Letting the HVAC system fall into ruin is an incredibly foolish decision for any homeowner.You are probably here because you want to learn about what you can to make your HVAC last a very long time. This article will provide you to become educated on the topic.

Know what work you want done before you hire a contractor. It will be hard for a contractor to give you a price estimate over the phone without knowing what your current system. It will be way more hard if you don’t know what’s wrong.

Before choosing a HVAC company find out what the company offers. It will be difficult for an HVAC contractor to provide you with an estimate on the phone without knowing what your current setup is. It’s even harder if you’re not able to explain what you’ve done. Learn this information to start with.

Clean your condenser’s fan and coils come spring. Clean the outside of your condenser as well.

Turn the power off first so you don’t get hurt or break something. Next, pop the grill off, pull out the blades and start cleaning them and the unit itself off gently.

The coils and blades on the fans should be cleaned once a year. Shut the power off before you do anything. After you have turned the power off, you simply remove the grill and the blades to perform a gentle cleansing.

Don’t get grass clippings on your outdoor condenser. Direct the clippings in a direction away from the equipment. This applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in the yard.

Your HVAC unit may suffer when trees start to lose leaves. Make sure you clean out your fan grill often during the fall. The fan needs unobstructed air flow, and if debris is blocking this air flow, you will have to contend with problems.

Find a place that is shaded for your compressor. When the unit sucks in cooler air, then less work is required to cool it further which in turn boosts the units efficiency.

Lubricate your condenser at least once each year. These are usually covered by a rubber or metal caps. Use a lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.

Put your outdoor units in places with shade.

In order for your new unit to be as efficient as possible, or to make older units more efficient, make sure it’s put in a shaded area. You save money this way because the air conditioner is now pulling in cooler air, which is easier to cool further.

Have your heating and cooling system serviced twice per year. This should be done in the fall and malfunctions.

Don’t let your home to overheat. Air conditioners can only really cool down unreasonably high temps. If the temperature in your home rises to 100 degrees F or higher, you’ll only cool down to still above 80. This is not a healthy environment to live in.

Your system should be checked twice a year. The ideal thing to do would be to have it checked out in the fall and spring so you’re able to figure out if everything is ready for the cold and hot months. Although there might not be any noticeable issues, it is important to provide regular upkeep to prevent bad things from happening.

Research the reputation of companies before hiring them.Check them out at the best one for your situation. This can help you have to do in order to make a smart decision.

Air conditioners tend to ice up.The drain line might also freeze up.If this happens, try switching your thermostat to just the fan so that it disables the compressor. You can call a HVAC professional, but switching to the fan setting should start to melt the ice.

Outdoor condenser units need to be turned off when the weather turns cold. This means that you should turn it off to prevent damage if the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit. This will help keep it in good condition for many years.

There are now different online sites you can check out. This is useful for finding people that do good work with and those that you don’t.

A radiant barrier is an awesome device which will help improve the efficiency of your HVAC. It will serve as a barrier between your home cool when it’s hot outside. You may even find that you can use the attic as part of your living space more effectively.

If at all possible, install double-paned windows in your home instead of those with a single pane. Double pane windows can help minimize how much you use your air conditioner in the summer, because they keep cool air inside the home. Likewise, heat is better retained during the winter.

Make certain they have tight seals to keep air can’t seep in.You can also hire a professional to test them.

Measure the living area that requires air conditioner shopping. You can usually substitute 20 BTU for each square foot in the room. If the unit will be cooling several rooms, be sure to add their square footage together.

A programmable thermostat can really help you out when it comes to your power bills. Such thermostats help you save around ten percent when it comes to energy costs. Additionally, some models of programmable thermostats actually allow you to control them remotely from your office computer or cell phone.

Replace the air filter monthly to keep your HVAC system every month. This is an easy thing to do and it will keep things running well.

Pick an HVAC companies that know what they’re doing and can work quickly. The most reliable companies make sure their technicians will always be on schedule and keep appointments. A knowledgeable technician will also have no problem diagnosing any potential faults with your HVAC. After they see what the problem is, they should then know how to deal with the problem.

Make sure to have your unit serviced once a year. An HVAC specialist will inspect the entire system, including the oil, the motor, and the ducts. This maintenance means that your system will operate optimally.

If you have to place it in a corner of your home, get a unit where the air won’t be trapped against the wall.

Always get some references when you are considering a HVAC contractor.

Never allow the temperature in your home to rise to a dangerously high level. Air conditioners cannot sufficiently cool down unreasonably high temps. If your home become 100F or more, it will only cool off to about 80F. This is not a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.

There are contractors that will overcharge you later for things like fuel charges and material fees. A written contract will really help you if something like this possible problem.

Cover your condenser unit for protection in the winter.This can help it last longer if it is protected when not in use. Use the fan instead to avoid putting strain on the unit.

Ask people that you know and trust for contractor recommendations. Find someone that has a lot of quality work under their belt. This can also help you to figure out some names of businesses that you should avoid at all costs.

Always follow up on any references that are given to you by an HVAC contractor.

This calculation will ascertain what the number of BTUs your system requires to keep the environment of your home comfortable.

If you need recommendations for an HVAC contractor, check online. There are many sites that other customers can place their reviews. This is an awesome way to find contractors to work with.

Consider have a programmable thermostat. This device can save you a great deal of money on your bills as it constantly adjusts your system rests while you are comfortably warm asleep in bed.

These units are more efficient and meet the strict guidelines set for efficiency. The units are set forth by the EPA. They are called the environment and human health. Taking time to fully research various units may help you save a significant amount of money.

Ask for quotes from multiple contractors. You can save a lot of cash simply by doing your homework. Try to contact a minimum of five contractors.

You should care for your HVAC system so nothing goes wrong with it. When this unit fails, you will be in a lot of trouble. Keep this from happening when you use these helpful tips.