The system you use to heat or cool your home is probably the largest influences on how much energy you use, and how much it costs. If your HVAC system needs updating, make sure the technician you hire is knowledgeable. The following article provides the information you need to hire the right professional.
Be sure to get every quote or estimate in written form. You have no recourse on a verbal agreement, so a written contract is a must. This will allow you to follow up if something goes wrong or you don’t get what you were promised, protecting you from shady contractors.
Keep outside condenser fans running smoothly by cleaning fan blades and coils before the summer begins. Before you clean the unit, be sure to turn off the power. Remove leaves and debris from the outdoor unit.
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.
Ask for references and be sure to call them as well. You are dealing with a high ticket item here, so you’ll want to do your due diligence to make sure you are getting the best for your money. Ask for references, but don’t stop there. Call each reference to check. A lot of people don’t take that important last step.
If you currently have a manual thermostat, consider installing a programmable one. You can set your system for different temperatures depending on time of day and if anyone is home. Also, you can set upper and lower temperature settings to allow for a comfortable range of temperatures so that heating and cooling don’t kick in when not needed.
Regularly having your HVAC system serviced can help keep your heating and cooling bills down. During a maintenance visit, professionals can help by inspecting the system’s motor, oil the different moving parts as well as check the system’s freon levels. Those things are going to help your system at peak performance.
To run an efficient HVAC, you must ensure your house is fully insulated. First, check into your attic to find out if you have the right kind of insulation and enough of it. If not, investing in getting that up to grade is better than installing a strong HVAC system!
Do you want to make sure your HVAC unit works for you like it should? It is important to have your unit maintained on a regular basis. Any reputable technician will know exactly what you mean if you call them and ask for a maintenance service on your system.
If your system doesn’t seem to be working efficiently, check your ducts for leaks. Your local energy company may do such testing at a reduced cost or maybe even for free. The testing will pay for itself once you find and repair the leaks.
If you live in a hot climate, don’t use duct tape on your HVAC. It just dries out and falls off, leaving you with leaks all over the place. Instead, use mastic sealant to cover any holes or gaps in duct work and you’ll keep your home comfortable all year long.
It is also imperative to keep your air ducts clean. This will ensure that your unit is running efficiently. When there is a build up of dust in your air ducts, the airflow is obstructed and your unit needs to work harder. Air duct cleaning will not only help lower your monthly bill, but will also make your home more comfortable and at the ideal temperature.
While price should be one of the considerations you make when you are hiring an HVAC contractor, do not allow it to cloud your judgement. There are other factors that need to be considered in order to make a sound decision. Experience level, work ethic and positive reviews are a few things that should be considered as well.
When you hear an odd clicking noise coming from your HVAC unit, you should immediately begin to look for any obstructions. Often the issue is some sort of debris that’s hitting the fans in the cooling system. All you need to do is remove the debris to solve the problem. Check it out before spending on a contractor.
Now that you are aware of the importance of having the correct HVAC system installed in your home, get referrals about HVAC companies in your area. Use this tips in the article to guide you in your choice. Make sure you choose wisely and the cost of your energy usage will show the difference.
