HVAC System Basics for New Homeowners

Congrats on purchasing your first home! You are certainly thrilled with your investment, although you may also feel overwhelmed by all these new responsibilities. Now that you’re a homeowner, not the renter, it’s your job to maintain all your home’s appliances and utilities, such as 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 suggestions for brand-new homeowners.

Know the Different Components of an HVAC System

HVAC stands for heating, ventilation and air conditioning. Unless you live in the perfect climate, your new home probably has this system to keep you warm during the winter and cool in the summer. Here are the key 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 when it comes to air-forced systems including ACs, heat pumps and furnaces.
• Radiators or hot water distribution systems in the case of boilers.
• Indoor air quality solutions, like an air filter, whole-house humidifier, whole-house dehumidifier, air purifier or energy-recovery ventilator.
• Thermostat for indoor climate control.

Recognize the Importance of Preventive Maintenance

When you rented, the landlord likely took care of HVAC maintenance tasks such as replacing the air filter. They may or may not have foot the bill for detailed 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:

• Change 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, arrange yearly maintenance for each HVAC unit. Only a qualified professional can execute in-depth tasks like cleaning the furnace burners, recharging the AC refrigerant and measuring air leaks in the ductwork. Count on the following perks when you hire a professional to inspect your system annually:

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

Look Out 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 professional:

• Excessive noise: Don’t ignore a screeching, rattling, clanking or banging sound. It could be a cry for help from your home’s furnace or air conditioner.
• Comfort or air quality problems: Erratic temperatures, high or low humidity, stale rooms and musty smells are routinely tied to defective HVAC equipment.
• Low energy efficiency: Are your bills unexpectedly going up? This could mean your heating and cooling system isn’t running properly.
• Old age: Like all mechanical systems, HVAC systems eventually wear out. The typical life span of a furnace or boiler is 15 years, while air conditioners and heat pumps can live around a decade.

Learn More About the HVAC Replacement Process

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

• Illustrate the problem to the technician and allow them to investigate it more in-depth.
• The technician will next determine the problem and suggest the best solutions. A repair could be viable, but according to the unit’s condition and age, a replacement can be more cost-effective.
• You can obtain various opinions and estimates from different 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 contractor will compose a written estimate outlining the work required, the equipment they’ll install and the final cost. You should also receive info about warranty coverage, service plans and financing options.
• Schedule the installation after you pick what system you want. Your technician will complete everything, even hauling away the old equipment for proper disposal.
• The sales consultant will walk through the new system with you, detailing how to use it, helping with any questions and providing all the necessary documentation.

Call Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing

If you have concerns about these HVAC system fundamentals, get in touch with Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. We focus on customer education to help you make an educated decision about your heating and cooling 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 information or to request an estimate, please contact your local Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing office today.