Congrats on picking out your first home! You are obviously thrilled with your investment, even though you might feel overwhelmed 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 utility equipment, such as the heating and cooling equipment.
If the only interaction you’ve ever come across with a furnace or air conditioner is to change the thermostat, you have more to learn. Try these HVAC system basics for 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 most likely has this system to keep you warm in the winter and cool for 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 attached to return and supply registers with regards to air-forced systems like ACs, heat pumps and furnaces.
- Radiators or hot water distribution systems such as boilers.
- Indoor air quality equipment, like an air filter, whole-house humidifier, whole-house dehumidifier, air purifier or energy-recovery ventilator.
- Thermostat for indoor comfort control.
Appreciate the Importance of Preventive Maintenance
When you were a renter, your landlord likely took care of HVAC maintenance tasks like replacing the air filter. They may or may not have also handled the bill for detailed heating and cooling inspections.
Now that you’re responsible for this, you can provide preventive maintenance the attention it deserves. First, perform these do-it-yourself HVAC maintenance tasks:
- Change the air filter every 30 to 90 days.
- Lightly hose down the outdoor unit and pare back vegetation to increase airflow.
- Keep all air registers open to preserve proper system balance.
Then, request annual maintenance for each HVAC unit. Only a trained professional can perform in-depth tasks like cleaning the furnace burners, recharging the AC refrigerant and measuring air leaks in the ductwork. Anticipate the following advantages when you hire a professional to inspect your system once a year:
- Energy savings
- Fewer breakdowns
- More affordable repair bills
- Superior home comfort
- Expanded system life span
- Peace of mind
Look 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 contact a heating and cooling specialist:
- Excessive noise: Don’t dismiss a screeching, rattling, clanking or banging sound. It might be a cry for help from the furnace or air conditioner.
- Comfort or air quality issues: Inconsistent temperatures, high or low humidity, stale rooms and moldy smells are often linked to faulty HVAC equipment.
- Poor energy efficiency: Are your bills suddenly on the rise? This could mean your heating and cooling system isn’t running properly.
- Old age: Like all mechanical equipment, HVAC systems eventually give out. The standard life span of a furnace or boiler is 15 years, while air conditioners and heat pumps last around a decade.
Understand the HVAC Replacement Process
If the finicky furnace or air conditioner can’t be repaired, you’ll need to replace it with an HVAC specialist's help. Here’s how it works:
- Illustrate the problem to the contractor and allow them to explore it more in-depth.
- The technician will next determine the problem and recommend possible solutions. A repair may be doable, but depending on the unit’s condition and age, a replacement may be more cost-effective.
- You can acquire numerous opinions and estimates from different contractors if you want.
- When you work with Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning, a residential sales consultant will go over what HVAC system, brand, fuel type and efficiency rating is ideal for you.
- The contractor should compose a written estimate detailing the work required, the equipment they’ll install and the final cost. You should also get info about warranty coverage, service plans and financing options.
- Schedule the installation after you figure out what system you want. Your contractor will handle everything, including hauling away the old equipment for safe disposal.
- The sales consultant can go over the new system with you, describing how to use it, answering any questions and providing all the needed documentation.
Call Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning
If you have questions about these HVAC system fundamentals, feel free to reach out to Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. We focus on customer education to help you make an informed decision about your heating and cooling system. Our team is well-versed in a wide range of HVAC services, so reach out for everything from furnace maintenance to AC repair to heat pump installation. For more information or to ask about an estimate, please contact your local Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning office today.