Knowledge Is Power, And These HVAC Tips Are Priceless


Letting your HVAC system fall into ruin is an incredibly foolish decision for any homeowner. Do you want to understand how to keep it in the best condition? This article will help you to become educated on the topic.

If your HVAC doesn't seem to be working properly, check things out yourself prior to calling in a technician. Make a list of the rooms which are comfortable and which just aren't. That will help your repairman figure out where the problem is, and how he can fix it easily and quickly.

Help the outside condenser fan run efficiently by cleaning the coils and fan blades before the summer starts. Prior to working on or cleaning the unit, be sure to turn off the power. Remove leaves and debris from the condenser outside.

If you have units that are condensers outside of the home, keep them free of debris. Debris quickly gathers here, even more so if there is a storm. This can cause major issues with your system. It could get too hot, leading to even more problems.

When you have an outdoor unit, be sure to keep all plants, flowers, shrubs and trees at least two feet from it. Anything that grows inside it, either above the ground or even roots beneath the soil, can block it up and cause it to break. Give it some breathing room.

Find a place that is shaded for your compressor. When the unit sucks in cooler air, then less work is required to cool it further which in turn boosts the units efficiency.

Sometimes, it can be hard to figure out if your HVAC system needs to be fixed or needs to be replaced. If your system frequently breaks down, is always turning on or off on its own, or if your bills are too high, it may pay to have it replaced. Otherwise, little things can just be fixed.

If you are purchasing an AC unit, there are calculators on the Internet that can help you figure out the right size. If you buy a unit that's too large, it won't be energy efficient for your needs. Look at the manual to figure out the manufacturing rates the unit for accurate cooling information.

Sometimes, air conditioners collect ice. In addition, the drain line sometimes freezes, and people often think that there is a plumbing leak. When you see ice, turn the unit to fan. Talk to a professional if you are unsure of how to do this.

If you have a window air conditioner without a timer, use a regular outlet timer to control when it is on or off. These are the same ones you use for holiday lights, so all you have to do is plug your air conditioner into the timer and set it to cool you during the day.

Never accept the first offer you get when you are looking to hire an HVAC contractor. There are many people out there that charge more than others for doing the same services. Getting price quotes from several companies can help ensure that you are getting a rate that is acceptable.

Every month clean out the leaves and debris that may have settled into your outdoor HVAC unit. You'll be surprised at how much gets caught in your unit. Over time these leaves can build up and create issues for your system. Just this little clean up can save you a lot of money in maintenance bills.

Change your filter on a regular basis. This is one of the easiest HVAC tips that you can do yourself. It is also one of the least expensive things that you can do to ensure that your system is running efficiently. Clogged and dirty filters can make your unit work 5-10% harder.

Never accept the first offer you get when you are looking to hire an HVAC contractor. There are many people out there that charge more than others for doing the same services. Getting price quotes from several companies can help ensure that you are getting a rate that is acceptable.

Do not close your vents. Keep air vents open and unblocked at all times. Many people believe that closing off a vent will save them money on cooling costs. This is not true. It can actually damage your HVAC system. Closing vents can cause your cooling coil to freeze and damage the compressor.

If you feel like you are spending too much money on your heating and cooling, there is a simple way to reduce this cost. Raise or lower the temperature depending on the season. A single degree in temperature change can equate to almost a nine percent savings in cooling and heating costs.

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 website no license. While it may seem like a bargain, you will have lots of issues in the event that something goes wrong.

If you hear clicking noises from your condenser fan, make sure that it is not striking something inside the unit. If it is not hitting something, it may be bent. Do not try to straighten the blades. This could cause it to become unbalanced. Simply replace the blade to ensure proper rotation.

In the winter, protect the condenser unit with a cover that fits around it. This will make sure the condenser will last for a long time. Another bit of great advice is to not run the unit's compressor if it's under 60 degrees outside. Switch your fan on instead so the unit doesn't get strained.

Be sure to look up information online about the reliability of any unit you are thinking of having installed. While the efficiency ratings, BTU and price are important, knowing that it will continue working for many years will save you a lot of money on repairs over time, so be vigilant.

If your outdoor compressor unit sits in the sun, consider building a shade over it. Air in the shade is about 5 degrees cooler than air in the sun. This can have a significant impact on your cooling bill. When done properly, you could see up to a 10 percent savings over the season.

Now that you're done with this article, you know some things about the HVAC that you didn't know before. Motivate yourself to start using what you've learned. You won't regret it!