The HVAC system in any home is a very important feature, and if it is not running right it can lead to a very uncomfortable place to be. That is the last thing you want, and knowing how to take good care of it is key. Below there are many helpful HVAC tips that are important to understand if you want your system to last a very long time.
Condenser units for the outdoors should be shut off when it starts to get cold outside. To prevent damage, turn off your unit if the outside temperature is less than 60 degrees. This helps the system last much longer and will have to be repaired less often.
Make sure you ask for an estimate in writing before choosing a specific HVAC vendor. There are a lot of moving pieces when it comes to purchasing these big items. Also the set up and the overall energy costs, even though you’ll want to compare not only the cost of the equipment.
Clean the condenser coils and fan at the beginning of the year to help the unit run efficiently. Before you clean the surface, be sure to turn off the power. Take away all of the debris as well.
An HVAC system is a really expensive investment. This is why you should do some browsing before purchasing your system. Try to find a good sale so you can get your system at a discount. Before making a decision, check out a couple of sites. A great site to begin is www.energystar.gov.
In order to cheaply cool your home, turn the temperature up. You’ll find that you’re saving a lot of money on your utility bills by keeping the thermostat a little higher than usual in your home if you take a few showers a day or just drink a cold ice water.
Before agreeing to have any work done on your HVAC unit, get an estimate. 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.
To run an efficient HVAC, you must ensure your house is fully insulated. First, check into your attic to find out if you have the right kind of insulation and enough of it. If not, investing in getting that up to grade is better than installing a strong HVAC system!
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.
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. Use a dark color to instead heat up your home in the winter if your summers are cool. This simple change can end up saving you a lot on your utility bills.
If your home gets hot in the summer and you’d like to use your air conditioner less often, consider a metal roof. It reflects the heat right back up into the sky, allowing your home to gain less heat on sunny days. Since metal roofs are permanent, you’ll save on repair and replacement costs also.
When you hire a contractor, always ask for references. Talk to those references to find out if they were pleased with the service they received. References ensure you don’t end up with a scammer.
Now you’re probably a lot more familiar with HVAC than you were before. It’s something that will take you time, but after you learn what to do with it all you’ll do fine. Now the only thing left to do would be to get yourself out there to put these tips to good use!