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.
When a contractor gives you a list of references be sure to make use of it. Call the people on the list and ask about the quality of the work how closely they came to their quote and whether or not the work was completed according to the promised timeline.
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.
Tour your home before calling a contractor. While you are walking through the house gauge which rooms are the coolest and which are the warmest. Give this information to your contractor when they arrive.
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 you want to seriously extend the life of your HVAC system as well as cut down your overall power bill install ceiling fans in commonly used warm season rooms. Energy-star certified ceiling fans can sometimes cut your HVAC use in half. However you wont physically notice a difference in temperature.
An investment in a smart thermostat is truly going to save you money. You can program it to turn on and off at certain temperatures or times allowing you to ensure that your air conditioner or heater isnt running when it doesnt need to be saving you a ton.
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.
Consider an annual service agreement for technicians to regularly inspect your AC unit. Schedule brief inspections for the winter to make sure nothing is obviously wrong. The most important time for an inspection and service is just before it starts getting warm. You dont want to discover an AC breakdown when you need it working most.
To keep your HVAC unit running at full capacity you should have quality doors and windows installed that are efficient. They should be able to seal tightly without letting air seep in or out. You can also hire someone to test them.
Use online AC sizing calculators to figure out what size unit you need. If you buy a unit thats too large it wont be energy efficient for your needs. Look at the manual for more information.
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.
Make sure things dont get too hot or cold where your thermostat is. Any electronics or heat sources like lamps or televisions nearby can trick the thermostat into thinking the home is warmer than it actually is. This just means it runs your air conditioning longer than necessary wasting energy and money.
Make sure your HVAC is clear when working outside. You should try keeping any vegetation about two feet away from your outdoor units. Keep the areas above it and on each side of it clear. Make sure you aim your grass clippings away from the unit when mowing. Keep leaves from getting inside your unit in the fall.
Proper maintenance is key to having a good working HVAC system. Dont let your system go bad use the tips here to inspect it for problems to ensure that you dont have costly repairs down the road. Keep checking it and remember the tips here to use as guide so you know what to look for.
The importance of a good HVAC system can not be overstated. Without such a system it can be very difficult to keep your home at a constant temperature throughout the year. If your old system is not working well you need to have it replaced. Keep reading for some useful advice on this topic.
If you want to save money once a new HVAC system is put in place be sure to pick ENERGY STAR rated products to use. They are very energy efficient so your new system wont cost you a ton when it comes to your utility bills every month recouping some of your installation costs.
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.
Tour your home before calling a contractor. Make a list of the rooms which are comfortable and which just arent. This can help the contractor determine the problem areas quickly and fix the problem easily.
Make sure the equipment you are buying is ENERGY STAR compliant. It may seem a small thing but it isnt. Products that are ENERGY STAR compliant can save you a lot of money in energy costs over the year. It can be over $100 easily sometimes a lot more.
When you want a HVAC contractor who is reliable you need to spend some time in researching the background and reputation of several potential companies. Look at review sites and check with the BBB. Take these steps to ensure you make wise choices.
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.
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.
If you want to cool your home in the summer without using your air conditioning on full consider installing fans in your home. An attic fan can blow hot air out while sucking in cool air into your basement and ceiling fans help distribute the air in your rooms evenly.
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.
Sometimes air conditioners get iced up. In addition the drain line sometimes freezes and people often think that there is a plumbing leak. Switch the thermostat to the fan only. Once you know the problem contact a local HVAC professional and let them know whats going on in your system.
If your existing system is malfunctioning look for leaks in the ducts. Often your utility company is willing to test this for you and it may be free or lower in cost than you would get with a contractor. When these leaks are fixed the testing will pay for itself in energy savings.
Check the ducts to find any leaks if you you feel your existing system is not up to snuff. Your utility company can test this for you oftentimes at no charge. If not it should be less expensive than a HVAC contractor. When these leaks are fixed the testing will pay for itself in energy savings.
When you are looking to buy a new air conditioner consider your climate. If you live in a hot dry area then an evaporative cooler will be your best bet. If you live in a humid area opt for a compressor-style unit as its the only one which will work.
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 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.
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 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.
Be sure to look up information online about the reliability of any unit you are thinking of having installed. While the efficiency ratings BTU and price are important knowing that it will continue working for many years will save you a lot of money on repairs over time so be vigilant.
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.
After reading this article you should be better informed about what to look for in your next HVAC system. You want to find a system that will heat and cool your home without costing you a fortune. Use the tips you have read here to get a great deal on a new system.