Prior to putting in a service call on your HVAC, be able to identify it. Write down the make, model, and any maintenance history. This makes sure your contractor will be sufficiently prepared.
Leaves and debris can damage your system. Frequently clean the fan grill when trees are shedding leaves. A blocked unit can quickly become a broken unit.
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.
Keep outside condenser fans running smoothly by cleaning fan blades and coils before the summer begins. If you are doing more than a light surface cleaning, make sure that the power is shut off to the HVAC unit. Also, it is important to clear the outside condenser unit from any debris that maybe trapped inside.
The correct HVAC system should have sealed air ducts to minimize heating or cooling loss as air travels to different rooms. The heating or cooling requirements of different rooms in the home should be taken into consideration. There is no reason to increase energy usage by controlling the temperature in rooms that are used very little.
As you compare new HVAC system, be sure to look at the energy ratings for each unit. The higher they are, the better they will be. Efficiency will not only get your home comfortable faster, but it will save you on your energy bills when you are running your new unit.
If you are going to be gone during the day or on vacation, turn the temperature up on your air conditioning unit. When it's off the house will get hot, but only by a certain amount. When the AC is left running, your power bill will go up quite a bit.
Use plants to increase your air conditioner's effectiveness. An AC unit fully shaded by trees and shrubbery can operate up to 10 percent more efficiently. However, do keep spacing in mind. Air flow must not be constricted, and technicians need room to work when they come out to service your unit.
Sometimes, it can be hard to figure out if your HVAC system needs to be fixed or needs to be here 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.
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.
Get a more efficient HVAC system by looking at the way your home faces. You can help keep your home cool with the strategic placement of trees. When you do what you can to less how much heat comes into your home, your AC unit can work less, which will save money.
If you have a window air conditioner, be sure to check and see if it has an Energy Saver button. If so, use it! This turns off the fan when the unit isn't actually cooling the air, which can save you as much as 30 kwh over the period of a month!
Check the ducts to find any leaks if you you feel your existing system is not up to snuff. You can call in your local utility company to do the testing for you, often for free or at a lower cost than a contractor. If a leak is found, the money spent on finding and repairing the leak will pay for itself.
Unless you are fortunate enough to live in a place where the weather is always lovely, you are going to need an HVAC system in your home. Without one, you will sweat all summer and shiver all winter. What you have just read will help you choose a system that meets your needs.
