Having a solid HVAC system helps keep your home remain comfortable regardless of the weather outside. Lots of homes come with this, but others may require installation or repair later on. Understanding how to properly maintain your system will help you to buy a great product when the time is right.

If your HVAC doesn’t seem to be working properly, check out your home before calling a contractor. This information will help the repairman determine what the problem is and how to fix it.

If problems arise with the HVAC system, check the entire house before contacting someone to come for repairs. Figure out which rooms are hot and cold. This can help the contractor determine the problem areas quickly and fix the problem easily.

Know what you want done before you hire a contractor. It will be hard for an HVAC contractor to give you with an estimate over the phone without knowing what your current setup is. It will be way more hard if you don’t know what’s wrong.

Clean the debris on an external condenser units. Debris can pile up after a storm, and this can foul up the inner workings of your system.It can cause your system by overheating.

Clean the fan blades and coils prior to summertime. Except when you do superficial cleaning, you need to always make sure the power is off on the unit. Additionally, it’s important to clear out leaves and other debris from the outside condenser unit.

Your HVAC units might suffer when your trees begin dropping their leaves. Make sure the unit’s fan grill is cleaned frequently when the fall. The fan must be unobstructed to work properly, and if it becomes blocked, you will have to contend with problems.

Put outdoor condensers in places with shade.

You must keep your HVAC systems oil ports lubricated annually. You will notice these ports have a rubber or metal cap covering them. Choose an oil graded SAE 20, it is non-detergent and lightweight. Place about 10 drops into each of the ports, taking care that it does not overfill.

Be sure to have the HVAC unit in your home checked about two times every year. This should be done in the fall and the spring.

Turn off any outdoor condensers you have when weather turns cold. This should be done when the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit.This simple tip will help keep the system working for years and save you a lot on repairs.

If you can choose the place where your outdoor compressor goes, pick a spot with lots of shade. The cooler the air which goes in, the less work the unit will have to do.

It is always a good idea to swap out single pane windows for double panes. This same effect also helps keep it warm in during the winter months.

Research the reputation of companies that you consider using. Check with the BBB and online reviews of potential companies online. Doing this will make sure you choose wisely..

Be sure to place your outdoor unit in a shady spot to maximize efficiency. As your air conditioner sucks in cool air, little will have to be done to cool it any further, saving you a ton on your energy bills.

Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line might also freeze up.If you see this happen, switch the thermostat in your home to fan only so the compressor is disabled. If the issue persists, call a professional.

Look for calculators online to help you determine the size of unit is necessary for your home. Look in the manual to determine the manufacturer website for air conditioners.

Your HVAC unit requires regular maintenance at least two times per each year. The ideal thing to do would be to have it checked out in the fall and spring so you’re able to figure out if everything is ready for the cold and hot months. A quick check is worth it to avoid problems down the road.

Ask your friends and trust for contractor recommendations. People that have had quality work done in the past generally love to share the information they know about it. It’s also important to do this to learn which companies should avoid.

Think about getting a radiant barrier in your attic so your HVAC system. It blocks outside heat from coming in which will make sure you won’t have to use more energy to keep your unit stays hot or cold as it should be. You may even use the attic as part of your living space if it is done right.

Service your hearing and cooling systems once each year. When it’s checked out, the motor will be inspected, moving parts well oiled and the level of freon adjusted if necessary. These things will boost the performance of your system.

Are you thinking about having a new HVAC system? There are many things you should consider. The rating given to a system tells how much are generally rated based on the area they cover. You are wise to err on the side of a bigger unit that is slightly too large for your needs than a smaller one.

Check for duct leaks if your existing system is not be working efficiently. When you have leaks repaired, you may see that the testing pays for itself.

Sometimes, air conditioning units ice up. The drain line can freeze, making you think it’s a plumbing leak. If this is something you notice, switch the thermostat in your home to fan only so the compressor is disabled. The fan setting can help melt some of the ice, but you should still call a professional to check your unit out.

Determine the direction that your home faces in order to establish efficient HVAC operation. If there’s less heat inside your home, then the HVAC will require less work to actually cool the home.

Make sure they are tightly sealed so air inside. You can hire someone to test them.

Prior to hiring any HVAC contractor, you should ask how long their business has operated. Someone that has been in the business for a while probably isn’t going to scam you. Hiring a contractor who is just starting out can be risky.

Square Footage

Measure the living area that needs cooling before going air conditioner shopping. You can easily calculate this by using the formula: 20 BTU for each square footage of room space. If you have a lot of rooms to keep cool, add together their square footage to reach this calculation.

Check reviews online to find professional help. There are quite a few sites now that allow customers to share their experiences with different services. This will help you to sort out the good from the bad.

Any HVAC contractor or installer should have a 24-hour emergency hotline. They should be able to get to your home whenever you need them there, no matter what.

Some contractors attempt to charge you on material fees and fuel. A written contract that covers the basics will really help you if something like this materializes.

Test your duct work for leaks. This is a job your local utility provider may do for you inexpensively or even free of charge. You’ll see the test pays for itself once all leaks are fixed.

These types of units meet the strict guidelines set for efficiency. These guidelines have been set up by the federal government. They are in charge of protecting the EPA for short.Taking the time to look into these units may help you get long-term savings on energy costs.

Look for an HVAC contractors that use Energy Star products and equipment. This ensures efficiency that is required by the EPA standards for efficiency. This means that in the end you save a bit of money on the bills when it comes to your cooling and heating costs.

When your unit is clicking, immediately go out and look to see if anything is inside it. This may be because debris is restricting the movement of the fan blades. You just have to take out the obstruction and the problem is solved. Check it out yourself first before you call in the professionals.

One of the best investments you can make is an HVAC system; it makes your home feel comfortable. If you must replace your system, keep the information located above in mind. The tips here can help you make a wise choice in purchasing and installing a system that serves you well.