A well-maintained HVAC system is an important part of your home. A lot of people spend quite a bit to fix things when they don't work right, but if they were able to figure out how to fix things on their own it would have been avoided. The following article has a lot you can learn about HVAC systems, full of useful ideas you can use, ensuring that your unit runs well and without problems.
Make sure you ask for an estimate in writing before choosing a specific HVAC vendor. There are a lot of moving pieces when it comes to purchasing these big items. You'll want to compare not only the cost of the equipment, but also the set up and the overall energy costs.
When your contractor comes to fix your unit or install a new one, he should walk around your home and investigate what's going on with your current set-up. They should be looking for how much insulation you have, where your windows are and what quality they are and more.
If your condenser comes with oil ports, you should lubricate it yearly. You can easily find the ports as they have a rubber or metal cap. Use SAE 20 oil that is lightweight and detergent free, and put ten drops or fewer into each one. Make sure not to overfill them.
Change your air conditioner filter quarterly, or four times a year. This not only keeps the air coming into your home easier and cleaner to breathe, it takes a lot of stress off of your AC unit itself. You get to enjoy health, money savings and reduced energy use altogether at once.
If your evaporator coil, found inside your home, becomes dirty, your unit will lose efficiency. Just pop off the front panel of the furnace and check to see that the coil is dry. Using a brush attachment on a vacuum, gently clean the coil of any dust or other debris.
You should have your HVAC system inspected at least once, but preferably twice, per year. When they visit to service the unit they're going to inspect the motors, oil the parts that move, and see how much freon is in your system. Small problems can occur in any of these areas and lead to serious issues if ignored for too long.
If you are uncertain about which HVAC contractor to call when you experience an equipment failure, take the time to ask friends and family for personal recommendations. By doing this, you will be able to feel more confident about the choice you make, because you will have gotten the opinions of people you already know to be trustworthy.
Consider an annual service agreement for technicians to regularly inspect your AC unit. Schedule brief inspections for the winter to make sure nothing is obviously wrong. The most important time for an inspection and service is just before it starts getting warm. You don't want to discover an AC breakdown when you need it working most.
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.
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.
Speed should be a concern when you are looking for an HVAC specialist. They should be able to get in and get the job done quickly. A sign of a great company is one that arrives on time for their appointment. Someone skilled in their profession should be able to come out and give you answers right away. Once the problem is identified, fixing it should be quick and easy.
When dealing with HVAC contractors, make sure that you get everything in writing. While verbal contracts are legal in many places, it is usually very difficult to prove them. Having everything on paper is a great way to make sure that no ons is confused about any aspect of the process.
Never hire anyone to work on your HVAC system unless they are licensed and bonded. This industry is one where mistakes happen often and you want to make sure that you are protected. You do not want to be stuck paying for medical bills that are more expensive than the work you were having done.
When looking for an HVAC company, find one that is available when you need them. Reliable companies can be reached easily at any time. This includes both day and night. A prospective company should also values your resources and time. They should be able to schedule service calls at your earliest convenience.
Find a HVAC company that knows its stuff. Many reliable companies ensure techs keep their appointments to stay on schedule. The technicians should also be able to diagnose problems in your HVAC in no time. After diagnosis, they should then know how to deal with the problem.
Gather the level of experience of the company you are working with. He or she may not have experience working with your type of system or performing the work that you need done. You minimize the chances of Home HVAC Repair bad service this way.
To keep some money saved, get a unit that's Energy Star certified. These energy devices are guaranteed to meet very strict efficiency guidelines. These are put in place by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This is vital if you want to cut your costs. Investing in a search for the most energy efficient unit will pay off in considerable long-term savings on utility bills.
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.
Ask your contractor if there are any upgrades which can boost your home's energy efficiency. For example, could extra insulation be added to the attic? Or should your windows and doors be better sealed? Once these are in place the change may be dramatic enough to allow you to install a cheaper HVAC unit.
Properly functioning home HVAC means room temperatures indoors in seasons both cold and hot. Improperly functioning home HVAC means variable humidity levels indoors, uncomfortable temperatures and air that is possibly even dirty to breathe. Keep your family comfortable, healthy and happy with the ideas within this article about your home's HVAC.
