A HVAC system is important for your home. However, if your system fails, it can be a nightmare.Learning how to maintain your unit minimizes the chances of a breakdown; these tips below.

Know what type of your HVAC system you currently have before calling someone to fix it. This will enable you can give your new contractor all the information they need.

Before making that repair phone call, make sure you know the specifics about your particular system. 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.

If your HVAC system us giving you issues, do a tour of your house before you call in help. This will help the repairman determine what the problem is and how to fix it.

Know what you want done before you hire a contractor. It will be difficult for an HVAC contractor to give you a price estimate over the phone if they have not seen your current setup is. It will be more hard if you can’t figure out what they need to do.

Outdoor condenser units need to be cleaned regularly. Things tend to pile up around these units, especially after storms come through, which could cause problems to your system. It can cause the unit to overheat and break down.

Clean your condenser’s fan and coils come spring. Clean the outdoor condenser unit regularly.

Turn it off first so nothing moves. Then, take the grill off, pull the blades out, and begin cleaning the unit and them gently.

Clean the coils on the condenser fan from time to time. Start by turning off the power to avoid having anything move when you work on it. Then take off the grill, take the blades out, and gently clean them.

Grass Clippings

Don’t let grass clippings on your outdoor condenser.Aim the grass clippings in the unit. This also applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in the yard.

Do not allow grass clippings to cover the outdoor unit of your HVAC system. Direct the grass clippings in a direction away from the HVAC unit. This includes grass clippings and leaves.

Your HVAC system could suffer when trees start to lose their leaves. Make sure the fan’s grill is cleaned frequently when the fall. The fan must stay clear in order to function, and if it becomes blocked, you will have to contend with problems.

Lubricate your condenser once each year. These are usually covered by a rubber or metal cap. Use a lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, putting 10 drops in each port.

When the trees are losing their leaves, your HVAC unit can suffer. Make sure the fan’s grill is cleaned often during the fall. You can head off future problems that can be caused by blockages by making sure there is a free flow of air to your fan.

Have your HVAC serviced twice per year. This should be checked often for debris and the spring.

It is always a good idea to swap out single pane windows with ones that have double panes. This also helps retain heated air during the winter months.

Lubricate your fan condenser at least once a year. You’ll see that the ports here are closed with a rubber or metal cap. Chose SAE 20 oil, which has been proven to be the most effective.

A programmable thermostat is a simple way to help you save money on your air conditioning bill. Some of these thermostats can even be controlled from your smart phone or other device.

During the visit, professionals can help by inspecting the system’s motor, oil the moving parts and check the freon levels in the system. These repairs will keep your HVAC system running at peak performance.

Look for shade when placing a compressor outdoors. If your unit is sucking in cooler air, it will have less work to do to cool that air as it sends it inside which boosts efficiency.

Never allow the temperature in your home to rise to a dangerously hot inside. Air conditioners really can only cool a home by just twenty degrees in a short time. So, if your home temp reaches 100 degrees, you won’t see the temperature go below 75 for a while.This is not a healthy environment to live in.

Research the reputation of companies before hiring them.Check with different references to determine the BBB and look for reviews posted by former customers. This can help you have to do in order to make a smart decision.

Consider getting a programmable thermostat for your AC. It will help save on your heating and cooling costs by turning itself down at certain times. Take advantage of the convenience of the ability to control many programable thermostats from your favorite electronic device.

Companies with proven track record that you can use to decide if they are worth the time and money. Hiring a newer contractor means taking a bigger risk.

There are now different online sites that let customers to share their experiences with different services. This is a good way to locate contractors that you wish to work and ones that are poor.

Air conditioners sometimes ice up. You may even encounter a freeze in your drain line which is often confused with a plumbing leak. Change your thermostat in situations like this. If the problem persists be sure to call in a professional.

Contractors charge different rates, so make sure to get multiple quotes. You can save a great deal of money if you make several calls prior to reaching a final decision. Call at least four or five different HVAC specialist to find the rates are.

After reading the above article, you now see the importance to keeping your HVAC in proper working condition. Without routine maintenance, disaster is inevitable. However, this article has given you the advice you need to make sure your HVAC system is always running properly.

To know how large of an air conditioner you need, look for a calculator online. Buying one that’s too large will not cool that well. Look at the manual to determine the recommended size for air conditioners.