Written by-Borch Bjerring
You may be overwhelmed by the amount of HVAC system choices out there. What system is right for you? How big or small should it be? What features should it have? With new products appearing on the market every day, shopping for a new unit could prove to be frustrating. Here are some great suggestions to help you purchase and maintain an HVAC system.
Go through your home before you call HVAC professional. Know what part of the house is cold and which is hot. This gives the repairer a starting point to work from.
When seeking a new contractor, ask loved ones for referrals. They'll often have already had someone in for similar work and will know who to trust and who to avoid. If your family hasn't used anyone, ask co-workers or other people you trust in your community for some references.
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
just click for source to turn off your unit before you change the filter as it should never be run without a filter in place.
When you have an outdoor unit, be sure to keep all plants, flowers, shrubs and trees at least two feet from it. Anything 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 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.
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.
If you are looking to save money with your HVAC system, consider turning down the air conditioner in the summer and turning the heat down in the winter. Putting on a sweater on a cold day can save you a ton of money on your utility bill, as can enjoying a cold drink instead of heavy air conditioning use.
Before you get into the hot summer months, make sure to schedule a tune up for your current HVAC system. This is very important to keep issues from popping up with your system. It's a small cost to pay compared to the large bills to fix issues that could arise.
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.
Keep your condensers free of nearby obstructions. Keep plants, fencing, even bushes back and away from the unit. Two feet is a good minimum distance it should have from anything, including walls, but the more space you give it to breathe, the better it will work and the less likely it will be to fail.
Make sure your HVAC is clear when working outside. You should try keeping any vegetation about two feet away from your outdoor units. Keep the areas above it and on each side of it clear. Make sure you aim your grass clippings away from the unit when mowing. Keep leaves from getting inside your unit in the fall.
Are you looking at purchasing a HVAC system? There are several things you should consider. The systems are generally rated based on the area they cover. It may be wise to get a unit that is a bit larger than needed. Just don't get one that is smaller than you need.
For your outdoor HVAC unit, make sure that your foliage is cleared around it. Two feet distance between the HVAC unit and shrubs is a good amount to remember. If you let the foliage creep up on the unit, it can cause all sorts of issues with debris and growth into the system.
Want to save the most you can with your HVAC unit? Consider increasing your room temperature by a single degree or two. Each degree means money that stays in your pocket. In fact some estimate that each degree you move up can work out to be around 9% in overall energy savings.
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.
Before you hire a contractor for your HVAC system, ask how much experience they have and with what types of systems. They should have a good history of working with HVAC units. You minimize the chances of bad service this way.
A great way to ensure that the HVAC professionals you hire are up to the task is to take steps to verify that they possess proper licensing and certification. Failing to check
please click the following page can cause you to hire someone who is more likely to do more harm than good and charge you a great deal of money along the way.
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.
When you have a short list of contractors to consider, ask the people on their reference list about not only the service they received, but also how well the system is still running. Did they need more work down the road? Has the company come back to make things right?
HVAC systems are a must if you want to remain comfortable in your house, no matter what the weather outside may be like. However, before you have one installed, you need to do some research. Use the information that you have read here to help make the right decision for your needs.