Check out the system that you have before you call a professional. Get information on the make and model, plus if you have information on the history of maintenance, that will help, too. The contractor will likely need all of this information.

Before you hire an HVAC contractor, have some sort of idea of the work that needs to be done. It's hard to get an estimate since they haven't look at your system. Being unable to explain what has been already done will make it even harder. It's a good idea to learn this information in advance.

Your outside condenser fan can be helped to run better by you cleaning the fan blades and coils prior to summer starting up. Always shut off all power to your unit for any work beyond superficial cleaning. Clean off any leaves or debris from your external condenser unit.

Make sure your condenser fan is in good working order by wiping down the fan blades and the coils. Before you do so, shut off the power to ensure that none of the parts will move while you work on it. Take the grill off and pull the blades out to clean them.

Don't get grass clippings on your outside unit. Instead, make sure that the grass is shooting in the opposite direction. The same thing should go on when you blow leaves, so take your time when you're working around HVAC units that are around when you're blowing debris around.

If possible, put your HVAC in a shaded area if it is outside. This will ensure cool air is sucked in, meaning less cooling must be done by the unit.

When the weather cools down, turn your outdoor condenser off. This means that you should turn it off to prevent damage if the weather falls under 60 degrees Farenheit. This will ensure your system stays in good working order every year, saving you money on costly repairs.

Save energy use and money by turning off the air conditioner if there is nobody home. You may want to turn your unit off if your flex house will not become extremely hot or cold. It will use more electricity if you keep it running.

Do not allow your house to get extremely hot. Air conditioners are limited in that they can only reduce the indoor temperature 20 degrees Fahrenheit in a reasonable time limit. If the temperature in your home rises above 100 degrees, you will only be able to cool it down to 80. This won't be a healthy environment to live in.

Before you invest in any HVAC contractor, make sure you spend a good deal of time researching their reputations and credentials. You may also want to check with the BBB for information. These steps are going to help to ensure your decision is a wise one.

How long has the contractor been in business? It is more likely that a contractor who has been in business for a longer time will give you better value for your money. You will be taking a risk if you hire a newer contractor.

If you need a HVAC contractor, try and get recommendations from family and friends. People who have had a good experience are often happy to share the name of their contractor. This will also help you avoid scammers.

If you don't know who you should contact to do your HVAC maintenance or any installations, look online to see if you can find reviews. Many online review sites provide an avenue for this information. This is an excellent method of finding contractors that you are interested in dealing with as well as those that you want to avoid.

Each contractor will have their own fee schedule, so make sure you get several different quotes before you hire anybody. You should save some money this way. To figure out what a good rate is, speak with about five or six contractors.

For top efficiency, figure out what direction your home faces. If you have some trees that are placed in good spots, you can be sure they block the sunlight during the morning. If there is less heat coming into your home, then your air conditioning unit won't have to work as hard.

If you hear a clicking in the HVAC unit at home, see if there are any obstructions right away. There may be particles of debris that are touching the fans. That is a simple solution; just take the debris out. Before you call a technician, look at it yourself.

Your HVAC system will be more efficient if your doors and windows are efficient as well. Make sure they are tightly sealed so air can't seep in. A professional can easily have this tested for you, and oftentimes, this service is free.

Measure the area that requires air conditioning. Generally, 20 BTU per square foot is ideal. If more than one room needs AC service, combine all the square footage.

Always get some references prior to hiring any contractor. You need to know if previous clients have gotten what they needed, like timely service within their budget. If you check references carefully, you can avoid being scammed.

Check all references given to you from an HVAC contractor. Never assume that just because the contractor gives you references that they will check out well. It does not require much of your time.

Did your contractor calculate your heat-loss ratio before giving you their quote? This needs to be factored in when figuring out the best sized unit for your home. Windows and doors need to be inspected for drafts, insulation checked for efficiency and the interior dimensions of the house should also be considered.

No one enjoys working with a malfunctioning HVAC unit. However, if you just take your time to learn things about this kind of a topic before things go wrong, it won't be so bad for you. With some knowledge close at hand, problems can be solved efficiently and quickly.