It may be difficult to understand initially, but having the right information should simplify it. This article can help you out. Read on to learn everything you can.
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.
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.
Do not allow your home to reach excessive levels of heat during the summer. An air conditioning unit is really only able to reduce the temperature by twenty degrees in a short time span. So, if you house heats up to about 95, you won't see the temperature go below 75 for a while. Depending on the levels of humidity, that is not a safe temperature when it comes to sleeping or escaping from the heat of summer.
Make sure the equipment you are buying is ENERGY STAR compliant. It may seem a small thing, but it isn't. Products that are ENERGY STAR compliant can save you a lot of money in energy costs over the year. It can be over $100 easily, sometimes a lot more.
Turn off outdoor condenser units when weather turns cold. If you get into temperatures that are less than 60 degrees you need the unit to be shut off so it doesn't get damaged. This helps your system remain in good working order.
If possible, put your HVAC in a shaded area if it is outside. This will help ensure that the AC is pulling in cooler air, reducing the amount of work it has to do and saving you money.
Keep your condensers free of nearby obstructions. Keep plants, fencing, even bushes back and away from the unit. Two feet is a good minimum distance it should have from anything, including walls, but the more space you give it to breathe, the better it will work and the less likely it will be to fail.
Never accept the first offer you get when you are looking to hire an HVAC contractor. There are many people out there that charge more than others for doing the same services. Getting price quotes from several companies can help ensure that you are getting a rate that is acceptable.
When dealing with HVAC contractors, make sure that you get everything in writing. While verbal contracts are legal in many places, it is usually very difficult to prove them. Having everything on paper is a great way to make sure that no ons is confused about any aspect of the process.
If you want to turn off your air conditioning at night to save money, consider putting a standing fan next to your bed. You can set it to oscillate from your toes to your head, blowing cool air over your body and letting you sleep comfortably all night long.
Always ask for references before you allow anyone to start doing work on your HVAC system. Call several of them to make sure that they are legitimate. Many people take the word of the contractor when it comes to customer satisfaction and that can prove to be a mistake in the end.
Try to stay away from HVAC contractors that ask for upfront payments before they are willing to get started on the work they were hired to do. In many cases, this means that they are more concerned about getting paid than they are about making sure the job is done well.
Choose a good HVAC company. You need to find one that has a solid reputation. It's important that it has been around for several years and is backed by a good reputation in customer service. Find one that has trained professionals and qualified technicians to help with all kinds of customer needs. They should be able to handle any HVAC job no matter how simple or complex.
If your system isn't working right, try looking for leaks in the ducts. Often your utility company is willing to test this for you, and it may be free or lower in cost than you would get with a contractor. When these leaks are fixed, the testing will pay for itself in energy savings.
Consider painting the outside of your home in a light color to reflect heat if you live in a hot climate. If your summers are cool, use a dark color to instead heat up your home in the winter. This simple change can end up saving you a lot on your utility bills.
Once you decide who you are buying from, talk to them about what they recommend. While you may have a certain system in mind, the contractor HVAC Design Means might have some good advice that leads you in another direction. Remember, all manufacturers are different, and you want a system with a good warranty.
If you want to buy a new HVAC unit or system, ask a contractor to come up to size up your home and tell you what options you have. They'll have the best advice as they know what sort of systems work in your area or in a home like yours.
You should do your research before hiring anyone to come to your home to complete any HVAC projects. Watching home improvements shows can be deceiving since things rarely go as smoothly as they do on television. It is very important that you know what to expect before things get started.
If you want to heat your home with an alternative to traditional units, consider a pellet furnace or stove. These pellets are made from off-cuts of wood and waste paper. These burn very cleanly and offer a lot of heat without using fossil fuels. It's a green way to stay comfortable.
Staying comfortable in your home, no matter what the weather outside is like, is important. Nobody wants to swelter or shiver because their HVAC system is not working properly. If you need help finding the right heating and cooling system for your home, just remember the advice that you have read here.
