The HVAC system you have in your house is not something you know about until it no longer works. Once you reach this point, maintenance is forgotten and expensive repairs become mandatory. Finding the right contractor to install a new system or fix your existing one can be difficult. The tips listed here will help you go through the process.
Make sure you check the filters in your air conditioning unit. This is important because checking your filters could make the difference between inexpensive repairs and more expensive ones down the line. Try to put it into your monthly schedule so that you don't forget to check the filters regularly.
An HVAC system is a really expensive investment. This is why you should do some browsing before purchasing your system. Try to find a good sale so you can get your system at a discount. Check out a couple of sites before making a decision. A great site to begin is www.energystar.gov.
If you want to know more about efficiently heating or cooling your home, go online and download the ENERGY STAR Guide. It provides information for homeowners to learn more about how they can save money while still keeping their home comfortable all year round, so it is a worthy ready.
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.
Make certain that an outdoor unit is in the shade. The unit will operate more efficiently to cool your home if the intake air is cooler to begin with.
When you are no longer using your outdoor air conditioning unit, be sure to protect it with a tight cover. This will keep it free of debris, frost and snow so that you'll have a working unit when the spring comes and you are ready to uncover it and use it again.
The energy efficiency of a unit should be taken into consideration when purchasing a new heating and cooling system. Although you should be concerned about the price of a unit, the efficiency of the unit will save you thousands over the lifetime of the heating and cooling system and should weigh heavily on your buying decision.
Do not close your vents. Keep air vents open and unblocked at all times. Many people believe that closing off a vent will save them money on cooling costs. This is not true. It can actually damage your HVAC system. Closing vents can cause your cooling coil to freeze and damage the compressor.
If your system isn't working right, try looking for leaks in the ducts. Call your utility company and ask if they test for free, as many do. When these leaks are fixed, the testing will pay for itself in energy savings.
Improve the efficiency of your air conditioning by installing ceiling fans. Change the airflow direction of the ceiling fans. During the summer, the blades should move in a counter-clockwise direction. During the winter, the blades should move clockwise to help move the Residential Install HVAC hot air in the ceiling down into the room.
If you want to ensure you choose a trustworthy HVAC contractor, invest a little time in researching a few different companies, checking out their reputations. The BBB is always great when you are looking for references or online reviews. In this way, you can be more sure of getting a good HVAC company.
If you plan on having a service on your HVAC unit, ask the technician what he will be doing. Any thorough service should consist of several things. The technician should check temperature levels, pressures, amperage draw, and coolant levels. They should adjust any belts that need it and clean the coils.
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.
To block out the sun on hot summer days, allowing your air conditioner to run less frequently, invest in heat blocking drapes. These textiles come in beautiful patterns and colors today, looking just like their designer counterparts. They will keep the heat out so that your home stays cooler without costing you an arm and a leg on utility bills.
When you are looking to buy a new air conditioner, consider your climate. If you live in a hot, dry area, then an evaporative cooler will be your best bet. If you live in a humid area, opt for a compressor-style unit as it's the only one which will work.
If the system you're using now isn't working great, then check the ducts for some leakage. Call your utility company and ask if they test for free, as many do. Having these repaired is worth the cost of testing if you had to hire a contractor to do the job.
If you are hunting for an HVAC company, try to find a company that has plenty of equipment experience. The right company should know how to operate the HVAC brands that you want installed or repaired. They should also be able to answer questions that you have about them.
Get bids from several companies before deciding who you are going to hire to install or repair your HVAC system. Most people know to avoid the company that has the highest quote, but you should also stay away from the one with the lowest. The price may be lower due to shoddy workmanship an/or using low-quality equipment.
Expect an evaluation. Any good HVAC contractor will want to look at your home before proposing any changes or recommending any products. Every home is different and what works for one home may not work well in another. If a contractor starts trying to sell you on a particular HVAC system without actually seeing your home, look elsewhere.
A good HVAC system can keep your home comfortable, no matter how hot or how cold it may be outside. However, it can be hard to find the perfect system for your needs. There is so much that you need to remember. The tips you have read here will be very useful to you.
