Anyone that has a HVAC unit in their house knows the importance of properly maintaining it. A poorly functioning HVAC system can cost a lot of money. The following tips will help you care for your HVAC maintenance and learn what to do if you eventually need to replace it.

If your HVAC is giving you problems, look around your home before calling in people to help. This will help the contractor determine where the problem is.

Clean the debris off your outdoor condenser unit. Things pile up after storms and damage your system. It can get overheated, which will cause problems with the whole system.

Turn it off so you don’t get hurt or break something. Then, pop off its grills, pull the blades out, and gently clean them as well as the unit itself.

10 Drops

Each spring, clean the fan blades and coils on your condenser. First, make sure the power is off to ensure nothing moves while you are working. Then you need to get the grill popped off and get the blades out so you can clean them and your unit gently.

Lubricate your condenser at least once each year. You can easily find these ports covered with rubber or metal caps. Use a lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, putting 10 drops in each port.

Have the HVAC system checked twice a year. This should be done in the fall and malfunctions.

Don’t get grass clippings on your outside unit. Make sure the grass does not get in your unit. The same goes for blowing leaves, so always be careful if you are moving debris near your HVAC devices.

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

During this service visit, professionals can help by inspecting the system’s motor, the moving parts will be oiled and the freon levels will be checked These few simple things will help keep your HVAC system to run at its peak performance.

A shady spot is always a good choice for the placement of your outdoor compressor. The cooler air that the unit can suck in, the less work it will need to do to further cool the air.

Research the companies before hiring them. Check with the BBB and online reviews of potential companies online. These steps can help to ensure your decision is a wise one.

Air conditioners tend to ice up.The drain line might also freeze up.If this is something you notice, change the setting on your thermostat to the fan setting and this will disable the compressor. If this doesn’t work, call in help.

Outdoor condenser units need to be turned off when the weather turns cold. If temps go below 60 you run the risk of damaging a unit that remains on. This can keep your system working for years and save you a lot on repairs.

Look for calculators online to truly understand what size of unit you need for your home. Look at the manual or on the manufacturer website for air conditioners.

Companies with proven track records that can help you decide if they’re worth your money and time. Hiring a new contractor means taking a considerable risk.

A programmable thermostat is a simple way to help save money on air conditioning costs. Turning down the thermostat around 10 percent for 8 hours per day can give you a 10 percent savings using the programmable thermostat. Take advantage of the convenience of the ability to control many programable thermostats from your favorite electronic device.

Check for duct leaks if you you feel your unit seems to not up to snuff. When you get leaks repaired, the testing has paid for itself.

Determine which way your home faces.The less heat, the less work your AC will have to do.

If you want your energy costs to go down, have the heating an cooling system you own serviced every year at least. When they come out for a service visit, expect inspections of freon levels and the motor, and they will oil all the moving parts. These simple things will keep your system running at peak performance.

If the HVAC unit makes a clicking noise, see if there are any obstructions right away. Sometimes there is debris interferes with the fan’s way. Check it out before calling a contractor.

Make sure they have tight seals to keep air can’t seep in. You can get these tested at little to no charge by a professional to test them all for you and often this testing is free.

Turn off your air conditioner when no one is home to help save money. When you turn the air conditioner off, the house may heat up a little but only a certain amount. Leaving the system on all day will cost a lot of money in terms of electricity.

Measure the living area you wish to cool before going air conditioning. You will need 20 BTU per square foot of the room. If you are cooling more than one room, just add their total square footage.

Replace the air filter monthly to keep your HVAC system every month. This is the simplest thing that you can do to keep your unit running in good operating condition.

Avoid allowing your home to ever get exceedingly hot. It takes quite a while to cool a home by more than 20 degrees. A home that is over one hundred degrees will only be cooled to around eighty. Depending on how humid it is, this isn’t really that safe for a person to sleep in when it’s really hot.

Pick an HVAC business that know what they’re doing and can work quickly. The most reliable companies make sure their technicians stay on schedule. A licensed technician should also have no problem diagnosing any problems with your HVAC. When they know what the problem is, they ought to have it fixed quickly and efficiently.

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

Do your homework on a number of HVAC companies before selecting the one that has the best reputation and service record. Check with the BBB (Better Business Bureau), and look them up on review sites online to see what previous customers have to say about their experience. Doing this can help you make a better decision.

Always get references prior to hiring any contractor.

Any HVAC contractor or installer should have a 24-hour emergency number available to customers around the clock. They should be able to get to your home whenever you need them there, in any weather.

Prior to hiring any HVAC contractor, you should ask how long their business has operated. Companies with proven track records typically provide better service. Hiring a newer contractor may be taking a considerable risk.

This will determine how many BTUs will need to keep your home comfortable.

Consider a programmable thermostat installed.This will save you money on your system some downtime while you are warm in your bed.

Speak with someone close to you to see if they can recommend someone good to service their HVAC unit. Someone who has used a contractor in the past is generally willing to let you know what they thought about it. This will also let you know which companies to stay away from.

You might be surprised that as many as two-thirds of households have ducts that are leaky. These leaky ducts can represent one fourth of your utility costs. It is not difficult to seal your ducts, and it will save you on your bills every month.

Look for an HVAC contractor that uses Energy Star equipment and products. This ensures efficiency that your system has met the EPA standards for efficiency. This means that they can help you save cash on energy all year.

If you aren’t sure who to call for HVAC maintenance, repairs, or installation, look online for reviews. There are many sites that other customers can place their reviews. This will tell you who is great and who isn’t.

Now that you have read this, you should be better prepared to keep your system running properly. You don’t want a faulty HVAC since it can cost you lots of extra cash for maintenance and large bills. Keep these tips in mind, because they will only help you out over the life of your system.