One important thing about a home is how well it gets cooled or heated. That means your HVAC has to be in tip top shape. If you don't care for your HVAC, then your repair costs can mount while your living conditions deteriorate. Below are many helpful tips that show you how to keep your HVAC humming along in proper working order.
Before calling for help, know the system you have. Know the model and brand and find it's maintenance history, if possible. This will help make sure that the contractor you hire has all the necessary information.
To make sure your condenser fan works properly, keep the fan blades and the coils clean. Be safe and turn off the power supply before working on your HVAC unit. Leaves and debris can build up inside the unit and cause damage.
Leaves falling from trees can wreak havoc with your HVAC unit. Clean the fan grill often when leaves are falling. The fan must not have anything in the way so that air can flow into it, and if it is clogged, you'll have a lot of headaches eventually.
It's a good idea to put your outdoor compressor in a shady area. This will limit the work that it has to do.
Put outdoor condensers in the shade. This will help ensure that the AC is pulling in cooler air, reducing the amount of work it has to do and saving you money.
Be sure you have the HVAC unit in your home checked about two times every year. This should happen in the fall and the spring. Whether you know of problems or not, good maintenance will help you to avoid future issues.
Occasionally, ice will form on your AC. You may even mistake the frozen drains as an issue for a plumber. When you see ice, turn the unit to fan. It is best to call a professional in to fix this particular issue, even though the switch to fan setting should cause the ice to start melting.
Research what size air conditioner you should purchase for the size of your home by using online calculators they have for this purpose. If you purchase something too large, you will be throwing away money. Use the manual to determine what size is right for you.
Find out how many years an HVAC company has been in business before you hire them. Companies that are well established have track records that can help you decide if they're worth your money and time. Hiring a new company will be riskier.
Checkout online reviews if you do not know which contractor to call for installation, maintenance or repair of your HVAC system. Many Internet sites let customers discuss experiences with certain companies. This will be an excellent way to locate people you should work with and people that may not work well with you.
For greater efficiency, put a radiant barrier in your attic. It blocks the heat from inside, reducing how much energy you need to cool down your home during summer. It can even make your attic a livable space.
Are you going to buy a new HVAC system? Many things must be taken into account before you purchase one. The rating given to a system tells how much are it can cover. It may be wise to get a unit that is a bit larger than needed. Just don't get one that is smaller than you need.
The windows and doors in your home must be efficient in order for your HVAC to perform as efficiently as possible. Make certain they have tight seals to keep air inside. Call a professional to come over to check how good you home is sealed up.
Consider which direction the air flows out of your air conditioner when you decide where to place it. If you have to place it in a corner, get one with moving vents.
Gather the level of experience of the company you are working with. You need to know that they have done the sort of work you require. Less experienced workers could work out just fine, but you really shouldn't take any chances.
Check in on the references for your contractor. You should know that the contractor does exactly what he says he's going to do, and there are no hidden costs involved. This will keep the scam artists away, but this only works by actually following up on the references.
Be certain you know what the HVAC work costs include. Some contractors attempt to charge you later for items like materials and fuel. Having a signed contract can help to avoid issues like that.
Now you know how to maintain the HVAC in your home. Maintain your unit on a monthly basis. These tips will help you keep your unit maintained and should help you if you ever need it replaced as well.
luckykeeper7005 Community Member 
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