Before calling for help, know the system you have. Get the brand, model name, and if you can you should get the maintenance history out. Then, you'll be ready to tell the contractor what they need to know.
Inspect the temps in your home before you call a service to help you with any HVAC issues you're having. Find out which rooms are hot and which are cold. Figuring this out will the contractor to diagnose the issues and quickly get http://www.trane.com/index.aspx to work on fixing it.
Before choosing a HVAC company find out what the company offers. It will be difficult for an HVAC contractor to provide you with an estimate on the phone without knowing what your aroundclock current setup is. They also won't be able to offer you a quote if they don't have a detailed idea of what you want done. This is information that you should have prepared in advance.
If your unit is outdoors, clean them regularly. After a wind or rain storm things may pile up, causing problems with your system. It can get overheated, which will cause problems with the whole system.
When you mow your lawn, take care that you don't get grass clippings all over your outdoor unit. Aim the grass in a different direction from the unit. The same goes for when you blow leaves, so make sure your are careful when moving any debris in the vicinity of your HVAC devices.
Put outdoor condensers in the shade. You save money this way because the air conditioner is now pulling in cooler air, which is easier to cool further.
When colder weather arrives, switch off all outdoor condenser units. If the outside temp is under 60 degrees, turn the unit off to prevent damage. This will ensure your system works well each year, which could save you quite a bit in repair costs.
Consider getting a programmable thermostat for your AC. This will help you to keep the temperature at optimal levels. Some can even be controlled from a computer.
If you want your energy costs to go down, have the heating an cooling system you own serviced every year at least. When it's checked out, the motor will be inspected, moving parts well oiled and the level of freon adjusted if necessary. These few simple things will help your system to run at its peak performance.
There are plenty of online tools, such as sizing calculators, which can help you find the best unit to cool your home. Proper sizing will increase efficiency. Check the manufacturer's handbook to see what amount of space the unit can effectively cool.
Use recommendations when you are looking for a contractor. People usually love to boast about the wonderful work they have had done, so you should be given great leads to follow. This is also a great way to get names of companies that should be avoided.
Ask for quotes from multiple contractors. Making some phone calls before deciding is a good way to save money. Call around 5 contractors so that you can get the best deal possible.
Are you going to buy a new HVAC system? You probably have many options available to you. Systems have a rating based on how well the system is able to cool or heat an area well. You should buy a little bigger than necessary unit over a little smaller than necessary unit.
Be sure to test for leaks in the ducts if your system seems inefficient. You can call in your local utility company to do the testing for you, often for free or at a lower cost than a contractor. If a leak is found, the money spent on finding and repairing the leak will pay for itself.
Make certain that you hire an experienced contractor with a good reputation. A reliable company will arrive on time and have the job finished in a jiffy. Contractors ought to be able to find the problem quickly. They should offer you answers which can be implemented right away.
When determining the location of your air conditioning unit, think about which way the air flows. If it must be in a corner, make certain that the air does not point towards a wall.
The best HVAC contractors will also provide a number for emergency services that is available to call 24 hours of the day. A good company will have repairman available in any weather situation.
Hopefully, you now feel more comfortable with HVAC units as a whole. If you use the tips above, it's pretty easy to get into HVAC. Use these things well and in the end you may even make money with this.
