Having a great HVAC system that works well can make a home run better. The heat in the winter and cool air in the summer are very refreshing to come home to. This can become a nightmare if the HVAC you have fails. You must learn how to properly maintain your HVAC, and the following article has some basic info for you.
Know what type of system you currently have before calling someone to fix it. Write down what brand your system is along with the model number and, if they’re available, maintenance records. Then, you’ll be ready to tell the contractor what they need to know.
What do you need done? Know this before calling a contractor. A contractor will not be able to give you an accurate price without accurate information about your system. If you can’t explain changes you’ve made, the process will be even more difficult. So, figure out this information before anything else.
Help the outside condenser fan run efficiently by cleaning the coils and fan blades before the summer starts. Except when cleaning the outside, turn the unit off when performing any type of maintenance. Additionally, it’s important to clear out leaves and other debris from the outside condenser unit.
When you are cutting the grass, be sure not to cover your outdoor units with clippings. Aim the grass in a different direction from the unit. Do the same when blowing snow or leaves.
Your HVAC unit may suffer when trees start to lose their leaves. Make sure you clean out your fan grill often once nearby trees start shedding their leaves. If your fan is obstructed, it can keep your system from working properly.
If you have a fan condenser with oil ports, it needs to be lubricated every year. A rubber or metal cap is typically placed over such ports. 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.
When selecting a location for an outdoor compressor, opt for a shady area, if possible. When your unit is bringing in cool air, it will not have to work as hard to cool the air as it moves it inside, boosting efficiency.
Put outdoor condensers in the shade. As your air conditioner sucks in cool air, little will have to be done to cool it any further, saving you a ton on your energy bills.
Be sure to have twice annual HVAC system checks. Check into it twice a year before you head into the hot and cold months. Even though it may seem as nothing is wrong with the unit, a simple inspection can prove otherwise.
Condenser units for the outdoors should be shut off when it starts to get cold outside. If temps go below 60 you run the risk of damaging a unit that remains on. This helps your system remain in good working order.
After going through the advice above, you can see that it’s important to worry about keeping HVAC working properly in your home. Bad things can happen by failing to have your routine inspections performed. Fortunately, this article has given you the foundation you need.