Stop Making Mistakes When Purchasing HVAC Equipment With This Advice

TIP! Know the name and type of your HVAC system before looking for a repair person. Write down the make, model, and any maintenance history.

Anyone that uses HVAC systems in a house knows how it important it is to have it running right. A poorly functioning HVAC system that does no function properly can cost a lot of money. This article has tips to help you keep your HVAC unit in tip top shape.

TIP! Prior to choosing an HVAC customer, try to have an idea of what you want done. It is going to be hard to get a price estimate on the phone if the current system isn’t something they’ve seen.

If problems arise with the HVAC system, do a tour of your house before you call in help. This will help the contractor determine what the problem is and how to fix it.

TIP! Keeping the outside condenser clean of debris and leaves will improve the system’s efficiency. Always shut the power off before doing any work or cleaning on the unit.

Know what you need before you select an HVAC contractor. It will be hard for a contractor to provide you a price estimate over the phone without knowing what your current system. It will be way more hard if you don’t know what’s wrong.

Clean your fan blades and coils when the weather begins to warm. Clean the outside of your external condenser unit.

TIP! Your HVAC unit may suffer when trees start to lose their leaves. Be sure to clean your fan grill frequently when trees nearby are shedding.

Clean the debris on an external condenser unit. You never know when things can pile up, like right after it’s windy or rains, and that can throw a wrench in your system. It will damage the system to malfunction by overheating.

TIP! Check to determine if the fan condenser on your HVAC system is equipped with oil ports, and if it is, be sure to lubricate every year. You can find these ports covered with rubber or metal caps.

Turn the power 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.

TIP! If you want to know where you should put an outdoor compressor, you should place it somewhere where there is a lot of shade. The cooler air that the unit can suck in, the less work it will need to do to further cool the air.

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

10 Drops

TIP! A programmable thermostat is a simple way to help save money on air conditioning costs. A thermostat that’s programmable is going to save you around ten percent on the heating and cooling costs you have to pay when you turn it back about fifteen percent for a part of the day.

Lubricate the oil ports on your fan condenser at least once each year. You can easily find these ports as they have a rubber or metal cap. Use a lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, putting 10 drops in each port.

TIP! You should have your HVAC system inspected at least once, but preferably twice, per year. This inspection will ensure that your unit is working efficiently, including a freon level and motor check, and oiling moving parts.

Turn off your outdoor condensers you have when it becomes cold out. This should turn it off to prevent damage if the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit. This can keep your system running efficiently for many years to come.

TIP! Turn your AC off if no one is at home. You may want to turn your unit off if your house will not become extremely hot or cold.

Air conditioners tend to ice up.The drain line may also freeze over. If this is something that’s happening to you, try switching your thermostat to just the fan so that it disables the compressor. You can call a HVAC professional, but switching to the fan setting should start to melt the ice.

TIP! You can always search the Internet when you aren’t entirely sure who you should call for proper HVAC repair or maintenance. In many cases you will find local review sites where previous customers will share the experience they had with companies they used.

Look for calculators online to help you determine the size of unit is necessary for your room or home. Look in the manual to determine the recommended size for this information.

Companies that are well established have track records typically provide better service. Hiring a contractor comes with an element of risk.

TIP! A radiant barrier is something that you may want to consider. It ensures that your unit stays hot or cold as it should be.

Contractors are responsible for their own charges and fees, so make sure that you acquire multiple estimates. You can save tons of money this way. Call at least four or five different HVAC specialist to find the rates are.

TIP! All of your windows and doors must be air-tight, in order for your HVAC system to run at maximum efficiency. Make sure they are tightly sealed so air can’t seep in.

Think about having a radiant barrier in your attic so support the efficient functioning of your HVAC system can run better. It ensures that your unit stays hot outside. You could even use your attic space if it is done right.

TIP! Measure the area that needs cooling before buying a unit. This calculation will tell you how many BTU’s you need.

Check the ducts to find any leaks if you you feel your unit seems to not be working efficiently. When you have leaks repaired, you’ll find that the testing paid for itself.

TIP! An experienced HVAC company should be chosen to help you out. A sign of a great company is one that arrives on time for their appointment.

Pick an HVAC business that is fast and knows what to do. The best companies will ensure that their technicians will always be on time. The technicians need to also be able to diagnose problems in your HVAC unit quickly. Once they are able to locate a problem, they will also be able to quickly and efficiently resolve it.

Ask any potential contractor about their experience prior to hiring them. Make sure they are experienced doing the kind of work that is needed.

Always make sure to get some references from a contractor.

TIP! Always check any references that you receive for an HVAC contractor. Sometimes, they just got good reviews because their price is low.

Some contractors attempt to overcharge you after the work is complete for things such as material fees and fuel charges. Having a solid written contract will let you avoid any issues like this.

Always check out any references that are given to you by a prospective HVAC contractor.

This information is used to determine the number of BTUs your system has to be.

TIP! Did you know that nearly 70 percent of all homes experience ducts with leaks? These leaky ducts can account for up to one fourth of your total utility costs. It is not difficult to seal your ducts, and you will see a noticeable change in the amount you pay for electricity.

You may be surprised to discover that as many as two-thirds of all homes have ducts that leak.This can greatly increase your utility bills. Sealing the ducts is something you can do easily and cheaply, and it may reduce energy costs greatly in the future.

TIP! Seek a HVAC contractor with Energy Star equipment and products. Products with the Energy Star symbol meet energy guidelines set by the EPA.

Look for HVAC contractor that use Energy Star equipment and equipment. This will ensure that is required by the product is more efficient than those without it. This will help you save cash on the bills when it comes to your cooling and heating costs.

Keep your HVAC system operating efficiently by cleaning the heating ducts from time to time. Check your ducts weekly. Damaged ducts increase the energy bill.

Make sure you know where the owner’s manual is always handy. The manual will help you out if you’re dealing with problems.

TIP!

Now that you went through this article on HVAC, it shouldn’t be hard to understand what you need to do to keep things running well for a while. Caring for your system will ensure you don’t end up with issues down the road. Make sure your HVAC system works properly by using these tips.