HVAC System Basics for New Homeowners

Congrats on picking out your first home! You are obviously thrilled with your investment, although you might feel overloaded by all your new responsibilities. Now that you’re the homeowner, not the renter, it’s your job to care for all your home’s appliances and systems, including the heating and cooling equipment.

If the only interaction you’ve ever had with a furnace or air conditioner is to adjust the thermostat, you have a lot to learn. Get a head start with these HVAC system suggestions for brand-new homeowners.

Know the Different Elements of an HVAC System

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

• Comfort units, like an air conditioner, air-source heat pump, furnace, boiler, geothermal heat pump or ductless mini-split, to name a few possibilities.
• Ductwork attached to return and supply registers when it comes to air-forced systems such as ACs, heat pumps and furnaces.
• Radiators or hot water distribution systems such as boilers.
• Indoor air quality products, like 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 were a renter, the landlord probably managed any HVAC maintenance tasks like replacing the air filter. They may or may not have also handled the bill for comprehensive heating and cooling inspections.

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

• Replace the air filter every 30 to 90 days.
• Gently hose down the outdoor unit and pare back vegetation to increase airflow.
• Keep all air registers open to preserve proper system balance.

Then, schedule annual maintenance for each HVAC unit. Only a trained professional can complete in-depth tasks like cleaning the furnace burners, recharging the AC refrigerant and measuring air leaks in the ductwork. Anticipate the following perks when you get a professional to inspect your system annually:

• Energy savings
• Fewer breakdowns
• More affordable repair bills
• Improved 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 contact a heating and cooling specialist:

• Excess noise: Don’t neglect a squealing, rattling, clanking or banging sound. It could be a cry for help from the furnace or air conditioner.
• Comfort or air quality issues: Erratic temperatures, high or low humidity, stale rooms and mold-like smells are often associated with defective HVAC equipment.
• Poor energy efficiency: Are your bills unexpectedly increasing? This could mean your heating and cooling system isn’t functioning correctly.
• Old age: Like all mechanical equipment, HVAC systems ultimately give out. The standard life span of a furnace or boiler is 15 years, while air conditioners and heat pumps last just about a decade.

Understand the HVAC Replacement Process

If your damaged furnace or air conditioner can’t be repaired, you’ll need to replace it with an HVAC specialist’s help. Here’s how that works:

• Explain the problem to your technician and permit them to explore it more in-depth.
• The tech will next identify the problem and offer the best solutions. A repair could be feasible, but according to the unit’s condition and age, a replacement can be more cost-effective.
• You can secure numerous opinions and estimates from different contractors if you want.
• When you contact Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing, a residential sales consultant will determine what HVAC system, brand, fuel type and efficiency rating is best for you.
• The contractor will provide a written estimate describing the work needed, the equipment they’ll install and the overall cost. You should also receive info about warranty coverage, service plans and financing options.
• Schedule the installation after you decide what system you want. Your contractor will handle everything, including hauling away the old equipment for safe disposal.
• The sales consultant will walk through the new system with you, describing how to use it, addressing any questions and giving you all the necessary documentation.

Call Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing

If you have questions about these HVAC system guidelines, don’t wait Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. We prioritize customer education to help you make the best decision about your home comfort system. Our team is well-versed in a wide range of HVAC services, so give us a call for anything from furnace maintenance to AC repair to heat pump installation. For more info or to ask about an estimate, please call your local Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing office today.