Embedded Files
Preparation Is Key When It Comes To HVAC
Preparation Is Key When It Comes To HVAC
Are there times when you wonder if your air conditioner or furnace is working properly? Is it hard to keep your home at a comfortable temperature? If so it may be time to look for a new HVAC system. This article has a great deal of useful advice about doing so.
When your contractor comes to fix your unit or install a new one he should walk around your home and investigate whats going on with your current set-up. They should be looking for how much insulation you have where your windows are and what quality they are and more.
Clean the fan blades and coils on the condenser fan every spring. Be sure to turn the power off first; you dont want anything to move. Take the grill off and pull the blades out to clean them.
Every spring you need to make sure your condenser fans coils and blades on the fan part are clean. Start by turning off the power to avoid having anything move when you work on it. Next pop the grill off put the blades out and start to gently clean them along with the unit.
One of the most important things to consider when purchasing a new heating and cooling system is the manufacturers warranty. Units come with a variety of warranties. Choose one with a long warranty for maximum long term savings. Generally it is advised that homeowners should purchase the extended warranty if one is offered.
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.
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.
Air conditioners tend to ice up at times. Freezes also occur in your drain line. These freezes are easily confused as leaks to the untrained eye. If you see this try switching your thermostat to just the fan so that it disables the compressor. If the issue persists call in help.
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.
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.
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 accept the first offer you get when you are looking to hire an HVAC contractor. There are many people out there that charge more than others for doing the same services. Getting price quotes from several companies can help ensure that you are getting a rate that is acceptable.
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.
Now youre able to see that you can learn about HVAC easily when you know a few tips first. Hopefully this guide is something that has taught you all that you need to know when youre starting out. If you still have questions then make sure you do even more research!
Read Some Easy Tips For HVAC Advice That Shouldnt Be Missed
Read Some Easy Tips For HVAC Advice That Shouldnt Be Missed
Many houses today have HVAC systems to keep their houses at a comfortable temperature. Since these systems are basically machines they will usually need to be installed and worked on by a professional. When you need someone to help you with your HVAC system use the tips shared here.
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.
Boost energy efficiency by putting your condenser unit in the shade. It will reduce the temperature of the air going into the unit meaning that it will not have to work as hard to cool it.
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.
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.
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.
To run an efficient HVAC you must ensure your house is fully insulated. First check into your attic to find out if you have the right kind of insulation and enough of it. If not investing in getting that up to grade is better than installing a strong HVAC system!
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 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.
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.
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.
As you can see from the above article you now understand how it vital it is to have a properly maintained HVAC system. If you dont provide regular maintenance you could have costly fixes down the road. You should not want that so remember these tips to help you keep your HVAC system running right for many years to come.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse