HVAC System Basics for New Homeowners

Congrats on picking out your first home! You are obviously thrilled with your investment, though you may also feel overloaded by all the 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 systems, like the heating and cooling equipment.

If the only interaction you’ve ever had with a furnace or air conditioner is to change the thermostat, you have plenty to learn. Get started with these HVAC system tips for first-time homeowners.

Know the Different Components of an HVAC System

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

• Comfort units, such as an air conditioner, air-source heat pump, furnace, boiler, geothermal heat pump or ductless mini-split, to name a few choices.
• Ductwork fixed 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 equipment, 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 were a renter, the landlord probably handled any HVAC maintenance tasks such as 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 give preventive maintenance the attention it deserves. First, prioritize these do-it-yourself HVAC maintenance tasks:

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

Then, schedule annual maintenance for each HVAC unit. Only a qualified professional can perform in-depth tasks like cleaning the furnace burners, recharging the AC refrigerant and measuring air leaks in the ductwork. Count on the following advantages when you call a professional to inspect your system once a year:

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

Keep an Eye Out for Signs of Trouble

Repairing and replacing the HVAC system is the homeowner’s responsibility. Watch for these signals that it’s time to hire a heating and cooling contractor:

• Excessive noise: Don’t ignore a whining, rattling, clanking or banging sound. It can be a cry for help from your home’s furnace or air conditioner.
• Comfort or air quality trouble: Uneven temperatures, high or low humidity, stale rooms and moldy smells are routinely linked to faulty HVAC equipment.
• Poor energy efficiency: Are your bills suddenly on the rise? This might mean your heating and cooling system isn’t running right.
• Old age: Like all mechanical systems, HVAC systems eventually fail. The standard life span of a furnace or boiler is 15 years, while air conditioners and heat pumps can live just about a decade.

Learn More About the HVAC Replacement Process

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

• Explain the problem to the technician and let them explore it more in-depth.
• The tech will diagnose the problem and offer available solutions. A repair might be viable, but based on the unit’s condition and age, a replacement may be more cost-effective.
• You can secure various opinions and estimates from assorted contractors if you so choose.
• When you work with Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing, a residential sales consultant will review what HVAC system, brand, fuel type and efficiency rating is perfect for you.
• The contractor should supply you with a written estimate outlining the work necessary, the equipment they’ll install and the total price. You might also be given details about warranty coverage, service plans and financing options.
• Schedule the installation after you decide what system you want. The technician will take care of everything, like hauling away the old equipment for proper disposal.
• The sales consultant can review the new system with you, describing how to use it, addressing any questions and offering all the needed documentation.

Call Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing

If you have concerns about these HVAC system guidelines, don’t hesitate Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. We emphasize customer education to help you make an informed decision about your heating and cooling system. Our team is proficient in a full array of HVAC services, so turn to us for anything from furnace maintenance to AC repair to heat pump installation. For more information or to request an estimate, please call your local Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing office today.