Great Advice That You May Not Know Regarding HVAC Equipment
Even though it is very important to have an HVAC system that runs optimally, not all homeowners understand how to keep it in good shape. It is important that you have a good professional to work on the unit when necessary and that you understand a bit about how to maintain the unit. This article will help.
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 there are condenser units as part of your HVAC system, clean them often as they tend to have lots of debris. Leaves, twigs and other troublesome objects can accumulate, particularly after very windy weather, and this will wreak havoc on your system. Also, you are risking your system overheating.
Whenever possible, try to shade the compressor unit outside. The air that's in a place that is shaded is usually five to six degrees cooler than the surrounding air. Your air conditioning unit will be up to ten percent more efficient if it is properly shaded during the summer months.
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.
Installing double paned windows can save a lot of money over single panes, so upgrade if you are able. Good double pane windows keep cool air in during the summer and minimize your utility expenses. They help in the winter, too, keeping the heat in.
An investment in a smart thermostat is truly going to save you money. You can program it to turn on and off at certain temperatures or times, allowing you to ensure that your air conditioner or heater isn't running when it doesn't need to be, saving you a ton.
Service your HVAC unit at least one time a year. This visit will include a motor inspection and checking the freon. This maintenance means that your system will operate optimally.
If you have a window air conditioner, be sure to check and see if it has an Energy Saver button. If so, use it! This turns off the fan when the unit isn't actually cooling the air, which can save you as much as 30 kwh over the period of a month!
Use plants to increase your air conditioner's effectiveness. An AC unit fully shaded by trees and shrubbery can operate up to 10 percent more efficiently. However, do keep spacing in mind. Air flow must not be constricted, and technicians need room to work when they come out to service your unit.
Consider an annual service agreement for technicians to regularly inspect your AC unit. Schedule brief inspections for the winter to make sure nothing is obviously wrong. The most important time for an inspection and service is just before it starts getting warm. You don't want to discover an AC breakdown when you need it working most.
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 when it comes to customer satisfaction and that can prove to be a mistake in the end.
Use your HVAC system to heat your water for free! In the summer, residual heat pulled out of your house is used to heat water through a geothermal system. This will cool your home while allowing you to save a ton on hot water costs, plus it's environmentally friendly to boot!
Is your home's electrical set-up ready to handle a new air conditioning unit? Most homes have 115-volt circuits in place, but larger air conditioners need 230-volts to be used. Some smaller units may need their own dedicated circuit as well to ensure your home doesn't go dark when you turn them on.
Make sure to get references when hiring your contractor. Ask these references if the job was what they expected, if it was done in a timely manner and on budget. You can avoid scam artists, yet only when you actually check up on references.
Consider how long a contractor has been in business before you hire them. The longer they've been in your community, the more likely they are to do a good job. Fly by night operations pop up wherever people haven't heard of them before, and they're just the firms you want to avoid.
One thing that substantially contributes to the comfort of a home is ane HVAC unit. However, if you don't hire the right contractor, you can end up frustrated when your system stops working. But reading this article and putting the advice shared here into action can make the situation very simple.