Commercial HVAC Equipment Cost Estimate
The only way your home can always be a desirable temperature is if you are properly heating and cooling it. Therefore, you need to have a proper system installed and working well. Homeowners who don't care for their HVAC system soon regret their choice when negligence turns simple maintenance into expensive repairs. Below, you will find some great tips that range from finding a good contractor to ensuring your unit is working properly.
Know the name and type of your HVAC system before looking for a repair person. Know the model and brand and find it's maintenance history, if possible. In this way, you can be sure your repair person has all vital information.
Know what you need before you hire a contractor. Discussing the problem is simplified if you understand what has happened with the unit. It will be even harder if you cannot explain what you have done. Learn this information to start with.
As the leaves are falling off the trees, your HVAC system can really take a hit. Whenever leaves are falling, consistently clean the fan grill. The fan should have a clear path for air to come in. If it is blocked, your system will suffer.
Lubricate the oil ports on your condenser once each year. These ports are typically covered with caps made of metal or rubber. Choose a SAE 20 oil whch is lightweight and non-detergent and place 10 drops or less into each port, ensuring it doesn't overfill.
Avoid showering your outdoor unit with grass clippings when you mow the lawn. Shoot grass the other way. This also applies when you blow leaves, so be very careful near your exterior HVAC units when you move debris.
Save energy use and money by turning off the air conditioner if there is nobody home. The house will heat up, but not too much. Leaving it on for the entire day means that it is struggling to keep things cool, something that takes lots of energy.
When colder weather arrives, switch off all outdoor condenser units. If you get into temperatures that are less than 60 degrees you need the unit to be shut off so it doesn't get damaged. You'll pay less for repairs which you follow this tip.
There are plenty of online tools, such as sizing calculators, which can help you find the best unit to cool your home. If you buy something too large it won't be efficient as it cools the same. Look at the manual to determine the recommended size for air conditioners.
Double pane your windows to prevent drafts. Double pane windows will help keep your home cooler in the summer. When it is cold in the winter months, these same windows will keep the warm air inside as well.
To choose a reliable HVAC contractor, the best thing to do is to do your homework on a number of possible firms and check out their reputations. Check reputations at the BBB, and read online reviews to gauge customer satisfaction. This is what you have to do in order to make a smart decision.
Ask those you know for the name of a great HVAC technician, should you need one. You should be able to find someone that has had a good experience. You will also find out who NOT to use!
If you don't know who you should contact to do your HVAC maintenance or any installations, look online to see if you can find reviews. There are plenty of online websites that give people the opportunity to leave comments about the service they received. This is an excellent method of finding contractors that you are interested in dealing with as well as those that you want to avoid.
When you need the services of an HVAC professional, ask your friends and family if they can recommend someone to you. When people have had great service, they are generally pleased to pass on a good word. This will also provide you with good information on which contractors you should avoid hiring.
Check the ducts to find any leaks if you you feel your existing system is not up to snuff. Often, utility companies will test them free of charge. When the leaks are repaired, you'll find that the testing paid for itself.
This article has shown that assistance is available as far as HVAC is concerned. You need to be sure that the system is properly installed, maintained and working how it should. Use these tips to choose the right contractor to work on or install your HVAC system.
