Your home can be made much more comfortable by owning a good HVAC system. Lots of houses have these built in, but others may require installation or repair later on. Understanding what to look for in an HVAC system can really help you to buy a great product when the time is right. Try using these tips.

Before you start calling to find someone to fix your unit, make sure you know the type of system that is installed. Get information on the make and model, plus if you have information on the history of maintenance, that will help, too. Your contractor will appreciate this information.

Before you hire anyone to do any work on your HVAC, be sure to get a written estimate which has itemized costs listed on it. This will ensure that comparing one contractor to another will be simple as you can see what one offers that another doesn’t, or what price they’re charging for the same items.

To make sure your condenser fan works properly, keep the fan blades and the coils clean. If you are doing more than a light surface cleaning, make sure that the power is shut off to the HVAC unit. In addition, always remove all debris such as leaves from the outside condenser unit.

When the spring comes and the days begin to warm up, call in a pro to give your HVAC a once over. This will ensure that your air conditioner works as expected all summer long, stopping you from sweating it out when you least expect the system to fail.

Ask for references and be sure to call them as well. You are dealing with a high ticket item here, so you’ll want to do your due diligence to make sure you are getting the best for your money. Ask for references, but don’t stop there. Call each reference to check. A lot of people don’t take that important last step.

If your evaporator coil, found inside your home, becomes dirty, your unit will lose efficiency. Just pop off the front panel of the furnace and check to see that the coil is dry. Using a brush attachment on a vacuum, gently clean the coil of any dust or other debris.

Be sure to check your evaporator coil drains frequently when your air conditioner is running. If this tube backs up, you can find water damage to your walls, ceilings and floors. If you end up with mold just use a solution of bleach and water to clean out the tube.

If at all possible, install double-paned windows in your home instead of those with a single pane. Windows that are double pane keep the cool air in and can greatly reduce the amount of time your air conditioner will need to run. Conversely, this also works to keep warm air in during colder months.

Not only is an HVAC unit a fantastic investment, it can ensure your home is comfortable inside regardless of the weather. Make sure to use these tips when you need to replace one. They will aid you in making wise decisions in all things HVAC.