A great HVAC will keep proper air flowing at all times. A lot of people spend quite a bit to fix things when they don’t work right, but could have avoided such issues if they had maintained them properly. This article will provide you learn as much as needed about HVAC systems to properly care for them all year long.

Know what you need before you select an HVAC contractor. It will be difficult for a contractor to give you a price estimate on the phone if they have not seen your current setup is. It will be more hard if you can’t figure out what they need to do.

Know the name and type of your HVAC system before looking for a repair person. Know what the manufacturer’s name is, which particular model you have and what’s gone on with the unit in the past. Your contractor will appreciate this information.

Clean the fan blades and coils come spring. Clean the outside of your external condenser unit.

Clean the debris regularly. Debris can pile up after a storm, and this can foul up the inner workings of your system.It could overheat and cause your system to malfunction by overheating.

If your HVAC system is acting up, take a tour of the house prior to calling a professional. You will be looking to see which of your rooms feel hotter or colder than they should be. You can then relay this information to the technician so that they can more easily figure out what the problem is.

Turn it off so you don’t get hurt or break something. Next, pop the grill off, pull out the blades and start cleaning them and the unit itself off gently.

Put outdoor units in the shade.

As the trees around your home lose leaves, it can cause your HVAC unit trouble. At least twice a week, you need to clean the grill of your fan. If your fan is obstructed, it can keep your system from working properly.

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

Do not allow your house to get dangerously hot. Air conditioners really can only cool a home down 20 degrees or so within a reasonable time period. If your home become 100F or more, cooling it will only drop the temperature to 80 degrees F. This is not a healthy environment to live in.

Make sure your HVAC unit is in 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.

Research the reputation of companies that you consider using. Check them out at the BBB and online reviews as well. Doing all of this makes it more likely that you make a better decision.

Fan Setting

You need to have a contractor review your unit twice a year. The best times to have the system checked is spring and fall, so you are sure everything is running at peak performance before the heating and cooling seasons. Even if nothing seems wrong, checking it out can help you find and fix potential issues.

Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line may also freeze over. If you notice this, immediately put your thermostat on the fan setting to turn off your compressor. You can call a HVAC professional, but switching to the fan setting should start to melt the ice.

Look for calculators online to truly understand what size of unit is necessary for your home. Look in the manual to determine the recommended size for this information.

When the weather starts to cool down, make sure you turn off outdoor condenser units. Once the temperature drops into the 50s, the unit should no longer be on. This will keep your system in working order year after year, saving you a ton on repairs.

Companies that are around awhile have track records that haven’t been. Hiring a newer contractor comes with an element of risk.

There are quite a few sites that other customers can place their reviews. This will help filter out the people you would like to work with.

Regular maintenance of your unit should be performed annually. During this service visit, they will inspect the motor of the system, oil the moving parts and check the freon levels in the system. All of these little jobs will add up to big savings in energy use, with the improved efficiency.

Think about getting a radiant barrier installed in your attic so support the efficient functioning of your HVAC system can run better. It will make sure you won’t have to use more energy to keep your home and the outside. You could even use your attic space if it is done right.

Figure out which direction your home is facing so your HVAC system can work better. If there is less heat coming into your home, then the HVAC will require less work to actually cool the home.

Your home should never reach a dangerous temperature. Air conditioners are limited in that they can only reduce the indoor temperature 20 degrees Fahrenheit in a reasonable time limit. If the temperature in your home rises to 100 degrees F or higher, cooling it will only drop the temperature to 80 degrees F. Depending on humidity levels, this isn’t even a safe temperature for a human body to sleep at to recover from summer heat.

If you hear a clicking noise coming from the HVAC unit, check for any sort of obstructions immediately. Often the issue is some sort of debris hitting the fans in the cooling system. Check this out before spending on a contractor.

Replace the air filter to keep your HVAC system every month. This is an easy thing to do and it will maximize the production of your unit run properly.

You should always review the experience and history of an HVAC specialist before hiring them. Companies with proven track records typically provide better service. If you hire someone that’s new that this then you’ll be risking your money.

Pick an HVAC business that understands the unit and knows what to do. The most reliable companies will ensure that their technicians will always be on schedule and keep appointments. The technicians should also be able to help you and offer the best possible options. Once they know what’s wrong, they can help resolve the problems in a timely and cost-effective manner.

Always request references prior to hiring any contractor.

If you need recommendations for an HVAC contractor, check online. There are now different online sites that let customers share their service experiences. This will help you find a top notch professional.

Some contractors overcharge you on material fees for additional materials. Having a signed contract can help you avoid any issues like that.

Cover your condenser unit for protection in the winter.This will help your condenser last longer when you’re not using it. Use the fan instead to avoid putting strain on the unit.

In order for your HVAC system to run more efficiently, think about putting a radiant barrier in your attic. 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!

Always check out any references that you receive for an HVAC contractor.

This will tell you how much BTU your new system will need to keep your home comfortable.

Check out your ductwork for leaks if your whole home isn’t being cooled or heated. The local utility may be able to test for you, and their services are frequently free or low cost. If a leak is found, the money spent on finding and repairing the leak will pay for itself.

Consider a programmable thermostat installed.This lowers your heating and cooling bills as it constantly adjusts your system rests while you are comfortably warm asleep in bed.

Look for an HVAC contractors that use Energy Star products and equipment. This will ensure that the EPA standards for efficiency. This will help you reduce your expenses throughout the year.

Make an HVAC system run more efficiently by determining what direction your house faces. Block the sun in the morning with trees around your home. That will take some of the pressure off your HVAC unit.

As you read in the preceding article, a well-functioning HVAC system is a vital feature of your home. Thanks to this article, you can save money on repairs. Remember that not following them could end up costing you thousands of dollars.