One of the many tasks of a homeowner is keeping the HVAC unit up and functioning properly. Unfortunately not all homeowners know how to do this. It is important that you have a good professional to work on the unit when necessary and that you understand a bit about how to maintain the unit. This article will help.
If you must hire someone to help you out with your HVAC system be sure to learn about all of the requirements your state has legislated regarding licencing and insurance. You need to be able to ask anyone you plan to hire if they meet these requirements before you hire them.
Let your friends and family know about the discounts that are possible via ENERGY STAR. Theres 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.
To increase the efficiency of your HVAC unit be sure to keep it in the shade. The unit will have to do less work cooling this air.
Look to your neighbors and family to get recommendations of good HVAC specialists. Likely theres someone you know whos 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 permanent air filters or replace disposable ones every single month. If you have the choice an electrostatic is the best option on the market today. Be sure to turn off your unit before you change the filter as it should never be run without a filter in place.
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.
You should have your HVAC system inspected at least once but preferably twice per year. During this service visit they will inspect the motor of the system oil the moving parts and check the freon levels in the system. This maintenance means that your system will operate optimally.
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.
As you compare new HVAC system be sure to look at the energy ratings for each unit. The higher they are the better they will be. Efficiency will not only get your home comfortable faster but it will save you on your energy bills when you are running your new unit.
As you compare new HVAC system be sure to look at the energy ratings for each unit. The higher they are the better they will be. Efficiency will not only get your home comfortable faster but it will save you on your energy bills when you are running your new unit.
Change your filter on a regular basis. This is one of the easiest HVAC tips that you can do yourself. It is also one of the least expensive things that you can do to ensure that your system is running efficiently. Clogged and dirty filters can make your unit work 5-10% harder.
If you plan on having a service on your HVAC unit ask the technician what he will be doing. Any thorough service should consist of several things. The technician should check temperature levels pressures amperage draw and coolant levels. They should adjust any belts that need it and clean the coils.
Every year hire someone to give your HVAC unit routine maintenance. This will ensure that it works properly throughout the entire year. It will also allow you to have lower heating and cooling bills. When your HVAC is running properly it will use the least amount of energy and save you money.
Improve the efficiency of your air conditioning by installing ceiling fans. Change the airflow direction of the ceiling fans. During the summer the blades should move in a counter-clockwise direction. During the winter the blades should move clockwise to help move the hot air in the ceiling down into the room.
Make sure to be specific about everything that is written in your contracts. It should detail the work that is being done the materials being used and the amount of time it will take to complete the job. Leaving anything out can give the contractor an exit if something goes wrong.
As you can see from the above article with great tips and ideas it is much easier to take good care of your HVAC system. Now that you understand what keeps an HVAC running smoothly yours should last a very long time. Refer back to these tips to whenever you spot a problem.
Have you ever woken up to find that your house feels like an ice box or returned home from work only to find that your living room is like a sauna? If so you know the importance of knowing where to turn during HVAC emergencies. The article below is intended to provide useful advice to homeowners everywhere who may find themselves in similar straits.
Make sure you ask for an estimate in writing before choosing a specific HVAC vendor. There are a lot of moving pieces when it comes to purchasing these big items. Youll want to compare not only the cost of the equipment but also the set up and the overall energy costs.
When purchasing a new HVAC system for your home be sure it is energy efficient. These days most new HVAC systems are energy efficient; there is a energy star label on the equipment. However to be sure your utility costs do not go through the roof choose equipment that is energy efficient.
Keep energy costs from rising by having your system serviced annually. During the service check the system motor will be inspected the moving parts will be oiled and the freon levels will be checked Small problems can occur in any of these areas and lead to serious issues if ignored for too long.
If you are uncertain about which HVAC contractor to call when you experience an equipment failure take the time to ask friends and family for personal recommendations. By doing this you will be able to feel more confident about the choice you make because you will have gotten the opinions of people you already know to be trustworthy.
If you want to know more about efficiently heating or cooling your home go online and download the ENERGY STAR Guide. It provides information for homeowners to learn more about how they can save money while still keeping their home comfortable all year round so it is a worthy ready.
Installing double paned windows can save a lot of money over single panes so upgrade if you are able. To keep your home cool investing in double pane windows is a must. When it is cold in the winter months these same windows will keep the warm air inside as well.
In the winter wearing layers can save you a ton of money on your utility bill. If you can install a digital thermostat that makes the house cooler when youre asleep and warmer just before you get up you can see significant savings on your next bill when it arrives.
In order to cheaply cool your home turn the temperature up. If you take a few showers a day or just drink a cold ice water youll find that youre saving a lot of money on your utility bills by keeping the thermostat a little higher than usual in your home.
If you live in a hot climate dont use duct tape on your HVAC. It just dries out and falls off leaving you with leaks all over the place. Instead use mastic sealant to cover any holes or gaps in duct work and youll keep your home comfortable all year long.
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.
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.
Test your duct work for leaks. Call the utility company to test for you it will usually be cheaper than a contractor. If you do end up paying youll find that fixed leaks are worth the money.
If you can find a way to create shade over your outdoor HVAC unit. This can actually save you money as shaded air being pulled in by the HVAC unit is typically 5 to 6 degrees cooler than air thats heated by direct sunlight. Its a smart solution to lowering those energy bills.
Never hire an HVAC contractor that does not hold a valid license from your state. There are people out there that will offer to do less expensive work since they have no license. While it may seem like a bargain you will have lots of issues in the event that something goes wrong.
If you are going to use the Internet as a source for good HVAC contractors you need to be very careful. You never know who is behind the glowing reviews that are posted all over the Web. There is a chance that the contractor is posting their own reviews or paying others to do so.
This article has given you some excellent basics on keeping your HVAC system maintained correctly. Dont ignore it or it could fail on you because you didnt give it regular maintenance. These tips will help you keep your unit maintained and should help you if you ever need it replaced as well.