When your HVAC system is working at its peak performance, then this is quite an enjoyable experience. The right amount of cool air on a hot day, or having hot air blowing when it's cold outside, is a great feeling. But when your system suddenly stops working, the situation can become frustrating very quickly. Therefore, learning HVAC maintenance is vital.
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.
Make certain that you clean your condenser when the weather begins to warm. Before you do so, shut off the power to ensure that none of the parts will move while you work on it. Then remove the grill, remove the blades and clean it from top to bottom gently.
If your fan condenser has oil ports, you must lubricate it once per year. You will see rubber or metal caps covering the ports. Pick out a SAE 20 type of oil because it has no detergent, is lightweight, and you should put around 10 drops in the ports but make it to where they don't get too full.
An HVAC system is a really expensive investment. This is why you should do some browsing before purchasing your system. Try to find a good sale so you can get your system at a discount. Check out a couple of sites before making a decision. A great site to begin is www.energystar.gov.
If you currently have a manual thermostat, consider installing a programmable one. You can set your system for different temperatures depending on time of day and if anyone is home. Also, you can set upper and lower temperature settings to allow for a comfortable range of temperatures so that heating and cooling don't kick in when not needed.
Manage the heat flow into your home with window coverings to help out your HVAC system. In the warmer months, use drapes, curtains and blinds to block out sunward facing windows to keep heat from building up through the greenhouse effect. Alternatively, make sure that sunlit windows are letting light and warmth in during the colder months.
Ask for references and be sure to call them as well. You are dealing with a high ticket item here, so you'll want to do your due diligence to make sure you are getting the best for your money. Ask for references, but don't stop there. Call each reference to check. A lot of people don't take that important last step.
Avoid allowing your home to ever get exceedingly hot. Air conditioners can cool a home by just twenty degrees in a short time. If your home become 100F or more, it will only cool off to about 80F. 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.
If you are thinking of installing a new roof and want it to also boost the efficiency of your HVAC, choose white materials. They reflect the sun's heat so that your attic doesn't get hot, and that means your air conditioner doesn't have to labor as hard to cool your home.
Ask your friends, relatives, and coworkers about their experiences with HVAC contractors in your area. 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.
Make sure that the HVAC contractor you plan to hire does not use subcontractors to do their work. Many people use this HVAC Contractor Seo 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.
Always ask for references before you allow anyone to start doing work on your HVAC system. Call several of them to make sure that they are legitimate. Many people take the word of the contractor when it comes to customer satisfaction and that can prove to be a mistake in the end.
Want to save the most you can with your HVAC unit? Consider increasing your room temperature by a single degree or two. Each degree means money that stays in your pocket. In fact some estimate that each degree you move up can work out to be around 9% in overall energy savings.
Never hire a contractor before asking about the work experience they have when it comes to dealing with HVAC units. It is important that you hire someone that has enough background experience to get the work done properly. While someone with less experience might be able to do a great job too, you do not want to take that chance.
When deciding what size of an air conditioner is right for you, you will need to measure how much area it will have to cool. In general, you need 20 BTU for each square foot. If you have a lot of rooms to keep cool, get their square footage added together.
Make sure to be specific about everything that is written in your contracts. It should detail the work that is being done, the materials being used and the amount of time it will take to complete the job. Leaving anything out can give the contractor an exit if something goes wrong.
Consider a digital window air conditioner with a remote to make use easy as pie. These often come with a thermostat in the remote, turning off the unit when the air near the remote is cool enough. Place the remote on the other side of the room so that the whole area cools down.
Never hire an HVAC contractor that does not hold a valid license from your state. There are people out there that will offer to do less expensive work since they have no license. While it may seem like a bargain, you will have lots of issues in the event that something goes wrong.
After reading the above article, you should be aware of the important things that pertain to helping you with your HVAC system, and dealing with contractors. The installation of this unit should be done correctly, and you need to maintain it on a regular basis. Use these tips to choose the right contractor to work on or install your HVAC system.
