Check out the system that you have before you call a professional. Find out the brand and model and, if possible, dig out the maintenance history. This will facilitate the process when your contractor asks for this information.
Prior to choosing an HVAC customer, try to have an idea of what you want done. It's hard to get an estimate since they haven't look at your system. Being unable to explain what has been already done will make it even harder. Make an effort to gather all ac repair information you need before making the phone call.
Each spring, try cleaning the fan blades and coils on the condenser fan. For safety, always turn the power off first. Pull out each of the blades and clean them one by one.
You need to lubricate parts of your fan condenser. A rubber or metal cap is typically placed over such ports. Pick out a SAE 20 type of oil because it has no detergent, is lightweight, and you should put around 10 drops in the ports but make it to where they don't get too full.
In order to boost efficiency, place new outdoor units or move your current unit to a place which resides in the shade. This will help you save on your energy bill.
Regular maintenance of your unit should be performed annually. During this service visit, they will inspect the motor of the system, oil the moving parts and check the freon levels in the system. All of these little jobs will add up to big savings in energy use, with the improved efficiency.
Do not allow your house to get extremely hot. Air conditioners cannot sufficiently cool down unreasonably high temps. If the temperature in your home reaches 100 degree Fahrenheit, it will only reduce it to 80 or more. Depending on humidity levels, this isn't even a safe temperature for a human body to sleep at to recover from summer heat.
Air conditioners tend to ice up at times. You may even encounter a freeze in your drain line which is often confused with a plumbing leak. Change your thermostat in situations like this. This problem will need to be handled by a professional, even though the fan will probably help with the ice situation.
Before you hire someone from an HVAC place, figure out how long they've been doing this kind of work. Companies that are established have been proven, and you can use their track record to to determine if they provide good service. Hiring a contractor who is just starting out can be risky.
If you need a HVAC contractor, try and get recommendations from family and friends. Find someone that has a lot of quality work under their belt. This will also help you avoid bad companies.
Check the Internet for reviews on those who fix or install HVAC systems. Many online review sites provide an avenue for this information. This method provides you with all the information you need to make the best hiring decisions.
It is always a wise move to obtain a few quotes from different contractors because prices can vary. You will be likely to save some cash if you take the time to call around before you decide. Call around to find out what the rates are.
If your system isn't working right, try looking for leaks in the ducts. Often, utility companies will test them free of charge. Having these repaired is worth the cost of testing if you had to hire a contractor to do the job.
If you hear a clicking noise coming from the HVAC unit, see if there is any debris in it. Sometimes there is debris that gets in the fan's way. Simple removal of the debris will solve the problem. Take a look for yourself before you call a technician out.
You should now see that almost anyone can learn about HVAC systems with proper information. This can help you determine when to call a repairman, when to choose a new system and what to look for in a system. The tips here will help you as you go through the process.
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