The HVAC system you have in your house is not something you know about until it no longer works. At that point, however, it is suddenly of immense importance. Finding a new person to repair your system or put in a new system can be a challenge. The tips that follow will help you do that and much more!
What system do you have? You need this information to tell your contractor. You need to know who manufactured the product and the item number. Also, get the maintenance records from your files if you have them. This will facilitate the process when your contractor asks for this information.
If the outside of your home has condenser units, ensure they are constantly cleaned. After a wind or rain storm things may pile up, causing problems with your HVAC system. Left unchecked, your unit is more likely to break down.
Every spring you should clean the coils and fan blades on your condenser fan. First, the power should be turned off so things don’t move as you work. Remove the grill and carefully clean the blades and surrounding areas.
You must keep your HVAC systems oil ports lubricated annually. You’ll find these ports are covered with a metal or rubber cap. Use SAE 20 oil that is lightweight and detergent free, and put ten drops or fewer into each one. Make sure not to overfill them.
Boost energy efficiency by putting your condenser unit in the shade. The unit will have to do less work cooling this air.
When the weather cools down, turn your outdoor condenser off. To prevent damage, turn off your unit if the outside temperature is less than 60 degrees. This will maximize the life of your unit.
If possible, your single pane windows should be replaced with double-paned ones. Windows that are double pane keep the cool air in and can greatly reduce the amount of time your air conditioner will need to run. This same effect also keeps warm air in during the winter months.
Consider getting a programmable thermostat for your AC. You have greater control over the temperature settings with these. This will save you a lot of money during the year.
In order to keep energy costs down, make sure heating and cooling systems are services at least once per year. This inspection will ensure that your unit is working efficiently, including a freon level and motor check, and oiling moving parts. These things will boost the performance of your system.
It is possible for air conditioners to ice over. This can also happen on the drain line. If this happens, disable the compressor by switching the thermostat to run the fan only. If this doesn’t work, call a professional.
From reading the above article, you should now be more comfortable in your knowledge about HVAC systems. If your current system needs to be replaced or repaired, you’ll know what things to look out for and what things to avoid. Refer back to this article as necessary to make sure that you’re on the right track.
