Your HVAC Should Be Working For You, Here’s How

TIP! Before you contact people to assist you in getting your system fixed, know what kind of system you’re working with in the first place. You need to know who manufactured the product and the item number.

A well-maintained HVAC system can mean the difference between comfort and discomfort in the 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 following article below can help you learn about HVAC system maintenance so you will not experience this cost.

Know the name and type of system before looking for a repair person. This will enable you to give the new contractor the necessary information.

TIP! Before you hire an HVAC contractor, have some sort of idea of the work that needs to be done. It’s hard to get an estimate since they haven’t look at your system.

If you struggle with your HVAC, check the entire house before contacting someone to come for repairs. This information will help the contractor determine what the problem is and how to fix it.

Clean your fan and coils come spring. Clean the outdoor condenser unit regularly.

TIP! If your fan condenser has oil ports, you must lubricate it once per year. You’ll find these ports are covered with a metal or rubber cap.

Clean the debris regularly. You don’t know when things are going to pile up, especially after a windy or rainy storm, and that can ruin your system. It can also cause the unit to overheat and break down.

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.

TIP! It is always a good idea to swap out single pane windows for double pane ones. They help cool air remain inside your home, effectively cutting back on how much you have to run your air conditioner.

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

TIP! Don’t allow your home to overheat. Even the best air conditioners can only realistically cool your home approximately 20 degrees Farenheit.

Your outdoor HVAC units might suffer when trees start to lose their leaves. Make sure the fan’s grill is cleaned frequently when the leaves begin to fall. The fan must stay clear in order to function, and if it gets blocked, it could cause your system to break down.

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

TIP! Before you hire any HVAC company, ask them how long they’ve been open for business. This will ensure that you find someone who knows their stuff.

Never allow your home reach a dangerously hot temperature. An AC unit is really only able to reduce the temperature by twenty degrees in a fair time. If the temperature in your home rises above 100 degrees, cooling it will only drop the temperature to 80 degrees F. This won’t be a safe and comfortable temperature for you to sleep in.

TIP! If you need a HVAC contractor, try and get recommendations from family and friends. Those who have had a great experience should have no issue giving you this info.

Research the reputation of companies that you consider using. Check with different references to determine the BBB and look for reviews of potential companies online. These simple steps are going to help to ensure your decision is a better decision.

TIP! An online search will give you further information about any contractor you are considering. There are many review sites you can check out.

Air conditioners tend to ice up.The drain line may also freeze over. If this is something you notice, immediately put your thermostat on the fan setting to turn off your compressor. If this doesn’t work, call in help.

TIP! Contractors determine their own fee levels, so make sure to get multiple quotes. If you call people before you work on hiring one person, you can save some money overall.

Ask friends and family for their HVAC contractor recommendations. People who have had a good experience are usually willing to tell of their contractor. This is also let you know which companies to stay away from.

TIP! If your system isn’t working as it should, test its ducts for leaks. You can call in your local utility company to do the testing for you, often for free or at a lower cost than a contractor.

There are quite a few sites these days that let customers to share their experiences with different services. This is useful for finding people you should work with and people that may not work well with you.

TIP! Determine which way your home faces in order to establish efficient HVAC operation. If you have some trees that are placed in good spots, you can be sure they block the sunlight during the morning.

Think about getting a radiant barrier installed in your attic so support the efficient functioning of 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 may even use your attic as part of your living space if it is done right.

TIP! Find a HVAC company that knows its stuff. A sign of a great company is one that arrives on time for their appointment.

Figure out the direction your home faces in order to make your HVAC system can work better. The less your home is heated, the less time that the AC has to work.

TIP! Consider which direction the air flows out of your air conditioner when you decide where to place it. If it has to be placed in a corner, make sure your unit permits airflow to be redirected.

Pick HVAC business that understands the unit and works quickly to solve the problem. The best companies make sure their technicians stay on schedule.A licensed technician should also easily diagnose any potential faults with your HVAC. After they see what the problem is, it should be taken care of right away.

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.

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

TIP! Use a fully-enclosing cover to protect your condenser unit in the winter. This will increase the life of your condenser.

Cover your condenser in the winter time. This will make sure the condenser last longer if it is protected when not in use. Use the fan instead to avoid straining the condenser unit.

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

This will tell you how much BTU your new system will be used.

TIP! Seek out HVAC contractors who only use products that carry the Energy Star label. Anything carrying the Energy Star logo has met guidelines for efficiency as established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

These types of units are energy efficient and meet the strict efficiency guidelines. The guidelines are evaluated by the EPA. They are in charge of protecting the EPA for short.Taking the time to look into these units may help you get long-term savings on energy costs.

TIP! Make sure your HVAC ducts are cleaned often so that the system works properly. Look at the ducts regularly so you can make sure they are in good shape.

You might be surprised that as much as 66% of all homes have ducts that are leaky. This can result in as much as one fourth of your utility costs. Sealing up your ducts is cheap and easy, you can even do it yourself, saving you money on your utility bills every year from then on.

TIP! Refer to the owner’s manual for your unit when you operate it. There are a lot of tricks that you will find in this book.

Clearly, keeping your HVAC system running properly is of the utmost importance, and the tips presented here can help. These suggestions will reduce your repair costs in the long run. It is your job to ensure you know all you can about your HVAC unit and you understand everything that has been discussed in this article.