When properly maintained, your home's HVAC system isn't something you notice. You just walk in the door and enjoy an air temperature and quality you find comfortable. When your home HVAC isn't working right though, everyone knows. Keep reading this article for advice on ideas on proper installation and maintenance of your home's heating, ventilation and air conditioning.
If you must hire someone to help you out with your HVAC system, be sure to learn about all of the requirements your state has legislated regarding licencing and insurance. You need to be able to ask anyone you plan to hire if they meet these requirements before you hire them.
Make sure the equipment you are buying is ENERGY STAR compliant. It may seem a small thing, but it isn't. Products that are ENERGY STAR compliant can save you a lot of money in energy costs over the year. It can be over $100 easily, sometimes a lot more.
Let your friends and family know about the discounts that are possible via ENERGY STAR. There's a lot of savings that can be had here, so why hold this good news all to yourself! You can save those closest to you hundreds of dollars over the course of a year.
If you can choose the place where your outdoor compressor goes, pick a spot with lots of shade. Your unit won't have to work as hard to cool the inside air if the outside air it sucks from is cooler.
If you want to cool your home in the summer without using your air conditioning on full, consider installing fans in your home. An attic fan can blow hot air out while sucking in cool air into your basement, and ceiling fans help distribute the air in your rooms evenly.
Before you invest in any HVAC contractor, make sure you spend a good deal of time researching their reputations and credentials. The BBB is always great when you are looking for references or online reviews. Doing this can help you make a better decision.
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.
If you aren't sure who to call for HVAC maintenance, repairs, or installation, look online for reviews. There are many sites that other customers can place their reviews. This is an awesome way to find contractors to work with.
Get an estimate before agreeing to have any work done on your HVAC unit. This will help keep you from being surprised by a bill at the end. Any reputable technician should be able to look at your unit, determine the problem and give you an estimate as to how much it will cost to fix it.
To reduce the air conditioning's energy cost, close drapes, blinds and shades that cover windows which face the sun. Also, white shades will reflect the heat away from the house, keeping it cooler and saving you money. It is also recommended that you close the vents in rooms that are not used often. This will ensure that you are not spending money cooling less-used rooms.
In order for your HVAC system to run more efficiently, think about putting a radiant barrier in your attic. It will block the heat and lower the energy necessary to keep your home cool in the summertime. If done correctly, this also enables you to start using your attic as a living space.
Make sure you wipe up any water that is close to the air intake of the vents of your HVAC system. Clean up any water that is standing around because water can cause mold to easily expand. Some water buildup is normal but if you're picking up water more than once every six months you might have a problem, so contact a HVAC technician.
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?
Sometimes, air conditioning units ice up. The drain line might also freeze over. Switch the thermostat to the fan only. Get a professional to deal with this, even if you see the ice start melting because you turned the compressor off.
If you want to ensure your air conditioner offers you great performance, keep it dry. If it is located in a dry, cool area, you'll find that the efficiency goes up and the unit lasts a long time. You can even buy a water vapor cooler to cool it as it is running.
The best HVAC company will be able to arrive quickly and work quickly and effectively. Good companies attend to their customers in a timely manner. The technicians should also be able to diagnose problems in your HVAC in no time. When they know the issue, they ought to have it fixed quickly and Install HVAC CapACitor efficiently.
If you want to buy a new HVAC unit or system, ask a contractor to come up to size up your home and tell you what options you have. They'll have the best advice as they know what sort of systems work in your area or in a home like yours.
Ask the contractor to install a programmable thermostat on your unit if it doesn't already have one. A programmable thermostat will save you tons on your power bills and even gives your system a chance to rest at night while everyone sleeps or is not at home.
When you get an estimate from a contractor, ask for a heat-loss quote. This determines the number of BTUs needed to maintain comfort in your home. Doors and windows should be counted, insulation checked, and the internal space of your house measured.
Purchasing an HVAC is typically confusing, but you are now armed with the information you need. Use it when discussing your choices with a professional to make the buying process easier and the end result one you are happy with. This will help to make your home a comfortable one all year round.
