Want Great Ideas About Hvac? Look Here!
The HVAC is something that needs to be maintained from time to time. One that is poorly maintained is bound to break down, costing you money over the long run. Your HVAC is a critical appliance in your home, so read on for some insightful strategies to ensure that you get as much service from it as you possibly can.
Be aware of the type of system that is installed in your home prior to calling a contractor to fix it. Write down the brand and the model and have all maintenance records on hand. This will facilitate the process when your contractor asks for this information.
Before choosing an HVAC contractor, think of what you wish to have done. A contractor will be hard pressed to provide you with an over-the-phone estimate if unfamiliar with your system. If you do not know what you want, the process can become tedious, especially over the phone. Learn this information to start with.
Clean your fan blades and coils each spring to ensure that your condenser fan operates at it’s best. If you are doing more than a light surface cleaning, make sure that the power is shut off to the HVAC unit. Remove leaves and debris from the outdoor unit.
Many homeowners forget to oil their condenser at least once per year, but it is required. These are usually covered with rubber or metal caps. Put 10 drops of lightweight, non-detergent SAE oil in each port. Be careful not to use too much.
If possible, put your HVAC in a shaded area if it is outside. As you get your air conditioner to suck in cool air it won’t have to do too much work to cool it which saves you some money.
When the weather starts to cool down, make sure you turn off outdoor condenser units. When the temperature drops beneath 60 degrees, it’s time to cut off the unit to prevent damage. This can keep your system working for years and save you a lot on repairs.
Installing double paned windows can save a lot of money over single panes, so upgrade if you are able. In warmer months, these windows will help to maintain the cooler inside temperature. Likewise, heat is better retained during the winter.
Getting a programmable thermostats can be a terrific way to realize savings. In fact, you can save as much as 10 percent on both heating and cooling when you turn your thermostat by by 10-15 percent for at least 8 hours daily. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from a PC or other device.
Hopefully, you have a better idea of how to take care of your HVAC after having read this great article. It is very important that regular maintenance be performed, otherwise down the road you are looking at shelling out a lot of money for repairs and higher than normal energy bills. Go back over these tips to make yourself sure that your HVAC system will last for a long time.…