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.
If you do have a good experience with a HVAC product or contractor let others know. Go online and post a review so that people can easily find out who and what brands to trust. At the same time you can check reviews online to learn more yourself about whats available.
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.
When you have an outdoor unit be sure to keep all plants flowers shrubs and trees at least two feet from it. Anything that grows inside it either above the ground or even roots beneath the soil can block it up and cause it to break. Give it some breathing room.
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.
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.
In the winter wearing layers can save you a ton of money on your utility bill. If you can install a digital thermostat that makes the house cooler when youre asleep and warmer just before you get up you can see significant savings on your next bill when it arrives.
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.
In the winter wearing layers can save you a ton of money on your utility bill. If you can install a digital thermostat that makes the house cooler when youre asleep and warmer just before you get up you can see significant savings on your next bill when it arrives.
Consider window air conditioners for your home if you are thinking about installing a central unit. Do you really need to cool your kitchen overnight? Do you have multiple floors with only one housing bedrooms? To efficiently and cheaply cool only where people are actually staying window units are a great choice.
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 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.
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.
Change your filter on a regular basis. This is one of the easiest HVAC tips that you can do yourself. It is also one of the least expensive things that you can do to ensure that your system is running efficiently. Clogged and dirty filters can make your unit work 5-10% harder.
Think about which way the air flows when installing a air conditioner. If you have to place it in a corner of your home be sure youre getting a unit that has air flow coming from a direction thats not facing the wall.
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.
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.
Consider a digital window air conditioner with a remote to make use easy as pie. These often come with a thermostat in the remote turning off the unit when the air near the remote is cool enough. Place the remote on the other side of the room so that the whole area cools down.
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.
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.