HVAC: What You Should Know Before You Begin

The way your home is heated and cooled is important. A well-maintained HVAC system is a must. Poor maintenance leads to undesirable living conditions. To learn more about what you need to know to keep your system running, read on.

When purchasing a new HVAC system for your home, be sure it is energy efficient. These days, most new HVAC systems are energy efficient; there is a energy star label on the equipment. However, to be sure your utility costs do not go through the roof, choose equipment that is energy efficient.

When a contractor gives you a list of references, be sure to make use of it. Call the people on the list and ask about the quality of the work, how closely they came to their quote and whether or not the work was completed according to the promised timeline.

Every spring you should clean the coils and fan blades on your condenser fan. Don't forget to disconnect the power first. Then, remove the grill, then remove the blades and begin the cleaning process of the blades and the unit.

When you have an outdoor unit, be sure to keep all plants, flowers, shrubs and trees at least two feet from it. Anything that grows inside it, either above the ground or even roots beneath the soil, can block it up and cause it to break. Give it some breathing room.

Lubricate the oil ports on your condenser once each year. The port usually has either a rubber or metal cap on top of it. Use SAE 20 oil that is non-detergent and lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, but make sure to avoid overfilling them.

Manage the heat flow into your home with window coverings to help out your HVAC system. In the warmer months, use drapes, curtains and blinds to block out sunward facing windows to keep heat from building up through the greenhouse effect. Alternatively, make sure that sunlit windows are letting light and warmth in during the colder months.

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 get something that's too big, it won't work as well for you in the end. You can also check the owner's manual to find specific numbers provided for the manufacturer. These numbers indicate the particular unit to cool a particular area.

Try to stay away from HVAC contractors that ask for upfront payments before they are willing to get started on the work they were hired to do. In many cases, this means that they are more concerned about getting paid than they are about making sure the job is done well.

Whether you have an air conditioner in a window or outside your home, be sure to keep it in the shade. The cooler the air around it, and the cooler the condenser itself, the easier a time it will have of keeping the air inside your home cool as well.

If possible, your single pane windows should be replaced with double-paned ones. Double pane windows can minimize the use of your air conditioner in hot weather since they keep the indoor air cooler. This will also help you keep in heat when it gets cold.

Before having someone install a new HVAC system or maintain or repair yours, make sure they are insured. Having someone who is insured work on your system will assure that if anything happens while they are working at your home, they are financially covered and you will not be responsible.

Every year hire someone to give your HVAC unit routine maintenance. This will ensure that it works properly throughout the entire year. It will also allow you to have lower heating and cooling bills. When your HVAC is running properly, it will use the least amount of energy and save you money.

Choose a contractor who knows how to work with your current system. If they work with that set-up frequently, they'll quickly diagnose any problems and know exactly how to maintain it. Choosing such a firm will save you time and money, and will also save you from unnecessary headaches.

You should focus on finding an HVAC contractor that can offer you a warranty on the work they are doing. This is a sign that they are confident in their ability to get the job done well. This will protect you in the event that is not done right and needs to be fixed.

Consider which air conditioning commercial sacramento, ca flows out of your air conditioner when you decide where to place it. If it has to be placed in a corner, get a unit where the air won't be trapped against the wall.

Find your away around the HVAC system with the tips listed here. Just take the time to do it right and avoid any issues. Good luck and keep up the hard work!