You probably know that HVAC systems are confusing for the average person. How can you decide which system to purchase? What size do you need? What features do you need? It can overwhelming to shop since so many new features are coming out each day. Don't let the options overwhelm you. Instead, use the following tips to narrow your selection and make the right choice.
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.
Make sure you ask for an estimate in writing before choosing a specific HVAC vendor. There are a lot of moving pieces when it comes to purchasing these big items. You'll want to compare not only the cost of the equipment, but also the set up and the overall energy costs.
If you want to know more about efficiently heating or cooling your home, go online and download the ENERGY STAR Guide. It provides information for homeowners to learn more about how they can save money while still keeping their home comfortable all year round, so it is a worthy ready.
If you have a fan condenser with oil ports, it needs to be lubricated every year. These are usually covered with rubber or metal caps. Use a lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, putting 10 drops in each port.
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.
As the temperature outside drops, remember to turn off your outdoor condenser unit. Avoid damaging the unit by turning it off when the outdoor temperature drops below 60 degrees. Doing this keeps your system working well for years and saves you from having to spend money to repair it.
When you buy a new air conditioning unit, don't let the salesperson talk you into too large of a unit. This will be a waste of money and won't efficiently cool your home. The longer a system runs, the more efficient it will be when it's running, so look for one which runs 15 to 30 minutes.
Use recommendations when you are looking for a contractor. People who have had a good experience are often happy to share the name of their contractor. This is also a great way to get names of companies that should be avoided.
Manage the heat flow into your home with window coverings to help out your HVAC system. In Best Residential HVAC Installers Near Me 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.
Before having someone install a new HVAC system or maintain or repair yours, make sure they are insured. Having someone who is insured work on your system will assure that if anything happens while they are working at your home, they are financially covered and you will not be responsible.
Choose a good HVAC company. You need to find one that has a solid reputation. It's important that it has been around for several years and is backed by a good reputation in customer service. Find one that has trained professionals and qualified technicians to help with all kinds of customer needs. They should be able to handle any HVAC job no matter how simple or complex.
Before you hire any HVAC companies, find out how the amount of time they've been in business. Companies that have been around for longer have a proven track record that you can use to decide if they are worth the time and money. It is always risky to hire a contractor with little experience.
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.
All of your windows and doors must be air-tight, in order for your HVAC system to run at maximum efficiency. They should have tight seals so outside air cannot get in and inside air can not get out. You can hire a professional to test them all for you and often this testing is free.
Think about the air flow coming out of the air conditioner and where you want to place it for maximum comfort. If you have no choice but to put it in the corner, be sure to buy a unit which allows for the air flow direction to be changed away from the wall.
When comparing quotes from multiple contractors, think carefully about those on the bottom of the price list. It's likely they didn't really look into your home deeply, or they're making promises they can't keep. Do they offer you a guarantee? Are they insured? Do they have a current licence in your state?
If you feel like you are spending too much money on your heating and cooling, there is a simple way to reduce this cost. Raise or lower the temperature depending on the season. A single degree in temperature change can equate to almost a nine percent savings in cooling and heating costs.
Improve the efficiency of your air conditioning by installing ceiling fans. Change the airflow direction of the ceiling fans. During the summer, the blades should move in a counter-clockwise direction. During the winter, the blades should move clockwise to help move the hot air in the ceiling down into the room.
There is a lot to think about when you install an air conditioner unit. For example, a big unit won't remove humidity while a small unit won't cool enough. Placing it in the wrong place can make it less efficient, and not insulating your home adequately could render it almost useless.
Upon completing this article, you should have learned a great deal about what to look for in an HVAC system. Keeping the inside of your home at a pleasant temperature, no matter what it is like outside, should be your goal. Use what you have read here to choose a great new system.
