A properly running HVAC system is something you need in the home. A lot of people spend quite a bit to fix things when they don’t work right, but could have avoided such issues if they had maintained them properly. The tips in this article discusses what you do just that.

Know what work you need before you select an HVAC contractor.It will be difficult for an HVAC contractor to provide you with an estimate over the phone if they have not seen your current setup is. It will be more difficult for him to assist you can’t figure out what they need to do.

Be aware of the type of system that is installed in your home prior to calling a contractor to fix it. Get information on the make and model, plus if you have information on the history of maintenance, that will help, too. That way you can provide the contractor with all the necessary information.

Clean your condenser’s fan and coils come spring. Clean the outside of your external condenser unit.

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

In order to keep your outside condenser fan running efficiently, make sure the coils and the fan blades are cleaned before the cooling season begins. Be safe and turn off the power supply before working on your HVAC unit. Additionally, remove leaves and any other debris from the outside condenser unit.

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

Your outdoor HVAC units might suffer when your trees lose their leaves. Make sure you clean out your fan grill often during the fall. The fan must be unobstructed to work properly, and if debris is blocking this air flow, it could cause your system to break down.

Clean the debris off your outdoor condenser unit. Particularly after bad weather, you should inspect your unit. Overheating could occur, which will be problematic.

Lubricate the oil ports on your condenser once a year. You will notice these ports have a rubber or metal caps covering the ports. Use a lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.

Put your outdoor condensers in places with shade.

When you are cutting the grass, be sure not to cover your outdoor units with clippings. Make sure you shoot the clippings in the other direction from the unit. This applies when you are taking care of the leaves in the yard.

Turn off any outdoor condenser units when weather gets cold. This should be done when the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit.This can keep your system remain in good working order.

It is a good idea to swap out single pane windows with ones that have double panes. This same effect also keeps warm air in during the winter.

The operation of your HVAC system can be in danger when the tree leaves begin to fall. When the leaves fall from nearby trees, clean the grill of your fan often. The fan must stay clear in order to function, and if it gets blocked, you will have to contend with problems.

A programmable thermostat can help you save money on air conditioning costs. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from a computer.

During a maintenance visit, the serviceman will inspect the unit’s motor, oil the different moving parts as well as check the system’s freon levels. These easy to do things will keep your system to run its best.

A shady spot is always a good choice for the placement of your outdoor compressor. When your unit is bringing in cool air, it will not have to work as hard to cool the air as it moves it inside, boosting efficiency.

Research and check the companies before hiring them. Check them out at the BBB and online reviews posted by former customers. This is what you make the right choice.

Companies that are well established have track records that haven’t been. Hiring an inexperienced contractor who is just starting out can be risky.

Spend some time on researching for reliable HVAC companies to ensure that they have a good reputation. Checking with the BBB is a good idea, and so is checking online reviews to see the experiences that other customers have had with a company. Doing this can help you make a better decision.

Check for duct leaks if your existing system is not up to snuff. When you get leaks repaired, you’ll see that the tests paid for themselves.

Figure out the direction your home is facing so your HVAC system more efficient. The less amount of heat inside of your home, the less time your air conditioner will have to work.

Find an air conditioner calculator online to determine what models are best for you. If you buy a unit that’s too large, it won’t be energy efficient for your needs. Check the manufacturer’s handbook to see what amount of space the unit can effectively cool.

If your HVAC system is producing any type of clicking sounds, look for an obstruction. Sometimes debris interferes with the fan’s way. Check the fan and coil before calling a professional.

Measure the living area you wish to cool before buying a unit. You can usually substitute 20 BTU per square foot in the area to be cooled. If you are cooling more than one room, combine their square footage in your calculations.

Before you hire someone from an HVAC place, figure out how long they’ve been doing this kind of work. This gives you some history so that you can be sure the company is reliable. Taking risks is not something that you want to do in this area.

If it must be in a corner, buy one that lets the air flow to be redirected so that it is not flowing towards the wall.

Always get references from a contractor.

Use recommendations when you are looking for a contractor. Anyone that has previously needed work done on their HVAC unit are more than happy to tell you their experiences. It’s also important to do this to learn which companies should not be contracted for work.

The above article states the HVAC is an essential part of any home, so maintain it and keep it working well. Thanks to this article, you can save money on repairs. You need to follow them; however, so you aren’t put into the position of having to spend thousands on repairing something that with a little bit of effort should have been prevented.