It is very frustrating to return home to find that your HVAC has broken down. The tips are great for helping you do just that.

Know what type of system you currently have before looking for a repair person. This will enable you know that you’re able to give your chosen contractor any information they might need.

If your HVAC system us giving you issues, take a look around the house prior to calling a contractor. Notice the temperature in each room. Are some cooler or hotter than others? This information will help the contractor determine where the problem is and how to fix it.

Clean the debris that accumulates on an external condenser unit. You don’t know when things are going to pile up, especially after a windy or rainy storm, and that can ruin your system. It can cause a disaster with your system to malfunction by overheating.

Turn the power off so you don’t get hurt or break something. Next, pop off the grill, put the blades out and start to gently clean them along with the unit.

Clean any debris that accumulates on an external condenser unit. The dirt could pile up and harm your system. It can also cause it to overheat.

Don’t get grass clippings pile up against your outside unit. Aim the grass cuttings in a direction away from the unit. This applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in debris.

Sae 20 Oil

To help keep your energy costs down, have your heating and cooling system serviced at least once a year. During service the technician will check the motor and refill the system fluids. These few simple things will help your system to run at its peak performance.

Lubricate your fan condenser at least once each year. You can find the ports as they have a 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.

Put outdoor units in places with shade.

Save energy use and money by turning off the air conditioner if there is nobody home. The house will heat up when it is turned off, but only a certain amount. If will be constantly fighting the heat and using lots of electricity if it is left on all day.

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

Turn off any outdoor condensers you have when the weather turns cold. This should turn it off to prevent damage if the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit. This can ensure your system working well throughout the years without the cost of repairs.

Avoid allowing your home to ever get exceedingly hot. An AC unit will reduce the internal temperature of your home approximately twenty degrees in a fair time. This means that if the weather is above 100 degrees, then you’ll still be baking in 80 degree weather at first! This can still be way too warm for you.

It is always a good idea to replace single-paned windows for double pane ones. This will also help you save a lot of money.

A programmable thermostat is a simple way to help you save money on your air conditioning costs. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from your smart phone or computer.

Make certain you properly investigate any company prior to hiring them. Check out the online reviews, and run a quick search on the BBB website to make sure they have been good to past customers. This can help you make the right choice.

Ask friends and trust for their HVAC contractor recommendations. People who have had a good experience are usually willing to tell of it. This can also provide you learn the names of those companies that you should avoid.

There are now different online sites that allow customers to share their reviews. This is useful for finding people that you want to work with all the information you want to avoid.

Sometimes air conditioners will ice up. The drain line might also freeze over. If you see this, put the fan on to shut the compressor off. If the issue persists, call in help.

Contractors are responsible for their own charges and fees, so make sure that you acquire multiple estimates. You can save a lot of money by doing your homework. You want to call at least a handful of contractors to determine what you should be paying.

Do you need a quality HVAC? You should first think about a few important things. Systems get rated according to how large an area they effectively heat or cool. You are wise to err on the side of a unit rather than a smaller one.

Prior to hiring any HVAC contractor, you should ask how long their business has operated. Companies that are around awhile have a better record than those that haven’t been. If you hire someone that’s new that this then you’ll be risking your money.

Check for duct leaks if you you feel your unit seems to not up to snuff. When you get leaks repaired, the testing will pay for itself in energy savings.

Make certain they have tight seals to keep air can’t seep in.You can get a professional out to help you test them.

Ask those you know for the name of a great HVAC technician, should you need one. If a person had a good experience with a company, they are likely to share it. This will also let you know which companies to stay away from.

Measure the living area that requires air conditioning. You generally need 20 BTU per square foot of room space. If multiple rooms need cooling, combine their square footage in your calculations.

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

The Internet can really help you out when it comes to finding someone to work on your HVAC unit. You have a choice of review sites to use. This is a great way to find people you want to work with and those you don’t want to work with.

Ask a contractor about their experience.You need to verify they have done the sort of experience needed to work you require.

Always make sure to get some references before hiring any contractor.

Contractors charge different rates, so make sure that you acquire multiple estimates. This will reduce your overall spending. Ideally, you should call five to six contractors to get a good idea of what a reasonable rate is.

Any HVAC contractor or installer should have a 24-hour emergency number available to customers around the clock. They must be able to reach your home at any time, even if when the weather gets to be extreme.

Energy Star systems have guidelines that must meet certain guidelines.The units are set forth by the U.S. They are called the environment and human health. Taking time to fully research various units may help you save a significant amount of money.

Check for duct leaks if your unit seems to not be working efficiently. You can call in your local utility company to do the testing for you, often for free or at a lower cost than a contractor. When you have leaks repaired, the testing has paid for itself.

Make sure that your condenser unit is protected once the weather begins to get colder.A thick cover will help protect the condenser from coming in.

Make sure the owner’ manual is handy when your unit is being operated. The information contained within this manual is going to give you quite a few things to learn about the unit you have and will help you out if you’re dealing with problems.

Determine the direction that your home faces. If you strategically place trees, it’s possible to block some of the morning sunlight so your home won’t become overheated. The less heat inside the house, the less time that the AC has to work.

Always get an estimate in writing when dealing with an HVAC services. You need these estimates written down for you. There are many jobs that you to get written estimates for to see what they take. This helps ensure you get the best service. Compare various elements of the estimates you are offered.

Keep your HVAC unit healthy by using the tips shared here. A breakdown of your unit can be frustrating. And, trying to figure out how you’re going to pay for repairs is even worse. With the information in this article, it will be a smoother process. Remember these tips when it comes to doing HVAC system maintenance.

If you HVAC unit is clicking, immediately check for any type of obstruction. Many times you will find debris hitting that knock up against the fans inside the cooling unit. All you have to do is get this debris out of there to fix the problem. Look before calling in a technician.