How can you figure out what system is right choice? What size do you purchase? What features will you need? It can be hard to sort through all the new features are coming out each day.

If you’ve been having trouble with an HVAC system, check things out yourself prior to calling in a technician. This information will help the repairman determine what the problem is and how to fix it.

Clean your fan blades and coils each spring to ensure that your condenser fan operates at it’s best. Turn off your power before doing any job like this. Also, be sure to clear leaves and debris from your condenser unit.

Clean the debris that accumulates on your condenser unit. Debris can pile up at rates that increase during rainy or windy weather, bringing potential damage with it. It could overheat and cause a disaster with your system to malfunction by overheating.

Grass Clippings

Clean your outdoor condensers often. You can never tell when things will pile up, especially following rain or wind storms. These can wreak havoc on your units. Overheating could occur, which will be problematic.

Don’t let grass clippings pile up against your outside unit. Direct the grass clippings away from the HVAC unit. This applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in debris.

Lubricate your condenser at least once a year. These ports are often covered with rubber or metal cap. Use SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.

Make sure clippings don’t get on your outdoor units when your mowing your lawn. Direct the grass clippings in a direction away from the HVAC unit. This includes grass clippings and leaves.

Put outdoor condensers in places with shade.

Turn off any outdoor condenser when the weather gets cold. This should turn it off to prevent damage if the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This can keep the system running and can save you money on repairs.

Your outdoor HVAC units might suffer when your trees lose leaves. Frequently clean the fan grill when trees are shedding leaves. An obstruction, such as a leaf, prevents the maximum amount of cool air from entering the system.

Never allow your home to get dangerously hot temperature. An air conditioning unit will reduce the temperature of your home approximately twenty degrees in a fair time. If the temperature in your home rises to 100 degrees F or higher, you would only be able to cool it down just above 80 degrees. This won’t be a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.

Research and check the companies before hiring them. Check with different references to determine the BBB and look for your situation. This is what you make the best choice.

Put outdoor units in the shade if you are installing them. When the air conditioner pulls in cooler air, it won’t have to do much more to cool it and that will save you a lot of money on energy bills.

Air conditioners tend to ice up.The drain line might also freeze up.If you see this happen, put the fan on to shut the compressor off. You should call a pro to fix this problem, but switching to the fan setting should start to melt the ice.

Look for calculators online to help you determine the size of unit is necessary for your home. Look in the manual to determine the recommended size for this information.

Turn off any outdoor condensers you have when the weather gets cold. If the temperature drops to under 60 degrees, you risk damage to the unit if you leave it on. This will ensure your system works well each year, which could save you quite a bit in repair costs.

Companies that are around awhile have track records that haven’t been. Hiring a new contractor means taking a considerable risk.

Speak with family and friends to get a recommendation for a reputable HVAC unit.People that have had a good experience are often happy to share this information. This will also be used to see who you should avoid hiring.

A programmable thermostat can help you save money on your air conditioning bill. If you adjust it to keep the house a little warmer or a little cooler during the time you are sleeping, you may see your energy bill go down by as much as ten percent. Plus, some models allow you to control them over the internet or from a smartphone.

There are many sites out there that let customers share experiences of different services. This is a good way to locate contractors that do good work with.

Check the ducts to find any leaks if your existing system is not be working efficiently. When you repair the leaks, you may see that the testing pays for itself.

In order to keep energy costs down, make sure heating and cooling systems are services at least once per year. During this service visit, they will inspect the motor of the system, oil the moving parts and check the freon levels in the system. This ensures your system runs smoothly.

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

Measure the living area that requires air conditioner shopping. You generally need about 20 BTU for each square foot of room space. If you have multiple rooms to cool, just add their total square footage.

Keep your air conditioner off when people aren’t home to save you money. Turning it off does allow the temperature to rise, but only so far. The unit will use a large amount of electricity to combat the heat during the day when the house is empty.

Replace the air filter in your HVAC system working well.This is an easy way to keep things running well for you overall.

If it must be in a corner, be sure you’re getting a unit that has air flow coming from a direction that’s not facing the wall.

Your home should not have temperatures that are too hot. An AC unit will reduce the internal temperature of your home approximately twenty degrees in a fair time. If you have your home at above 100 degrees then you can only get it to about 80 or above. You may suffer adverse effects from letting the house get that hot, too.

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

Always request references when you are considering a contractor.

Before you go out there and hire an HVAC contractor, find out the length of time they’ve been in the industry. Companies with proven track records typically provide better service. Hiring a new contractor comes with an element of risk.

Any HVAC contractor or installer should have an emergency hotline. They need to be able to come to a home when needed, even if when the weather gets to be extreme.

Cover your condenser in the winter time. This will allow it to last longer when not using it. Use the fan instead to avoid straining the condenser unit.

You shouldn’t rely on a single quote from one contractor to gauge the cost, because different specialists set their own price. You can save tons of money by asking for many quotes. To get the best picture and get an idea of what rates are reasonable, call five or six different contractors.

You may be surprised that as much as 66% of all homes have ducts that are leaky. This will kick up your total utility bills. Sealing the ducts is something you can do easily and cheaply, and it may reduce energy costs greatly in the future.

Keep your HVAC system operating efficiently by cleaning the heating ducts. Look at the ducts regularly so you can make sure there is nothing wrong with them. Damaged ducts increase the energy bill to rise.

If the HVAC unit makes a clicking noise, look immediately to see if there is an obstruction. Sometimes, debris will be the cause of the disturbance. All you need to do is remove the debris to solve the problem. Check it out yourself first before you call in the professionals.

Be sure that any estimates you receive from an HVAC estimates. It is important to get your agreement in writing and not a verbal estimate. There are many jobs that you have to get written estimates for to see what needs to be purchased. This procedure helps ensure you get the best service. Compare all of the deals that you receive.

One tends to feel confused when picking out an HVAC system. Using the advice from our experts will make the decision easier. Be sure to keep these tips in mind when making your selection to keep your home comfortable year round.

Having windows and doors in place is essential to make sure your HVAC system runs well. Be sure that they seal tightly so that no interior air seeps out or exterior air gets inside. A professional can also test the windows and many times the testing is free.