Content by-Osborne Peacock
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, you 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.
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.
Although most people are thinking of their heating systems during the winter months, air conditioning is also important. When installing a new furnace or heating system, make sure the air ducts are also set up to work with your air condition system. Using the ducts for both heating and cooling is the most economical choice.
Look for deals and rebates on the HVAC system you are having installed. Many ENERGY STAR units come with huge rebates either from your local utility company or the government itself. Investigate your options as it could save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars on the installation costs.
Clean
click for info and coils come spring. Always shut off all power to your unit for any work beyond superficial cleaning. Leaves and debris can build up inside the unit and cause damage.
Every spring you should clean the coils and fan blades on your condenser fan. Turn it off first so you don't get hurt or break something. Next, remove the grill, take the blades and clean them gently, then clean the actual unit.
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.
Consider painting the outside of your home in a light color to reflect heat if you live in a hot climate. If your summers are cool, use a dark color to instead heat up your home in the winter. This simple change can end up saving you a lot on your utility bills.
When you are cutting the grass, be sure not to cover your outdoor units with clippings. Shoot grass the other way. Be just as mindful when you blow leaves to not blow them toward your HVAC equipment.
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.
Try to stay away from HVAC contractors that ask for upfront payments before they are willing to get started on the work they were hired to do. In many cases, this means that they are more concerned about getting paid than they are about making sure the job is done well.
Never hire anyone to work on your HVAC system unless they are licensed and bonded. This industry is one where mistakes happen often and you want to make sure that you are protected. You do not want to be stuck paying for medical bills that are more expensive than the work you were having done.
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.
When hiring a contractor, be sure to ask for a list of references. Be sure previous customers got the service and value they expected. Also, it will prevent you from getting robbed.
To boost your home HVAC's efficiency, install solar screening. It reflects sunlight back outside, stopping it from heating up your home. Your air conditioner will be able to run less in the daytime, and your energy bill will plummet as a result. You can install this on any glass you have, doors or windows.
If you live in a hot climate, don't use duct tape on your HVAC. It just dries out and falls off, leaving you with leaks all over the place. Instead, use mastic sealant to cover any holes or gaps in duct work and you'll keep your home comfortable all year long.
To block out the sun on hot summer days, allowing your air conditioner to run less frequently, invest in heat blocking drapes. These textiles come in beautiful patterns and colors today, looking just like their designer counterparts. They will keep the heat out so that your home stays cooler without costing you an arm and a leg on utility bills.
When buying a new HVAC unit, make sure that you have it install from a licensed contractor. Ask them for references and make sure that the contractor followed up with customers whenever they needed to. Check the contractor's record with the Better Business Bureau and Department of Consumer Affairs before you hire them.
Don't just hire the first contractor you meet or call. Be sure to compare multiple options before going ahead with one.
Read Homepage should meet all of your requirements, be it offering a great guarantee to being able to come and do the work on your budget and within your timeline.
If your outdoor compressor unit sits in the sun, consider building a shade over it. Air in the shade is about 5 degrees cooler than air in the sun. This can have a significant impact on your cooling bill. When done properly, you could see up to a 10 percent savings over the season.
An HVAC system is expensive. Therefore, you want to make sure that you work with a reputable contractor or company to ensure that you get the most from your investment. Always get references from anyone that you are considering working with, and make sure to follow up on each of those references.
Would you know what to do if your air conditioner or furnace system were to fail just when you needed it most? As long as you have spent some time learning about what makes for a terrific HVAC service professional, you should answer in the affirmative. Keep the above advice handy, and you will never go wrong.