HVAC System Basics for New Homeowners

Congratulations on buying your first home! You are certainly pleased with your investment, though you might feel weighed down by all your new responsibilities. Now that you’re the homeowner, not the renter, it’s your job to take care of all your home’s appliances and utility equipment, including the heating and cooling equipment.

If the only interaction you’ve ever experienced with a furnace or air conditioner is to adjust the thermostat, you have more to learn. Get a head start with these HVAC system tips for new homeowners.

Know the Parts of an HVAC System

HVAC stands for heating, ventilation and air conditioning. Unless you live in the perfect climate, your new home likely has this system to keep you warm during the winter and cool throughout the summer. Here are the basic parts of an HVAC system:

• Comfort equipment, such as an air conditioner, air-source heat pump, furnace, boiler, geothermal heat pump or ductless mini-split, to name a few choices.
• Ductwork attached to return and supply registers in the case of air-forced systems such as ACs, heat pumps and furnaces.
• Radiators or hot water distribution systems like boilers.
• Indoor air quality solutions, such as an air filter, whole-house humidifier, whole-house dehumidifier, air purifier or energy-recovery ventilator.
• Thermostat for indoor comfort control.

Recognize the Importance of Preventive Maintenance

When you rented, your landlord most likely handled any HVAC maintenance tasks such as replacing the air filter. They may or may not have foot the bill for comprehensive heating and cooling inspections.

Now that you’re taking care of things, you can provide preventive maintenance the attention it deserves. First, perform these do-it-yourself HVAC maintenance tasks:

• Change the air filter every 30 to 90 days.
• Lightly hose down the outdoor unit and trim back vegetation to improve airflow.
• Keep all air registers open to maintain proper system balance.

Then, request annual maintenance for each HVAC unit. Only an experienced professional can execute in-depth tasks like cleaning the furnace burners, recharging the AC refrigerant and gauging air leaks in the ductwork. Expect the following perks when you hire a professional to inspect your system annually:

• Energy savings
• Fewer breakdowns
• Smaller repair bills
• Enhanced home comfort
• Expanded system life span
• Peace of mind

Watch for Signs of Trouble

Repairing and replacing the HVAC system is the homeowner’s job. Watch for these signs that it’s time to hire a heating and cooling specialist:

• Excess noise: Don’t dismiss a whining, rattling, clanking or banging sound. It might be a cry for help from the furnace or air conditioner.
• Comfort or air quality problems: Inconsistent temperatures, high or low humidity, stagnant rooms and mold-like smells are routinely tied to faulty HVAC equipment.
• Poor energy efficiency: Are your bills mysteriously going up? This might mean your heating and cooling system isn’t working right.
• Old age: Like all mechanical utilities, HVAC systems ultimately wear out. The standard life span of a furnace or boiler is 15 years, while air conditioners and heat pumps run around a decade.

Understand the HVAC Replacement Process

If a defective furnace or air conditioner can’t be fixed, you’ll need to replace it with an HVAC professional’s help. Here’s how this works:

• Illustrate the problem to your technician and permit them to take a closer look at it more in-depth.
• The professional will identify the problem and recommend possible solutions. A repair might be viable, but depending on the unit’s condition and age, a replacement can be more cost-effective.
• You can secure multiple opinions and estimates from available contractors if you want.
• When you work with Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing, a residential sales consultant will go over what HVAC system, brand, fuel type and efficiency rating is best for you.
• The tech will then provide a written estimate detailing the work needed, the equipment they’ll install and the overall cost. You should also receive information about warranty coverage, service plans and financing options.
• Schedule the installation as soon as you pick what system you want. Your technician will complete everything, including hauling away the old equipment for appropriate disposal.
• The sales consultant should review the new system with you, explaining how to use it, addressing any questions and offering all the needed documentation.

Call Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing

If you have questions about these HVAC system guidelines, feel free]] to {reach out to Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. We prioritize customer education to help you make an educated decision about your home comfort system. Our team is well-versed in a wide range of HVAC services, so give us a call for everything from furnace maintenance to AC repair to heat pump installation. For more details or to ask for an estimate, please contact your local Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing office today.