Working with HVAC can be daunting when you first get started because there is so much that goes into it. This article was put together to help people with this that want to learn about all of this. Follow these steps and youll be a pro at HVAC in no time!
Ask for referrals when hiring someone to install your HVAC system. Someone may seem like they know what they are doing but you cannot simply take their word for it. You should be able to call past customers to get an idea of what to expect from this particular installer.
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.
If you must hire someone to help you out with your HVAC system be sure to learn about all of the requirements your state has legislated regarding licencing and insurance. You need to be able to ask anyone you plan to hire if they meet these requirements before you hire them.
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.
Your HVAC unit may suffer when trees start to lose their leaves. Make sure you clean out your fan grill often once nearby trees start shedding their leaves. The fan needs unobstructed air flow and if debris is blocking this air flow then your system could suffer.
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.
If you are purchasing an AC unit there are calculators on the Internet that can help you figure out the right size. If you buy a unit that is too big it wont do an efficient job. Look in the manual or on the manufacturer website for this information.
Use your HVAC system to heat your water for free! In the summer residual heat pulled out of your house is used to heat water through a geothermal system. This will cool your home while allowing you to save a ton on hot water costs plus its environmentally friendly to boot!
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.
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.
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!
If you are uncertain about which HVAC contractor to call when you experience an equipment failure take the time to ask friends and family for personal recommendations. By doing this you will be able to feel more confident about the choice you make because you will have gotten the opinions of people you already know to be trustworthy.
Be careful of sounds in your HVAC. If the condenser fan begins to make a grating or clicking sound the blades could be hitting an obstruction. If blades get bent dont try straightening them. You could unbalance them and cause them to hit the condenser coil. This could loosen the motor in the fan. Try replacing the bent blades with new ones. Make sure the new blades can freely rotate without wobbling.
Each month you need to get a new air filter and install it in your unit. Thats the easiest thing to do so your unit continues running in good shape. Filters only cost a couple of dollars which is not that much.
Do you need a new HVAC system? Many things must be taken into account before you purchase one. The systems are generally rated based on the area they cover. Be sure to choose a slightly too large system over a too small of one.
It is tough to deny the fact that a failed HVAC system can wreak havoc in the life of any homeowner particularly during times of extreme weather. Fortunately there are things that can be done to mitigate the frustration experienced during such events. Using the advice presented above is a great way to stay prepared.
Maintaining a comfortable living environment at home is essential to feeling happy and having a poor HVAC system can really make your life miserable. Not only will you incur higher costs it will make your body feel very uncomfortable if it too cold or too hot. Below you will find many good tips on how to make sure that your HVAC system stays as good as new.
If you want to keep your air conditioning unit running efficiently make sure you replace or clean the air filter once a month. Check the owners manual on the a/c for instructions on how to clean the filter. Never run the unit when the filter is removed and let the filter dry before reinstallling it.
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.
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.
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.
Always ask for references before you allow anyone to start doing work on your HVAC system. Call several of them to make sure that they are legitimate. Many people take the word of the contractor when it comes to customer satisfaction and that can prove to be a mistake in the end.
If you want to turn off your air conditioning at night to save money consider putting a standing fan next to your bed. You can set it to oscillate from your toes to your head blowing cool air over your body and letting you sleep comfortably all night long.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Internet can really help you out when it comes to finding someone to work on your HVAC unit. A simple search should yield a number of sites with informative reviews. This is an excellent method of finding contractors that you are interested in dealing with as well as those that you want to avoid.
If you want to ensure your air conditioner offers you great performance keep it dry. If it is located in a dry cool area youll find that the efficiency goes up and the unit lasts a long time. You can even buy a water vapor cooler to cool it as it is running.
Be careful of sounds in your HVAC. If the condenser fan begins to make a grating or clicking sound the blades could be hitting an obstruction. If blades get bent dont try straightening them. You could unbalance them and cause them to hit the condenser coil. This could loosen the motor in the fan. Try replacing the bent blades with new ones. Make sure the new blades can freely rotate without wobbling.
A radiant barrier improves the efficiency of your HVAC. This helps block the heat from outside and will reduce the energy needed for cooling your home during the summer. If done right you can even start using the attic as living space.
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.
The above article has given you some HVAC knowledge. You can start getting the most out of your unit by choosing to follow the great advice outlined in this article. You wont be sorry you did especially when it clicks in your mind!