hvac: what you should know before you begin

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HVAC: What You Should Know Before You Begin If you're in the market for an HVAC system, the available options may be overwhelming. How do you figure out what system is right for your home. How large must your HVAC system be? What features does it need? There are a ton of new products out there. To avoid becoming overwhelmed, check out the advice below. If you have some problems with the HVAC system, check out your home before calling a contractor. Figure out which rooms are too cool or warm. If you do this, it will be a great help to the future contractor, who will now be able to quickly locate the problem issue. When you cut the grass, don't cover the outdoor units with their clippings. Shoot grass the other way. The same should happen if you are blowing leaves, so be especially careful when you are going by your exterior HVAC devices whenever you are moving debris. Some fan condensers may contain oil parts, and if yours does, ensure it is lubricated at least once per year. Such ports tend to have coverings made of rubber or metal. Pick a type of SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight. Place 10 or less drops into every port to avoid overfilling. When selecting the spot to put the outdoor compressor for your unit, choose somewhere that gets plenty of shade. This will limit the work that it has to do. Get your HVAC unit serviced two times per year. Check into it twice a year before you head into the hot and cold months. Even if you can't see anything wrong, checking it may help you locate and repair some possible issues. Turn off your outdoor condenser when it becomes cold out. This means that you should turn it off to prevent damage if the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit. This can keep your system working for years and save you a lot on repairs. Installing a programmable digital thermostat can help save money. In fact, you can save as much as 10 percent on both heating and cooling when you turn your thermostat by by 10-15 percent for at least 8 hours daily. There are also some programmable thermostats that can be controlled with a computer or other web-connected advice. Try to have your HVAC system looked at every year, because regular maintenance will go a long way in energy efficiency. During the service check, the system motor will be inspected, the moving parts will be oiled and the freon levels will be checked These simple things will keep your system running at peak performance. If there isn't anyone at home, then there's no need for the AC unit to be running and wasting electricity. You may want to turn your unit off if your house will not become extremely hot or cold. If it is on all day, it is trying to maintain a cool temperature constantly, using a great deal of electricity to fight the heat. Never allow your home to get dangerously hot inside. An AC unit will reduce the internal temperature of your home approximately twenty degrees in a fair time. If the temperature in your home rises above 100 degrees, you will only be able to cool it down to 80. Depending on how humid it is, this isn't really that safe for a person to sleep in when it's really hot.

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Page 1: HVAC: What You Should Know Before You Begin

HVAC: What You Should Know Before You Begin

If you're in the market for an HVAC system, the available options may be overwhelming. How do youfigure out what system is right for your home. How large must your HVAC system be? What featuresdoes it need? There are a ton of new products out there. To avoid becoming overwhelmed, check outthe advice below.

If you have some problems with the HVAC system, check out your home before calling a contractor.Figure out which rooms are too cool or warm. If you do this, it will be a great help to the futurecontractor, who will now be able to quickly locate the problem issue.

When you cut the grass, don't cover the outdoor units with their clippings. Shoot grass the otherway. The same should happen if you are blowing leaves, so be especially careful when you are goingby your exterior HVAC devices whenever you are moving debris.

Some fan condensers may contain oil parts, and if yours does, ensure it is lubricated at least onceper year. Such ports tend to have coverings made of rubber or metal. Pick a type of SAE 20 oil thatis non-detergent and lightweight. Place 10 or less drops into every port to avoid overfilling.

When selecting the spot to put the outdoor compressor for your unit, choose somewhere that getsplenty of shade. This will limit the work that it has to do.

Get your HVAC unit serviced two times per year. Check into it twice a year before you head into thehot and cold months. Even if you can't see anything wrong, checking it may help you locate andrepair some possible issues.

Turn off your outdoor condenser when it becomes cold out. This means that you should turn it off toprevent damage if the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit. This can keep your system workingfor years and save you a lot on repairs.

Installing a programmable digital thermostat can help save money. In fact, you can save as much as10 percent on both heating and cooling when you turn your thermostat by by 10-15 percent for atleast 8 hours daily. There are also some programmable thermostats that can be controlled with acomputer or other web-connected advice.

Try to have your HVAC system looked at every year, because regular maintenance will go a long wayin energy efficiency. During the service check, the system motor will be inspected, the moving partswill be oiled and the freon levels will be checked These simple things will keep your system runningat peak performance.

If there isn't anyone at home, then there's no need for the AC unit to be running and wastingelectricity. You may want to turn your unit off if your house will not become extremely hot or cold. Ifit is on all day, it is trying to maintain a cool temperature constantly, using a great deal of electricityto fight the heat.

Never allow your home to get dangerously hot inside. An AC unit will reduce the internaltemperature of your home approximately twenty degrees in a fair time. If the temperature in yourhome rises above 100 degrees, you will only be able to cool it down to 80. Depending on how humidit is, this isn't really that safe for a person to sleep in when it's really hot.

Page 2: HVAC: What You Should Know Before You Begin

Sometimes air conditioners get iced up. The drain line may also freeze up. Change your thermostatin situations like this. It is best to call a professional in to fix this particular issue, even though theswitch to fan setting should cause the ice to start melting.

There are sizing calculators available to determine the proper sized system for your home. If you buysomething too large it won't be efficient as it cools the same. You can also check the owner's manualto find specific numbers provided for the manufacturer. These numbers indicate the particular unitto cool a particular area.

Use an HVAC company that has been in business for a while. Fly-by-night companies are those youwant to avoid. Otherwise, you are taking a huge risk with the person you hire.

Contractors are responsible for their own charges and fees, so make sure you get quotes fromseveral contractors before you make any hiring decision. You will be likely to save some cash if youtake the time to call around before you decide. To figure out what a good rate is, speak with aboutfive or six contractors.

Many people find themselves confused as to what type of HVAC system they need for their location.Using the advice from our experts will make the decision easier. Take time to review the tips and usethem to find a unit that will make your home enjoyable and comfortable all year.