The HVAC system you have is important to your home, so you can let it go bad. If you are reading this article, you are clearly interested in extending the life of your HVAC system. The following article has helpful advice for you.
Before making that repair phone call, make sure you know the specifics about your particular system. It is important to understand what model it is and which brand it is. Also, if it has been serviced before, you should have that information handy. Then, you’ll be ready to tell the contractor what they need to know.
Before contacting a repair service, do a short tour of the entire home. Find out which rooms are hot and which are cold. This information will help the contractor determine where the problem is and how to fix it.
Be sure to regularly clean debris from external condenser units. You don’t know the amount of stuff that can pile up right after heavy winds or a storm. It can cause the unit to overheat and break down.
You should clean your condenser fan’s blades and coils every spring. Before you begin cleaning the unit, make sure that it is unplugged. Then you need to get the grill popped off and get the blades out so you can clean them and your unit gently.
HVAC units may suffer when leaves are falling off the trees. Make sure you clean out your fan grill often once nearby trees start shedding their leaves. The fan needs to be able to get proper air inside without any blockages, and extra blockage can later develop into more serious problems.
Check to determine if the fan condenser on your HVAC system is equipped with oil ports, and if it is, be sure to lubricate every year. The port usually has either a rubber or metal cap on top of it. Pick a type of SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight. Place 10 or less drops into every port to avoid overfilling.
Equipping your home with a programmable thermostat can be an excellent way to cut utility costs. In fact, you can save as much as 10 percent on both heating and cooling when you turn your thermostat by by 10-15 percent for at least 8 hours daily. There are also some programmable thermostats that can be controlled with a computer or other web-connected advice.
In order to keep energy costs down, make sure heating and cooling systems are services at least once per year. During a maintenance visit, professionals can help by inspecting the system’s motor, oil the different moving parts as well as check the system’s freon levels. This will help keep your system performing at maximum efficiency.
If everyone is out, turn the air conditioner off. When it’s off the house will get hot, but only by a certain amount. When the AC is left running, your power bill will go up quite a bit.
When you’re purchasing an HVAC system, make sure that you get a unit that is properly sized for your space. Buying a unit which is too big reduces efficiency. Any unit’s manual will be able to give you an accurate idea for the size of the unit versus your home.
Doing yearly maintenance on your HVAC is vital to preventing expensive repairs. As with other household repairs, HVAC repairs can be very expensive. Don’t let this happen; work on using the advice you were given above.