When it comes to HVAC, you'll find yourself very hot or very cold when it isn't done right. What does it take to ensure your unit is always in great condition? All you need to do is read this article in full to learn great tips to help you with your HVAC system.
Tour your home before calling a contractor. Figure out which rooms are too cool or warm. Figuring this out will the contractor to diagnose the issues and quickly get to work on fixing it.
By the end of spring, the fan blades and coils of your condenser should be thoroughly cleaned, so operation can proceed with greater efficiency. Turn off your power before doing any job like this. Clean off any leaves or debris from your external condenser unit.
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.
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.
Clean your permanent air filters or replace disposable ones every single month. If you have the choice, an electrostatic is the best option on the market today. Be sure to turn off your unit before you change the filter as it should never be run without a filter in place.
Before choosing a HVAC company find out what the company offers. This will make the quote process much easier. If you can't explain changes you've made, the process will be even more difficult. So, know this information in advance.
For top efficiency, figure out what direction your home faces. Consider where to place trees to reduce the morning sunlight on your home. If there's less heat inside your home, your AC will work less.
Before hiring an HVAC company, you need to find out how long they have been in business. A company that has been in business for a long time will have a solid track record, and you can use this to figure out if you should spend your money with them. If you hire someone that's new that this then you'll be risking your money.
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.
Keep your condensers free of nearby obstructions. Keep plants, fencing, even bushes back and away from the unit. Two feet is a good minimum distance it should have from anything, including walls, but the more space you give it to breathe, the better it will work and the less likely it will be to fail.
Every month clean out the leaves and debris that may have settled into your outdoor HVAC unit. You'll be surprised at how much gets caught in your unit. Over time these leaves can build up and create issues for your system. Just this little clean up can save you a lot of money in maintenance bills.
Think about installing a digital programmable thermostat to keep your heating and cooling bills low. These digital thermostats have timers that allow you to completely control your HVAC use. You can set the heat and cooling to only turn on when you are home and to turn off when you are at work.
Make sure things don't get too hot or cold where your thermostat is. Any electronics or heat sources like lamps or televisions nearby can trick the thermostat into thinking the home is warmer than it actually is. This just means it runs your air conditioning longer than necessary, wasting energy and money.
Consider painting the outside of your home in a light color to reflect heat if you live in a hot climate. If your summers are cool, use a dark color to instead heat up your home in the winter. This simple change can end up saving you a lot on your utility bills.
If your outdoor compressor unit sits in the sun, consider building a shade over it. Air in the shade is about 5 degrees cooler than air in the sun. This can have a significant impact on your cooling bill. When done properly, you could see up to a 10 percent savings over the season.
In the winter, keep your condenser unit properly covered. This will help your condenser last longer when not being used. Also, never use your compressor when the outside temperature is less than 60 degrees. Avoid placing a strain on your unit by using the fan instead.
The next time that you have an HVAC technician at your home or business, ask them to put in a thermostat that is programmable. This will allow you to save quite a bit of money on utilities as your system gets to rest as you do things like sleep.
If you are buying a new HVAC unit, make sure that the one you choose fits your home. Your contractor should inspect your home and your duct work before they install a new unit. If the ductwork needs replacement or repair, this should be done before the new unit is installed.
You should never hire an HVAC contractor without researching them thoroughly. While this may seem like a nuisance, it will ensure that you have a quality person completing work for you. There is a chance that something bad can happen with any contractor, but the odds decrease if you hire someone competent.
If your outdoor compressor unit sits in the sun, consider building a shade over it. Air in the shade is about 5 degrees cooler than air in the sun. This can have a significant impact on your cooling bill. When done properly, you could see up to a 10 percent savings over the season.
As stated in the introduction above, it HVAC Replacement Cost is essential to take great care of your HVAC system. The air in your home is very important, especially to you and your family's health and comfort. Make use of the informative tips above when you are maintaining and repairing your HVAC system.
