HVAC System Basics for New Homeowners

Well done on purchasing your first home! You are obviously thrilled with your investment, though you may also feel weighed down by all these new responsibilities. Now that you’re the owner, not the renter, it’s your job to care for 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 more to learn. Try these HVAC system suggestions for new homeowners.

Know the Different Elements of an HVAC System

HVAC stands for heating, ventilation and air conditioning. Unless you live in the perfect climate, your new home most likely 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, such as an air conditioner, air-source heat pump, furnace, boiler, geothermal heat pump or ductless mini-split, to name a few options.
• Ductwork attached to return and supply registers when it comes to air-forced systems like ACs, heat pumps and furnaces.
• Radiators or hot water distribution systems such as boilers.
• Indoor air quality products, 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 renting your home, a landlord probably managed 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 give preventive maintenance the attention it deserves. First, complete 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 sustain proper system balance.

Then, request yearly maintenance for each HVAC unit. Only a trained professional can perform in-depth tasks like cleaning the furnace burners, recharging the AC refrigerant and identifying air leaks in the ductwork. Count on the following perks when you call a professional to inspect your system annually:

• Energy savings
• Fewer breakdowns
• Smaller repair bills
• Enhanced home comfort
• Expanded 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 clues that it’s time to call a heating and cooling contractor:

• Excess noise: Don’t dismiss a squealing, rattling, clanking or banging sound. It can be a cry for help from your furnace or air conditioner.
• Comfort or air quality problems: Uneven temperatures, high or low humidity, stuffy rooms and moldy odors are regularly linked to defective HVAC equipment.
• Poor energy efficiency: Are your bills unexpectedly on the rise? This can mean your heating and cooling system isn’t working properly.
• Old age: Like all mechanical equipment, HVAC systems eventually fail. 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 damaged furnace or air conditioner can’t be fixed, you’ll need to replace it with an HVAC specialist’s help. Here’s how that works:

• Describe the problem to your technician and allow them to explore it more in-depth.
• The technician will diagnose the problem and offer the best solutions. A repair could be doable, but according to the unit’s condition and age, a replacement can be more cost-effective.
• You can obtain various opinions and estimates from assorted contractors if you prefer.
• 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 supply you with a written estimate outlining 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 after you pick what system you want. Your technician will take care of everything, including hauling away the old equipment for proper disposal.
• The sales consultant will go over the new system with you, detailing how to use it, addressing any questions and giving you all the needed documentation.

Call Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing

If you have concerns about these HVAC system basics, call Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. We focus on customer education to help you make the best decision about your home comfort system. Our team is experienced in a full array 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 call your local Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing office today.