Check out the system that you have before you call a professional. Find out the brand and model and, if possible, dig out the maintenance history. This will facilitate the process when your contractor asks for this information.
If your HVAC is running into problems, check out each room in your house before calling for assistance. Make a list of the rooms which are comfortable and which just aren't. This will help the repairman determine what the problem is.
Before you hire an HVAC contractor, have some sort of idea of the work that needs to be done. They won't be able to offer you a quote if they haven't seen your system. It will be even harder if you cannot explain what you have done. Know the right information ahead of time.
Lubricate your condenser yearly if it has oil ports. You'll see that the ports here are closed with a rubber or metal cap. Choose a SAE 20 oil whch is lightweight atc air conditioning and non-detergent and place 10 drops or less into each port, ensuring it doesn't overfill.
Look for shade when placing a compressor outdoors. The cooler air that the unit can suck in, the less work it will need to do to further cool the air.
It is very important that your HVAC system is serviced two times a year. Most homeowners choose to have their unit inspected during the spring and the fall months. This helps prepare for the coming weather changes of summer and winter. Even if you don't think anything's wrong, it's still worth an inspection.
Replace any single-paned windows with double-paned versions. Double pane windows can minimize the use of your air conditioner in hot weather since they keep the indoor air cooler. It keeps heat in during the winter, too.
Have a smart thermostat installed. These can save you around 10 percent on your heating and cooling costs by just turning it back 10 percent to 15 percent for around eight hours each day. You can often control it from your mobile phone!
If everyone is out, turn the air conditioner off. With the system off, the house will only heat up to a certain temperature. The longer the unit stays on, the more it ends up costing you in energy bills.
Don't allow your home to become dangerously hot. Air conditioners really can only cool a home down about 20 degrees Fahrenheit within a reasonable amount of time. This means that if the weather is above 100 degrees, then you'll still be baking in 80 degree weather at first! Taking into consideration the humidity level, this may not even be adequate for the human body to recover from excessive heat while sleeping.
Spend some time on researching for reliable HVAC companies to ensure that they have a good reputation. Check reputations at the BBB, and read online reviews to gauge customer satisfaction. This can help you make the right choice.
To know how large of an air conditioner you need, look for a calculator online. Proper sizing will increase efficiency. Always look through the manual as well.
Before you go out there and hire an HVAC contractor, find out the length of time they've been in the industry. It is more likely that a contractor who has been in business for a longer time will give you better value for your money. Hiring a contractor who is just starting out can be risky.
As you can see, there are some things that can help you when you are dealing with HVAC units and contractors. It is important that installation and maintenance is done properly. Use the advice you read above and you'll make the right decision every time when it comes to getting your HVAC unit working right.
