HVAC: What You Should Know Before You Begin

TIP! Before making that repair phone call, make sure you know the specifics about your particular system. Learn the brand and the model.

A properly running HVAC system is important for your home. 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. The article below can help you learn about proper HVAC system maintenance so you how to keep them running efficiently to avoid paying for expensive issues.

TIP! Before you hire an HVAC contractor, have some sort of idea of the work that needs to be done. A contractor will not be able to give you an accurate price without accurate information about your system.

Know what you want done before you select an HVAC contractor. It will be hard for a contractor to give you with an estimate over 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.

Clean your condenser’s fan and coils each spring to ensure that your condenser fan operates at it’s best.Clean off any leaves or debris from your condenser unit.

TIP! Clean the debris off your outdoor condenser unit. Debris quickly gathers here, even more so if there is a storm.

Clean any debris on an external condenser unit. You never know when things can pile up, especially after a windy or rainy storm, and that can ruin your system. It can also cause your system to malfunction by overheating.

Grass Clippings

TIP! Keep your outdoor units free of debris when your cutting grass. Make sure the grass does not get in your unit.

Don’t get grass clippings on your outdoor condenser. Direct the grass clippings away from the HVAC unit. This also applies when you are taking care of the leaves in the yard.

TIP! If the condenser fan has oil parts, then you need to lubricate it at least once per year. Most of these ports have some sort of protective cap covering them.

Leaves and debris can wreak havoc with your system. Make sure the fan’s grill is cleaned frequently when the fall. The fan needs to have an unobstructed path for air to enter the unit, and if it is clogged, you’ll have a lot of headaches eventually.

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

Install a programmable thermostat you can program to save money on cooling your home. Some of these thermostats can even be controlled from a PC or computer.

TIP! Having a programmable thermostat installed is a money saving idea. Programmable thermostats can automatically dial back settings, saving you money.

Research and check the companies that you consider using. Check them out at the best one for reviews posted by former customers. This will help you have to do in order to make a contractor that is of high quality.

TIP! You can keep energy costs in your home lower by choosing to have professional maintenance done on your HVAC unit. The contractor should oil the parts that move and check the motor and freon levels.

Look for air conditioner sizing calculators online to help you determine the size of unit you need for your home. Look in the manual to determine the recommended size for this information.

Companies that are around awhile have track records that haven’t been. Hiring a newer contractor who is just starting out can be risky.

TIP! Every contractor out there is responsible for setting up their own fees, so get several quotes before hiring anyone. If you call around before making a final decision, it can save you a lot of money in the end.

Ask your friends and family for contractor recommendations. People that have had quality work done are usually more than willing to tell of it. This will prevent you avoid scammers.

TIP! Are you looking at purchasing a HVAC system? There are a number of things to think about first. Systems are rated by the amount of area the system can heat and cool effectively.

Contractors charge different rates, so make sure you get quotes from several contractors before you make any hiring decision. You can save quite a bit of money by asking for many quotes. You want to get quotes from at least a handful of contractors to determine what reasonable rates are.

TIP! If your system isn’t working as it should, test its ducts for leaks. The local utility may be able to test for you, and their services are frequently free or low cost.

Are you thinking about having a new HVAC system? You will need to take a few important things. Systems get rated according to the total area they can effectively heat or cool. You are better off purchasing a bigger unit that is slightly too large for your needs than purchasing one that is a smaller one.

Check for duct leaks if your existing system is not up to snuff. Once leaks have been fixed, the savings will be more than worth the hassle.

TIP! You should replace the filter on your HVAC system once every month. This is such a simple thing that takes little time, and it can save you money by helping to keep your system running longer.

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 that’s hitting fans in your cooling system. Look before calling a technician.

Make sure they have tight seals to keep air inside. You can hire a professional.

TIP! Ask any potential contractor about their experience. It is important that you hire someone that has enough background experience to get the work done properly.

Measure the living area you wish to cool before going air conditioning. You can easily calculate this by using the formula: 20 BTUs per square foot of space. If you are cooling more than one room, combine all the square footage.

Always request references from a HVAC contractor.

TIP! Any contractor that is giving you a quote should do a calculation on heat-loss. This needs to be factored in when figuring out the best sized unit for your home.

Any HVAC contractor or installer should have a 24-hour emergency hotline. They should be there when you need them, be it in the middle of a heatwave or in the worst snowstorm of the year.

This determines the number of BTUs your system should be.

Consider a programmable thermostat installed.This will save you money on your system some downtime while you are warm in your bed.

TIP! Use a contractor that makes use of Energy Star products. Anything carrying the Energy Star logo has met guidelines for efficiency as established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Look for HVAC contractor that uses Energy Star equipment and products. This ensures efficiency that your system has met the EPA standards for efficiency. This will help you save money on utility bills.

TIP! Be sure to ask for written HVAC estimates. These estimates should be on paper.

Clean your ducts on a regular basis. Look often at the ducts to make sure they are in good shape. Ducts that are damaged can increase your heating because you have to pay more to keep the area warm.

Keep your condenser unit protected when it’s getting colder. This can easily be done by putting a cover on the condenser unit.

TIP!

Be sure you get an estimate that’s written from an HVAC estimates. You need to get these estimates written. There are quite a few jobs that you to get multiple estimates for to see what they take. This helps ensure you get great service. Compare all of the estimates you receive.

TIP!

The HVAC unit is integral to any home. Thankfully, the tips you just read will help save you from costly repairs. If you don’t follow them, you won’t find any benefit, so keep that in mind.