easy-to-understand a/c advice for anybody new to it

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Easy-to-understand A/C Advice For Anybody New To It When it comes to selecting an HVAC system, there are many decisions to be made. While you can often trust the guidance of a trained professional, it is good to have a basic knowledge of your own so that you're comfortable in knowing you are not buying too much. This article contains some HVAC basics that will help you to be an educated buyer. Although most people are thinking of their heating systems during the winter months, air conditioning is also important. When installing a new furnace or heating system, make sure the air ducts are also set up to work with your air condition system. Using the ducts for both heating and cooling is the most economical choice. 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 and the overall energy costs. Be sure to get every quote or estimate in written form. You have no recourse on a verbal agreement, so a written contract is a must. This will allow you to follow up if something goes wrong or you don't get what you were promised, protecting you from shady contractors. Your outdoor HVAC units might suffer when your trees lose leaves. At least twice a week, you need to clean the grill of your fan. An obstruction, such as a leaf, prevents the maximum amount of cool air http://www.napafilters.com/filters/industrial-filters/ from entering the system. Make sure that your AC is turned off when you are not using it. Even though the house will get hotter, it won't get too bad if the unit is off. Leaving the system on all day will cost a lot of money in

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Page 1: Easy-to-understand A/C Advice For Anybody New To It

Easy-to-understand A/C Advice For Anybody New To It

When it comes to selecting an HVAC system, there are many decisions to be made. While you canoften trust the guidance of a trained professional, it is good to have a basic knowledge of your ownso that you're comfortable in knowing you are not buying too much. This article contains some HVACbasics that will help you to be an educated buyer.

Although most people are thinking of their heating systems during the winter months, airconditioning is also important. When installing a new furnace or heating system, make sure the airducts are also set up to work with your air condition system. Using the ducts for both heating andcooling is the most economical choice.

When seeking a new contractor, ask loved ones for referrals. They'll often have already had someonein 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 alot of moving pieces when it comes to purchasing these big items. You'll want to compare not onlythe cost of the equipment, but also the set up and the overall energy costs.

Be sure to get every quote or estimate in written form. You have no recourse on a verbal agreement,so a written contract is a must. This will allow you to follow up if something goes wrong or you don'tget what you were promised, protecting you from shady contractors.

Your outdoor HVAC units might suffer when your trees lose leaves. At least twice a week, you needto clean the grill of your fan. An obstruction, such as a leaf, prevents the maximum amount of coolair http://www.napafilters.com/filters/industrial-filters/ from entering the system.

Make sure that your AC is turned off when you are not using it. Even though the house will gethotter, it won't get too bad if the unit is off. Leaving the system on all day will cost a lot of money in

Page 2: Easy-to-understand A/C Advice For Anybody New To It

terms of electricity.

Make sure the equipment you are buying is ENERGY STAR compliant. It may seem a small thing, butit isn't. Products that are ENERGY STAR compliant can save you a lot of money in energy costs overthe year. It can be over $100 easily, sometimes a lot more.

If you currently have a manual thermostat, consider installing a programmable one. You can set yoursystem for different temperatures depending on time of day and if anyone is home. Also, you can setupper and lower temperature settings to allow for a comfortable range of temperatures so thatheating and cooling don't kick in when not needed.

If you have fans in place to help make your HVAC more efficient, be sure that they're turning in theright direction. They should be pushing air downwards over the people in the room to help cool theirskin. If it's blowing upwards, all it does is push hot air into the room.

Use plants to increase your air conditioner's effectiveness. An AC unit fully shaded by trees andshrubbery can operate up to 10 percent more efficiently. However, do keep spacing in mind. Air flowmust not be constricted, and technicians need room to work when they come out to service yourunit.

To run an efficient HVAC, you must ensure your house is fully insulated. First, check into your atticto find out if you have the right kind of insulation and enough of it. If not, investing in getting that upto grade is better than installing a strong HVAC system!

To boost your home HVAC's efficiency, install solar screening. It reflects sunlight back outside,stopping it from heating up your home. Your air conditioner will be able to run less in the daytime,and your energy bill will plummet as a result. You can install this on any glass you have, doors orwindows.

As you compare new HVAC system, be sure to look at the energy ratings for each unit. The higherthey are, the better they will be. Efficiency will not only get your home comfortable faster, but it willsave you on your energy bills when you are running your new unit.

Make sure your HVAC is clear when working outside. You should try keeping any vegetation abouttwo feet away http://youtu.be/UD3oNWiTFkM from your outdoor units. Keep the areas above it andon each side of it clear. Make sure you aim your grass clippings away from the unit when mowing.Keep leaves from getting inside your unit in the fall.

If you want to buy a new HVAC unit or system, ask a contractor to come up to size up your home andtell you what options you have. They'll have the best advice as they know what sort of systems workin your area or in a home like yours.

If your home gets hot in the summer and you'd like to use your air conditioner less often, consider ametal roof. It reflects the heat right back up into the sky, allowing your home to gain less heat onsunny days. Since metal roofs are permanent, you'll save on repair and replacement costs also.

If you want to buy a new HVAC unit or system, ask a contractor to come up to size up your home andtell you what options you have. They'll have the best advice as they know what sort of systems workin your area or in a home like yours.

Which way does the air come out of the air conditioner? If you have to place it in a corner of your

Page 3: Easy-to-understand A/C Advice For Anybody New To It

home, be sure you're getting a unit that has air flow coming from a direction that's not facing thewall.

If you feel like you are spending too much money on your heating and cooling, there is a simple wayto reduce this cost. Raise or lower the temperature depending on the season. A single degree intemperature change can equate to almost a nine percent savings in cooling and heating costs.

Proper maintenance is key to having a good working HVAC system. Don't let your system go bad,use the tips here to inspect it for problems to ensure that you don't have costly repairs down theroad. Keep checking it and remember the tips here to use as guide so you know what to look for.