Many people struggle with the basic concepts of maintaining their HVAC system, but it is something they should know how to do. Learning about selecting the ins and outs of choosing an HVAC professional replacement or repair your system is a smart thing homeowners can do. This article will provide you with that.

Know what type of your HVAC system before looking for a repair person.This makes sure the contractor has the information they will be sufficiently prepared.

Know what you need before you hire a contractor. A contractor cannot give an accurate estimate without looking at your system. It will be more difficult for him to assist you over the phone without the information readily available. You need to know this before you begin.

Don’t let grass clippings on your outdoor condenser.Aim the grass cuttings in a direction away from the unit. This also applies to leaf blowing and any other yard work that results in the yard.

Sae 20 Oil

Cleaning the blades and coils will help the system run better. 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.

Lubricate your fan condenser once a year. You will see rubber or metal cap covering the ports. Use SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, putting 10 drops in each port.

Put your outdoor unit in the shade.

Make sure that you regularly clean debris that might build up on external condenser units. You never know when things can pile up, especially after a windy or rainy storm, and that can throw a wrench in your system. The whole thing can overheat, causing major problems and possibly an enormous expense for you.

Have your HVAC system checked twice a year at the least. This should be done in the fall and the spring.

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

Make sure clippings don’t get on your outdoor units when your mowing your lawn. Shoot the grass away from the unit. If you’re blowing leaves, this same problem can occur, so make sure you move around the unit and blow the leaves away from it.

A programmable thermostat can help save money on your air conditioning costs. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from a PC or computer.

Research and check the companies before hiring them. Check with the BBB and look for reviews posted by former customers. This can help you to choose a contractor that is of high quality.

When selecting a location for an outdoor compressor, opt for a shady area, if possible. When it draws in air for cooling, it will be more efficient because it will not need to work as hard to cool down the air.

Air conditioners sometimes ice up at times. The drain line may also freeze over. If this is something that’s happening to you, put your thermostat over to fan. If the issue persists, call a professional.

Companies that are around awhile have a better record than those that can help you decide if they’re worth your money and time. Hiring a new contractor may be taking a bigger risk.

Install a programmable thermostat to save energy costs. If you adjust it to keep the house a little warmer or a little cooler during the time you are sleeping, you may see your energy bill go down by as much as ten percent. Some of these thermostats can even be controlled from your smart phone or computer.

Check the ducts to find any leaks if you you feel your unit seems to not up to snuff. Once leaks have been fixed, the savings will be more than worth the hassle.

If you hear a clicking noise coming from the HVAC unit, check for any sort of obstructions immediately. Often it is being caused by debris hitting the fans in your cooling system. Check the fan and coil before you waste time contacting a repairman.

When you want a HVAC contractor who is reliable, you need to spend some time in researching the background and reputation of several potential companies. It is a good idea to check with the BBB and look for reviews from prior clients. Doing this makes it more likely that you choose wisely..

Make sure they are tightly sealed so air inside. You can hire a professional.

Measure the living area that requires air conditioning. You can easily calculate this by using the formula: 20 BTUs per square foot of room space. If the unit will be cooling several rooms, add together their square footage to reach this calculation.

Occasionally, ice will form on your AC. Drain lines can also suffer an occasional freeze, and these are sometimes mistaken for plumbing leak issues. If you see this, try switching your thermostat to just the fan so that it disables the compressor. Talk to a professional if you are unsure of how to do this.

Replace the air filter in your HVAC system working well.This will maximize the production of your unit remains in good operating condition.

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

Before hiring an HVAC company, you need to find out how long they have been in business. Companies that are around awhile have a better record than those that haven’t been. Hiring a new contractor comes with an element of risk.

Always make sure to get some references from a contractor.

Any HVAC contractor or installer should have an emergency hotline. They should be there when you need them, even if when the weather gets to be extreme.

Speak with family and friends to get a recommendation for a reputable HVAC contractor. You should be able to find someone that has had a good experience. This can also help you to figure out some names of businesses that you should avoid at all costs.

There are contractors that will overcharge you later for things like fuel charges and material fees. A written contract will really help you if something like this possible problem.

These energy because they adhere to efficiency guidelines. These guidelines have been set by the U.S. They are called the environment and human health. Taking time to look into these units may help you save a significant amount of money.

Checkout online reviews if you do not know which contractor to call for installation, maintenance or repair of your HVAC system. In many cases you will find local review sites where previous customers will share the experience they had with companies they used. This is a great way to find people you want to work with and those you don’t want to work with.

You may be surprised to discover that as much as 66% of households have ducts that leak. These can lead to as much as a quarter of the utility costs you have. Sealing your ducts is both easy and cheap, you can even do it yourself, and it can reduce your electricity bills significantly every year thereafter.

Look for an HVAC contractors that uses Energy Star products and products. This will ensure that is required by the EPA standards for efficiency. This means that in the end you to save money on utility bills.

To improve the efficiency of your HVAC system, think about placing a radiant barrier in your attic. It can help keep heat out during the hot summer months, which means you will lower your power bills. If it is done correctly, it is even possible to convert the attic as a living space.

Keep your condenser protected in cold weather. This can easily be done by placing a cover on the condenser unit.

Make sure your owner’s manual is anytime the system is running. The information contained within this manual is going to give you quite a few things to learn about the unit you have and will help you out if you’re dealing with problems.

Are you considering purchasing a new heating and cooling system? Many considerations must be scrutinized. The rating given to a system tells how much are it can cover. You should buy a little bigger than necessary unit over a little smaller than necessary unit.

The HVAC unit is one of the most important items in your home. Knowing how to maintain them is very important. Luckily, you know have the information to help prevent this from happening.