Nothing is worse than your HVAC systems going out on a bitterly cold day or a sweltering hot day. Eventually, you will find yourself in need of a repair or a replacement. It is important that you know a bit about the situation in advance. Read on to do just that.
Inspect the temps in your home before you call a service to help you with any HVAC issues you’re having. Pay attention to which areas of the house are warm and which ones are cool. This will help the repairman determine what the problem is.
Clean the debris on your condenser units. The dirt could pile up and harm your system. It can also cause it to overheat.
Clean the coils on the condenser fan from time to time. Start by turning off the power to avoid having anything move when you work on it. Then remove the grill, remove the blades and clean it from top to bottom gently.
Boost energy efficiency by putting your condenser unit in the shade. As you get your air conditioner to suck in cool air it won’t have to do too much work to cool it which saves you some money.
Have your heating and cooling system inspected twice a year. This should be checked often for debris and malfunctions. Even if nothing seems wrong, checking it out can help you find and fix potential issues.
When it gets cold outside, turn off the outdoor condensers. When the temperature goes below 60 degrees, shut off the unit in order to prevent damage. This will ensure your system works well each year, which could save you quite a bit in repair costs.
It is a good idea to replace single-paned windows with ones that have double panes. Double pane windows can minimize the use of your air conditioner in hot weather since they keep the indoor air cooler. Conversely, this also works to keep warm air in during colder months.
Keep your air conditioner off when people aren’t home to save you money. This will save you money on your energy bills. Leaving the system on all day will cost a lot of money in terms of electricity.
Never allow your home to get dangerously hot inside. Air conditioners can only really cool your home down 20 degrees or so within a reasonable time period. If your home gets above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, you’ll only cool down to still above 80. While it depends on the humidity, this is not safe for a human to sleep in to recover from the heat of the summer.
Check any company you are considering to see how long it has been around. Established companies that are doing well will usually be the best ones to go with. It is riskier to hire someone who does not have a long history.
When you need an HVAC contractor, obtain recommendations from friends and family members. When someone hires a quality professional, they are usually happy to share their info. This is also a great way to get names of companies that should be avoided.
Search online for reviews to find an HVAC customer you can trust. Many online sites permit customers to let others know about their experiences with various services and contractors. This is a good way to locate contractors that do good work and ones that are poor.
For top efficiency, figure out what direction your home faces. Trees block morning sunlight, stopping your home from getting too hot. When there is less heat inside your home, the air conditioner will not have to work as hard.
If you hear a clicking noise coming from your HVAC unit, immediately start looking for any obstructions. Sometimes, debris will be the cause of the disturbance. Cleaning the debris will likely stop the noise. Always check for yourself before getting someone out to repair the unit.
To gain maximum HVAC efficiency, you need efficient windows and doors too. Make sure the seal is impenetrable from outdoor drafts, and that none of the air you’re paying to heat or cool escapes either. You can also hire someone to test them.
Don’t let the idea of hunting down an HVAC contractor intimidate you. But, it’s not so difficult with good advice. You should now feel ready to tackle HVAC issues with these tips.