HVAC Getting You Down? These Tips Will Help

 

 

Do you often find your home uncomfortably warm during the summer, even when your air conditioner is running? Do you shiver inside during the winter? If so, you may need to have your HVAC system replaced. For some useful advice on doing so, read the tips in the following article.

 

 

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.

 

Get any agreement with an HVAC contractor in writing. Some contractors try to skip over this step and charge customers a fortune. If you have a certain price and warranty in writing, they cannot go back and change this information. If they do, they could have a lawsuit on their hands.

 

Let your friends and family know about the discounts that are possible via ENERGY STAR. There's a lot of savings that can be had here, so why hold this good news all to yourself! You can save those closest to you hundreds of dollars over the course of a year.

 

Clean the condenser on your debris regularly. After a wind or rain storm things may pile up, causing problems with your HVAC system. It can cause your system to malfunction by overheating.

 

When you have an outdoor unit, be sure to keep all plants, flowers, shrubs and trees at least two feet from it. Anything that grows inside it, either above the ground or even roots beneath the soil, can block it up and cause it to break. Give it some breathing room.

 

If the fan on your condenser includes oil ports, they must be lubricated annually. The port usually has either a rubber or metal cap on top of it. Use SAE 20 oil that is lightweight and detergent free, and put ten drops or fewer into each one. Make sure not to overfill them.

 

In order to boost efficiency, place new outdoor units or move your current unit to a place which resides in the shade. As your air conditioner sucks in cool air, little will have to be done to cool it any further, saving you a ton on your energy bills.

 

Whenever possible, try to shade the compressor unit outside. The air 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.

 

You should be sure to change the air filter of your HVAC system once every six months. Neglecting to do so can cause dust particles to clog the air ducts. In turn, your system will not work properly and you will find your bills going up. It's worth spending the time to clean the filters.

 

If you have a window air conditioner without a timer, use a regular outlet timer to control when it is on or off. These are the same ones you use for holiday lights, so all you have to do is plug your air conditioner into the timer and set it to cool you during the day.

 

To choose a reliable HVAC contractor, the best thing to do is to do your homework on a number of possible firms and check out their reputations. Check with different references to determine the best one for your situation. These steps can help ensure you make the smartest and most informed choice.

 

As you compare new HVAC system, be sure to look at the energy ratings for each unit. The higher they are, the better they will be. Efficiency will not only get your home comfortable faster, but it will save you on your energy bills when you are running your new unit.

 

When dealing with HVAC contractors, make sure that you get everything in writing. While verbal contracts are legal in many places, it is usually very difficult to prove them. Having everything on paper is a great way to make sure that no ons is confused about any aspect of the process.

 

The windows and doors in your home must be efficient in order for your HVAC to perform as efficiently as possible. They should be able to seal tightly without letting air seep in or out. You can get these tested at little to no charge by a professional.

 

Upon completing this article, you should have learned a great deal about what to look for in an HVAC system. Keeping the inside of your home at a pleasant temperature, no matter what it is like outside, should be your goal. Use what you have read here to choose a great new system.