Content written by-Viborg Thomas
In parts of the country where it gets very hot during the summer, a good cooling system is a must. Similarly, in regions where the winters can be very cold, a high-quality furnace is vital. Finding the right HVAC system for your home is a snap when you use the following tips.
Although most people are thinking of their heating systems during the winter months, air conditioning is also important. When installing a new furnace or heating system, make sure the air ducts are also set up to work with your air condition system. Using the ducts for both heating and cooling is the most economical choice.
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.
An HVAC system is a really expensive investment. This is why you should do some browsing before purchasing your system. Try to find a good sale so you can get your system at a discount. Check out a couple of sites before making a decision. A great site to begin is www.energystar.gov.
If you do have a good experience with a HVAC product or contractor, let others know. Go online and post a review so that people can easily find out who and what brands to trust. At the same time, you can check reviews online to learn more yourself about what's available.
When you buy a new air conditioning unit, don't let the salesperson talk you into too large of a unit.  
http://lauricemarine.blogzet.com/easy-to-understand-cooling-and-heating-suggestions-for-any-individual-new-to-it-18157578  will be a waste of money and won't efficiently cool your home. The longer a system runs, the more efficient it will be when it's running, so look for one which runs 15 to 30 minutes.
If you are uncertain about which HVAC contractor to call when you experience an equipment failure, take the time to ask friends and family for personal recommendations. By doing this, you will be able to feel more confident about the choice you make, because you will have gotten the opinions of people you already know to be trustworthy.
Keep your condensers free of nearby obstructions. Keep plants, fencing, even bushes back and away from the unit. Two feet is a good minimum distance it should have from anything, including walls, but the more space you give it to breathe, the better it will work and the less likely it will be to fail.
Turn your AC off if no one is at home. The house will only heat up to a certain point. Leaving your heating or cooling running full blast while you are away is a waste of money and energy.
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.
If you are going to use the Internet as a source for good HVAC contractors, you need to be very careful. You never know who is behind the glowing reviews that are posted all over the Web. There is a chance that the contractor is posting their own reviews or paying others to do so.
Consider painting the outside of your home in a light color to reflect heat if you live in a hot climate. If your summers are cool, use a dark color to instead heat up your home in the winter. This simple change can end up saving you a lot on your utility bills.
The energy efficiency of a unit should be taken into consideration when purchasing a new heating and cooling system. Although you should be concerned about the price of a unit, the efficiency of the unit will save you thousands over the lifetime of the heating and cooling system and should weigh heavily on your buying decision.
If your home gets hot in the summer and you'd like to use your air conditioner less often, consider a metal roof. It reflects the heat right back up into the sky, allowing your home to gain less heat on sunny days. Since metal roofs are permanent, you'll save on repair and replacement costs also.
You should do your research before hiring anyone to come to your home to complete any HVAC projects. Watching home improvements shows can be deceiving since things rarely go as smoothly as they do on television. It is very important that you know what to expect before things get started.
Be certain you know what to expect when you hire contractors to do a certain job. They may tack on fees that are ridiculous, like a fuel surcharge. Solidly written contracts let you prevent such issues.
Drape  
read the article  over your condenser unit in the winter to protect it. It prolongs the lifespan. Also, it is not a good idea to run a compressor when the temperature dips below 60 degrees. Do this by simply turn on the fan so that you don't cause the unit unnecessary strain.
Know what's included in any repair work you contract. There are contractors out there that will make you pay for extra things like charges for fuel or materials. A contract will really help you if something like this materializes.
When buying a new HVAC unit, make sure that you have it install from a licensed contractor. Ask them for references and make sure that the contractor followed up with customers whenever they needed to. Check  
http://timothy6cheryl.tribunablog.com/simple-advice-to-provide-you-complete-hvac-expertise-17568877  with the Better Business Bureau and Department of Consumer Affairs before you hire them.
Consider using dark materials on a west-facing floor or wall to warm your home. As the sun warms the material, it will then radiate that heat back into your home all day long. Concrete is one of the best choices for such a set-up since it releases its heat slowly.
Any contractor that gives you a quote over the phone shouldn't be trusted. To truly evaluate your needs, they must come into your home and check it out basement to attic. If they make promises without even seeing your house, there is no way they'll be able to keep them.
You don't want to have a faulty HVAC system because that will make any homeowner miserable. Having a home that is too hot or cold is enough to drive anyone crazy. Then having to pay the costs to fix this problem makes it even worse. Don't let this happen, remember the tips here to ensure your HVAC system stays working right.