Tricks The HVAC Specialists Don't Want You To Know

Content by-Johnsen Shields

Your HVAC system is very valuable to your home and family. It keeps the air in your home clean and at a comfortable temperature. If you do not take proper care of it, it will cost your more in energy and repair down the road. Use these helpful tips to take good care of your HVAC system.

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.





The correct HVAC system should have sealed air ducts to minimize heating or cooling loss as air travels to different rooms. The heating or cooling requirements of different rooms in the home should be taken into consideration. There is no reason to increase energy usage by controlling the temperature in rooms that are used very little.

Clean the coils on the condenser fan from time to time. For safety, always turn the power off first. Then, take the grill off, pull the blades out, and gently clean them as well as the unit itself.

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.

If you are uncertain about which HVAC contractor to call when you experience an equipment failure, take the time to ask friends and family for personal recommendations. By doing this, you will be able to feel more confident about the choice you make, because you will have gotten the opinions of people you already know to be trustworthy.

Don't get grass clippings on your outside unit. Try shooting the clippings away from it. Also do this when blowing leaves or shoveling snow.

Some air conditioners can ice up. Sometimes the drain line will freeze, causing leaks. If read article happens, disable the compressor by switching the thermostat to run the fan only. You can call a HVAC professional, but switching to the fan will make the ice melt.

If you want to pay for less power use, consider installing an HVAC-specific solar panel system. Such an installation harnesses the power of the sun directly for your heating and air conditioning. Don't worry though; you can have a switch put in that automatically connects to the power grid the days there isn't enough sun.

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.

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!

For your outdoor HVAC unit, make sure that your foliage is cleared around it. Two feet distance between the HVAC unit and shrubs is a good amount to remember. If you let the foliage creep up on the unit, it can cause all sorts of issues with debris and growth into the system.

Search online for reviews to find an HVAC customer you can trust. There are now different online sites that let customers share their service experiences. You will be able to make a more informed choice if you do this.

If your current system isn't working well enough, test out the ducts for leaks. Often your utility company is willing to test this for you, and it may be free or lower in cost than you would get with a contractor. The testing will pay for itself once you find and repair the leaks.

Never hire anyone to work on your HVAC system unless they are licensed and bonded. This industry is one where mistakes happen often and you want to make sure that you are protected. You do not want to be stuck paying for medical bills that are more expensive than the work you were having done.

Gather the level of experience of the company you are working with. You want to make sure that they have experience with the type of work you need done. While a worker with less experience may be capable of doing a good job, you will be taking a risk.

Keep your evaporator coil clean. A dirty coil will cause the unit to strain when cooling air. You can clean the coil yourself easily. Simply remove hvac carrier to expose the coil and use a soft brush attached to a vacuum to remove any dust and debris that has accumulated on the coil.

If the HVAC contractor assumes a "one size fits all" approach to installing your unit, look elsewhere. In order for the system to be right for your home, the contractor needs to come out, find your air ducts, and generally get a feeling for how your home is laid out. If he or she does not do that, move on.

It is important that any contractor you hire is familiar with your make and model of HVAC unit. Ask them what brands they work with most frequently and compare it to what you have. If you can't find a contractor that knows your brand well, instead consider who has the best reputation.

As stated in the introduction above, it is essential to take great care of your HVAC system. The air in your home is very important, especially to you and your family's health and comfort. Make use of the informative tips above when you are maintaining and repairing your HVAC system.