A reliable HVAC system that works is important for an enjoyable home.However, if your system fails, it can be a nightmare.Learning how to maintain your HVAC system begins with the tips below.

Know what type of your HVAC system you currently have before calling someone to fix it. This will enable you to give your contractor asks for this information.

Before calling for help, know the system you have. Write down the make, model, and any maintenance history. 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.

Know what you want done before you hire a contractor. It will be difficult for a contractor to give you a price estimate on the phone without knowing what your current setup is. It will be way more hard if you over the phone without the information readily available.

Clean any debris on an external condenser unit. Debris can pile up after a storm, and this can foul up the inner workings of your system.It can cause a disaster with your system to malfunction by overheating.

What do you need done? Know this before calling a contractor. A contractor cannot give an accurate estimate without looking at your system. It’s even harder if you’re not able to explain what you’ve done. Thus, it is worthwhile to have this knowledge ahead of time.

Turn the power off first so nothing moves. Next, pop the grill off, pull out the blades and start cleaning them and the unit itself off gently.

Sae 20 Oil

Keeping the outside condenser clean of debris and leaves will improve the system’s efficiency. Prior to working on or cleaning the unit, be sure to turn off the power. Take away all of the debris as well.

Lubricate your condenser once each year. You can easily find the ports as they have a rubber or metal cap covering them. Use SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, putting 10 drops in each port.

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

Don’t get grass clippings on your outside unit. Aim your grass cuttings in a direction away from your unit. This also applies when you blow leaves, so be very careful near your exterior HVAC units when you move debris.

Turn off outdoor condenser when it’s getting cold. This should be done when the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit.This simple tip will help keep your HVAC running and can save you money on repairs.

It is a good idea to swap out single pane windows with ones that have double pane ones. This will also helps keep it warm in the winter.

If trees are losing leaves around your home, this can impact your HVAC unit. Make sure the unit’s fan grill is cleaned frequently when the leaves begin to fall. You can head off future problems that can be caused by blockages by making sure there is a free flow of air to your fan.

Install a thermostat you can program to save energy costs. Some of these thermostats can even be controlled from your smart phone or other device.

Research the reputation of companies that you consider using. Check them out at the BBB and look for reviews as well. These steps can help to ensure you make the smartest and most informed choice.

You can boost the efficiency of your HVAC unit by replacing it with a new energy efficient one or moving your old one to a shady outside location. This will ensure cool air is sucked in, meaning less cooling must be done by the unit.

Look for calculators online to truly understand what size of unit is necessary for your room or home. Look in the manual to determine the manufacturer website for air conditioners.

Companies that are well established have a better record than those that can help you decide if they’re worth your money and time. It is riskier to hire a long history.

Update the windows in your home to double-paned if you own it. Double pane windows will help keep your home cooler in the summer. This same effect also keeps warm air in during the winter months.

Ask your friends and trust for their HVAC contractor recommendations. People who’ve had quality work done are usually more than willing to share this information. This is also help you learn the names of companies that you should avoid.

There are quite a few sites that let customers talk about their service experiences. This method provides you with as well as those that you need to make the best hiring decisions.

You can keep energy costs in your home lower by choosing to have professional maintenance done on your HVAC unit. This visit will include a motor inspection and checking the freon. These easy to do things are going to allow your system to run its best.

Contractors are responsible for their own charges and fees, so make sure to get multiple quotes.You have the potential to save a great deal of money this way. You may want to call at least a handful of contractors to determine what reasonable rates are.

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Avoid allowing your home to ever get exceedingly hot. Air conditioners only cool down a home by 20 degrees. A home that is over one hundred degrees will only be cooled to around eighty. Depending on what the humidity is, this may not be cool enough to be a safe temperature to sleep at when recovering from the harsh summer heat.

Measure the living area that needs cooling before buying a unit. You generally need 20 BTU for each square footage of the room. If you have a lot of rooms to keep cool, add together their square footage to reach this calculation.

Replace the air filter monthly to keep your HVAC system every month. This is the simplest thing that you can do to keep your HVAC system running well.

Shop around before hiring an HVAC contractor. Check them out at the BBB and look for reviews posted by former customers. Taking these steps will help ensure that you make a wise decision.

Pick an HVAC companies that know what they’re doing and works quickly to solve the problem. The best companies make sure their technicians stay on schedule.A licensed technician will also have no problem diagnosing any problems with your HVAC unit quickly. When they know the issue, they should know how to fix it quickly so that it works properly.

Ask a contractor about their experience.You need to verify they have the sort of experience needed to work on your particular system.

Ask your friends and relations for their HVAC contractor recommendations. People who’ve had great service are usually willing to tell of it. You are likely to also hear about negative experiences.

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

Always check any references that are given to you receive for an HVAC contractor.

Search online for reviews to find an HVAC customer you can trust. Many online sites permit customers to let others know about their experiences with various services and contractors. This is useful for finding people that you wish to work with and those that you don’t.

You might be surprised that as many as two-thirds of households have ducts that leak. These can lead to as much as a quarter of what you pay for utilities. Sealing up your ducts is cheap and easy, you can even do it yourself, saving you money on your utility bills every year from then on.

Look for an HVAC contractors that uses Energy Star products and products. This will ensure that the product is more efficient than those without it.This means that they can help you save cash on your heating and cooling bills throughout the year.

Each contractor will have their own fee schedule, so make sure you get several different quotes before you hire anybody. You should save some money this way. You want to call at least a handful of contractors to determine what reasonable rates are.

Keep your HVAC system running efficiently and enjoy clean air by cleaning the heating ducts. Look often at the ducts regularly so you can make sure there is nothing wrong with them. Damaged ducts increase the energy bill.

The condenser unit needs protection in cold weather. This may be accomplished by placing an insulating cover on it.

Look for leaks in the ducts if your system isn’t working right. The local utility company may be able to do this for you at a cost lower than what a contractor would charge you. Paying for the test is fine as repairing the leaks will pay for itself quickly.

Your HVAC unit is vital to your home. By failing to do routine inspections, you’re setting yourself up for failure. However, this article has given you the advice you need to make sure your HVAC system is always running properly.