Learn About Hvac With These Simple To Follow Tips
Having an HVAC system helps your home remain comfortable regardless of the weather outside. Lots of homes come with this, they sometimes need to be replaced or have additions added after some time. A thorough understanding of HVAC systems is important so you will know exactly what to purchase. Below you will find many solid tips.
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.
Keeping the outside condenser clean of debris and leaves will improve the system's efficiency. Always turn the unit off before you do anything to it, including leaning. Additionally, it's important to clear out leaves and other debris from the outside condenser unit.
If you want to know more about efficiently heating or cooling your home, go online and download the ENERGY STAR Guide. It provides information for homeowners to learn more about how they can save money while still keeping their home comfortable all year round, so it is a worthy ready.
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.
Ask for references and be sure to call them as well. You are dealing with a high ticket item here, so you'll want to do your due diligence to make sure you are getting the best for your money. Ask for references, but don't stop there. Call each reference to check. A lot of people don't take that important last step.
In order to cheaply cool your home, turn the temperature up. If you take a few showers a day or just drink a cold ice water, you'll find that you're saving a lot of money on your utility bills by keeping the thermostat a little higher than usual in your home.
In the winter, wearing layers can save you a ton of money on your utility bill. If you can install a digital thermostat that makes the house cooler when you're asleep and warmer just before you get up, you can see significant savings on your next bill when it arrives.
In order to cheaply cool your home, turn the temperature up. If you take a few showers a day or just drink a cold ice water, you'll find that you're saving a lot of money on your utility bills by keeping the thermostat a little higher than usual in your home.
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.
If you are a home owner, replace whatever single pane windows you have with more efficient double-paned versions. Double pane windows can minimize the use of your air conditioner in hot weather since they keep the indoor air cooler. They help in the winter, too, keeping the heat in.
To run an efficient HVAC, you must ensure your house is fully insulated. First, check into your attic to find out if you have the right kind of insulation and enough of it. If not, investing in getting that up to grade is better than installing a strong HVAC system!
Outer coils can be cleaned with a regular outdoor hose before you turn the unit on for the season. That said, interior coils should be taken care of by a professional so that you don't do any damage as you attempt to clean them. Bring someone in to complete a check up.
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. Plumbing services Having everything on paper is a great way to make sure that no ons is confused about any aspect of the process.
Make certain the contractor you hire has the appropriate experience. The best contractor for the job will have ample experience working with HVAC systems similar to the one you are using. Although it is certainly possible for an inexperienced contractor to do the job right, it is best not to flirt with danger.
Have your HVAC inspected every year to ensure that it is working properly. The technician will check your filters, drain lines, air flow and Freon levels. This will have your HVAC working at peak performance saving you money all season long. It will also alert you to any repairs that need to be address before they become big problems.
Be sure to check your Filter Check light frequently on any stand-alone units. If it is on, turn the unit off as you can't operate it without a filter in place. Clean the filter carefully and return it to its proper location, but don't operate the unit if the filter is still wet.
Check the licensing of any HVAC company that you plan to hire. Start by making sure they are fully licensed. They should be in compliance with your state's business laws. Good HVAC companies should be fully insured. This is to protect their company, their employees, and their customers should anything happen when they are performing a service at the home of a customer.
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.
An HVAC system is expensive. Therefore, you want to make sure that you work with a reputable contractor or company to ensure that you get the most from your investment. Always get references from anyone that you are considering working with, and make sure to follow up on each of those references.
Having an HVAC system can be a great investment, especially if it keeps your home comfortable year round. Remember the previous tips when you must get a new system. Following the considerations described above can help you make a more educated buying decision than you might have otherwise when you're looking to purchase an HVAC system.
NBC 5 Responds: Hiring the Right Plumber or Contractor to Fix Winter Storm Damage
“Plumbers are not going to be looking for work right now. The good contractors out there are going to be trying to schedule things because there's going to be plenty of work for everybody,†said Ben Gonzalez with the Texas Department of Insurance. “If somebody's coming to your door, I think that would be a red flag right now.â€
Check Out the Person You’re Hiring
Plumbers are licensed in Texas and during this emergency, Governor Greg Abbot waived some fee and exam requirements for Texas plumbers with expired licenses. Out of state plumbers can also obtain provisional permits in order to help meet the demand for plumbers.
You can go to the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners website and use the public search tool to look up Texas plumbers and any past disciplinary action.
From this page, click on the “Responsible Master Plumber List†link to download a spreadsheet that you can use to search plumbers.
The Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners says plumbers from outside Texas who are approved to work in this disaster will have an “OOS†after the company name to indicate they are from “out of stateâ€.
The Texas State Board of Plumbing examiners says the list is updated every day.
There isn’t a state licensing board for contractors in Texas.
Monica Horton with the Better Business Bureau of North Central Texas says many complaints it sees involve a contractor that has taken off with a down payment for work.
“We advise consumers not to pay a dime until you're satisfied with the work. Some of the smaller contractors, if it's a large, large job, then they may require a small down payment and payments moving forward. But, don't let those get ahead of the work that's being completed. Don't pay in advance,†said Horton.
Keep in mind, there are special rules around up-front payments for out-of-area contractors during an emergency.
Examine References
“Contractors will say that they are doing a job around the corner or down the street. They may go into your neighborhood and do a fantastic job for one of your neighbors just so they can get that neighbor's recommendation because you're going to trust somebody like that,†said Horton.
You can use the BBB’s website as a search tool.
The TDI also suggests asking friends and neighbors for recommendations of people they’ve worked with during non-disaster times. Identify reputable plumbers or contractors and get on their wait list.
Contracts, Insurance and Other Questions
When hiring a contractor after a disaster, the Texas Office of the Attorney General offers additional recommendations including asking for proof of insurance. The contractor should have disability and workers' compensation insurance. Otherwise, you could be liable for accidents at your home.
Don’t sign over insurance or FEMA proceeds.
Don’t sign a contract with blank spaces and get any guarantees in writing.
The State Bar of Texas published this list of additional do’s and don’ts.
The State Bar of Texas operates a legal aid helpline to connect low-income Texans with legal assistance with various issues including fraud and scam concerns.
The Texas Department of Insurance also operates a helpline for insurance questions and fraud concerns.