Having an HVAC system in good working order can make a home run better. But if you experience a failure of your HVAC system, the situation can become frustrating very quickly. Learning how to maintain your unit minimizes the tips below.

If your HVAC doesn’t seem to be working properly, take a look around the house prior to calling a contractor. This will help the repairman determine where the problem is.

Before calling someone to repair your system, make sure you know what kind of HVAC system you actually have. You need to know who manufactured the product and the item number. Also, get the maintenance records from your files if you have them. Your contractor will appreciate this information.

Know what work you need before you select an HVAC contractor.A contractor will not be able to give you with an accurate price without accurate information about your system. It will be way more difficult for him to assist you can’t figure out what they need to do.

Clean your fan blades and coils come spring. Clean off any leaves or debris from your external condenser unit regularly.

If you are having issues with your HVAC, do a tour of your house before you call in help. Note which rooms are hot and which are cold. This information will help the contractor determine where the problem is and how to fix it.

Be sure to have the HVAC system checks. This should be checked often for debris and again in the spring.

Turn off outdoor condenser when it becomes cold out. This means that you should turn it off to prevent damage if the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This will help keep the system running efficiently for many years to come.

Think about what improvements you want made before picking an HVAC contractor. It is going to be hard to get a price estimate on the phone if the current system isn’t something they’ve seen. If you don’t have any idea, they will have trouble giving you any sort of quote. So, know this information in advance.

It is a good idea to swap out single pane windows for double panes. This same effect also helps retain heated air in during the colder months.

Never allow your home reach a dangerously hot temperature. Air conditioners cannot sufficiently cool your home down unreasonably high temps. If the temperature in your home reaches 100 degree Fahrenheit, cooling it will only drop the temperature to 80 degrees F. This won’t be a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.

Clean the coils and blades in your condenser at the beginning of summer. Make sure your power is off before doing more than cleaning, such as working on the unit. Remove leaves and debris from the condenser outside.

Research and check the companies that you consider using. Check them out at the BBB and online reviews as well. Doing this can help you hire the best company for your HVAC needs.

Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line might also freeze up.If this happens, switch the thermostat in your home to fan only so the compressor is disabled. You should call a pro to fix this problem, but switching to the fan will make the ice melt.

To increase the efficiency of your HVAC unit, be sure to keep it in the shade. The unit will have to do less work cooling this air.

Look for calculators online to truly understand what size of unit is necessary for your home. Look at the manual to determine the manufacturer website for this information.

Speak with family and friends to get a recommendation for a reputable HVAC unit.People will tell you who they have used and if they are usually more than willing to share this information. This can also a great way to get names of those companies that you should be avoided.

Be sure to have twice annual HVAC system checks. This should be checked often for debris and malfunctions. It doesn’t matter if your unit seems to be properly working, it is still advisable that you perform maintenance and resolve any potential problems.

There are quite a lot of sites now that allow customers talk about their experiences with contractors. This is useful for finding contractors that you wish to work with and those that you want to avoid.

Think about getting a radiant barrier installed in your attic so support the efficient functioning of your HVAC system can run better. It blocks outside heat from coming in which will make sure you won’t have to use more energy to keep your home and the outside. You may even find that you can use the attic as part of your living space more effectively.

Install a programmable thermostat to save energy costs. With this device installed, it can help you save money on your energy bills by you having the power to regulate the temperature throughout the day. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from a PC or other device.

If you hear clicking inside your HVAC unit, check for any sort of obstructions immediately. Sometimes there is debris interferes with the fan’s way. Check the fan and coil before spending on a contractor.

Make certain they are tightly sealed so air can’t seep in. A professional can also test these for you for free.

Service your HVAC yearly. During service the technician will check the motor and refill the system fluids. These repairs will keep your HVAC system running smoothly.

Square Footage

Measure the living area that needs cooling before going air conditioner shopping. You generally need about 20 BTU per square footage of the room.If you are cooling more than one room, make sure to add the square footage together.

Sometimes, air conditioning units ice up. The drain line also occasionally freezes, which can be misdiagnosed as a plumbing leak. If this is something you notice, switch the thermostat in your home to fan only so the compressor is disabled. The ice will melt. You will likely need professional help to stop the problem.

Pick an HVAC companies that understands the unit and can work quickly. The best companies make sure their technicians will always be on schedule and keep appointments. A knowledgeable technician will also have no problem diagnosing any problems with your HVAC unit quickly. After they figure out what is causing the problem, they should be able to get the work done quickly for your sake.

Now that you have the information from the above article, it is easy to see the importance of keeping your HVAC system well maintained. If you neglect to care for it, you will increase the risk of it ceasing to work when you most need it to. That could bring about a very expensive repair bill. The excellent tips provided above will help you to keep your HVAC system in tip top shape.

How long has the contractor been in business? It is more likely that a contractor who has been in business for a longer time will give you better value for your money. It’s a risk to hire a new one.