Your HVAC unit could be considered the heart and soul of your home. As the furnace or air conditioner pump out comfortable air, the ducts carry it to where you are living in the home. To ensure that it works for you as you wish it to, check out the tips below.
When you are no longer using your outdoor air conditioning unit, be sure to protect it with a tight cover. This will keep it free of debris, frost and snow so that you'll have a working unit when the spring comes and you are ready to uncover it and use it again.
Before you hire anyone to do any work on your HVAC, be sure to get a written estimate which has itemized costs listed on it. This will ensure that comparing one contractor to another will be simple as you can see what one offers that another doesn't, or what price they're charging for the same items.
Your system should be checked twice a year. Checks in the spring as well as in autumn are the best. Even if you don't think anything's wrong, it's still worth an inspection.
Update the windows in your home to double-paned if you own it. Windows that are double pane keep the cool air in and can greatly reduce the amount of time your air conditioner will need to run. Your home will also stay warmer in the winter.
Occasionally, air conditioners ice up. Drain lines can also suffer an occasional freeze, and these are sometimes mistaken for plumbing leak issues. If this is something you notice, switch the thermostat in your home to fan only so the compressor is disabled. You can call a HVAC professional, but switching to the fan will make the ice melt.
Manage the heat flow into your home with window coverings to help out your HVAC system. In the warmer months, use drapes, curtains and blinds to block out sunward facing windows to keep heat from building up through the greenhouse effect. Alternatively, make sure that sunlit windows are letting light and warmth in during the colder months.
Be sure to check your evaporator coil drains frequently when your air conditioner is running. If this tube backs up, you can find water damage to your walls, ceilings and floors. If you end up with mold just use a solution of bleach and water to clean out the tube.
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.
You can keep energy costs in your home lower by choosing to have professional maintenance done on your HVAC unit. During the visit, the contractor will oil parts, inspect the motor and the freon levels. All of these little jobs will add up to big savings in energy use, with the improved efficiency.
To block out the sun on hot summer days, allowing your air conditioner to run less frequently, invest in heat blocking drapes. These textiles come in beautiful patterns and colors today, looking just like their designer counterparts. They will keep the heat out so that your home stays cooler without costing you an arm and a leg on utility bills.
Get an estimate before agreeing to have any work done on your HVAC unit. This will help keep you from being surprised by a bill at the end. Any reputable technician should be able to look at your unit, determine the problem and give you an estimate as to how much it will cost to fix it.
Have your HVAC inspected every year to ensure that it is working properly. The technician will check your filters, drain lines, air flow and Freon levels. This will have your HVAC working at peak performance saving you money all season long. It will also alert you to any repairs that need to be address before they become big problems.
If you want to ensure your air conditioner offers you great performance, keep it dry. If it is located in a dry, cool area, you'll find that the efficiency goes up and the unit lasts a long time. You can even buy a water vapor cooler to cool it as it is running.
If you are going to use the Internet as a source for good HVAC contractors, you need to be very careful. You never know who is behind the glowing reviews that are posted all over the Web. There is a chance that the contractor is posting their own reviews or paying others to do so.
You should focus on finding an HVAC contractor that can offer you a warranty on the work they are doing. This is a sign that they are confident in their ability to get the job done well. This will protect you in the event that is not done right and needs to be fixed.
Each month, you need to get a new air filter and install it in your unit. It will improve the efficiency of your unit. Filters only cost a couple of dollars, which is not that much.
When you hire a contractor to do a job, be sure to listen to what they tell you. For example, they can give you advice on how to keep your HVAC in working order. Ask about maintenance tips and how often you should be cleaning or servicing the unit.
Choose a contractor who knows how to work with your current system. If they work with that set-up frequently, they'll quickly diagnose any problems and know exactly how to maintain it. Choosing such a firm will save you time and money, and will also save you from unnecessary headaches.
Hire contractors who offer guarantees of at least 5 year on all labor and parts. This will ensure that you can go back to them to fix anything that goes wrong HVAC Clening Service shortly after your system is installed or repaired. Anyone who doesn't offer a guarantee won't come back unless you pay them again.
Keeping your home in tip-top shape means taking great care of your HVAC system. It is important to keep the system maintained and clean to keep your family comfortable and healthy. Follow the useful tips above to know how to hire the right people and use the right equipment to keep your HVAC system in good shape.
