Excellent Article With Many Great Tips About Hvac
The HVAC system in any home is vital to maintaining a comfortable environment. Perhaps you are here because you have experienced problems with it in the past, or you just looking for information on how to properly maintain it. Either way, the article below is a great resource on the upkeep of HVAC systems.
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.
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.
Make sure that your contractor provides a home assessment. Not every HVAC solution is for everyone. Your home could have special needs for heating and cooling. Your contractor should do a walk around of your space to judge what is best. If they aren't be sure to request one.
Once it grows cold outside, turn off your outside condenser unit. If the temperature outside is less than 60ºF, be sure to turn off the unit so that you don't damage it. This can keep your HVAC running and can save you money on repairs.
Be sure to check your evaporator coil drains frequently when your air conditioner is running. If this tube backs up, you can find water damage to your walls, ceilings and floors. If you end up with mold just use a solution of bleach and water to clean out the tube.
You should be sure to change the air filter of your HVAC system once every six months. Neglecting to do so can cause dust particles to clog the air ducts. In turn, your system will not work properly and you will find your bills going up. It's worth spending the time to clean the filters.
In the winter, wearing layers can save you a ton of money on your utility bill. If you can install a digital thermostat that makes the house cooler when you're asleep and warmer just before you get up, you can see significant savings on your next bill when it arrives.
To save money on your HVAC system, turn the air conditioning down at night and let your home warm up a bit. To keep yourself cool, use a chilling water-filled pillow to cool down your head and your whole body as a result. This combined with a fan will keep you from overheating while saving on your utility bills.
When everyone is gone, turn your AC off. When you turn the air conditioner off, the house may heat up a little but only a certain amount. The unit will use a large amount of electricity to combat the heat during the day when the house is empty.
Your home should not have temperatures that are too hot. Air conditioners can cool a home by just twenty degrees in a short time. So, if you house heats up to about 95, you won't see the temperature go below 75 for a while. Depending on what the humidity is, this may not be cool enough to be a safe temperature to sleep at when recovering from the harsh summer heat.
Clean your filters! If you have a window unit air conditioner, there will be a filter right under the grill you can vacuum. If you have a furnace or outdoor units, they will also have filters to be cleaned or replace. A dirty filter can make your unit inefficient or even let it overheat.
Always take the time to check out the reputation of any HVAC contractor before you consider hiring them. Inquiring with the Better Business Bureau is always a good idea, as is looking for online review sites where previous customers can post their experiences. When done in advance you can be sure of making a sound decision.
Consider window air conditioners for your home if you are thinking about installing a central unit. Do you really need to cool your kitchen overnight? Do you have multiple floors with only one housing bedrooms? To efficiently and cheaply cool only where people are actually staying, window units are a great choice.
After reading the above article, you now have a greater understanding on the importance of keeping your HVAC system in good working order. Remember the solid tips here as you know what to look out for, so no HVAC problems turn into major disasters. Study the tips and use them as you perform regular maintenance on your HVAC system.