Turn Yourself Into A Master Of HVAC
Your HVAC unit could be considered the heart and soul of your home. As the furnace or air conditioner pump out comfortable air, the ducts carry it to where you are living in the home. To ensure that it works for you as you wish it to, check out the tips below.
Ask for referrals when hiring someone to install your HVAC system. Someone may seem like they know what they are doing, but you cannot simply take their word for it. You should be able to call past customers to get an idea of what to expect from this particular installer.
Be sure to get every quote or estimate in written form. You have no recourse on a verbal agreement, so a written contract is a must. This will allow you to follow up if something goes wrong or you don't get what you were promised, protecting you from shady contractors.
Your system should be checked twice a year. Checks in the spring as well as in autumn are the best. Even if you don't think anything's wrong, it's still worth an inspection.
When you are no longer using your outdoor air conditioning unit, be sure to protect it with a tight cover. This will keep it free of debris, frost and snow so that you'll have a working unit when the spring comes and you are ready to uncover it and use it again.
When you mow your lawn, take care that you don't get grass clippings all over your outdoor unit. Direct the grass clippings in a direction away from the HVAC unit. This also applies when you blow leaves, so be very careful near your exterior HVAC units when you move debris.
If you want to seriously extend the life of your HVAC system, as well as cut down your overall power bill, install ceiling fans in commonly used warm season rooms. Energy-star certified ceiling fans can sometimes cut your HVAC use in half. However, you won't physically notice a difference in temperature.
If you have oil ports as part of the fan condenser, annual lubrication is key. A rubber or metal cap is typically placed over such ports. You should select an SAE 20 oil since it is lightweight and does not contain detergent. Be sure to use just 10 drops or so, or your system may overfill.
Make sure that your AC is turned off when you are not using it. Your home will become somewhat warmer during this time. It will use more electricity if you keep it running.
If you want to pay for less power use, consider installing an HVAC-specific solar panel system. Such an installation harnesses the power of the sun directly for your heating and air conditioning. Don't worry though; you can have a switch put in that automatically connects to the power grid the days there isn't enough sun.
Consider all of your alternatives before installing a central air conditioner. You can only cool certain rooms, use whole-house fans, or even make use of a geothermal system. The more efficient the system you set up, the less you'll spend on utility bills over time as you use it.
Change your air conditioner filter quarterly, or four times a year. This not only keeps the air coming into your home easier and cleaner to breathe, it takes a lot of stress off of your AC unit itself. You get to enjoy health, money savings and reduced energy use altogether at once.
To improve the efficiency of your HVAC unit, put a radiant barrier up inside the attic of your home. This mechanism will prevent outside heat from coming in, reducing your energy consumption when cooling. If done correctly, this also enables you to start using your attic as a living space.
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.
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.
You should focus on finding an HVAC contractor that can offer you a warranty on the work they are doing. This is a sign that they are confident in their ability to get the job done well. This will protect you in the event that is not done right and needs to be fixed.
Get references from anyone you are considering hiring. Previous customers can provide information about timeliness of job completion and if the contractor stayed within their budget. By checking references, you can avoid being cheated.
If you can, find a way to create shade over your outdoor HVAC unit. This can actually save you money as shaded air being pulled in by the HVAC unit is typically 5 to 6 degrees cooler than air that's heated by direct sunlight. It's a smart solution to lowering those energy bills.
When comparing quotes from multiple contractors, think carefully about those on the bottom of the price list. It's likely they didn't really look into your home deeply, or they're making promises they can't keep. Do they offer you a guarantee? Are they insured? Do they have a current licence in your state?
Hire contractors who offer guarantees of at least 5 year on all labor and parts. This will ensure HVAC Cleaning And Serviced that you can go back to them to fix anything that goes wrong shortly after your system is installed or repaired. Anyone who doesn't offer a guarantee won't come back unless you pay them again.
Keeping your home in tip-top shape means taking great care of your HVAC system. It is important to keep the system maintained and clean to keep your family comfortable and healthy. Follow the useful tips above to know how to hire the right people and use the right equipment to keep your HVAC system in good shape.