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.
Clean the coils of your condenser fan each month. Before you clean the surface, be sure to turn off the power. Clean the outdoor condenser as well.
When your contractor comes to fix your unit or install a new one, he should walk around your home and investigate what's going on with your current set-up. They should be looking for how much insulation you have, where your windows are and what quality they are and more.
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.
Get any agreement with an HVAC contractor in writing. Some contractors try to skip over this step and charge customers a fortune. If you have a certain price and warranty in writing, they cannot go back and change this information. If they do, they could have a lawsuit on their hands.
Sometimes, it can be hard to figure out if your HVAC system needs to be fixed or needs to be replaced. If your system frequently breaks down, is always turning on or off on its own, or if your bills are too high, it may pay to have it replaced. Otherwise, little things can just be fixed.
Don't let your home get way too hot to where it's dangerous. Air conditioners can cool a home by just twenty degrees in a short time. If you have your home at above 100 degrees then you can only get it to about 80 or above. Depending on humidity levels, this isn't even a safe temperature for a human body to sleep at to recover from summer heat.
Manage the heat flow into your home with window coverings to help out your HVAC system. In 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.
Don't let your home get too hot. Air conditioners only cool down a home by 20 degrees. So, if your home temp reaches 100 degrees, your air conditioning will only bring that temp down to about 80 degrees. Depending on humidity levels, this isn't even a safe temperature for a human body to sleep at to recover from summer heat.
Contractors charge different rates, so make sure that you acquire multiple estimates. You can save a lot of cash simply by doing your homework. Call around to find out what the rates are.
Every year hire someone to give your HVAC unit routine maintenance. This will ensure that it works properly throughout the entire year. It will also allow you to have lower heating and cooling bills. When your HVAC is running properly, it will use the least amount of energy and save you money.
Installing a whole-house fan can either cool your home without the use of air conditioning or make your air conditioner more efficient. It blows out all of the hot air which collects in your attic, and this air flow draws in cool air from your basement and up into your home.
To improve the efficiency of your HVAC unit, put a radiant barrier up inside the attic of your home. This type of barrier will help to block heat, which in turn will help your system work less at cooling your home. You may even find that you can use the attic space more effectively.
Think about getting a radiant barrier in your attic so your HVAC system can run better. It ensures that your unit stays hot or cold as it should be. If you do it right, you may be able to expand your living space into your attic.
Keeping your home get more info in tip-top shape means taking great care of your HVAC system. It is important to keep the system maintained and clean to keep your family comfortable and healthy. Follow the useful tips above to know how to hire the right people and use the right equipment to keep your HVAC system in good shape.
