Article by-Weiner McCall
Keeping a home cool in the summer and warm in the winter is one of the most fundamental duties of a homeowner. Knowing the right person to call in the event of an equipment failure is essential to staying comfortable on a year-round basis. By reading the material below, there should never be any doubt about what steps to take.
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 owner's 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 calling for help, know the system you have. Know the brand name and model number. It is also helpful to have the maintenance history. This will give contractor's a better idea of what to expect before they show up, which will help things go more smoothly on arrival.
Be careful when doing yard work that you do not get debris on or in your unit. Direct the clippings away from the equipment. Do the same when blowing snow or leaves.
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.
Condenser units for the outdoors should be shut off when it starts to get cold outside. If it's less than 60 degrees outside, turn the unit off. Your system will work longer for you this way.
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.
Outer coils can be cleaned with a regular outdoor hose before you turn the unit on for the season. That said, interior coils should be taken care of by a professional so that you don't do any damage as you attempt to clean them. Bring someone in to complete a check up.
An investment in a smart thermostat is truly going to save you money. You can program it to turn on and off at certain temperatures or times, allowing you to ensure that your air conditioner or heater isn't running when it doesn't need to be, saving you a ton.
If you live in a hot climate, don't use duct tape on your HVAC. It just dries out and falls off, leaving you with leaks all over the place. Instead, use mastic sealant to cover any holes or gaps in duct work and you'll keep your home comfortable all year long.
If you want to cool your home in the summer without using your air conditioning on full, consider installing fans in your home. An attic fan can blow hot air out while sucking in cool air into your basement, and ceiling fans help distribute the air in your rooms evenly.
Sometimes, air conditioners collect ice. There can be occasional freezes in their drain lines, and these are usually confused with plumbing leaks. If you see this, put the fan on to shut the compressor off. If the issue persists, call in help.
Install a radiant barrier in your attic to boost HVAC efficiency. It keeps heat blocked from inside to the outside, and that lowers how much energy it takes to keep your home cool. You may suddenly find that the attic even looks like a great option for another bedroom!
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.
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.
Use an HVAC company who has a lot of experience in the field. The most reliable companies make sure their technicians stay on schedule and keep appointments. The technicians need to also know what to do to figure out what's going wrong with an HVAC unit quickly. Once they know what's wrong, they should also know how to get them resolved efficiently and quickly.
Ask any contractor you're thinking of hiring for references. You want to make sure that the contractor has satisfied previous customers. That is why it is vital that you check references, so you don't run into those shady contractors!
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
click the up coming website page . This could cause it to become unbalanced. Simply replace the blade to ensure proper rotation.
If you feel like you are spending too much money on your heating and cooling, there is a simple way to reduce this cost. Raise or lower the temperature depending on the season. A single degree in temperature change can equate to almost a nine percent savings in cooling and heating costs.
Ask for referrals from friends and family.
related web-site to judge if an HVAC company is going to do a good job is from people who have actually used them. Ask your acquaintances if they have had work done, and find out if they were happy with the job, timeliness, and budget.
Now you know how to keep your HVAC running smoothly. Don't allow things to go bad because you don't pay attention to doing maintenance. Use the above tips to make sure it keeps working properly.