A properly serviced and running HVAC system is vital to ensure that you dont have skyrocketing energy costs. A faulty HVAC system can cost any homeowner a lot of money in costly repairs not too mention the time spent feeling uncomfortable if it is too cold or hot. Keep your HVAC system running right and with the tips below it is a great start so continue reading.
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.
If you want to know more about efficiently heating or cooling your home go online and download the ENERGY STAR Guide. It provides information for homeowners to learn more about how they can save money while still keeping their home comfortable all year round so it is a worthy ready.
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.
Dont let grass clippings pile up against your outdoor condenser. Direct the grass clippings in a direction away from the HVAC unit. This also applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in debris.
Dont let your home get way too hot to where its dangerous. It takes quite a while to cool a home by more than 20 degrees. So if you house heats up to about 95 you wont see the temperature go below 75 for a while. Depending on how humid the environment is that is not a healthy temperature for the human body when it rests during sleep.
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.
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.
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.
For top efficiency figure out what direction your home faces. Trees block morning sunlight stopping your home from getting too hot. The less amount of heat inside of your home the fewer occasions you have to use your air conditioner.
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.
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.
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.
Nobody wants to come home and find that their air conditioning or heating unit is not functioning properly. This key component to living comfortably must be properly maintained. Below youre going to get a lot of great advice to help you with this so read on!
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.
If you want to know more about efficiently heating or cooling your home go online and download the ENERGY STAR Guide. It provides information for homeowners to learn more about how they can save money while still keeping their home comfortable all year round so it is a worthy ready.
Let your friends and family know about the discounts that are possible via ENERGY STAR. Theres a lot of savings that can be had here so why hold this good news all to yourself! You can save those closest to you hundreds of dollars over the course of a year.
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.
Turn off your outdoor condenser when it becomes cold out. When the temperature goes below 60 degrees shut off the unit in order to prevent damage. This helps the system last much longer and will have to be repaired less often.
If your evaporator coil found inside your home becomes dirty your unit will lose efficiency. Just pop off the front panel of the furnace and check to see that the coil is dry. Using a brush attachment on a vacuum gently clean the coil of any dust or other debris.
If you are looking to save money with your HVAC system consider turning down the air conditioner in the summer and turning the heat down in the winter. Putting on a sweater on a cold day can save you a ton of money on your utility bill as can enjoying a cold drink instead of heavy air conditioning use.
Keep your air conditioner off when people arent home to save you money. Your home will become somewhat warmer during this time. Leaving it on all the time only makes it work harder and results in a larger utility bill.
If you have fans in place to help make your HVAC more efficient be sure that theyre turning in the right direction. They should be pushing air downwards over the people in the room to help cool their skin. If its blowing upwards all it does is push hot air into the room.
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 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 plan on having a service on your HVAC unit ask the technician what he will be doing. Any thorough service should consist of several things. The technician should check temperature levels pressures amperage draw and coolant levels. They should adjust any belts that need it and clean the coils.
A great way to reduce the stress on your HVAC unit is to install ceiling fans in your home. During the summer you can have them blow downward to cool the air and make your home feel more comfortable. In the winter you can reverse the direction and circulate warm air trapped at the ceiling.
Choose a good HVAC company. You need to find one that has a solid reputation. Its important that it has been around for several years and is backed by a good reputation in customer service. Find one that has trained professionals and qualified technicians to help with all kinds of customer needs. They should be able to handle any HVAC job no matter how simple or complex.
Before you hire a HVAC contractor you should find out what their experience is. He or she may not have experience working with your type of system or performing the work that you need done. You minimize the chances of bad service this way.
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.
Any contractor that gives you a quote over the phone shouldnt be trusted. To truly evaluate your needs they must come into your home and check it out basement to attic. If they make promises without even seeing your house there is no way theyll be able to keep them.
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.
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.