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.
Look to your neighbors and family to get recommendations of good HVAC specialists. Likely there's someone you know who's already done a ton of research. Use this knowledge to help get you the best specialist you can. This can save you many hours of research time and money too.
Understand what you want before talking to a contractor. A contractor will be hard pressed to provide you with an over-the-phone estimate if unfamiliar with your system. It will be even harder if you cannot explain what you have done. So, you should know this beforehand.
Whenever possible, try to shade the compressor unit outside. The air that's in a place that is shaded is usually five to six degrees cooler than the surrounding air. Your air conditioning unit will be up to ten percent more efficient if it is properly shaded during the summer months.
In order to cheaply cool your home, turn the temperature up. If you take a few showers a day or just drink a cold ice water, 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.
You should be sure to change the air filter of your HVAC system once every six months. Neglecting to do so can cause dust particles to clog the air ducts. In turn, your system will not work properly and you will find your bills going up. It's worth spending the time to clean the filters.
In order to cheaply cool your home, turn the temperature up. If you take a few showers a day or just drink a cold ice water, 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.
You can keep energy costs in your home lower by choosing to have professional maintenance done on your HVAC unit. An HVAC specialist will inspect the entire system, including the oil, the motor, and the ducts. These few simple things will help your system to run at its peak performance.
If you currently have a manual thermostat, consider installing a programmable one. You can set your system for different temperatures depending on time of day and if anyone is home. Also, you can set upper and lower temperature settings to allow for a comfortable range of temperatures so that heating and cooling don't kick in when not needed.
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.
Problems with an air conditioning unit happen when it ices up. You may even encounter a freeze in your drain line which is often confused with a plumbing leak. Switch the thermostat to the fan only. Get a professional to deal with this, even if you see the ice start melting because you turned the compressor off.
When you're purchasing an HVAC system, make sure that you get a unit that is properly sized for your space. Buying a unit which is too big reduces efficiency. Read over the owner's manual to see the manufacturers suggestions as to the cooling capacity of the unit for the most accurate information.
Are you thinking of getting a cooling and heating system that's new? If so, you must consider a number of things. These machines are categorized according to the space they are able to efficiently heat and cool. It is always better to buy a unit that is a little bit bigger rather than one that might be slightly smaller.
Looking for an efficient way to cool your home? Consider installing a whole-house evaporative cooler. They use water to cool air instead of traditional chemical coolants, using a ton less energy to cool your home than those other units. That said, they do work best in dry climates and not at all in humid ones.
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.
A great way to reduce the stress on your HVAC unit is to install ceiling fans in your home. During the summer, you can have them blow downward to cool the air and make your home feel more comfortable. In the winter you can reverse the direction and circulate warm air trapped at the ceiling.
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.
Ask for referrals from friends and family. The best way to judge if an HVAC company is going to do a good job is from people who have actually used them. Ask your acquaintances if they have had work Oil Heating Repair Service done, and find out if they were happy with the job, timeliness, and budget.
When your HVAC system is older than 15 years, the time has come to get yearly check-ups. These systems aren't expected to make it past two decades, so you have to monitor them for any issues which may crop up. In fact, new systems will be more efficient, so it might be time for an upgrade.
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.
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!
