It can be quite upsetting to arrive home to find that your HVAC has broken down. The following tips that follow will assist you do just that.

If your HVAC system is acting up, take a look around the house prior to calling a contractor. This will help the contractor determine where the problem is.

Before you call someone to help you fix your system, be sure to know what sort of system you have in place. You need to know who manufactured the product and the item number. Also, get the maintenance records from your files if you have them. This will give contractor’s a better idea of what to expect before they show up, which will help things go more smoothly on arrival.

Clean your fan and coils each spring to ensure that your condenser fan operates at it’s best. Clean off any leaves or debris from your external condenser unit regularly.

Clean the condenser on your debris on your condenser units. You don’t know when things are going to pile up, especially after a windy or rainy storm, and that can throw a wrench in your system. It could overheat and cause your system to malfunction by overheating.

Go through your home before you call HVAC professional. Figure out which rooms are too cool or warm. This can help the contractor determine the problem areas quickly and fix the problem easily.

Turn the power off first so nothing moves. Then, pop off its grills, pull the blades out, and gently clean them as well as the unit itself.

Your outdoor HVAC unit may suffer when trees start to lose 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, then your system could suffer.

When you call an HVAC system for help, you need to be aware of what you need them to do before calling. You might not be able to get a price quote unless you let the contractor see your current system first. Getting an estimate will be even more difficult if you cannot adequately describe the problem. So, you should know this beforehand.

Sae 20 Oil

Lubricate the oil ports on your condenser once a year. You will see rubber or metal caps. Use SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.

Keeping the outside condenser clean of debris and leaves will improve the system’s efficiency. If you are doing more than a light surface cleaning, make sure that the power is shut off to the HVAC unit. Remove leaves and debris from the outside condenser.

Put outdoor unit in the shade.

Be sure you have twice annual HVAC system checks. This should be checked often for debris and the spring.

You should clean your condenser fan’s blades and coils every spring. For safety, always turn the power off first. Next, pop the grill off, put the blades out and start to gently clean them along with the unit.

Turn off outdoor condenser units when it becomes cold out. This means that you should be done when the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit. This can keep the system working for many years to come.

It is always a good idea to swap out single pane windows for double panes. This also keeps warm air during the winter months.

Lubricate your fan condenser at least once a year. You can easily find the ports as they have a rubber or metal cap. Put 10 drops of lightweight, non-detergent SAE oil in each port. Be careful not to use too much.

Install a thermostat to save energy costs. Some can even be controlled from a PC or other device.

Companies that are well established have track records typically provide better service. Hiring a new contractor means taking a considerable risk.

Look for shade when placing a compressor outdoors. When the unit sucks in cooler air, then less work is required to cool it further which in turn boosts the units efficiency.

Many online sites permit customers to let others know about their experience with various services and contractors.This will be an excellent way to locate people that you wish to work with and those that you don’t.

Contractors charge different rates, so make sure you get quotes from several contractors before you make any hiring decision. 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 out what the rates are.

Put outdoor condensers in the shade. You save money this way because the air conditioner is now pulling in cooler air, which is easier to cool further.

Are you thinking of getting a new heating/cooling system? You will need to take a few points in mind.The rating given to a system tells how much are generally rated based on the area they cover. You are better off purchasing a unit that is slightly too large for your needs than a smaller one.

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

Have the HVAC system serviced twice per year. Checks in the spring as well as in autumn are the best. Even if everything seems okay, it doesn’t hurt to check things out.

If you hear a clicking noise coming from your HVAC unit, immediately check for any type of obstruction. Often the issue is some sort of debris that’s hitting fans in the cooling system. Look before you call up a technician.

Pick HVAC companies that know what they’re doing and works quickly to solve the problem. The best companies keep the technicians will always be on schedule. A licensed technician should also have no problem diagnosing any potential faults with your HVAC. After they know what the problem is, it should be taken care of right away.

Don’t let your home get too hot. Air conditioners are limited in that they can only reduce the indoor temperature 20 degrees Fahrenheit in a reasonable time limit. If the temperature in your home rises to 100 degrees F or higher, cooling it will only drop the temperature to 80 degrees F. Depending on the levels of humidity, that is not a safe temperature when it comes to sleeping or escaping from the heat of summer.

Any HVAC contractor you hire should have an emergency number available to customers around the clock.They need to be able to come to a home when needed, no matter how extreme the weather or what time of day it may be.

Consider a programmable thermostat installed.This can save you a great deal on your energy bills because when you adjust the temperature to sync with your settings to ensure optimal performance.

To help you pick a good HVAC contractor, carefully search for information that offers honest reviews about the companies that you might be looking to hire. It is a good idea to check with the BBB and look for reviews from prior clients. Doing these things beforehand will allow you to make a smart decision.

Use a contractor that installs and uses Energy Star products.This will ensure that your system has met the EPA. This means that they can help you save cash on energy all year.

Heating Ducts

Air conditioners tend to ice up at times. Many times people think there is a plumbing leak, but instead the drain line has water that is frozen. Turn your unit to the fan setting to turn off the compressor. If the problem persists be sure to call in a professional.

Keep your system running efficiently and enjoy clean air by cleaning the heating ducts from time to time. Check your heating ducts for damage or openings often. Ducts that are damaged can increase your heating bill by wasting the area warm.

Make sure your condenser unit is protected. Try putting a thick cover on top of it.

Make sure to make a well-informed decision on the size of your HVAC. If you purchase something too large, you will be throwing away money. Check the manual it comes with for the information you need.

The tips above will help you manage your HVAC system. It’s not great to arrive home and realize you do not have any air. Having to deal with repair costs makes things harder. Prevent all this from happening by using the information you’ve just read. Remember these tips while you are running your HVAC maintenance.