Heating and cooling units can be a great thing, but what do you do when they start to fail? It is worth learning about your system so that you can make a more informed decision. The following article is designed for homeowners who need quick insight into HVAC.
Do not be surprised if the HVAC contractor you choose does an evaluation on your home. Any good contractor will spend time looking at the system you currently have and what the needs are for your home. They will also take a look at your duct system and look for air leaks.
If you do have a good experience with a HVAC product or contractor, let others know. Go online and post a review so that people can easily find out who and what brands to trust. At the same time, you can check reviews online to learn more yourself about what's available.
If you want to seriously extend the life of your HVAC system, as well as cut down your overall power bill, install ceiling fans in commonly used warm season rooms. Energy-star certified ceiling fans can sometimes cut your HVAC use in half. However, you won't physically notice a difference in temperature.
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.
Find a place that is shaded for your compressor. When your unit is bringing in cool air, it will not have to work as hard to cool the air as it moves it inside, boosting efficiency.
Manage the heat flow into your home with window coverings to help out your HVAC system. In the warmer months, use drapes, curtains and blinds to block out sunward facing windows to keep heat from building up through the greenhouse effect. Alternatively, make sure that sunlit windows are letting light and warmth in during the colder months.
Go to people that you know and ask for recommendations when it is time for you to hire an HVAC contractor. If a person had a good experience with a company, they are likely to share it. You can also get company names that you should stay away from.
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.
Check for duct leaks if your unit seems to not be working efficiently. The local utility may be able to test for you, and their services are frequently free or low cost. If you do end up paying, you'll find that fixed leaks are worth the money.
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.
Always ask for references before you allow anyone to start doing work on your HVAC system. Call several of them to make sure that they are legitimate. Many people take the word of the contractor AC Maintenance Online when it comes to customer satisfaction and that can prove to be a mistake in the end.
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.
All of your windows and doors must be air-tight, in order for your HVAC system to run at maximum efficiency. Seal them tightly to prevent air from coming in. A professional can also test the windows and many times the testing is free.
Do not close your vents. Keep air vents open and unblocked at all times. Many people believe that closing off a vent will save them money on cooling costs. This is not true. It can actually damage your HVAC system. Closing vents can cause your cooling coil to freeze and damage the compressor.
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.
Once you decide who you are buying from, talk to them about what they recommend. While you may have a certain system in mind, the contractor might have some good advice that leads you in another direction. Remember, all manufacturers are different, and you want a system with a good warranty.
Check in on the references for your contractor. Previous customers can provide information about timeliness of job completion and if the contractor stayed within their budget. You can avoid scam artists, yet only when you actually check up on references.
You need to measure the space of your home so you can purchase the proper size unit. You will need approximately 20 BTU per square foot, so calculate the necessary size based on that formula. If you need to cool multiple rooms, make sure to add the square footage together.
These tips will help you to keep your HVAC system in great shape for the whole time you live in your home. Print this off and revisit it once a year so that you know what you need to do. The more effort you put into your home, the more benefit you will gain from it.
