SPOILER ALERT!
Tips And Tricks For Improving Your HEATING AND COOLING Experience
Content author-Vest Woodruff
Many houses today have HVAC systems to keep their houses at a comfortable temperature. Since these systems are basically machines, they will usually need to be installed and worked on by a professional. When you need someone to help you with your HVAC system, use the tips shared here.
Before calling someone to repair your system, make sure you know what kind of HVAC system you actually have. Take a look at the system or the owner's manual to find the name and model number. This will let you know that you're able to give the contractor the information that can help them.
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.
Make certain that you clean your condenser when the weather begins to warm. Turn it off first so you don't get hurt or break something. Pull out each of the blades and clean them one by one.
When you have an outdoor unit, be sure to keep all plants, flowers, shrubs and trees at least two feet from it. additional reading 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 you want to pay for less power use, consider installing an HVAC-specific solar panel system. Such an installation harnesses the power of the sun directly for your heating and air conditioning. Don't worry though; you can have a switch put in that automatically connects to the power grid the days there isn't enough sun.
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 your evaporator coil, found inside your home, becomes dirty, your unit will lose efficiency. Just pop off the front panel of the furnace and check to see that the coil is dry. Using a brush attachment on a vacuum, gently clean the coil of any dust or other debris.
Problems with an air conditioning unit happen when it ices up. The drain line may also freeze up. If this happens, put your thermostat over to fan. The ice will melt. You will likely need professional help to stop the problem.
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.
Contractors charge different rates, so make sure that you acquire multiple estimates. Save yourself some money by calling around before you make your final decision. You may want to get quotes from at least five contractors in order to know what you should be paying.
If you live in a hot climate, don't use duct tape on your HVAC. It just dries out and falls off, leaving you with leaks all over the place. Instead, use mastic sealant to cover any holes or gaps in duct work and you'll keep your home comfortable all year long.
If you can, find a way to create shade over your outdoor HVAC unit. This can actually save you money as shaded air being pulled in by the HVAC unit is typically 5 to 6 degrees cooler than air that's heated by direct sunlight. It's a smart solution to lowering those energy bills.
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.
Pick out an HVAC business that is fast and knows what to do. A reliable company will arrive on time and have the job finished in a jiffy. A professional can also perform a quick diagnosis on a faulty machine to locate the problem. This will maximize your overall satisfaction.
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 try this out can set the heat and cooling to only turn on when you are home and to turn off when you are at work.
Look for deals on equipment. The equipment you need to update, maintain or repair your HVAC system tends to be expensive. Keep your eyes open for available coupons, store discounts and rebates on this equipment. Stock up on things you always need, like filters, when they are on sale.
Any contractor that gives you a quote over the phone shouldn't be trusted. To truly evaluate your needs, they must come into your home and check it out basement to attic. If they make promises without even seeing your house, there is no way they'll be able to keep them.
Choose a contractor who installs items from more than one manufacturer. They should be able to compare multiple brands to ensure you are getting the right unit for your needs, not just what they have on hand. This will save you time and money when you have a great system in place.
The estimate needs to state exactly what is included. There are some contractors that try to charge you more later for such things like material fees and fuel charges. You can avoid these issues if you have a contract that is written out.
As you can see from the above article, you now understand how it vital it is to have a properly maintained HVAC system. If you don't provide regular maintenance, you could have costly fixes down the road. You should not want that, so remember these tips to help you keep your HVAC system running right for many years to come.
Many houses today have HVAC systems to keep their houses at a comfortable temperature. Since these systems are basically machines, they will usually need to be installed and worked on by a professional. When you need someone to help you with your HVAC system, use the tips shared here.
Before calling someone to repair your system, make sure you know what kind of HVAC system you actually have. Take a look at the system or the owner's manual to find the name and model number. This will let you know that you're able to give the contractor the information that can help them.
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.
Make certain that you clean your condenser when the weather begins to warm. Turn it off first so you don't get hurt or break something. Pull out each of the blades and clean them one by one.
When you have an outdoor unit, be sure to keep all plants, flowers, shrubs and trees at least two feet from it. additional reading 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 you want to pay for less power use, consider installing an HVAC-specific solar panel system. Such an installation harnesses the power of the sun directly for your heating and air conditioning. Don't worry though; you can have a switch put in that automatically connects to the power grid the days there isn't enough sun.
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 your evaporator coil, found inside your home, becomes dirty, your unit will lose efficiency. Just pop off the front panel of the furnace and check to see that the coil is dry. Using a brush attachment on a vacuum, gently clean the coil of any dust or other debris.
Problems with an air conditioning unit happen when it ices up. The drain line may also freeze up. If this happens, put your thermostat over to fan. The ice will melt. You will likely need professional help to stop the problem.
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.
Contractors charge different rates, so make sure that you acquire multiple estimates. Save yourself some money by calling around before you make your final decision. You may want to get quotes from at least five contractors in order to know what you should be paying.
If you live in a hot climate, don't use duct tape on your HVAC. It just dries out and falls off, leaving you with leaks all over the place. Instead, use mastic sealant to cover any holes or gaps in duct work and you'll keep your home comfortable all year long.
If you can, find a way to create shade over your outdoor HVAC unit. This can actually save you money as shaded air being pulled in by the HVAC unit is typically 5 to 6 degrees cooler than air that's heated by direct sunlight. It's a smart solution to lowering those energy bills.
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.
Pick out an HVAC business that is fast and knows what to do. A reliable company will arrive on time and have the job finished in a jiffy. A professional can also perform a quick diagnosis on a faulty machine to locate the problem. This will maximize your overall satisfaction.
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 try this out can set the heat and cooling to only turn on when you are home and to turn off when you are at work.
Look for deals on equipment. The equipment you need to update, maintain or repair your HVAC system tends to be expensive. Keep your eyes open for available coupons, store discounts and rebates on this equipment. Stock up on things you always need, like filters, when they are on sale.
Any contractor that gives you a quote over the phone shouldn't be trusted. To truly evaluate your needs, they must come into your home and check it out basement to attic. If they make promises without even seeing your house, there is no way they'll be able to keep them.
Choose a contractor who installs items from more than one manufacturer. They should be able to compare multiple brands to ensure you are getting the right unit for your needs, not just what they have on hand. This will save you time and money when you have a great system in place.
The estimate needs to state exactly what is included. There are some contractors that try to charge you more later for such things like material fees and fuel charges. You can avoid these issues if you have a contract that is written out.
As you can see from the above article, you now understand how it vital it is to have a properly maintained HVAC system. If you don't provide regular maintenance, you could have costly fixes down the road. You should not want that, so remember these tips to help you keep your HVAC system running right for many years to come.
