You may think that HVAC is really complex. This is because you don’t have the right information on hand.

Lubricate your condenser if it has oil ports. You can easily find the ports have a rubber or metal cap covering them. Use a lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.

Clean your fan and coils when the weather begins to warm. If you are doing more than a light surface cleaning, make sure that the power is shut off to the HVAC unit. Also, be sure to clear leaves and debris from your condenser unit.

Put outdoor units in places with shade.

Turn off any outdoor condenser units when the weather turns cold. This means that you should be done when the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This helps the system remain in good working order.

When you are cutting the grass, be sure not to cover your outdoor units with clippings. Aim the grass in a different direction from the 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.

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

Install a thermostat you can program to save energy costs. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from a computer.

If the fan on your condenser includes oil ports, they must be lubricated annually. Such ports tend to have coverings made of rubber or metal. Choose a SAE 20 oil whch is lightweight and non-detergent and place 10 drops or less into each port, ensuring it doesn’t overfill.

During the service check, the contractor will oil parts, oil the unit’s moving parts and ensure the unit has proper freon levels. These simple tasks will help keep your system running at peak performance.

Research the reputation of companies that you consider using. Check with different references to determine the BBB and look for reviews posted by former customers. These steps can help to ensure you make the smartest and most informed choice.

You want to put the outdoor compressor device in a shaded area. When the unit sucks in cooler air, then less work is required to cool it further which in turn boosts the units efficiency.

Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line might also freeze up.If this is something you notice, immediately put your thermostat on the fan setting to turn off your compressor. You should call a pro to fix this problem, but switching to the fan will make the ice melt.

Companies that have been around for longer have a proven track records typically provide better service. Hiring a contractor comes with an element of risk.

If you want things to be more efficient, get new units outside or have your current one moved into the shade. If your air conditioner is able to constantly suck in cool air, it won’t have to work overtime to cool your space, which can in turn save you money on your electricity bills.

There are a few sites now that allow customers talk about how they were treated by services. This is a good way to locate contractors that do good work and ones that you don’t.

Contractors are responsible for their own charges and fees, so make sure to get multiple quotes.You can save a great deal of money if you make several calls prior to reaching a final decision. You want to get quotes from at least five contractors to determine what you should be paying.

Get your HVAC unit serviced two times per year. The spring and autumn times are the best time to have it checked. Although there might not be any noticeable issues, it is important to provide regular upkeep to prevent bad things from happening.

Think about getting a radiant barrier installed in your attic so your HVAC system. It ensures that your home cool when it’s hot outside. You may even find that you can use your attic space more effectively.

Are you looking at purchasing a new HVAC system installed? You need to take a few important things. Systems get rated according to the total area they can effectively cool and heat. You are wise to err on the side of a unit that is slightly too large for your needs than a smaller one.

Once it grows cold outside, turn off your outside condenser unit. If it’s lower than 60 degrees, the time has come to turn it off. This simple tip will help keep the system running efficiently for many years to come.

Check for duct leaks if your unit seems to not up to snuff. If you do end up paying, the money spent on finding and repairing the leak will pay for itself.

Figure out the direction your home faces in order to make your HVAC system can work better. The less amount of heat inside of your home, the easier time the air conditioner in your home will have.

If nobody is home, turn off the AC. You don’t need to keep the house cool if you aren’t there. When you keep it on, you will be using electricity.

If there’s a clicking in your HVAC unit, immediately check for any type of obstruction. Often it is being caused by debris hitting the fans in the cooling system. Look carefully at it before you call up a technician.

Make sure they have tight seals to keep air inside. You can also hire someone to test them all for you and often this testing is free.

Don’t allow your home to become dangerously hot. A simple AC unit will usually only cool the home around 20 degrees within a short period of time. If you have your home at above 100 degrees then you can only get it to about 80 or above. You may suffer adverse effects from letting the house get that hot, too.

Measure the area you wish to cool before going air conditioning. You will need about 20 BTU per square foot of the room. If you are cooling more than one room, combine all the square footage.

Pick HVAC business that know what they’re doing and works quickly to solve the problem. The best companies will ensure that their technicians will always be on schedule and keep appointments. The tech will be able to help you and offer the best possible options. After they know what the problem is, they should then know how to deal with the problem.

To help you pick a good HVAC contractor, be sure to research a number of different companies. It is always wise to check their status with the BBB. In addition, check out customer reviews that appear online. You will make a more informed choice if you use these resources.

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

There are some contractors out there that try to charge you more later for such things like material fees and fuel charges. Having a signed contract will help to avoid issues like that.

Air conditioners tend to ice up at times. There are also occasional freezes in the drain line, which are often confused for plumbing leaks. If this happens, turn the thermostat so it is on fan only mode, which will disable the compressor. You should call a pro to fix this problem, even if switching it to its fan setting starts making the ice melt.

Always follow up on any references provided to you receive for an HVAC contractor.

Consider have a programmable thermostat. This sort of device will help you to regulate the temperature at all times.

Make certain that you get written estimates before you hire a contractor. This can help you to save money by knowing what people are charging. To get the best picture and get an idea of what rates are reasonable, call five or six different contractors.

Look for HVAC contractor that use Energy Star products and equipment. This ensures efficiency that the EPA. This helps save you reduce your energy bills during the year.

This article was written to help make you comfortable and familiar with the average HVAC system. Getting going is hard without a little motivation, to take all matters into mental account before taking any physical actions. When things begin to click, you’ll be glad you did.

In order for your HVAC system to run more efficiently, think about putting a radiant barrier in your attic. It will block the heat and lower the energy necessary to keep your home cool in the summertime. It it’s installed properly, you might even be able to use your attic as an extra room.