Plumbing Heating and Cooling
Ample Ideas For HVAC Around The Nation
In parts of the country where it gets very hot during the summer a good cooling system is a must. Similarly in regions where the winters can be very cold a high-quality furnace is vital. Finding the right HVAC system for your home is a snap when you use the following tips.
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.
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.
Do you hear a clicking sound when your fan is turning? This may mean that there is something in the way of the blades of the fan. If it gets so bad that the blade bends you must replace it just unbending it will leave the fan unbalanced and can cause further issues.
Before you hire an HVAC contractor have some sort of idea of the work that needs to be done. It is going to be hard to get a price estimate on the phone if the current system isnt something theyve seen. If you cant explain changes youve made the process will be even more difficult. So be aware of this information ahead of time.
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.
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.
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 should think about putting in a radiant barrier in order to help your system run efficiently. It will block the heat and lower the energy necessary to keep your home cool in the summertime. If done right you can even start using the attic as living space.
Sometimes it can be hard to figure out if your HVAC system needs to be fixed or needs to be replaced. If your system frequently breaks down is always turning on or off on its own or if your bills are too high it may pay to have it replaced. Otherwise little things can just be fixed.
When your unit is clicking immediately go out and look to see if anything is inside it. Sometimes there is debris that gets in the fans way. You can solve the issue by removing debris. See if you can do it yourself before getting a professional.
Improve the efficiency of your air conditioning by installing ceiling fans. Change the airflow direction of the ceiling fans. During the summer the blades should move in a counter-clockwise direction. During the winter the blades should move clockwise to help move the hot air in the ceiling down into the room.
While price should be one of the considerations you make when you are hiring an HVAC contractor do not allow it to cloud your judgement. There are other factors that need to be considered in order to make a sound decision. Experience level work ethic and positive reviews are a few things that should be considered as well.
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.
HVAC systems are a must if you want to remain comfortable in your house no matter what the weather outside may be like. However before you have one installed you need to do some research. Use the information that you have read here to help make the right decision for your needs.
Wondering What You Need To Know About Purchasing HVAC Equipment? Read This Article!
The HVAC system in your home is a component to having a nice living space. If its too hot or cold or you having no air blowing at all the only thing that follows is misery. You know how expensive it is to fix so it is vital that you prevent these things from occurring. Below there are many good tips to help you keep up with proper HVAC maintenance.
When seeking a new contractor ask loved ones for referrals. Theyll often have already had someone in for similar work and will know who to trust and who to avoid. If your family hasnt used anyone ask co-workers or other people you trust in your community for some references.
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.
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.
If you currently have a manual thermostat consider installing a programmable one. You can set your system for different temperatures depending on time of day and if anyone is home. Also you can set upper and lower temperature settings to allow for a comfortable range of temperatures so that heating and cooling dont kick in when not needed.
Its a good idea to put your outdoor compressor in a shady area. In this way it will be cooling air that is already somewhat cooled. This saves energy.
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.
When you are looking for a service provider to perform service on your HVAC system look for a company that stands behind their work. This is especially important if your compressor or condenser is being repaired. Repairs to these two things are extremely expensive so you want to ensure that the service provider warranties their work.
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.
It is a good idea to replace single-paned windows with ones that have double panes. Windows that are double pane keep the cool air in and can greatly reduce the amount of time your air conditioner will need to run. As with other steps you take to improve your ability to keep your air conditioned air or heated air inside your home double-paned windows can help you save on energy costs.
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.
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 order to save money overnight buy an air conditioner with a switch that sets it to be fan-only. This will push hot air outside and bring in cool air from near the ground. Turn this on just before bed so that you can cool the house as you sleep.
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.
If your home gets hot in the summer and youd like to use your air conditioner less often consider a metal roof. It reflects the heat right back up into the sky allowing your home to gain less heat on sunny days. Since metal roofs are permanent youll save on repair and replacement costs also.
For your outdoor HVAC unit make sure that your foliage is cleared around it. Two feet distance between the HVAC unit and shrubs is a good amount to remember. If you let the foliage creep up on the unit it can cause all sorts of issues with debris and growth into the system.
Always request references when you are considering a HVAC contractor. Ask these references if the job was what they expected if it was done in a timely manner and on budget. By checking references you can avoid being cheated.
Follow through on the references provided by the contractor. Many people assume that they are legitimate simply because they were offered freely but that can turn out very badly. It just takes a couple of minutes to contact someone to check people out so take your time with it.
While it is common practice to negotiate a rate quoted by a contractor you should not offer an amount that the contractor will find offensive. They have to pay for things like insurance and overhead costs. Keep this in mind when you are trying to haggle with them for a better rate.
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.
