Content author-Boye Atkins
The comfort of a home has a lot to do with whether or not it is being heated or cooled properly. Due to this, your HVAC must remain in working order. If you aren't taking care of your system, you will likely experience costly repairs and uncomfortable temperatures. There are many useful tips below that can help you maintain your HVAC properly.
If you want to keep your air conditioning unit running efficiently, make sure you replace or clean the air filter once a month. Check the owner's manual on the a/c for instructions on how to clean the filter. Never run the unit when the filter is removed and let the filter dry before reinstallling it.
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.
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.
In the winter, wearing layers can save you a ton of money on your utility bill. If you can install a digital thermostat that makes the house cooler when you're asleep and warmer just before you get up, you can see significant savings on your next bill when it arrives.
If you want to cool your home in the summer without using your air conditioning on full, consider installing fans in your home. An attic fan can blow hot air out while sucking in cool air into your basement, and ceiling fans help distribute the air in your rooms evenly.
When colder weather arrives, switch off all outdoor condenser units. If you get into temperatures that are less than 60 degrees you need the unit to be shut off so it doesn't get damaged. This can keep your HVAC running and can save you money on repairs.
Clean your filters! If you have a window unit air conditioner, there will be a filter right under the grill you can vacuum. If you have a furnace or outdoor units, they will also have filters to be cleaned or replace. A dirty filter can make your unit inefficient or even let it overheat.
Change your air conditioner filter quarterly, or four times a year.
http://www.lacartes.com/business/Burford-Heating-and-Air-Conditioning/1624566 keeps the air coming into your home easier and cleaner to breathe, it takes a lot of stress off of your AC unit itself. You get to enjoy health, money savings and reduced energy use altogether at once.
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.
Use plants to increase your air conditioner's effectiveness.
Suggested Studying shaded by trees and shrubbery can operate up to 10 percent more efficiently. However, do keep spacing in mind. Air flow must not be constricted, and technicians need room to work when they come out to service your unit.
While price should be one of the considerations you make when you are hiring an HVAC contractor, do not allow it to cloud your judgement. There are other factors that need to be considered in order to make a sound decision. Experience level, work ethic and positive reviews are a few things that should be considered as well.
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.
If your HVAC system is producing any type of clicking sounds, there may be something obstructing it. Sometimes debris interferes with the cooling system fans. Get rid of this obstruction and that should take care of the problem. Look at this prior to calling a technician.
Installing a whole-house fan can either cool your home without the use of air conditioning or make your air conditioner more efficient. It blows out all of the hot air which collects in your attic, and this air flow draws in cool air from your basement and up into your home.
When you hire a contractor, make sure you ask for some references. Talk to those references to find out if they were pleased with the service they received. This will reduce your chances of hiring a scam artist.
Gather the level of experience of the company you are working with. You want to make sure that they have experience with the type of work you need done. While a worker with less experience may be capable of doing a good job, you will be taking a risk.
Ask any contractor you're thinking of hiring for references. Previous customers can provide information about timeliness of job completion and if the contractor stayed within their budget. This will help you stay away from scam artists, but only if you call those references!
If the HVAC contractor assumes a "one size fits all" approach to installing your unit, look elsewhere. In order for the system to be right for your home, the contractor needs to come out, find your air ducts, and generally get a feeling for how your home is laid out. If he or she does not do that, move on.
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.
Determining the right HVAC service professional to provide repair or replacement work can be tough when a certain amount of know-how is lacking. To really ensure that the best approach is being taken, some advance research is essential. Hopefully the material presented above has fulfilled readers' needs for useful insights in this realm.