Anyone who has an HVAC unit in their house knows how it important it is to have it properly maintaining it. An HVAC unit operating at minimum efficiency is costing you money on pricey repairs. This article can help you keep your HVAC unit in optimal condition.

Clean any debris off your outdoor condenser unit. Debris can pile up at rates that increase during rainy or windy weather, bringing potential damage with it. It can cause a disaster with your system to malfunction by overheating.

Lubricate your fan condenser at least once a year. They generally have a rubber or metal cap on them. Use SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.

Don’t let grass clippings pile up against your outside unit. Aim the grass in a direction from your unit. This also applies when you are taking care of the leaves in the yard.

Your HVAC unit may suffer when trees start to lose leaves. Make sure you clean out your fan grill is cleaned frequently when the leaves begin to fall. The fan must stay clear in order to function, and if it gets blocked, you’ll have a lot of headaches eventually.

Make certain that an outdoor unit is in the shade. The cooler the air that the unit is able to access, the less work it has to perform.

Your HVAC system should be checked a few times per each year. This should be checked often for debris and the spring.

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

It is very important that your HVAC system is serviced two times a year. This should be done in Fall and Spring to prepare it for the extreme months. Even if everything seems okay, it doesn’t hurt to check things out.

Install a programmable thermostat to save money on cooling your home. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from your smart phone or other device.

During the service check, the contractor will oil parts, inspect the motor and the freon levels. These easy to do things will help your system to run at its best.

When the weather starts to cool down, make sure you turn off outdoor condenser units. If the temperature outside is less than 60ºF, be sure to turn off the unit so that you don’t damage it. This helps your system remain in good working order.

Degrees Fahrenheit

Don’t let your home temperature get way too hot to where it’s dangerous. Air conditioners cannot sufficiently cool down about 20 degrees Fahrenheit within a reasonable amount of time. If your house’s interior temperature hits 100 degrees Fahrenheit, you will only be able to cool it down to 80. This won’t be a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.

Make use of a thermostat when you are installing an HVAC. These can save you around 10 percent on your heating and cooling costs by just turning it back 10 percent to 15 percent for around eight hours each day. Plus, some models allow you to control them over the internet or from a smartphone.

Think about having a radiant barrier in your attic so support the efficient functioning of your HVAC system can run better. It 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 if it is done right.

Do you want to find a new HVAC system? There are many things you must consider first. Systems have ratings according to how large an area they can effectively cool and heat. You are better off purchasing a unit rather than purchasing one that is a smaller one.

Turn off your air conditioner when no one is home to help save money. When it’s off the house will get hot, but only by a certain amount. When the AC is left running, your power bill will go up quite a bit.

Check the ducts to find any leaks if you you feel your unit seems to not up to snuff. When you repair the leaks, the testing will pay for itself in energy savings.

Figure out the direction your home faces in order to make your HVAC system can work better. The less heat in your home, the less you’ll have to use your air conditioner to cool things off.

Your home should not have temperatures that are too hot. It is only possible for an air conditioner to lower the temperature in a home by 20 degrees F in a short time. This means that if the weather is above 100 degrees, then you’ll still be baking in 80 degree weather at first! When you factor in humidity, this can still be dangerously hot for the human body at rest.

Make certain they are tightly sealed so air can’t seep in. You can also hire a professional to test them.

Measure the area you wish to cool before going air conditioner shopping. You can usually substitute 20 BTU for each square foot in the room. If you are cooling more than one room, add together their square footage to reach this calculation.

To choose a reliable HVAC contractor, the best thing to do is to do your homework on a number of possible firms and check out their reputations. It can be helpful to check out the online reviews of previous customers and it is always wise to check their reputation as listed on a Better Business Bureau website. These simple steps will help make a better decision.

Replace the air filter in your HVAC system working well.This is an easy thing to do and it will maximize the production of your HVAC.

Pick HVAC business that understands the unit and can work quickly. The most reliable companies will ensure that their technicians will always be on schedule. A licensed technician will also have no problem diagnosing any problems with your HVAC. Once the problem is identified, they should be able to fix it as fast as they can.

Look for calculators online to help you determine the size of unit you need for your home. If you purchase something that is too big, it won’t be cost effective to run. Always look through the manual as well.

If all you have is a corner spot, be sure you can change the direction of air flow to avoid having it hit the wall.

Some contractors attempt to charge you after the work is complete for fuel or extra material. Having a written contract will help you avoid these types of issues.

Online reviews are a great source of information about HVAC contractors. There are quite a few sites now that allow customers to share their experiences with different services. This will tell you who is great and who isn’t.

Always follow up on any references that you by a prospective HVAC contractor.

This tells you the number of BTUs your system requires to keep your home comfortable.

Having a radiant barrier in your attic helps you HVAC system run better. It will block the heat and lower the energy necessary to keep your home cool in the summertime. You may suddenly find that the attic even looks like a great option for another bedroom!

You may be surprised to discover that as many as two-thirds of households have ducts that leak. This alarming percentage is responsible for nearly one fourth of your total utility expense! Sealing your ducts is both easy and cheap, you can even do it yourself, saving you money on your utility bills every year from then on.

The HVAC system should always be functioning properly. You don’t want a faulty HVAC since it can cost you lots of extra cash for maintenance and large bills. By using these excellent tips, your HVAC unit will function correctly for many years to come.

Figure out which direction your home faces in order to make your HVAC system more efficient. When you determine the parts of your home that get the most sunlight, you can consider strategic landscaping that includes shade trees to somewhat reduce your home’s exposure to heat from direct sunlight. You will reduce the need for AC when your home is naturally cooler.