A reliable HVAC unit makes home really enjoyable. But if you experience a failure of your HVAC system, the situation can become frustrating very quickly. Learning about your unit minimizes the tips below.

If you’ve been having trouble with an HVAC system, take a tour of the house prior to calling a professional. This will help the repairman determine what the problem is and how to fix it.

Understand what you want before talking to a contractor. It’s hard to get an estimate since they haven’t look at your system. In addition, you need to be able to tell the contractor what you have already tried. Be sure to find this out ahead of time.

Clean the fan blades and coils each spring to ensure that your condenser fan operates at it’s best. Clean the outside of your external condenser unit regularly.

Clean the debris off 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 also cause your system to malfunction by overheating.

When you cut the grass, don’t cover the outdoor units with their clippings. Try shooting the clippings away from it. Also do this when blowing leaves or shoveling snow.

Turn it off so nothing moves.Then, pop off its grills, pull the blades out, and gently clean them as well as the unit itself.

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

When the trees are losing their leaves, your HVAC unit can suffer. When you see nearby trees shedding their leaves, clean the fan grill on your unit constantly. The fan needs unobstructed air flow, and if debris is blocking this air flow, then your system could suffer.

Lubricate your condenser at least once each year. You can find these ports covered with rubber or metal cap covering them. Use a lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.

Put outdoor condensers in the shade if you are installing them.

To increase the efficiency of your HVAC unit, be sure to keep it in the shade. When your unit sucks in cooler air, then much less is required to cool it further, which saves you money on energy bills.

Turn off any outdoor condenser when it’s getting cold. This means that you should be done when the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This helps your system remain in good working well throughout the years without the cost of repairs.

It is a good idea to swap out single pane windows with ones that have double panes. This also help you keep in heat when it gets cold.

You need to have a contractor review your unit twice a year. This should happen in the fall and the spring. Regular inspection will help you avoid unexpected repairs.

When it’s checked out, oil the parts that move, and see how much freon is in your system. These simple things are going to allow your system running at peak performance.

Research and check the reputation of companies that you consider using. Check with different references to determine the BBB and look for reviews of potential companies online. This is what you to choose a smart decision.

Outdoor condenser units need to be turned off when the weather turns cold. If you get into temperatures that are less than 60 degrees you need the unit to be shut off so it doesn’t get damaged. Your system will work longer for you this way.

Ask friends and relations for contractor recommendations. People that have had quality work done in the past generally love to share this information. This will also let you avoid bad companies.

There are now different online sites now that other customers talk about their reviews. This is a great way to find decent people to hire.

If you want your energy costs to go down, have the heating an cooling system you own serviced every year at least. The contractor should oil the parts that move and check the motor and freon levels. This will help keep your system performing at maximum efficiency.

Think about getting a radiant barrier in your attic so your HVAC system. It will make sure you won’t have to use more energy to keep your home cool when it’s hot outside. You could even find that you can use the attic as part of your living space more effectively.

Check for duct leaks if your existing system is not up to snuff. When you have leaks repaired, the testing will pay for itself in energy savings.

If nobody is home, turn off the air conditioner to save money. Turning it off does allow the temperature to rise, but only so far. Leaving it on for the entire day means that it is struggling to keep things cool, something that takes lots of energy.

If you hear a clicking in the HVAC unit at home, immediately check for any type of obstruction. The issue may be debris getting into the fans of the cooling system. Check this out before calling a contractor.

Make certain they have tight seals to keep air can’t seep in.A professional can sometimes test the windows and many times the testing is free.

Air conditioners tend to ice up at times. In addition, the drain line sometimes freezes, and people often think that there is a plumbing leak. If this happens, turn the thermostat so it is on fan only mode, which will disable the compressor. If this doesn’t work, call a professional.

Square Footage

Measure the area that needs cooling before going air conditioner shopping. You will need 20 BTU for each square footage of room space. If more than one room needs AC service, get their square footage added together.

To know how large of an air conditioner you need, look for a calculator online. Buying one that’s too large will not cool that well. Use the manual to determine what size is right for you.

If you have to place it in a corner of your home, get a unit that lets you direct air flow away from any walls.

Always make sure to get references when you are considering a HVAC contractor.

Go to people that you know and ask for recommendations when it is time for you to hire an HVAC contractor. 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.

Any HVAC contractor or installer should have a 24-hour emergency number available to customers around the clock. They need to be able to come to a home when needed, no matter what.

This tells you the number of BTUs your new system will need to keep your home comfortable.

An online search will give you further information about any contractor you are considering. In many cases you will find local review sites where previous customers will share the experience they had with companies they used. You will be able to make a more informed choice if you do this.

These are energy efficient and meet strict efficiency guidelines. These are determined by the United State Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). They are in charge of protecting the EPA for short.Taking time to fully research various units may help you get long-term savings on energy costs.

Look for an HVAC contractors that uses Energy Star products and products. This will ensure that the EPA standards for efficiency. This will help you save cash on your bills year round.

To improve the efficiency of your HVAC unit, put a radiant barrier up inside the attic of your home. This type of barrier will help to block heat, which in turn will help your system work less at cooling your home. If you install the unit properly, you can even begin to use the attic as a bedroom as it will be so comfortable!

The condenser unit needs protection in cold weather. This may be accomplished by placing a thick cover on the condenser unit.

Now that you have the information from the above article, it is easy to see the importance of keeping your HVAC system well maintained. When you decide to postpone mandatory maintenance, small problems will quickly become big nightmares. Fortunately, this article has given you the foundation you need.

Do you want to find a quality HVAC? You need to think about a few important things. The systems are generally rated based on the area they cover. It is best to get a bigger unit than you need, instead of a smaller one.