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If your home has an HVAC within it, then you know just how crucial it is to keep the system up to snuff. It can be very costly to have a unit that does not run well. Here are some great tips to help you begin understanding this important item in your home.

Know what type of system you currently have before calling someone to fix it. Write down the make, model, and any maintenance history. Your contractor will appreciate this information.

Make a circuit around your home before calling for help with your HVAC. Figure out which rooms are too cool or warm. If you do this, it will be a great help to the future contractor, who will now be able to quickly locate the problem issue.

Clean your fan and coils when the weather begins to warm. Turn off your power before doing any job like this. Clean the outside of your condenser unit regularly.

Clean the debris on your condenser units. You don't know the amount of stuff that can pile up right after heavy winds or a storm. It will damage the system by overheating.

Clean your condenser's fan blades and coil in the spring. Turn it off first so you don't get hurt or break something. After you have turned the power off, you simply remove the grill and the blades to perform a gentle cleansing.

If there are oil ports on your fan condenser, lubricate it annually. You can easily find the ports as they have a rubber or metal cap. Put 10 drops of lightweight, non-detergent SAE oil in each port. Be careful not to use too much.

Check your unit at least twice each year. The fall and spring are the optimal times for this maintenance. A quick check is worth it to avoid problems down the road.

As the temperature outside drops, remember to turn off your outdoor condenser unit. If the temperature outside is less than 60ºF, be sure to turn off the unit so that you don't damage it. Your system will work longer for you this way.

Always take the time to check out the reputation of any HVAC contractor before you consider hiring them. Check with different references to determine the best one for your situation. Doing all of this will make sure you hire the best company for your HVAC needs.

Check any company you are considering to see how long it has been around. You are more likely to get good service this way. Taking risks is not something that you want to do in this area.

If you aren't sure who to call for HVAC maintenance, repairs, or installation, look online for reviews. Many online sites permit customers to let others know about their experiences with various services and contractors. This can help filter out the people you would like to work with.

Try installing a type of radiant barrier in the attic for to have a more efficient HVAC system. It ensures that your unit stays hot or cold as it should be. It it's installed properly, you might even be able to use your attic as an extra room.

If your system doesn't seem to be working efficiently, check your ducts for leaks. Often your utility company is willing to test this for you, and it may be free or lower in cost than you would get with a contractor. Once you fix the leaks, the savings will be more than worth the hassle.

Make your HVAC work efficiently when you consider what way your home faces. If trees are placed strategically, you can block morning sunlight that can overheat the house. You will reduce the need for AC when your home is naturally cooler.

If you hear a clicking noise coming from your HVAC unit, immediately start looking for any obstructions. Sometimes debris interferes with the cooling system fans. Simply get rid of the debris to get rid of the issue. Do this before calling for assistance.

When deciding what size of an air conditioner is right for you, you will need to measure how much area it will have to cool. You generally need 20 BTU for each square foot of room space. Make certain that you calculate using all of the rooms the unit will be treating.

Choose an HVAC contractor who know what he is doing and works quickly. A sign of a great company is one that arrives on time for their appointment. The tech will also know how to find the problem quickly. Once the problem is identified, fixing it should be quick and easy.

Hopefully, you now feel a little more confident in your HVAC knowledge. You don't want a HVAC system that costs you more money. Keep these tips for referral so you can get your HVAC system to last a long time.