The average person is not familiar with most things having to do with HVAC. This is something you must educate yourself on for emergencies. The information you will read will help you tremendously.

Before making that repair phone call, make sure you know the specifics about your particular system. Know the model and brand and find it’s maintenance history, if possible. This will enable you to give your chosen contractor any information they might need.

Make a circuit around your home before calling for help with your HVAC. Notice the temperature in each room. Are some cooler or hotter than others? That knowledge can help the technician figure out what is going on.

Be sure to regularly clean debris from external condenser units. Particularly after bad weather, you should inspect your unit. Also, you are risking your system overheating.

You must keep your HVAC systems oil ports lubricated annually. These ports are often covered by a rubber or metal cap. Use a lightweight oil and do not overfill them.

Put outdoor condensers in the shade. If the air your machine draws in is already cooler, it will require less energy to regulate before it’s filtered into your home.

Check your unit at least twice each year. This should be done in the fall and again in the spring. Regular inspection will help you avoid unexpected repairs.

If you are a homeowner, or if you can get permission from your landlord, install double-paned windows in place of any single panes in your home. Good double pane windows keep cool air in during the summer and minimize your utility expenses. It also facilitates heat retention in winter.

If you want to ensure you choose a trustworthy HVAC contractor, invest a little time in researching a few different companies, checking out their reputations. It is always wise to check their status with the BBB. In addition, check out customer reviews that appear online. Doing this makes it more likely that you choose wisely..

Did you know an AC unit can freeze? The drain line may also freeze up. Change your thermostat in situations like this. You should leave the repair to a professional, but switching to the fan setting should start to melt the ice.

How long has the contractor been in business? You are more likely to get good service this way. Hiring a new company will be riskier.

Checkout online reviews if you do not know which contractor to call for installation, maintenance or repair of your HVAC system. There are plenty of online websites that give people the opportunity to leave comments about the service they received. This is useful for finding people that you wish to work with and those that you don’t.

Think about having a radiant barrier installed in your attic so support the efficient functioning of your HVAC system. It blocks the heat from inside, reducing how much energy you need to cool down your home during summer. If this is installed correctly, it will give you the ability to actually use your attic as extra space to live in.

When your HVAC fails, the situation is bad. However, by knowing more about the topic, you can keep your HVAC system in good shape. Use the information in this article to assist you with your HVAC maintenance.