your air conditioner offers you great performance keep it dry. If it is located in a dry cool area youll find that the efficiency goes up and the unit lasts a long time. You can even buy a water vapor cooler to cool it as it is running.
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.
Do not close your vents. Keep air vents open and unblocked at all times. Many people believe that closing off a vent will save them money on cooling costs. This is not true. It can actually damage your HVAC system. Closing vents can cause your cooling coil to freeze and damage the compressor.
Always ask for references before you allow anyone to start doing work on your HVAC system. Call several of them to make sure that they are legitimate. Many people take the word of the contractor when it comes to customer satisfaction and that can prove to be a mistake in the end.
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 home gets hot in the summer and youd like to use your air conditioner less often consider a metal roof. It reflects the heat right back up into the sky allowing your home to gain less heat on sunny days. Since metal roofs are permanent youll save on repair and replacement costs also.
Make sure your HVAC is clear when working outside. You should try keeping any vegetation about two feet away from your outdoor units. Keep the areas above it and on each side of it clear. Make sure you aim your grass clippings away from the unit when mowing. Keep leaves from getting inside your unit in the fall.
HVAC systems are a must if you want to remain comfortable in your house no matter what the weather outside may be like. However before you have one installed you need to do some research. Use the information that you have read here to help make the right decision for your needs.
In order to maintain a happy home the last thing you want is for your HVAC system to go bad. Just thinking of it going bad on the hottest day of the year is enough to give your nightmares. It seems like this is when these systems decide to go bad. This can be prevented with good solid prevention tips that anyone can follow. Keep reading the article below.
Although most people are thinking of their heating systems during the winter months air conditioning is also important. When installing a new furnace or heating system make sure the air ducts are also set up to work with your air condition system. Using the ducts for both heating and cooling is the most economical choice.
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 for shade when placing a compressor outdoors. Your unit wont have to work as hard to cool the inside air if the outside air it sucks from is cooler.
Before you hire anyone to do any work on your HVAC be sure to get a written estimate which has itemized costs listed on it. This will ensure that comparing one contractor to another will be simple as you can see what one offers that another doesnt or what price theyre charging for the same items.
If you have fans in place to help make your HVAC more efficient be sure that theyre turning in the right direction. They should be pushing air downwards over the people in the room to help cool their skin. If its blowing upwards all it does is push hot air into the room.
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.
Whether you have an air conditioner in a window or outside your home be sure to keep it in the shade. The cooler the air around it and the cooler the condenser itself the easier a time it will have of keeping the air inside your home cool as well.
If you want to ensure your air conditioner offers you great performance keep it dry. If it is located in a dry cool area youll find that the efficiency goes up and the unit lasts a long time. You can even buy a water vapor cooler to cool it as it is running.
To help you pick a good HVAC contractor carefully search for information that offers honest reviews about the companies that you might be looking to hire. It is a good idea to check with the BBB and look for reviews from prior clients. This is what you have to do in order to make a smart decision.
Choose a good HVAC company. You need to find one that has a solid reputation. Its important that it has been around for several years and is backed by a good reputation in customer service. Find one that has trained professionals and qualified technicians to help with all kinds of customer needs. They should be able to handle any HVAC job no matter how simple or complex.
Before having someone install a new HVAC system or maintain or repair yours make sure they are insured. Having someone who is insured work on your system will assure that if anything happens while they are working at your home they are financially covered and you will not be responsible.
Now you know what you have to do to keep your home HVAC system healthy. Paying close attention to maintenance will help you avoid problems. Use the above tips to make sure it keeps working properly.