HVAC System Basics for New Homeowners

Congratulations on purchasing your first home! You are certainly thrilled with your investment, though you might feel overloaded by all the new responsibilities. Now that you’re a homeowner, not the renter, it’s your job to take care of all your home’s appliances and utility equipment, 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 more to learn. Try 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 likely has this system to keep you warm through the winter and cool throughout the summer. Here are the key parts of an HVAC system:

• Comfort units, like an air conditioner, air-source heat pump, furnace, boiler, geothermal heat pump or ductless mini-split, to name a few options.
• Ductwork fixed to return and supply registers in the case of air-forced systems like 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 temperature control.

Appreciate 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 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, perform these do-it-yourself HVAC maintenance tasks:

• Change the air filter every 30 to 90 days.
• Lightly hose down the outdoor unit and cut back vegetation to increase airflow.
• Keep all air registers open to preserve proper system balance.

Then, arrange 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 gauging air leaks in the ductwork. Count on the following benefits 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 job. Watch for these signs that it’s time to contact a heating and cooling specialist:

• Loud noise: Don’t neglect a squealing, rattling, clanking or banging sound. It can be a cry for help from your furnace or air conditioner.
• Comfort or air quality trouble: Uneven temperatures, high or low humidity, stale rooms and musty smells are routinely tied to malfunctioning HVAC equipment.
• Poor energy efficiency: Are your bills suddenly going up? This might mean your heating and cooling system isn’t working properly.
• Old age: Like all mechanical equipment, HVAC systems inevitably wear out. The typical life span of a furnace or boiler is 15 years, while air conditioners and heat pumps run about a decade.

Understand the HVAC Replacement Process

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

• Illustrate the problem to your technician and permit them to take a closer look at it more in-depth.
• The professional will next determine the problem and offer the best solutions. A repair might be doable, but based on the unit’s condition and age, a replacement may be more cost-effective.
• You can obtain various opinions and estimates from available contractors if you want.
• When you contact Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing, a residential sales consultant will determine what HVAC system, brand, fuel type and efficiency rating is best for you.
• The tech should supply you with a written estimate detailing the work necessary, the equipment they’ll install and the overall cost. You might also get information about warranty coverage, service plans and financing options.
• Schedule the installation once you figure out what system you want. The technician will take care of everything, including hauling away the old equipment for appropriate disposal.
• The sales consultant will review the new system with you, explaining how to use it, addressing any questions and providing all the needed documentation.

Call Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing

If you have questions about these HVAC system basics, don’t hesitate Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. We prioritize customer education to help you make an informed decision about your heating and cooling system. Our team is experienced 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 info or to ask for an estimate, please contact your local Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing office today.