HVAC: What You Should Know Before You Begin

Little is more frustrating than requiring a working HVAC during the hottest summer and coldest winter. Learning about your HVAC system will help you choose the right person to repair it. Read on for advice on doing that.

If you struggle with your HVAC, try touring your home before calling a professional. Make a list of the temperatures in each room and whether they are hot or cold. Taking this step aids a contractor in figuring out what the problem is and how to repair it as quickly as possible.

What do you need done? Know this before calling a contractor. It is going to be hard to get a price estimate on the phone if the current system isn’t something they’ve seen. It’s even harder if you’re not able to explain what you’ve done. You need to know this before you begin.

Be careful when doing yard work that you do not get debris on or in your unit. Aim your grass cuttings in a direction away from your unit. This same tip applies when you are blowing fallen leaves around the yard. Grass and leaves pose a serious problem for the internal functioning of your unit.

Fall is a hard time on HVAC units. Cleaning your unit is very important for its effectiveness. Otherwise, the unit will have to work unnecessarily hard.

Lubricate your fan condenser if it has oil ports. 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.

When you are choosing a location for the outdoor compressor unit, it’s preferable to use a shaded area. When the unit sucks in cooler air, then less work is required to cool it further which in turn boosts the units efficiency.

Boost energy efficiency by putting your condenser unit in the shade. This will ensure cool air is sucked in, meaning less cooling must be done by the unit.

Consider getting a programmable thermostat for your AC. 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. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from a PC or other device.

Service your HVAC yearly. During the service check, the system motor will be inspected, the moving parts will be oiled and the freon levels will be checked This will keep you energy efficient and comfortable.

When you are away from home, adjust your thermostat to a money saving temperature. The house will only heat to certain level and a decent HVAC system can quickly cool this down once you are home. The unit will use a large amount of electricity to combat the heat during the day when the house is empty.

You may feel a bit overwhelmed when your system needs maintenance. Still, a little research goes a long way. It is hoped you are now prepared for any future issues with your system.