Content by-Owens Stevens
Have you ever woken up to find that your house feels like an ice box, or returned home from work only to find that your living room is like a sauna? If so,
https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Profile/jamessS4990NY know the importance of knowing where to turn during HVAC emergencies. The article below is intended to provide useful advice to homeowners everywhere who may find themselves in similar straits.
Make sure you check the filters in your air conditioning unit. This is important because checking your filters could make the difference between inexpensive repairs and more expensive ones down the line. Try to put it into your monthly schedule so that you don't forget to check the filters regularly.
Lubricate your fan condenser if it has oil ports. You'll find these ports are covered with a metal or rubber cap. Buy an SAE 20 product that is lightweight, and then put no more than ten drops into the ports.
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.
Make sure that you regularly clean debris that might build up on external condenser units. After a wind or rain storm things may pile up, causing problems with your HVAC system. It can get overheated, which will cause problems with the whole system.
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.
If you have fans in place to help make your HVAC more efficient, be sure that they're turning in the right direction. They should be pushing air downwards over the people in the room to help cool their skin. If it's blowing upwards, all it does is push hot air into the room.
To save
https://www.bobvila.com/slideshow/15-things-your-home-repair-emergency-fund-should-be-able-to-cover-578602 on your HVAC system, turn the air conditioning down at night and let your home warm up a bit. To keep yourself cool, use a chilling water-filled pillow to cool down your head and your whole body as a result. This combined with a fan will keep you from overheating while saving on your utility bills.
Whether you have an air conditioner in a window or outside your home, be sure to keep it in the shade. The cooler the air around it, and the cooler the condenser itself, the easier a time it will have of keeping the air inside your home cool as well.
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.
To improve the efficiency of your HVAC unit, put a radiant barrier up inside the attic of your home. It can help keep heat out during the hot summer months, which means you will lower your power bills. If done correctly, this also enables you to start using your attic as a living space.
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.
If you are a having trouble with your existing system, check for leaks in the ducts. Call local utility companies to test it for you since many do it for a small fee or even free, which is lower than HVAC contractors. This testing can have large financial benefits.
In order to save money overnight, buy an air conditioner with a switch that sets it to be fan-only. This will push hot air outside and bring in cool air from near the ground. Turn this on just before bed so that you can cool the house as you sleep.
If your existing system is malfunctioning, look for leaks in the ducts. A local utility company often performs free duct testing. If it isn't free, then it is still cheaper than an HVAC specialist in most areas. If you do have leaks that are repaired, this testing will pay for itself.
Before you hire someone to do work with an HVAC system they need to tell you about the experience they've had in the past. It's important that a contractor is experienced in the area of the kind of work you require. While you may not know if a worker with no experience will work well or not, it's not a good idea to take a chance with this.
Be sure to check your Filter Check light frequently on any stand-alone units. If it is on, turn the unit off as you can't operate it without a filter in place. Clean the filter carefully and return it to its proper location, but don't operate the unit if the filter is still wet.
Do not let the heat build up inside your home. Lighting, electronic devices and appliances are all common sources of heat inside the home. To prevent this excessive heat, do not put televisions or lamps close to your a/c's thermostat. These appliances make the a/c think that the house is hotter than it really is, causing the system to run longer than needed and wasting energy.
Get bids from several companies before deciding who you are going to hire to install or repair your HVAC system. Most people know to avoid the company that has the highest quote, but you should also stay away from the one with the lowest. The price may be lower due to shoddy workmanship an/or using low-quality equipment.
Don't get caught up in the myth that you have to have a huge system in order to get great service. Things have changed a lot in the past few decades. Things like how much insulation you have, the climate you live in and the number of people in the house will all affect the size of the HVAC.
If you have known the frustration of an HVAC failure, you know that one of the best things you can do as a homeowner is acquaint yourself with a skilled contractor. However, knowing what to look for in an HVAC professional takes a bit of research and study. Use the advice found above, and you will always be prepared for anything.