It can be quite upsetting to arrive home to find that your HVAC has broken down. The following tips are great for helping you in this process.

Know what you want done before you hire a contractor. It will be hard for an HVAC contractor to provide you with an estimate over the phone without knowing what your current system. It will be more hard if you can’t figure out what they need to do.

Before making that repair phone call, make sure you know the specifics about your particular system. Write down what brand your system is along with the model number and, if they’re available, maintenance records. This will help make sure that the contractor you hire has all the necessary information.

Clean your fan blades and coils prior to summertime. Clean the outside of your condenser unit.

Clean the debris on your outdoor condenser units. You never know when things can pile up, like right after it’s windy or rains, and that can ruin your system. It can cause your system by overheating.

If problems arise with the HVAC system, check the entire house before contacting someone to come for repairs. Determine which rooms are hotter or colder than they should be. That knowledge can help the technician figure out what is going on.

Don’t get grass clippings on your outdoor condenser. Aim your grass cuttings in the other direction. This also applies when you are taking care of the leaves in debris.

Put your outdoor units in the shade if you are installing them.

If the outside of your home has condenser units, ensure they are constantly cleaned. You can never tell when things will pile up, especially following rain or wind storms. These can wreak havoc on your units. It can also cause it to overheat.

Turn off any outdoor condenser units when weather turns cold. This should turn it off to prevent damage if the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This simple tip will help keep it in good condition for many years.

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

A big mistake that people make is cutting the grass next to the outdoor condenser unit and allowing all of the clippings to blow inside the fan and coil. Direct the grass clippings in a direction away from the HVAC unit. The same should happen if you are blowing leaves, so be especially careful when you are going by your exterior HVAC devices whenever you are moving debris.

When they come out for a service visit, expect inspections of freon levels and the motor, moving parts well oiled and the level of freon adjusted if necessary. This will keep your system performing at maximum efficiency.

Research and check the companies before hiring them. Check with the BBB and online reviews posted by former customers. These steps will help make a better decision.

HVAC units may suffer when leaves are falling off the trees. Frequently clean the fan grill when trees are shedding leaves. The fan must stay clear in order to function, and if it gets blocked, you will have to contend with problems.

Companies that are well established have track records typically provide better service. It is always risky to hire a long history.

A radiant barrier is an awesome device which will help improve the efficiency of your HVAC. It blocks outside heat from coming in which will make sure you won’t have to use more energy to keep your home and the outside. You could even use the attic as part of your living space if it is done right.

If the fan condenser on your unit has ports for oil, make sure you lubricate it once a year. These ports have a metal covering. Sometimes it is rubber. You should select an SAE 20 oil since it is lightweight and does not contain detergent. Be sure to use just 10 drops or so, or your system may overfill.

Figure out the direction your home is facing so your HVAC system more efficient. The less heat inside the house, the fewer occasions you have to use your air conditioner.

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

When selecting the spot to put the outdoor compressor for your unit, choose somewhere that gets plenty of shade. The cooler the air that the unit is able to access, the less work it has to perform.

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

Always get some references from a contractor.

To increase the efficiency of your HVAC unit, be sure to keep it in the shade. It will help you save on your energy bill when you do this.

Any HVAC contractor or installer should have a 24-hour emergency hotline. They should be able to get to your home whenever you need them there, no matter how extreme the weather or what time of day it may be.

Cover your condenser in the winter time. This will help your condenser last longer. Use the fan setting only to avoid putting strain on the unit.

As the temperature outside drops, remember to turn off your outdoor condenser unit. When the temperature goes below 60 degrees, shut off the unit in order to prevent damage. This will allow your system to work well every year, and that saves you quite a bit on making repairs.

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

Consider a programmable thermostat installed.This can save you a great deal on your heating and cooling bills as it constantly adjusts your lifestyle.

If the house is yours or you’re permitted to, replace the windows that are single pane with windows that are double pane. Good double pane windows keep cool air in during the summer and minimize your utility expenses. As with other steps you take to improve your ability to keep your air conditioned air or heated air inside your home, double-paned windows can help you save on energy costs.

You may be surprised that as much as 66% of all homes have ducts that leak. This can cost around a quarter of your total utility expense! Sealing your ducts is both easy and cheap, and it is something you can do yourself, and it can reduce your electricity bills significantly every year thereafter.

Look for an HVAC contractors that uses Energy Star equipment and equipment. This ensures efficiency that your system has met the EPA standards for efficiency. This can help you to save money on utility bills.

Make use of a thermostat when you are installing an HVAC. In fact, you can save as much as 10 percent on both heating and cooling when you turn your thermostat by by 10-15 percent for at least 8 hours daily. Take advantage of the convenience of the ability to control many programable thermostats from your favorite electronic device.

Heating Ducts

Keep your HVAC system running efficiently by cleaning the heating ducts from time to time. Check your heating ducts for damage or openings often. Ducts that are damaged can increase your heating bill by wasting the area warm.

Don’t let your home get overly hot. It takes quite a while to cool a home by more than 20 degrees. This means that if the weather is above 100 degrees, then you’ll still be baking in 80 degree weather at first! If humidity is high, this temp is still unsafe for people.

Make sure that your condenser unit is protected once the weather begins to get colder.This can be done by placing a cover on the condenser unit.

Make sure the owner’ manual is handy when your unit is being operated. The information contained within this manual will help you out if you’re dealing with problems.

How long has the contractor been in business? Fly-by-night companies are those you want to avoid. It is always risky to hire a contractor with little experience.

Be sure you get an estimate that’s written from an HVAC estimates. These estimates need to be written down on paper. There are quite a few jobs that you have to get multiple estimates for to see what they take. This can ensure you to be sure you’re getting a good deal on your service. Compare all of the deals that you receive.

Hvac System

Ask people that you know and trust for contractor recommendations. Find someone that has a lot of quality work under their belt. You will also find out who NOT to use!

Follow these tips to keep your HVAC system running smoothly. Getting to your home and noticing that there isn’t air going out of your vents doesn’t feel good. The repair costs will be very high too. With the great information found in this article, you can prevent this disaster. Remember these tips when it comes to doing HVAC system maintenance.