Are You Unsure About What You Need To Know About HVAC Help? Read This Article!

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

It is not easy for homeowners to understand where to go when their heating or cooling system begins to fail. To avoid creating costly repairs, it is helpful to read up on the topic in advance. This article is intended to help conscientious homeowners learn how to hire the proper help they need for their HVAC unit.

TIP! Before choosing an HVAC contractor, think of what you wish to have done. It will be hard for a contractor to give you a price estimate over the phone if they have not seen your current system.

If your HVAC is giving you problems, take a tour of the house prior to calling a professional. This information will help the repairman determine what the problem is and how to fix it.

Clean your fan blades and coils prior to summertime. Clean the outside of your external condenser unit.

TIP! Many homeowners forget to oil their condenser at least once per year, but it is required. Most of these ports have some sort of protective cap covering them.

Turn the power off so you don’t get hurt or break something. Next, pop off the grill, put the blades out and start to gently clean them along with the unit.

Grass Clippings

TIP! Check your unit at least twice each 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.

Don’t let grass clippings pile up against your outside unit. Aim the grass clippings in the unit. This also applies when you are taking care of the leaves in the yard.

TIP! Turn off your outdoor condenser when it becomes cold out. If the temperature outside is less than 60ºF, be sure to turn off the unit so that you don’t damage it.

Lubricate your fan condenser at least once each year. You can easily find the ports covered with rubber or metal caps. Use SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight, detergent-free SAE 20 oil, putting 10 drops in each port.

TIP! Replace any single-paned windows with double-paned versions. During the summer, the use of double-pane windows will help keep the cool air locked inside of the home.

Turn off your outdoor condenser units when weather turns cold. This should turn it off to prevent damage if the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This can keep the system working for many years to come.

TIP! If there isn’t anyone at home, then there’s no need for the AC unit to be running and wasting electricity. When you turn it off, the house heats up, but only to a certain threshold.

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

TIP! Avoid allowing your home to ever get exceedingly hot. Your average AC unit can only reduce the temperature in your home by about 20 degrees in a normal span of time.

Research the reputation of companies before hiring them.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.

Companies that are well established have track records typically provide better service. Hiring a contractor can be risky.

TIP! Look for calculators online to help you determine the size of unit you need for your home. Proper sizing will increase efficiency.

Ask people that you know and relations for contractor recommendations. People who have had great service are often happy to share the name of it. This will also provide you with good information on which contractors you should avoid at all costs.

TIP! Figure out how long the HVAC company you choose has been in business. The older they are, the more likely it will be for you to find out their history, which will help you gauge their quality.

Contractors charge different rates, so make sure to get multiple quotes. You can save tons of money by asking for price quotes. You may want to call at least five contractors in order to know what you should be paying.

TIP! Check reviews online to find professional help. There are quite a few sites now that allow customers to share their experiences with different services.

Check the ducts to find any leaks if your unit seems to not up to snuff. If you do have leaks that are repaired, you’ll find that fixed leaks are worth the money.

TIP! Check around and get a number of quotes prior to hiring a contractor. You should be able to hire the best contractor for the job if you take the time to do this.

Figure out which direction your home is facing so your HVAC system more efficient. The less heat in your home, the less you’ll have to use your air conditioner to cool things off.

TIP! Install a radiant barrier in your attic to boost HVAC efficiency. This type of barrier will help to block heat, which in turn will help your system work less at cooling your home.

If you hear a clicking noise coming from the HVAC unit, immediately check for any type of obstruction. Often it is being caused by debris that’s hitting fans in your cooling system. Look carefully at this prior to calling a service technician.

TIP! Look for leaks in the ducts if your system isn’t working right. Call local utility companies to test it for you since many do it for a small fee or even free, which is lower than HVAC contractors.

Measure the living area that needs cooling before going air conditioner shopping. You can usually substitute 20 BTU for each square foot of room space. If more than one room needs AC service, add together their square footage to reach this calculation.

Hvac System

TIP! You need to measure the space of your home so you can purchase the proper size unit. You can usually substitute 20 BTU for each square foot in the area to be cooled.

Replace the air filter monthly to keep your HVAC system every month. This is the simplest thing to do and it will keep your HVAC system running in tip top shape.

If it has to be placed in a corner, use one that doesn’t blow into the wall.

TIP! Make sure any quote you get has a heat-loss calculation included. This needs to be factored in when figuring out the best sized unit for your home.

Any HVAC contractor or installer should have an emergency hotline. They need to be able to come to a home when needed, be it in the middle of a heatwave or in the worst snowstorm of the year.

TIP! The next time your HVAC is being looked at, think about getting a programmable thermostat added to the unit. This can help you save a ton on your utility bills as you let your system rest overnight while you are sleeping comfortably in your beds.

It is common knowledge that having a home’s cooling or heating system fail in the middle of a heat wave or in the chilly grip of winter can cause a real headache for homeowners. But if they know what’s going on, they can quickly fix the situation. These tips are very simple, but they can help you avoid expensive fees by teaching you to handle the maintenance yourself.