The HVAC system in any home is a very important feature, and if it is not running right it can lead ...

1. Excellent Advice About Heating and cooling That You Will
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The HVAC system in any home is a very important feature, and if it is not running right it can lead to
a very uncomfortable place to be. That is the last thing you want, and knowing how to take good
care of it is key. Below there are many helpful HVAC tips that are important to understand if you
want your system to last a very long time.
Before an HVAC expert comes to your home to do any repair work, walk around the home and check
out the temps in every room. Determine which rooms feel cold and which feel hot. You can then
relay this information to the technician so that they can more easily figure out what the problem is.
When seeking a new contractor, ask loved ones for referrals. They'll often have already had someone
in for similar work and will know who to trust and who to avoid. If your family hasn't used anyone,
ask co-workers or other people you trust in your community for some references.
Make sure you ask for an estimate in writing before choosing a specific HVAC vendor. There are a
lot of moving pieces when it comes to purchasing these big items. You'll want to compare not only
the cost of the equipment, but also the set up http://youtu.be/UD3oNWiTFkM and the overall energy
costs.
If you want to seriously extend the life of your HVAC system, as well as cut down your overall power
bill, install ceiling fans in commonly used warm season rooms. Energy-star certified ceiling fans can
sometimes cut your HVAC use in half. However, you won't physically notice a difference in
temperature.
When you have an outdoor unit, be sure to keep all plants,
flowers, shrubs and trees at least two feet from it. Anything
that grows inside it, either above the ground or even roots
beneath the soil, can block it up and cause it to break. Give
it some breathing room.
Manage the heat flow into your home with window
coverings to help out your HVAC system. In the warmer
months, use drapes, curtains and blinds to block out
sunward facing windows to keep heat from building up through the greenhouse effect. Alternatively,
make sure that sunlit windows are letting light and warmth in during the colder months.
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.
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.

2. Your HVAC unit may suffer when trees start to lose their leaves. Cleaning your unit is very important
for its effectiveness. A blocked unit can quickly become a broken unit.
Before you hire any HVAC companies, find out how the amount of time they've been in business.
This will ensure that you find someone who knows their stuff. Working with someone that does not
yet have a reputation in the business is a bit riskier.
Before having someone install a new HVAC system or maintain or repair yours, make sure they are
insured. Having someone who is insured work on your system will assure that if anything happens
while they are working at your home, they are financially covered and you will not be responsible.
If your home gets hot in the summer and you'd like to use your air conditioner less often, consider a
metal roof. It reflects the heat right back up into the sky, allowing your home to gain less heat on
sunny days. Since metal roofs are permanent, you'll save on repair and replacement costs also.
Before you decide on the location of your air conditioning unit, take a look at the air flow direction.
If you must position it in a corner, be sure you can change the direction of air flow to avoid having it
hit the wall.
Each contractor will have their own fee schedule, so make sure you get several different quotes
before you hire anybody. You can save quite a bit of money when you call different companies for
price quotes. Contact a minimum of five contractors so you can determine realistically what the
price will be.
Get bids from several companies before deciding who you are going to hire to install or repair your
HVAC system. Most people know to avoid the company that has the highest quote, but you should
also stay away from the one with the lowest. The price may be lower due to shoddy workmanship
an/or using low-quality equipment.
When buying an air conditioner, you want to find out with a SEER rating of 13 or higher. 13 is the
minimum standard set by the government, so higher ratings, while not mandatory, are going to offer
you better efficiency. SEER ratings can go as high as 19, so keep this in mind as you shop.
Make sure to be specific about everything that is written in your contracts. It should detail the work
that is being done, the materials being used and the amount of time it will take to complete the job.
Leaving anything out can give the contractor an exit if something goes wrong.
If you feel like you are spending too much money on your heating and cooling, there is a simple way
to reduce this cost. Raise or lower the temperature depending on the season. A single degree in
temperature change can equate to almost a nine percent savings in cooling and heating costs.

3. Whatever you buy should be energy efficient. That
means you need to purchase something with an Energy
Star label. In particular, you should take a look at the
SEER rating. The larger the number, the less you should
have to pay in energy costs each month. Even if the unit
is a little more expensive initially, you should get that
investment back over time.
The HVAC unit is integral to any home. The suggestions above should help you save money on
expensive repairs to your HVAC system. All you have to do is follow them, and you can avoid
spending lots of money on preventable damages.