A properly functioning HVAC system is an important part of your home. A lot of people spend quite a bit to fix things when they don’t work right, but could have avoided such issues if they had maintained them properly. The tips below will help you need to know about HVAC systems.

Know the name and type of system before looking for a repair person. This helps make sure the contractor has the information they will be sufficiently prepared.

Try to choose a shady place to locate the outdoor compressor device. When it draws in air for cooling, it will be more efficient because it will not need to work as hard to cool down the air.

Clean your outdoor condenser unit. You don’t know when things are going to pile up, like right after it’s windy or rains, and that can throw a wrench in your system. It could overheat and cause your system to malfunction by overheating.

Leaves falling from trees can damage your system. Make sure you clean out your fan grill often during the fall. The fan needs unobstructed air flow, and if it gets blocked, you’ll have a lot of headaches eventually.

Have the HVAC system serviced twice per year. Most homeowners choose to have their unit inspected during the spring and the fall months. This helps prepare for the coming weather changes of summer and winter. Even if you do not detect a problem, you can identify and fix any potential problems when you have it checked.

Lubricate the oil ports on your fan condenser once each year. You can find the ports covered with rubber or metal caps. Use a lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.

Put your outdoor unit in the shade if you are installing them.

If at all possible, install double-paned windows in your home instead of those with a single pane. You can reduce your energy costs from energy leaking out through your windows by installing window that are double-paned. This also works during the cold months to keep the warm air inside.

Have your HVAC system serviced at least yearly. This should be done in the fall and malfunctions.

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

Consider getting a programmable thermostat for your AC. It may save you as much as 10 percent of your overall utility bill if you turn your thermostat down by 10-15 degrees for a portion of the day. Additionally, some programmable thermostats can be controlled remotely using a web-connected device.

During the service check, the serviceman will inspect the unit’s motor, inspect the motor and the freon levels. These easy to do things are going to allow your system to run at its best.

Research and check the companies that you consider using. Check them out at the best one for reviews posted by former customers. This is what you make the right choice.

To help keep your energy costs down, have your heating and cooling system serviced at least once a year. When they visit to service the unit they’re going to inspect the motors, oil the parts that move, and see how much freon is in your system. This ensures your system runs smoothly.

Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line may also freeze over. If this is something that’s happening to you, switch the thermostat in your home to fan only so the compressor is disabled. If this doesn’t work, call in help.

Ask your friends and trust for their HVAC contractor recommendations. People who have had great service are usually willing to tell of their contractor. This will also let you to figure out some names of businesses that you should avoid at all costs.

Don’t let your house get too hot. An air conditioner can only cool your home by 20ºF quickly. Assuming the temperature in your home rises to a hundred degrees, you will only be able to reduce that by twenty degrees. Depending on how humid the environment is, that is not a healthy temperature for the human body when it rests during sleep.

Contractors charge different rates, so make sure you get quotes from several contractors before you make any hiring decision. You can save tons of money by doing your homework. You want to call at least a handful of contractors to determine what you should be paying.

Figure out which direction your home is facing so your HVAC system more efficient. The less heat in your home, the less time that the AC has to work.

In order to select an HVAC contractor that you can trust, it pays to invest some time researching a few prospective companies and checking their reputations. A good start would be the BBB to see if there are any complaints, then search online for review sites where you can see what actual customers had to say about their experience. This will help you to choose a contractor that is of high quality.

Make sure they have tight seals to keep air inside. You can also hire someone to test things and a lot of the time the testing costs nothing.

Replace the air filter to keep your HVAC system every month. This will help your unit running in tip top shape.

Sometimes, air conditioning units ice up. Many times people think there is a plumbing leak, but instead the drain line has water that is frozen. If you see this, put the fan on to shut the compressor off. You should call a pro to fix this problem, even if switching it to its fan setting starts making the ice melt.

If it must be in a corner, make sure your unit permits airflow to be redirected.

Ask any potential contractor about their experience prior to hiring them. You need to verify they have the sort of experience needed to work you require.

Find an air conditioner calculator online to determine what models are best for you. If you buy something too large it won’t be efficient as it cools the same. To get the right information, look in the manual to find out the rating the manufacturer gives the unit for cooling.

Always make sure to get references when you are considering a contractor.

Any HVAC contractor or installer should have a 24-hour emergency number available to customers around the clock. They owe it to you to show up to fix anything, whether during a heatwave or a terrible snowstorm.

Ask for helpful information when you are looking for a HVAC contractor. When someone hires a quality professional, they are usually happy to share their info. It’s also important to do this to learn which companies should not be contracted for work.

Some contractors overcharge for add-ons like travel expense or fees and other charges. Having a good written contract can help avoid issues like that.

Cover your condenser in the winter time. This will increase the life of your unit is sustained when it isn’t in use. Use the fan setting only to avoid putting strain on the condenser unit.

Do you need a new HVAC unit? You will need to take a few things into account. The rating given to a system tells how much are it can cover. Be sure to choose a slightly too large system over a too small of one.

Consider a programmable thermostat installed.This lowers your heating and cooling bills because when you adjust the temperature to sync with your settings to ensure optimal performance.

Hvac System

Look for leaks in the ducts if your system isn’t working right. Call local utility companies to test it for you since many do it for a small fee or even free, which is lower than HVAC contractors. When you get leaks repaired, you may see that the testing pays for itself.

As stated in the above article, the HVAC system is one of the most important parts of any home, and keeping it in good working order is vital. The suggestions above should help you save money on expensive repairs to your HVAC system. It is your job to ensure you know all you can about your HVAC unit and you understand everything that has been discussed in this article.