Content written by-Neal Barlow

One key feature of any home is the HVAC system and how it all works. One that is poorly designed and not functioning properly can end up costing you a lot of extra money. So it is important that you know what to look for in HVAC systems. Keep reading for an education on this subject.



Get any agreement with an HVAC contractor in writing. Some contractors try to skip over this step and charge customers a fortune. If you have a certain price and warranty in writing, they cannot go back and change this information. If they do, they could have a lawsuit on their hands.

Once it gets cold outside, you should turn off the outdoor condenser unit. If it's less than 60 degrees outside, turn the unit off. This will help keep your HVAC system in good health for years, which means you will save on repair bills.

Be sure to regularly clean debris from external condenser units. After a wind or rain storm things may pile up, causing problems with your system. Overheating could occur, which will be problematic.

Make sure your condenser fan is in good working order by wiping down the fan blades and the coils. Turn the power off so nothing moves. Next, remove the grill, take the blades and clean them gently, then clean the actual unit.

To save money on your HVAC system, turn the air conditioning down at night and let your home warm up a bit. To keep yourself cool, use a chilling water-filled pillow to cool down your head and your whole body as a result. This combined with a fan will keep you from overheating while saving on your utility bills.

Turn off outdoor condenser units when weather turns cold. When the temperature drops beneath 60 degrees, it's time to cut off the unit to prevent damage. This helps your system remain in good working order.

If you have a window air conditioner without a timer, use a regular outlet timer to control when it is on or off. These are the same ones you use for holiday lights, so all you have to do is plug your air conditioner into the timer and set it to cool you during the day.

Consider all of your alternatives before installing a central air conditioner. You can only cool certain rooms, use whole-house fans, or even make use of a geothermal system. The more efficient the system you set up, the less you'll spend on utility bills over time as you use it.

Get an estimate before agreeing to have any work done on your HVAC unit. This will help keep you from being surprised by a bill at the end. Any reputable technician should be able to look at your unit, determine the problem and give you an estimate as to how much it will cost to fix it.

Be careful of sounds in your HVAC. If the condenser fan begins to make a grating or clicking sound, the blades could be hitting an obstruction. If blades get bent, don't try straightening them. You could unbalance them and cause them to hit the condenser coil. This could loosen the motor in the fan. Try replacing the bent blades with new ones. Make sure the new blades can freely rotate without wobbling.

Find out how many years an HVAC company has been in business before you hire them. The older they are, the more likely it will be for you to find out their history, which will help you gauge their quality. If you choose to hire a new contractor, you may be risking things.

Get an estimate before agreeing to have any work done on your HVAC unit. This will help keep you from being surprised by a bill at the end. Any reputable technician should be able to look at your unit, determine the problem and give you an estimate as to how much it will cost to fix it.

Have your HVAC inspected every year to ensure that it is working properly. The technician will check your filters, drain lines, air flow and Freon levels. This will have your HVAC working at peak performance saving you money all season long. mouse click the up coming web site will also alert you to any repairs that need to be address before they become big problems.

Improve the efficiency of your air conditioning by installing ceiling fans. Change the airflow direction of the ceiling fans. During the summer, the blades should move in a counter-clockwise direction. During the winter, the blades should move clockwise to help move the hot air in the ceiling down into the room.

To block out the sun on hot summer days, allowing your air conditioner to run less frequently, invest in heat blocking drapes. These textiles come in beautiful patterns and colors today, looking just like their designer counterparts. They will keep the heat out so that your home stays cooler without costing you an arm and a leg on utility bills.

Look for deals on equipment. The equipment you need to update, maintain or repair your HVAC system tends to be expensive. Keep your eyes open for available coupons, store discounts and rebates on this equipment. Stock up on things you always need, like filters, when they are on sale.

If you hear clicking noises from your condenser fan, make sure that it is not striking something inside the unit. If it is not hitting something, it may be bent. Do not try to straighten the blades. This could cause it to become unbalanced. Simply replace the blade to ensure proper rotation.

To boost your home HVAC's efficiency, install solar screening. It reflects sunlight back outside, stopping it from heating up your home. Your air conditioner will be able to run less in the daytime, and your energy bill will plummet as a result. You can install this on any glass you have, doors or windows.

An HVAC system is expensive. Therefore, read more want to make sure that you work with a reputable contractor or company to ensure that you get the most from your investment. Always get references from anyone that you are considering working with, and make sure to follow up on each of those references.

Now you should be able to see what must be done to keep your HVAC system in working order. If you ignore the system and the required maintenance, then it will fail when you need it the most. Use the information above to make sure it's doing well, so that you don't get home and find your home is too cold or too hot.