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Save Cash By Getting Your HVAC Work Done The Right Way
Save Cash By Getting Your HVAC Work Done The Right Way
Are there times when you wonder if your air conditioner or furnace is working properly? Is it hard to keep your home at a comfortable temperature? If so it may be time to look for a new HVAC system. This article has a great deal of useful advice about doing so.
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.
Before you hire anyone to do any work on your HVAC be sure to get a written estimate which has itemized costs listed on it. This will ensure that comparing one contractor to another will be simple as you can see what one offers that another doesnt or what price theyre charging for the same items.
Check your unit at least twice each year. The normally recommended time for HVAC system inspections is once before the peak cooling season when it gets hot and youll be using your AC and once before the peak heating season during the cold months when youre likely to be using your heat. Even if you cant see anything wrong checking it may help you locate and repair some possible issues.
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.
Get an estimate before agreeing to have any work done on your HVAC unit. This will help keep you from being surprised by a bill at the end. Any reputable technician should be able to look at your unit determine the problem and give you an estimate as to how much it will cost to fix it.
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!
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.
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!
When you need an HVAC contractor obtain recommendations from friends and family members. People will tell you who they have used and if they are worth calling. Its also a good way to learn the names of contractors you should avoid.
For greater efficiency put a radiant barrier in your attic. It will serve as a barrier between your home and the outside. If its done right the attic can become another useful living space.
Never hire an HVAC contractor that does not hold a valid license from your state. There are people out there that will offer to do less expensive work since they have no license. While it may seem like a bargain you will have lots of issues in the event that something goes wrong.
A great way to ensure that the HVAC professionals you hire are up to the task is to take steps to verify that they possess proper licensing and certification. Failing to check these very important credentials can cause you to hire someone who is more likely to do more harm than good and charge you a great deal of money along the way.
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.
As you are now aware a number of things can be done well when you need to deal with home HVAC systems and the contractors that work on them. The system needs to be correctly installed and maintained for best results. Use these tips and youll make a smarter more efficient choice in HVAC specialists and HVAC units.
HVAC Advice You Need To Have Right Now
HVAC Advice You Need To Have Right Now
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 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.
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.
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.
Make sure that your contractor provides a home assessment. Not every HVAC solution is for everyone. Your home could have special needs for heating and cooling. Your contractor should do a walk around of your space to judge what is best. If they arent be sure to request one.
Keep your condensers free of nearby obstructions. Keep plants fencing even bushes back and away from the unit. Two feet is a good minimum distance it should have from anything including walls but the more space you give it to breathe the better it will work and the less likely it will be to fail.
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.
If you would like your HVAC unit to be more efficient simply look at where the front of your home faces. Trees block morning sunlight stopping your home from getting too hot. Anything that provides shade from direct sunlight can reduce the temperature inside your home and help reduce your energy bill for air conditioning during warm months.
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.
Consider painting the outside of your home in a light color to reflect heat if you live in a hot climate. If your summers are cool use a dark color to instead heat up your home in the winter. This simple change can end up saving you a lot on your utility bills.
To reduce the air conditionings energy cost close drapes blinds and shades that cover windows which face the sun. Also white shades will reflect the heat away from the house keeping it cooler and saving you money. It is also recommended that you close the vents in rooms that are not used often. This will ensure that you are not spending money cooling less-used rooms.
To boost your home HVACs efficiency install solar screening. It reflects sunlight back outside stopping it from heating up your home. Your air conditioner will be able to run less in the daytime and your energy bill will plummet as a result. You can install this on any glass you have doors or windows.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
You do not want your living environment too hot or too cold and having a good HVAC system that is running how it is supposed to is key. Thankfully you just learned some helpful tips that showed you how to spot problems along with how to properly maintain your HVAC system. Keep these tips in mind as you perform regular maintenance on your HVAC system.
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