HVAC Getting You Down? These Tips Will Help

Your HVAC system is very valuable to your home and family. It keeps the air in your home clean and at a comfortable temperature. If you do not take proper care of it, it will cost your more in energy and repair down the road. Use these helpful tips to take good care of your HVAC system.

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.

Before you choose an HVAC contractor, have an idea in your mind of what needs to be done. A contractor cannot give an accurate estimate without looking at your system. In addition, you need to be able to tell the contractor what you have already tried. Having this information handy will make the process much smoother.

In order to avoid having any problems with your air conditioning unit, keep all vegetation at least two feet away from the outdoor unit. The unit should be clear of any vegetation on all sides and above. When you mow the lawn, aim the grass clippings away from the a/c unit. This will prevent grass getting inside the a/c and making it malfunction.

Check your unit at least twice each year. It's best to have it checked before you turn it on for the summer and again for the winter. This will help you to avoid problems.

You should be sure to change the air filter of your HVAC system once every six months. Neglecting to do so can cause dust particles to clog the air ducts. In turn, your system will not work properly and you will find your bills going up. It's worth spending the time to clean the filters.

One way to save some money with A/C is by having a programmable thermostat installed. You have greater control over the temperature settings with these. You can often control it from your mobile phone!

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.

Do you want to make sure your HVAC unit works for you like it should? It is important to have your unit maintained on a regular basis. Any reputable technician will know exactly what you mean if you call them and ask for a maintenance service on your system.

You can usually have free duct testing performed if you are concerned about your HVAC system not running properly. 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. The testing will pay for itself once you find and repair the leaks.

While price should be one of the considerations you make when you are hiring an HVAC contractor, do not allow it to cloud your judgement. There are other factors that need to be considered in order to make a sound decision. Experience level, work ethic and positive reviews are a few things that should be considered as well.

If you are thinking of installing a new roof and want it to also boost the efficiency of your HVAC, choose white materials. They reflect the sun's heat so that your attic doesn't get hot, and that means your air conditioner doesn't have to labor as hard to cool your home.

When buying an air conditioner, you want to find out with a SEER rating of 13 or higher. 13 is the minimum standard set by the government, so higher ratings, while not mandatory, are going to offer you better efficiency. SEER ratings can go as high as 19, so keep this in mind as you shop.

As stated in the introduction above, it is essential to take great care of your HVAC system. The air in your home is very important, especially to you and your family's health and comfort. Make use of the informative tips above when you are maintaining and repairing your HVAC system.