Content by-Ennis Almeida
Hiring an HVAC professional to either replace old heating and cooling equipment or install a brand new unit is something with which not every homeowner is entirely comfortable. The best way to confront this type of challenge is to gain some great tips and tricks. The article below should serve that purpose quite nicely.
If you want to know more about efficiently heating or cooling your home, go online and download the ENERGY STAR Guide. It provides information for homeowners to learn more about how they can save money while still keeping their home comfortable all year round, so it is a worthy ready.
Clean your permanent air filters or replace disposable ones every single month. If you have the choice, an electrostatic is the best option on the market today. Be sure to turn off your unit before you change the filter as it should never be run without a filter in place.
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.
When a contractor gives you a list of references, be sure to make use of it. Call the people on the list and ask about the quality of the work, how closely they came to their quote and whether or not the work was completed according to the promised timeline.
To save money on your HVAC system, turn the air conditioning down at night and let your home warm up a bit. To keep yourself cool, use a chilling water-filled pillow to cool down your head and your whole body as a result. This combined with a fan will keep you from overheating while saving on your utility bills.
To keep your system running smoothly have your system serviced once a year. This inspection will ensure that your unit is working efficiently, including a freon level and motor check, and oiling moving parts. These easy to do things are going to allow your system to run its best.
Be sure to get every quote or estimate in written form. You have no recourse on a verbal agreement, so a written contract is a must. This will allow you to follow up if something goes wrong or you don't get what you were promised, protecting you from shady contractors.
Make an HVAC system run more efficiently by determining what direction your house faces. It's always a good idea to plant trees in areas that will help block the scorching sun that heats up your home and causes your AC unit to work harder. When there is less heat inside your home, the air conditioner will not have to work as hard.
Be
ac companies of sounds in your HVAC. If the condenser fan begins to make a grating or clicking sound, the blades could be hitting an obstruction. If blades get bent, don't try straightening them. You could unbalance them and cause them to hit the condenser coil. This could loosen the motor in the fan. Try replacing the bent blades with new ones. Make sure the new blades can freely rotate without wobbling.
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.
Are you thinking about buying a new HVAC system? You could keep a few points in mind. Systems are given ratings by how effectively they can cool and heat an area. It is better to purchase a slightly larger than needed unit, rather than a slightly smaller than needed unit.
If you can, find a way to create shade over your outdoor HVAC unit. This can actually save you money as shaded air being pulled in by the HVAC unit is typically 5 to 6 degrees cooler than air that's heated by direct sunlight. It's a smart solution to lowering those energy bills.
For your outdoor HVAC unit, make sure that your foliage is cleared around it. Two feet distance between the HVAC unit and shrubs is a good amount to remember. If you let the foliage creep up on the unit, it can cause all sorts of issues with debris and growth into the system.
When determining which size of air conditioner to buy, first measure the area which needs to be cooled. The calculation to determine the size of the unit is typically 20 BTU for every square foot of area. If multiple rooms need cooling, add together their square footage to reach this calculation.
If you want to buy a new HVAC unit or system, ask a contractor to come up to size up your home and tell you what options you have. They'll have the best advice as they know what sort of systems work in your area or in a home like yours.
A radiant barrier is an awesome device which will help improve the efficiency of your HVAC unit. This type of barrier will help to block heat, which in turn will help your system work less at cooling your home. If you do things right your attic can be used as a living space too.
Look for deals on equipment. The equipment you need to update, maintain or repair your HVAC system tends to be expensive. Keep your eyes open for available coupons, store discounts and rebates on this equipment. Stock up on things you always need, like filters, when they are on sale.
Every season inspect the outdoor condenser unit of your HVAC system. Remove any weeds and leaves that may be obstructing air flow to the unit. Hose off the inside and outside of the unit to remove any dirt build up. Cover the motor with plastic bags prior to rinsing the unit so that you do not get it wet.
When you have a short list of contractors to consider, ask the people on their reference list about not only the service they received, but also how well the system is still running. Did
click now need more work down the road? Has the company come back to make things right?
The HVAC unit is integral to any home. The advice you have just been given should help you save money on costly repairs. But it is your responsibility to take your HVAC system seriously and keep it in good shape.