Article writer-Fallesen Hamilton
Your HVAC system is a key piece of equipment in your home, and letting it go bad is not an option. You probably came to this article to learn how to keep your HVAC system running and healthy for a long time. Then you're going to love the article below, which has plenty of helpful tips.
Although most people are thinking of their heating systems during the winter months, air conditioning is also important. When installing a new furnace or heating system, make sure the air ducts are also set up to work with your air condition system. Using the ducts for both heating and cooling is the most economical choice.
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.
Make sure that your contractor provides a home assessment. Not every HVAC solution is for everyone. Your home could have special needs for heating and cooling. Your contractor should do a walk around of your space to judge what is best. If they aren't be sure to request one.
Don't hire a contractor until you know a little about what you are facing. It will be difficult for an HVAC contractor to provide you with an estimate on the phone without knowing what your current setup is. They need to come look at the unit. So be aware of this information ahead of time.
Whenever possible, try to shade the compressor unit outside.
just click the following document that's in a place that is shaded is usually five to six degrees cooler than the surrounding air. Your air conditioning unit will be up to ten percent more efficient if it is properly shaded during the summer months.
Cover your unit when you are mowing the lawn. Have
more info here shoot in the opposite direction. This also applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in debris.
Looking for an efficient way to cool your home? Consider installing a whole-house evaporative cooler. They use water to cool air instead of traditional chemical coolants, using a ton less energy to cool your home than those other units. That said, they do work best in dry climates and not at all in humid ones.
Get an estimate before agreeing to have any work done on your HVAC unit. This will help keep you from being surprised by a bill at the end. Any reputable technician should be able to look at your unit, determine the problem and give you an estimate as to how much it will cost to fix it.
Make sure that the HVAC contractor you plan to hire does not use subcontractors to do their work. Many people use this as an excuse to shirk their responsibility in the event that something goes wrong when your system is being worked on. Only allow this if there is a note in the contract about what will happen if there is an issue.
Try to stay away from HVAC contractors that ask for upfront payments before they are willing to get started on the work they were hired to do. In many cases, this means that they are more concerned about getting paid than they are about making sure the job is done well.
Use your HVAC system to heat your water for free! In the summer, residual heat pulled out of your house is used to heat water through a geothermal system. This will cool your home while allowing you to save a ton on hot water costs, plus it's environmentally friendly to boot!
If you plan on having a service on your HVAC unit, ask the technician what he will be doing. Any thorough service should consist of several things. The technician should check temperature levels, pressures, amperage draw, and coolant levels. They should adjust any belts that need it and clean the coils.
The biggest step to preventing problems in your air conditioner is getting a professional tune-up once a year.
air duct sealing companies near me is especially important before the summer. This is when your air conditioning system will be working its hardest. Getting regular tune-ups reduces the risk of malfunctions and will keep you cool all summer long.
If your system isn't working right, try looking for leaks in the ducts. Your utility company can test this for you, oftentimes at no charge. If not, it should be less expensive than a HVAC contractor. When you repair the leaks, you'll see that the tests paid for themselves.
Never hire anyone to work on your HVAC system unless they are licensed and bonded. This industry is one where mistakes happen often and you want to make sure that you are protected. You do not want to be stuck paying for medical bills that are more expensive than the work you were having done.
Ask your neighbors who they have fixing their HVAC systems. Neighborhoods are often built at the same time and will have the same set-ups for heating and cooling. That means if someone did a good job on their unit, they should offer you the same high quality service as well.
Keep your evaporator coil clean. A dirty coil will cause the unit to strain when cooling air. You can clean the coil yourself easily. Simply remove the front panel to expose the coil and use a soft brush attached to a vacuum to remove any dust and debris that has accumulated on the coil.
Ideally, your contractor should have emergency services available. This includes during extreme weather.
It is important that any contractor you hire is familiar with your make and model of HVAC unit. Ask them what brands they work with most frequently and compare it to what you have. If you can't find a contractor that knows your brand well, instead consider who has the best reputation.
There is nothing worse than being miserable in your own home because you cannot regulate the temperature. The key to managing HVAC equipment issues involves discovering how to hire the best professionals around. Refer back to the above tips whenever necessary, and you will never be at a loss for what to do.