Maintaining your homes HVAC system is a major part of home ownership. To learn more you have to stay on top of your game. This article will provide you with some guidance.
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.
Look for discounts wherever possible. HVAC systems can be rather costly so youll want to seek out whatever discounts and deals that may be out there. When shopping around ask about any current specials running and look for discounts that are related to ENERGY STAR compliance. Both can save you a lot of cash.
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 you have a window air conditioner be sure to check and see if it has an Energy Saver button. If so use it! This turns off the fan when the unit isnt actually cooling the air which can save you as much as 30 kwh over the period of a month!
If you have a window air conditioner without a timer use a regular outlet timer to control when it is on or off. These are the same ones you use for holiday lights so all you have to do is plug your air conditioner into the timer and set it to cool you during the day.
The correct HVAC system should have sealed air ducts to minimize heating or cooling loss as air travels to different rooms. The heating or cooling requirements of different rooms in the home should be taken into consideration. There is no reason to increase energy usage by controlling the temperature in rooms that are used very little.
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 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.
Some air conditioners can ice up. There are also occasional freezes in the drain line which are often confused for plumbing leaks. Use the fan-only setting to allow the system time to thaw. Talk to a professional if you are unsure of how to do this.
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.
You can usually have free duct testing performed if you are concerned about your HVAC system not running properly. Your utility company can test this for you oftentimes at no charge. If not it should be less expensive than a HVAC contractor. If a leak is found the money spent on finding and repairing the leak will pay for itself.
If you are thinking of installing a new roof and want it to also boost the efficiency of your HVAC choose white materials. They reflect the suns heat so that your attic doesnt get hot and that means your air conditioner doesnt have to labor as hard to cool your home.
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.
It wasnt too hard to learn about HVAC now that you can see that the tips are easy to follow. The key is just taking the time to make things work right. Just dont give up and you should be able to use the above advice to lead you to success.
<h3>Stop Making Mistakes When Purchasing HVAC Equipment With This Advice</h3>
Have you ever found yourself shivering during the winter no matter how hard your furnace works? Does your air conditioner seem incapable of cooling you off in the summer? It may be time to have your old HVAC system replaced with a new one. For tips on finding the right system keep reading.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
It is possible for air conditioners to ice over. This can also happen on the drain line. Try switching to fan-mode and disabling your compressor to test whether the water is a leak or melting ice. Get a professional to deal with this even if you see the ice start melting because you turned the compressor off.
If you want to pay for less power use consider installing an HVAC-specific solar panel system. Such an installation harnesses the power of the sun directly for your heating and air conditioning. Dont worry though; you can have a switch put in that automatically connects to the power grid the days there isnt enough sun.
Look online for a/c sizing calculators so you can really understand the unit size needed for your home or room. A unit that is bigger than you need simply isnt efficient. Any units manual will be able to give you an accurate idea for the size of the unit versus your home.
If you need help locating someone to help take of your HVAC system a great place to seek advice is online at a review site. Lots of sites exist where customers can leave feedback and reviews. This method provides you with all the information you need to make the best hiring decisions.
Ask those you know for the name of a great HVAC technician should you need one. Those who have had a great experience should have no issue giving you this info. This will also help you avoid bad companies.
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.
Ask friends and family for contractor recommendations. People usually love to boast about the wonderful work they have had done so you should be given great leads to follow. You are likely to also hear about negative experiences.
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.
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.
Always get some references before hiring any contractor. You need to have the ability to speak with homeowners to see if the services they got were any good and if they cost a lot of money. You will be able to avoid any scammers out there as long as you follow up on references.
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.
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.
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.
Now that you know so much about HVAC units youre ready to take control of your own. Use these tips as you ensure yours is in tip top condition at all times. Continue to learn more about these systems so that your family can rely on you to keep them cool in the summer and warm all winter long.