It is frustrating to need work done to your HVAC system when it is super hot or super cold. Learning what you can about your HVAC system will help you fix them or maintain them. Read this article to get started on to learn about that.

Know what type of system you currently have before looking for a repair person. This makes sure your contractor has the information they will need.

Prior to putting in a service call on your HVAC, be able to identify it. Look for the model and brand number. This will facilitate the process when your contractor asks for this information.

Know what work you need before you hire a contractor. It will be hard for a contractor to provide you a price estimate on the phone without knowing what your current system. It will be more difficult for him to assist you can’t figure out what they need to do.

Turn the power off so you don’t get hurt or break something. Then, take the grill off, pull the blades out, and begin cleaning the unit and them gently.

If your HVAC is giving you problems, tour your home before calling a technician. Find out which rooms are hot and which are cold. This will help your contractor quickly determine where the issue lies and how to get it fixed quickly and easily.

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

Your outdoor HVAC units might suffer when your trees lose their leaves. Make sure the fan’s grill often during the fall. The fan must not have anything in the way so that air can flow into it, and if it is clogged, then your system could suffer.

By the end of spring, the fan blades and coils of your condenser should be thoroughly cleaned, so operation can proceed with greater efficiency. Always shut off all power to your unit for any work beyond superficial cleaning. Remove leaves and debris from the outdoor unit.

Lubricate the oil ports on your condenser once a year. These are often covered by a rubber or metal caps. Use a lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.

Put outdoor unit in the shade.

Make sure your condenser fan is in good working order by wiping down the fan blades and the coils. First, the power should be turned off so things don’t move as you work. Pull out each of the blades and clean them one by one.

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

It is a good idea to swap out single pane windows for double panes. This also helps keep it warm air in during the winter.

Cover your unit when you are mowing the lawn. Aim the grass clippings in the other direction. 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.

A programmable thermostat can really help you save money on your power bills. Some of these thermostats can even be controlled from a PC or computer.

Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line may also freeze over. If this happens, put the fan on to shut the compressor off. You should leave the repair to a professional, even if switching it to its fan setting starts making the ice melt.

You need to lubricate parts of your fan condenser. These ports have a metal covering. Sometimes it is rubber. Use a lightweight oil and do not overfill them.

Companies that are well established have track records that haven’t been. Hiring a newer contractor means taking a bigger risk.

Ask your friends and family for their HVAC contractor recommendations. People who have had a good experience are often happy to share the name of it. This can also help you learn the names of companies that should be avoided.

Boost energy efficiency by putting your condenser unit in the shade. As your air conditioner sucks in cool air, little will have to be done to cool it any further, saving you a ton on your energy bills.

There are a lot of online websites that give people the opportunity to leave comments about their experiences with contractors. This is an excellent method of finding contractors to work with.

Check the ducts to find any leaks if your existing system is not be working efficiently. When these leaks are fixed, you may see that the testing pays for itself.

If the house is yours or you’re permitted to, replace the windows that are single pane with windows that are double pane. To keep your home cool, investing in double pane windows is a must. Conversely, this also works to keep warm air in during colder months.

Measure the living area that needs cooling before going air conditioner shopping. You will need 20 BTU per square foot of room space. If you have multiple rooms to cool, sum their areas.

Pick out an HVAC business that understands the unit and knows what to do. The best companies will ensure that their technicians stay on schedule. A licensed technician will also have no problem diagnosing any potential faults with your HVAC. Once the problem is identified, they should also know how to get them resolved efficiently and quickly.

Install a thermostat you can program to save money on cooling your home. A thermostat that’s programmable is going to save you around ten percent on the heating and cooling costs you have to pay when you turn it back about fifteen percent for a part of the day. Some newer programmable thermostats have computerized controls you can access from your personal computer, laptop or mobile media device.

If you have to place it in a corner, ensure that the air is not directed towards a wall.

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

You can keep energy costs in your home lower by choosing to have professional maintenance done on your HVAC unit. During service the technician will check the motor and refill the system fluids. These simple things will keep your system running at peak performance.

Always request references from a HVAC contractor.

Any HVAC contractor or installer should have an emergency hotline. They must be able to reach your home at any time, whether during a heatwave or a terrible snowstorm.

Never let your home reach a dangerously hot temperature. Air conditioners can only really cool your home down 20 degrees or so within a reasonable time period. So, if you house heats up to about 95, you won’t see the temperature go below 75 for a while. While it depends on the humidity, this is not safe for a human to sleep in to recover from the heat of the summer.

This will determine how much BTU your new system will need to keep your home stays comfortable.

Consider have a programmable thermostat. This can save you a great deal on your energy bills because when you adjust the temperature to sync with your lifestyle.

It can be confusing to figure out what the correct HVAC system size is for your home, but you can solve this with the help of a sizing calculator. Buying one that’s too large will not cool that well. Use the manual to determine what size is right for you.

You may be surprised that as many as two-thirds of all homes have ducts that are leaky. These leaky ducts can add up to one fourth of your total utility costs you have. Sealing up your ducts is cheap and easy, and it is something you can do yourself, and it can reduce your electricity bills significantly every year thereafter.

Make sure that you know where the owner’s manual is anytime the system in a convenient place. The information contained within this manual will help you out if you’re dealing with problems.

Make certain the HVAC company you choose has a proven track record. Companies with proven track records typically provide better service. New companies are just too risky.

You may find it difficult to hire an HVAC expert without a little bit of prior knowledge. However, the right knowledge makes the process less daunting. With the information given, you will hopefully be prepared now.