HVAC is a must for a comfortable home, so maintenance is key. They are expensive to fix or replace. A little maintenance, though, can keep things in good working order for longer. Here are some great ideas to help you keep your unit maintained.
Do not be surprised if the HVAC contractor you choose does an evaluation on your home. Any good contractor will spend time looking at the system you currently have and what the needs are for your home. They will also take a look at your duct system and look for air leaks.
When your contractor comes to fix your unit or install a new one, he should walk around your home and investigate what's going on with your current set-up. They should be looking for how much insulation you have, where your windows are and what quality they are and more.
Clean your fan and coils when the weather begins to warm. Before you do clean the coils and fan blades, always take the precaution of turning off all power to the unit. Additionally, remove leaves and any other debris from the outside condenser unit.
When the spring comes and the days begin to warm up, call in a pro to give your HVAC a once over. This will ensure that your air conditioner works as expected all summer long, stopping you from sweating it out when you least expect the system to fail.
If the current location of your HVAC unit outside isn't working, try having it moved to an area with more shade. If your air conditioner is able to constantly suck in cool air, it won't have to work overtime to cool your space, which can in turn save you money on your electricity bills.
Replace single pane windows by installing double pane, if possible. Double pane windows can minimize the use of your air conditioner in hot weather since they keep the indoor air cooler. It keeps heat in during the winter, too.
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 an annual service agreement for technicians to regularly inspect your AC unit. Schedule brief inspections for the winter to make sure nothing is obviously wrong. The most important time for an inspection and service is just before it starts getting warm. You don't want to discover an AC breakdown when you need it working most.
Ask for references and be sure to call them as well. You are dealing with a high ticket item here, so you'll want to do your due diligence to make sure you are getting the best for your money. Ask for references, but don't stop there. Call each reference to check. A lot of people don't take that important last step.
Consider painting the outside of your home in a light color to reflect heat if you live in a hot climate. If your summers are cool, use a dark color to instead heat up your home in the winter. This simple change can end up saving you a lot on your utility bills.
Consider a digital window air conditioner with a remote to make use easy as pie. These often come with a thermostat in the remote, turning off the unit when the air near the remote is cool enough. Place the remote on the other side of the room so that the whole area cools down.
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.
If your HVAC system is clicking, look for blockages right away. This may be because debris is restricting the movement of the fan blades. Get rid of the debris and this will no longer be an issue. See if you can do it yourself before getting a professional.
Inspect your HVAC unit quickly for blockage if you become away of any clicking sound. Sometimes, debris will be the cause of the disturbance. Simple removal of the debris will solve the problem. Before contacting someone for repairs, make sure you investigate the problem first.
When looking for an HVAC company, find one that is available when you need them. Reliable companies can be reached easily at any time. This includes both day and night. A prospective company should also values your resources and time. Cooling And Heating Near Me They should be able to schedule service calls at your earliest convenience.
Make certain that you hire an experienced contractor with a good reputation. The best companies out there have technicians that keep a schedule and their appointments too. These techs that come out should be quickly able to figure out the issue and remedy the problem right away. This will maximize your overall satisfaction.
Consider a digital window air conditioner with a remote to make use easy as pie. These often come with a thermostat in the remote, turning off the unit when the air near the remote is cool enough. Place the remote on the other side of the room so that the whole area cools down.
Any time that you are given a quote for HVAC work, it's vital that you them to do a heat-loss calculation, too. This determines the amount of BTUs your system needs to make sure your home stays comfortable. This means that they need to count all doors and windows in your home, along with an insulation check, and taking full measurement of your home.
Ask for referrals from friends and family. The best way to judge if an HVAC company is going to do a good job is from people who have actually used them. Ask your acquaintances if they have had work done, and find out if they were happy with the job, timeliness, and budget.
Ideally, you feel more informed about how your HVAC works. Most people need motivation before they can really get into working on their system. Once things begin to click inside your mind, you won't regret the decision.
