HVAC System Basics for New Homeowners

Congrats on picking out your first home! You are certainly delighted with your investment, though you might feel overloaded 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 systems, 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 plenty to learn. Get a head start with these HVAC system basics for first-time homeowners.

Know the Parts of an HVAC System

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

• Comfort equipment, like an air conditioner, air-source heat pump, furnace, boiler, geothermal heat pump or ductless mini-split, to name a few choices.
• Ductwork connected to return and supply registers in the case of air-forced systems like ACs, heat pumps and furnaces.
• Radiators or hot water distribution systems like 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 were renting your home, the landlord probably managed any HVAC maintenance tasks like replacing the air filter. They may or may not have paid 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:

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

Then, schedule 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. Anticipate the following perks when you hire a professional to inspect your system once a year:

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

Watch 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 professional:

• Excess noise: Don’t ignore a screeching, rattling, clanking or banging sound. It can be a cry for help from the furnace or air conditioner.
• Comfort or air quality trouble: Erratic temperatures, high or low humidity, stagnant rooms and musty smells are regularly linked to defective HVAC equipment.
• Low energy efficiency: Are your bills suddenly on the rise? This might mean your heating and cooling system isn’t working right.
• Old age: Like all mechanical systems, HVAC systems ultimately give out. The average life span of a furnace or boiler is 15 years, while air conditioners and heat pumps last about a decade.

Learn More About the HVAC Replacement Process

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

• Describe the problem to the contractor and allow them to take a closer look at it more in-depth.
• The tech should identify the problem and offer available solutions. A repair may be doable, but depending on the unit’s condition and age, a replacement might be more cost-effective.
• You can acquire numerous opinions and estimates from available contractors if you prefer.
• When you call Wesley Wood Service Experts, a residential sales consultant will go over what HVAC system, brand, fuel type and efficiency rating is ideal for you.
• The technician will provide a written estimate detailing the work necessary, the equipment they’ll install and the total price. You might also receive information about warranty coverage, service plans and financing options.
• Schedule the installation once you decide what system you want. Your contractor will take care of everything, even hauling away the old equipment for proper disposal.
• The sales consultant will walk through the new system with you, explaining how to use it, answering any questions and offering all the needed documentation.

Call Wesley Wood Service Experts

If you have concerns about these HVAC system guidelines, feel free to call Wesley Wood Service Experts. We prioritize customer education to help you make an informed decision about your home comfort system. Our team is proficient in a full range of HVAC services, so reach out for everything from furnace maintenance to AC repair to heat pump installation. For more details or to ask about an estimate, please contact your local Wesley Wood Service Experts office today.