What You Must Know About HVAC Purchases
Many people choose to have an HVAC unit in their home. A properly installed and functioning HVAC system means you get to enjoy comfortable temperatures at home. Becuase it's a machine, it may require professional installation and maintenance. Keep reading for some useful HVAC tips.
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.
Ask for referrals when hiring someone to install your HVAC system. Someone may seem like they know what they are doing, but you cannot simply take their word for it. You should be able to call past customers to get an idea of what to expect from this particular installer.
If you must hire someone to help you out with your HVAC system, be sure to learn about all of the requirements your state has legislated regarding licencing and insurance. You need to be able to ask anyone you plan to hire if they meet these requirements before you hire them.
Clean your permanent air filters or replace disposable ones every single month. If you have the choice, an electrostatic is the best option on the market today. Be sure to turn off your unit before you change the filter as it should never be run without a filter in place.
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.
Whenever possible, try to shade the compressor unit outside. The air that's in a place that is shaded is usually five to six degrees cooler than the surrounding air. Your air conditioning unit will be up to ten percent more efficient if it is properly shaded during the summer months.
To help keep your energy costs down, have your heating and cooling system serviced at least once a year. This inspection will ensure that your unit is working efficiently, including a freon level and motor check, and oiling moving parts. Those things are going to help your system at peak performance.
Consider all of your alternatives before installing a central air conditioner. You can only cool certain rooms, use whole-house fans, or even make use of a geothermal system. The more efficient the system you set up, the less you'll spend on utility bills over time as you use it.
Check around and get a number of quotes prior to hiring a contractor. You will be likely to save some cash if you take the time to call around before you decide. To get the best picture and get an idea of what rates are reasonable, call five or six different contractors.
If you are thinking of installing a new roof and want it to also boost the efficiency of your HVAC, choose white materials. They reflect the sun's heat so that your attic doesn't get hot, and that means your air conditioner doesn't have to labor as hard to cool your home.
To keep your HVAC unit running at full capacity, you should have quality doors and windows installed that are efficient. Be sure that they're sealed well so that air from the outside or inside doesn't come in or escape. Call a professional to come over to check how good you home is sealed up.
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.
Consider how long a contractor has been in business before you hire them. The longer they've been in your community, the more likely they are to do a good job. Fly by night operations pop up wherever people haven't heard of them before, and they're just the firms you want to avoid.
Hire contractors who offer guarantees of at least 5 year on all labor and parts. This will ensure that you can go back to them to fix anything that goes wrong shortly after your system is installed or repaired. Anyone who doesn't offer a guarantee won't come back unless you pay them again.
As you are now aware, a number of things can be done well when you need to deal with home HVAC systems and the contractors that work on them. It is important that this piece of equipment is installed and maintained properly. Use the advice you read above and you'll make the right decision every time when it comes to getting your HVAC unit working right.