Are you lost when it comes to finding someone to work on your HVAC unit? If so it can be problematic when an issue arises. Reading the article below will be instrumental in helping anyone figure out what to do when trouble occurs.
Get any agreement with an HVAC contractor in writing. Some contractors try to skip over this step and charge customers a fortune. If you have a certain price and warranty in writing they cannot go back and change this information. If they do they could have a lawsuit on their hands.
Look for discounts wherever possible. HVAC systems can be rather costly so youll want to seek out whatever discounts and deals that may be out there. When shopping around ask about any current specials running and look for discounts that are related to ENERGY STAR compliance. Both can save you a lot of cash.
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 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.
Make certain that an outdoor unit is in the shade. In this way it will be cooling air that is already somewhat cooled. This saves energy.
If you have a window air conditioner without a timer use a regular outlet timer to control when it is on or off. These are the same ones you use for holiday lights so all you have to do is plug your air conditioner into the timer and set it to cool you during the day.
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.
Your HVAC system can run more efficiently if your attic has a radiant barrier. This mechanism will prevent outside heat from coming in reducing your energy consumption when cooling. If done correctly this also enables you to start using your attic as a living space.
Use plants to increase your air conditioners effectiveness. An AC unit fully shaded by trees and shrubbery can operate up to 10 percent more efficiently. However do keep spacing in mind. Air flow must not be constricted and technicians need room to work when they come out to service your unit.
To reduce the air conditionings 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.
Never hire anyone to work on your HVAC system unless they are licensed and bonded. This industry 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.
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.
When buying an air conditioner you want to find out with a SEER rating of 13 or higher. 13 is the minimum standard set by the government so higher ratings while not mandatory are going to offer you better efficiency. SEER ratings can go as high as 19 so keep this in mind as you shop.
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.
Its easy to see that HVAC isnt hard to get into if you just take your time with it. In the end you wont have too much trouble if you put what youve learned here to good use. Dont take our word for it and give it a try yourself before you do anything else!
When your HVAC system works right it is a great thing to have. These units will make you feel comfortable at all times. When your system fails your life may fall into chaos. Continue reading and you can learn more about HVAC units.
Make sure you check the filters in your air conditioning unit. This is important because checking your filters could make the difference between inexpensive repairs and more expensive ones down the line. Try to put it into your monthly schedule so that you dont forget to check the filters regularly.
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.
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.
Look for discounts wherever possible. HVAC systems can be rather costly so youll want to seek out whatever discounts and deals that may be out there. When shopping around ask about any current specials running and look for discounts that are related to ENERGY STAR compliance. Both can save you a lot of cash.
When you buy a new air conditioning unit dont let the salesperson talk you into too large of a unit. This will be a waste of money and wont efficiently cool your home. The longer a system runs the more efficient it will be when its running so look for one which runs 15 to 30 minutes.
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.
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.
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.
Do you want to make sure your HVAC unit works for you like it should? It is important to have your unit maintained on a regular basis. Any reputable technician will know exactly what you mean if you call them and ask for a maintenance service on your system.
Use an online sizing calculator to help you calculate the proper size of the air conditioning unit you should purchase. If the unit is too large it wont cool more than a smaller unit just less efficiently. Look at the manual for more information.
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.
In order to be comfortable in your home 365 days a year your HVAC system must remain in working order. But if you arent sure who to call it can be quite frustrating. Thankfully the tips above can assist a homeowner with their HVAC system.