HVAC: What You Should Know Before You Begin

 

 

Keeping your HVAC system running well is important, even though many people don't know how. Learn how to find a great technician and doing small things yourself is a great way to start. This article will help you out.

 

 

Go through your home before you call HVAC professional. Make a list of the temperatures in each room and whether they are hot or cold. This will allow a contractor to quickly figure out what the issue is and how it can be fixed fast.

 

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 doesn't, or what price they're charging for the same items.

 

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.

 

If your unit is outdoors, clean them regularly. Leaves and debris can accumulate quickly, particularly following storms, and that can cause problems for your system. It will damage the system by overheating.

 

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.

 

Your HVAC system could suffer when trees begin dropping their leaves. When you see nearby trees shedding their leaves, clean the fan grill on your unit constantly. A blocked unit can quickly become a broken unit.

 

If you want to pay for less power use, consider installing an HVAC-specific solar panel system. Such an installation harnesses the power of the sun directly for your heating and air conditioning. Don't worry though; you can have a switch put in that automatically connects to the power grid the days there isn't enough sun.

 

Get your HVAC unit serviced yearly. 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. Doing this simple task can ensure that your system will be running for years with no problem!

 

Don't ever let your home temperature get dangerously high. It takes quite a while to cool a home by more than 20 degrees. So, if you house heats up to about 95, you won't see the temperature go below 75 for a while. This is not a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.

 

Clean your filters! If you have a window unit air conditioner, there will be a filter right under the grill you can vacuum. If you have a furnace or outdoor units, they will also have filters to be cleaned or replace. A dirty filter can make your unit inefficient or even let it overheat.

 

To choose an HVAC contractor that's trustworthy, take time to research some companies you're interested in, along with their reputations. Inquiring with the Better Business Bureau is always a good idea, as is looking for online review sites where previous customers can post their experiences. Investing the time to check out potential contractors can save you money and headaches.

 

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.

 

As you compare new HVAC system, be sure to look at the energy ratings for each unit. The higher they are, the better they will be. Efficiency will not only get your home comfortable faster, but it will save you on your energy bills when you are running your new unit.

 

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.

 

Occasionally, air conditioners ice up. There are also occasional freezes in the drain line, which are often confused for plumbing leaks. Change your thermostat in situations like this. Once you know the problem, contact a local HVAC professional and let them know what's going on in your system.

 

There aren't many things that make a home more comfortable than a functioning HVAC system. However, when you don't hire the right skilled professional, it can cause major frustrations and equipment breakdown. Fortunately, armed with the information found above, every homeowner can know exactly what to do.