Authored by-Fallon Bager
The HVAC system in your home is a component to having a nice living space. If it's 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.
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.
When a contractor gives you a list of references, be sure to make use of it. Call the people on the list and ask about the quality of the work, how closely they came to their quote and whether or not the work was completed according to the promised timeline.
Get any agreement with an HVAC contractor in writing. Some contractors try to skip over this step and charge customers a fortune. If you have a certain price and warranty in writing, they cannot go back and change this information. If they do, they could have a lawsuit on their hands.
You should clean your condenser fan's blades and coils every spring. Start by turning off the power to avoid having anything move when you work on it. Next, pop off
simply click for source , pull out the blades and start cleaning them and the unit itself off gently.
When selecting the spot to put the outdoor compressor for your unit, choose somewhere that gets plenty of shade. The cooler the air which goes in, the less work the unit will have to do.
When you're trying to cut your grass, don't cover a unit outside with the clippings. Aim your grass cuttings in a direction away from your unit. When blowing leaves, do the same. Always take care when passing your HVAC units while moving leaves, grass or other debris.
Condenser units for the outdoors should be shut off when it starts to get cold outside. To prevent damage, turn off your unit if the outside temperature is less than 60 degrees. This will allow your system to work well every year, and that saves you quite a bit on making repairs.
When you buy a new air conditioning unit, don't let the salesperson talk you into too large of a unit. This will be a waste of money and won't efficiently cool your home. The longer a system runs, the more efficient it will be when it's running, so look for one which runs 15 to 30 minutes.
Do you want to make sure your HVAC unit works for you like it should? It is important to have your unit maintained on a regular basis. Any reputable technician will know exactly what you mean if you call them and ask for a maintenance service on your system.
Make sure that the HVAC contractor you plan to hire does not use subcontractors to do their work. Many people use this as an excuse to shirk their responsibility in the event that something goes wrong when your system is being worked on. Only allow this if there is a note in the contract about what will happen if there is an issue.
Research and check the reputation of companies before hiring them. Check with the BBB (Better Business Bureau), and look them up on review sites online to see what previous customers have to say about their experience. Doing this can help you make a better decision.
If your home gets hot in the summer and you'd 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, you'll save on repair and replacement costs also.
The best HVAC contractors will also provide a number for emergency services that is available to call 24 hours of the day. Your system can go out after hours, and if you need help, you want someone who can be there at any time of the day.
Do not close your vents. Keep air vents open and unblocked at all times. Many people believe that closing off a vent will save them money on cooling costs. This is not true.
http://hvactradegroup.bravesites.com/ can actually damage your HVAC system. Closing vents can cause your cooling coil to freeze and damage the compressor.
Having windows and doors in place is essential to make sure your HVAC system runs well. Make certain they have tight seals to keep air inside. Ask a contractor to test them for you.
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.
Make sure you wipe up any water that is close to the air intake of the vents of your HVAC system. Clean up any water that is standing around because water can cause mold to easily expand. Some water buildup is normal but if you're picking up water more than once every six months you might have a problem, so contact a HVAC technician.
If you hear clicking noises from your condenser fan, make sure that it is not striking something inside the unit. If it is not hitting something, it may be bent. Do not try to straighten the blades. This could cause it to become unbalanced. Simply replace the blade to ensure proper rotation.
Every season inspect the outdoor condenser unit of your HVAC system. Remove any weeds and leaves that may be obstructing air flow to the unit. Hose off the inside and outside of the unit to remove any dirt build up. Cover the motor with plastic bags prior to rinsing the unit so that you do not get it wet.
With the right information, even an HVAC system is simple enough to understand. The best way to manage your HVAC unit is by processing the information learned here which can help you maintain the system properly. Take the guidelines you read here and put them to work for you now!