The HVAC system in your home is a component to having a nice living space. If its too hot or cold or you having no air blowing at all the only thing that follows is misery. You know how expensive it is to fix so it is vital that you prevent these things from occurring. Below there are many good tips to help you keep up with proper HVAC maintenance.
You need to have a contractor review your unit twice a year. The best times to have the system checked is spring and fall so you are sure everything is running at peak performance before the heating and cooling seasons. Even if you cant see anything wrong checking it may help you locate and repair some possible issues.
Be sure to get every quote or estimate in written form. You have no recourse on a verbal agreement so a written contract is a must. This will allow you to follow up if something goes wrong or you dont get what you were promised protecting you from shady contractors.
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.
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.
Consumers are usually advised to have their HVAC systems inspected twice a year. Ideally you should have it looked at in the spring and fall so you know everything is set for the hot and cold months. A quick check is worth it to avoid problems down the road.
There are sizing calculators available to determine the proper sized system for your home. If you purchase a unit thats too large it will not be efficient since itll cool the same. Look at the manual for more information.
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.
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.
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.
The energy efficiency of a unit should be taken into consideration when purchasing a new heating and cooling system. Although you should be concerned about the price of a unit the efficiency of the unit will save you thousands over the lifetime of the heating and cooling system and should weigh heavily on your buying decision.
If your HVAC unit is not operating as efficiently as it once was check the evaporator coil in it? There may be some debris blocking it which is causing the issue. You can use a soft brush to clean it - like the one you find as an attachment for handheld vacuum cleaners.
If you dont want to install ductwork in your home consider a mini-split system instead. They work form the outside in allowing your whole home to cool without a central air conditioner. This allows you to enjoy all of your indoor space in a cool comfortable way all summer long.
Looking for an efficient way to cool your home? Consider installing a whole-house evaporative cooler. They use water to cool air instead of traditional chemical coolants using a ton less energy to cool your home than those other units. That said they do work best in dry climates and not at all in humid ones.
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.
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.
Learn the rules and regulations regarding licenses and insurance before hiring an HVAC professional. This way you can check to make sure that any contractor you consider hiring meets any requirements. This can prevent a costly legal process especially in case of an accident on site. Without insurance you could be held liable for damages.
When you hire a contractor always ask for references. Previous customers can provide information about timeliness of job completion and if the contractor stayed within their budget. Also it will prevent you from getting robbed.
If you want to buy a new HVAC unit or system ask a contractor to come up to size up your home and tell you what options you have. Theyll have the best advice as they know what sort of systems work in your area or in a home like yours.
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.
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.