The HVAC system in any home is a very important feature and if it is not running right it can lead to a very uncomfortable place to be. That is the last thing you want and knowing how to take good care of it is key. Below there are many helpful HVAC tips that are important to understand if you want your system to last a very long time.
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.
Have the HVAC system checked twice a year at the least. Most homeowners choose to have their unit inspected during the spring and the fall months. This helps prepare for the coming weather changes of summer and winter. Even if everything seems fine check things out to find potential problems.
Be sure to check your evaporator coil drains frequently when your air conditioner is running. If this tube backs up you can find water damage to your walls ceilings and floors. If you end up with mold just use a solution of bleach and water to clean out the tube.
If possible put your HVAC in a shaded area if it is outside. As you get your air conditioner to suck in cool air it wont have to do too much work to cool it which saves you some money.
Consider window air conditioners for your home if you are thinking about installing a central unit. Do you really need to cool your kitchen overnight? Do you have multiple floors with only one housing bedrooms? To efficiently and cheaply cool only where people are actually staying window units are a great choice.
Ask for references and be sure to call them as well. You are dealing with a high ticket item here so youll want to do your due diligence to make sure you are getting the best for your money. Ask for references but dont stop there. Call each reference to check. A lot of people dont take that important last step.
Get an estimate before agreeing to have any work done on your HVAC unit. This will help keep you from being surprised by a bill at the end. Any reputable technician should be able to look at your unit determine the problem and give you an estimate as to how much it will cost to fix it.
Prior to hiring any HVAC contractor you should ask how long their business has operated. Fly-by-night companies are those you want to avoid. Hiring a new company will be riskier.
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.
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.
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.
Keeping your HVAC system in good working order is very important to your homes environment. When it goes bad it can make living at your house a nightmare. Thanfully the tips from above provided you with excellent tips to keep your HVAC system lasting a very long time. Refer back to them from time to time to ensure that it does not go bad on you.
HVAC or heating ventilation and air conditioning is how your home stays warm in the winter and cool in the summer. When properly installed and maintained you and your family get to enjoy reasonable indoor temperatures all year long. Keep reading this article for advice on installation upgrades maintenance and repairs of your home HVAC system.
When seeking a new contractor ask loved ones for referrals. Theyll often have already had someone in for similar work and will know who to trust and who to avoid. If your family hasnt used anyone ask co-workers or other people you trust in your community for some references.
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.
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.
Sometimes it can be hard to figure out if your HVAC system needs to be fixed or needs to be replaced. If your system frequently breaks down is always turning on or off on its own or if your bills are too high it may pay to have it replaced. Otherwise little things can just be fixed.
To save money on your HVAC system turn the air conditioning down at night and let your home warm up a bit. To keep yourself cool use a chilling water-filled pillow to cool down your head and your whole body as a result. This combined with a fan will keep you from overheating while saving on your utility 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. Dont worry though; you can have a switch put in that automatically connects to the power grid the days there isnt enough sun.
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.
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.
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.
Are you going to buy a new HVAC system? There are a number of things to think about first. For example the ratings on most systems describe how much space they can work to cool or heat. Be sure to choose a slightly too large system over a too small of one.
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.
You should focus on finding an HVAC contractor that can offer you a warranty on the work they are doing. This is a sign that they are confident in their ability to get the job done well. This will protect you in the event that is not done right and needs to be fixed.
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 suns heat so that your attic doesnt get hot and that means your air conditioner doesnt have to labor as hard to cool your home.
To boost your home HVACs efficiency install solar screening. It reflects sunlight back outside stopping it from heating up your home. Your air conditioner will be able to run less in the daytime and your energy bill will plummet as a result. You can install this on any glass you have doors or windows.
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.
The best HVAC company will be able to arrive quickly and work quickly and effectively. The best HVAC companies do their best to maintain their appointments and get to their customers quickly. A knowledgeable technician will also easily diagnose any problems with your HVAC. Once the problem is identified they will also be able to quickly and efficiently resolve it.
Incredibly two-thirds of homes have ducts that leak! This can result in as much as one fourth of your utility bills. You can fix your ducts on your own plus its simple to do and cheap too.
As stated in the introduction it is your homes 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.