Before an HVAC expert comes to your home to do any repair work, walk around the home and check out the temps in every room. Figure out which rooms feel hot and which feel cold. This will help your contractor quickly determine where the issue lies and how to get it fixed quickly and easily.
Do not be surprised if the HVAC contractor you choose does an evaluation on your home. Any good contractor will spend time looking at the system you currently have and what the needs are for your home. They will also take a look at your duct system and look for air leaks.
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.
Turn off your outdoor condenser when it becomes cold out. When the temperature drops beneath 60 degrees, it's time to cut off the unit to prevent damage. This will help keep your HVAC system in good health for years, which means you will save on repair bills.
In the winter, wearing layers can save you a ton of money on your utility bill. If you can install a digital thermostat that makes the house cooler when you're asleep and warmer just before you get up, you can see significant savings on your next bill when it arrives.
Installing a whole-house fan can either cool your home without the use of air conditioning or make your air conditioner more efficient. It blows out all of the hot air which collects in your attic, and this air flow draws in cool air from your basement and up into your home.
Icing up is common in air conditioners. There are also occasional freezes in the drain line, which are often confused for plumbing leaks. When you see ice, turn the unit to fan. Talk to a professional if you are unsure of how to do this.
Make sure that the HVAC contractor you plan to hire does not use subcontractors to do their work. Many people use this as an website 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.
Think about having a radiant barrier installed in your attic so support the efficient functioning of your HVAC system. This mechanism will prevent outside heat from coming in, reducing your energy consumption when cooling. You may suddenly find that the attic even looks like a great option for another bedroom!
To reduce the air conditioning's energy cost, close drapes, blinds and shades that cover windows which face the sun. Also, white shades will reflect the heat away from the house, keeping it cooler and saving you money. It is also recommended that you close the vents in rooms that are not used often. This will ensure that you are not spending money cooling less-used rooms.
Be careful of sounds in your HVAC. If the condenser fan begins to make a grating or clicking sound, the blades could be hitting an obstruction. If blades get bent, don't try straightening them. You could unbalance them and cause them to hit the condenser coil. This could loosen the motor in the fan. Try replacing the bent blades with new ones. Make sure the new blades can freely rotate without wobbling.
For your outdoor HVAC unit, make sure that your foliage is cleared around it. Two feet distance between the HVAC unit and shrubs is a good amount to remember. If you let the foliage creep up on the unit, it can cause all sorts of issues with debris and growth into the system.
If your HVAC unit is not operating as efficiently as it once was, check the evaporator coil in it? There may be some debris blocking it which is causing the issue. You can use a soft brush to clean it - like the one you find as an attachment for handheld vacuum cleaners.
Is your home's electrical set-up ready to handle a new air conditioning unit? Most homes have 115-volt circuits in place, but larger air conditioners need 230-volts to be used. Some smaller units may need their own dedicated circuit as well to ensure your home doesn't go dark when you turn them on.
If your HVAC unit is not operating as efficiently as it once was, check the evaporator coil in it? There may be some debris blocking it which is causing the issue. You can use a soft brush to clean it - like the one you find as an attachment for handheld vacuum cleaners.
Now you know how to keep your HVAC system in great shape. Don't allow things to go bad because you don't pay attention to doing maintenance. Apply these tips so that you can keep it functioning properly.
