The cooling and heating system in your home plays a major role in your comfort. Therefore, it is critical that you maintain your HVAC system well. Expect expensive repairs and discomfort if you let your HVAC system fail. The following advice will help you keep your HVAC in great shape.
Check the whole house before you call for help. Note which rooms are hot and which are cold. This will allow a contractor to quickly figure out what the issue is and how it can be fixed fast.
Before you choose an HVAC contractor, have an idea in your mind of what needs to be done. Discussing the problem is simplified if you understand what has happened with the unit. Being unable to explain what has been already done will make it even harder. Make an effort to gather all information you need before making the phone call.
Lubricate your fan condenser at least once a year. These are usually covered with rubber or metal caps. Get an oil that is SAE 20 and put about 10 drops into each port, but don’t overfill it.
If the house is yours or you’re permitted to, replace the windows that are single pane with windows that are double pane. Try to insulate your windows to prevent air from being lost. Conversely, this also works to keep warm air in during colder months.
Having a programmable thermostat installed is a money saving idea. It may save you as much as 10 percent of your overall utility bill if you turn your thermostat down by 10-15 degrees for a portion of the day. Additionally, these items can be controlled remotely through your computer.
To help lower cooling costs when not at home, make sure the air conditioner is turned off. Sure, the temp will rise, but no one is home anyway. Leaving it on for the entire day means that it is struggling to keep things cool, something that takes lots of energy.
Do your homework on a number of HVAC companies before selecting the one that has the best reputation and service record. A good start would be the BBB to see if there are any complaints, then search online for review sites where you can see what actual customers had to say about their experience. Investing the time to check out potential contractors can save you money and headaches.
You can get ice in your air conditioner. Drain lines can also suffer an occasional freeze, and these are sometimes mistaken for plumbing leak issues. Change your thermostat in situations like this. You can call a HVAC professional, but switching to the fan will make the ice melt.
Use online AC sizing calculators to figure out what size unit you need. If you get a unit that is too large, it will cost a lot in energy costs. Check the manual to see what the manufacturer rates the unit to cool for accurate information.
Now you know what you have to do to keep your home HVAC system healthy. Pay attention to keeping it maintained to make sure it won’t go bad. Prevent your home’s temperature from getting uncomfortable by using this advice.